ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Renovations planned for the New Mexico Capitol during the Legislature's offseason include the addition of a bathroom that lawmakers call long overdue. The Capitol has a men's bathroom right off the House member's lounge next to the House floor, but the nearest members' bathroom for women is on the Senate side of the building.
Democratic Rep. Mimi Stewart says the walk means that female representatives sometimes miss votes, and House Speaker Ken Martinez says the lack of a bathroom for female House members is embarrassing.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the additional women's bathroom for representatives is being added as part of a $2.5 million upgrade. Other work includes installing new carpeting and replacing electronic voting systems.
The Capitol was completed in 1966.
