Gov. Susana Martinez is steadfast that she will veto legislation meant to shore up New Mexico's unemployment fund. But the Governor's Office isn't talking about how she arrived at that decision.

The New Mexican sent Martinez's office several questions Wednesday in an attempt to get specifics on the governor's decision-making process.

The questions included:

• How she felt about the risk that her veto of House bill 59 might lead to higher employer contributions if New Mexico's unemployment fund goes insolvent.

• Who she was seeking out for feedback on the issue.

• How many small- and medium-business owners she had spoken with in reaching her decision, and what they were telling her.

• Whether the Governor's Office established a dedicated phone line or email account for feedback on the legislation and how many, if any, constituents had contacted her or her office.

• What specific policies, beyond reducing state regulations, she would develop over the next nine months to increase New Mexico employment.

Instead of responding to the individual questions, Martinez's office on Thursday afternoon sent a three-paragraph statement that in appeared similar to one delivered to the Associated Press.

On Saturday, in announcing her intention to veto HB59, Martinez said she believed the fund would stay solvent despite warnings that, without a legislative fix, it could go bankrupt in March 2012. The bill she plans to veto would raise business taxes and trim some jobless benefits.

Martinez also predicted that her administration's efforts to create a more business-friendly atmosphere would put more New Mexicans to work before the fund goes bust.

With her decision to veto the legislation, Martinez is bucking a majority of state lawmakers as well as two of the state's biggest business groups.

One powerful lawmaker worried Wednesday that a veto could ultimately harm local businesses, which is why state lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill.

"If she does that, there's problems, especially for small employers," Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, said. "It was a tough vote, but when the business community is telling us it's the best thing to do, we listen to them."

Contact Trip Jennings at 986-3050 or tjennings@sfnewmexican.com.