I am back in the office (for a few days) after having attended the NMCEA Legislative Conference, New Mexico Chamber Executives Association, last week in Santa Fe and am pleased to tell you that I was seated on the executive board of this state organization while there. The Angel Fire Chamber has a been member of the organization for over 5 years. I will serve as a board member for three years and on the executive board as the secretary/treasurer for 2016. The conference was packed full of meetings and information. We spent all day last Tues. at the roundhouse. Governor Martinez met with us first to explain what is on her call for this short session and why she is asking for certain budget monies, and discussed several bills she would like to see passed.
The three governmental focus items this session are on Public Safety, Economic Development, and Education. The agenda then provided us an hour with each of the following cabinet members:
- Mr. Scott Darnell, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor on the subject of 2016 NM Legislative initiatives.
(He also introduced us to his staff and allowed each if them to detail the work they do on various issues) - Cabinet Secretary Mr. Tom Clifford, Finance and Administration Department
- Cabinet Secretary Mr. Jon Barela, Economic Development Department
- Cabinet Secretary Mr. Gregory Fouratt, Public Safety Department
The following day we met with:
- Cabinet Secretary Ms. Monique Jacobson, Children, Youth and Families Department
- Cabinet Secretary Ms. Hanna Skandera, Public Education Department
- Cabinet Secretary Dr. Barbara Damron, Higher Education Department
All members of NMCEA in attendance spent the rest of our time discussing what we believed were important points each of our own chambers would support or oppose as a group, on the NMCEA Legislative card. I sent the narrative that was drafted and the card that will be given to the Governor, the House, and the Senate as representative of all of the combined Chambers of New Mexico and the businesses we represent, to our board of directors so they could read and comment. They were charged with supporting or opposing by last Saturday morning.(As the Governor told us the NMCEA is a powerful voice at legislation.)
The card is a short version = support or oppose of budget requests and the list of introduced bills. The narrative is a longer explanation of the card. (If you, as a member of the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce would like me to email these to you, please let me know.)
To read bills in their entirety go to http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/bill_locator.aspx?year=16.
For a List of New Mexico Legislators go to http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/districts.aspx.
Angel Fire’s House Representative is Nick Salazar and our Senator is Pete Campos.
2016 52nd Legislative Session Dates:
December 15, 2015 – January 15, 2016
Legislation may be pre-filed
January 19 Opening day (noon) February 3
February 18 Session ends (noon)
March 9 Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed
May 18 Effective date of legislation not a general appropriation bill or a bill carrying an emergency clause or other specified date
Thanks & let me know if you have questions,
Jo Mixon, Executive Director
Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce
575-377-6353
manager@angelfirechamber.org
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