Dr. Jennifer Fitch (Vice Chairman/Incoming Chairman 2017 of the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce) and I spent the first part of last week with twenty other members of the New Mexico Chamber Executives Association (NMCEA) being briefed from Governor Susanna Martinez’s top-tiered staff, on the state of various state departments and their respective legislative priorities. The NMCEA is an organization of chamber executives from across the state who work together to improve the business climate in New Mexico while developing ways to enhance the quality of life in the communities we each represent.
The briefing was part of a two-day Annual Legislative Conference. This conference is held to bring chamber executives together to discuss their own legislative focuses and create a comprehensive legislative agenda reflecting efforts in such areas as public safety, education, economic development and the state’s budget.
“To truly have an impact on the business environment statewide, it’s valuable for us to come together to talk about the important issues facing our individual communities,” said Terri Cole, President and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. “We have chamber execs here from Alamogordo, Las Cruces, Ruidoso, Angel Fire, Los Alamos Gallup, and many, many others. We know that our communities are not isolated, they impact one another greatly so its key for us to have a discussion around these issues together.”
Speakers included Cabinet and Deputy-Cabinet Secretaries from the departments of Education, Children, Youth and Families, Economic Development, Public Safety, Tourism, Finance and Administration, and the Governor’s Legislative Director. The conference wrapped up with an NMCEA Board meeting on Weds., then concluded with a two hour meeting at the round house with the Governor on Friday.
The 53rd Legislative Session begins on January 17, 2017 and concludes on March 18, 2017.
Left to right: Scott Weaver, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety, Barbara Brazil, Deputy Secretary of the Economic Development Department, Rebecca Latham, Secretary of the Tourism Department, Hanna Skandera, Secretary of the Public Education Department, Monique Jacobson, Secretary of the Children, Youth and Families Department and Jeremiah Ritchie, Legislative Director for Governor Martinez.
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