Many Carlsbad residents have been braving the weather to travel back and forth to Santa Fe this week to participate in the legislative session.
We have especially enjoyed visiting with members of our Southeast New Mexico Delegation this past week, including Senator Gay Kernan, David Gallegos and Ron Griggs and Representatives Cathrynn Brown, Jim Townsend, Jimmy Mason and Larry Scott. They are working extremely hard to represent our area. We also enjoy a good relationship with many senators and representatives from other parts of the state.
We also enjoyed attending the annual WIPP Breakfast, in which the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant provides an update to legislators about this important facility. Elected officials from the City and County, as well as member of the Chamber and Carlsbad Department of Development, have also been busy meeting with a wide variety of cabinet members and attending numerous hearings important to the area. Numerous Carlsbad residents have already been in committee meetings and spoken in favor of local industries, including oil and gas, WIPP and the HOLTEC project.
We have also had a number of residents participate in committee hearings related to the destination sourcing issue. In 2019, New Mexico’s HB 6 resulted in major changes being made to the tax code, which were particularly devastating to the communities of Carlsbad and Hobbs. There are numerous efforts going on right now to attempt to fairly address this issue and keep local moneys within local cities. It is very important that this part of the state, which sees so much population growth and which is responsible for a huge chunk of the state’s annual revenue, receive its fair share to maintain necessary infrastructure.
Carlsbad has been extremely engaged in the legislative process over the past few years, because of energy and nuclear bills, destination sourcing bills and the successful effort to have Carlsbad’s college become independent. Many of our residents have become very familiar with the annual legislative process. We are fortunate to have groups of volunteers dedicated to this community who have gotten a lot of experience over the years in the political process.
As a reminder, committee hearings are an extremely important part of the legislative process, and, in New Mexico, they are all broadcast on the state’s legislative web page- https://www.nmlegis.gov/ Some hearings also offer the opportunity for virtual public comment, depending on the amount of time available. We hope you’ll keep informed on this year’s legislative session and participate to the greatest extent to which you are able.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway