The session is underway. I am grateful to Representative Ben Lujan, Speaker of the House for reappointing me to the House Taxation and Revenue Committee (and the Capital Outlay Subcommittee) and the House Voters and Elections Committee.
There is much to be done.I believe that the legislation I will introduce is important, but because of its nature, may never make the news.I hope you will take the time to read some of the draft legislation and comment.I really need your input.One of the most challenging elements of serving is correctly anticipating consequences and reducing the number of unintended consequences.With your help, we can make positive changes for New Mexico.
The New Mexico Legislature website is: http://legis.state.nm.us
Geospatial Resources Program(not yet introduced)
This bill would create a Geospatial Coordinator in the office of the state’s Chief Information Officer and provide resources and direction to do the work through the Earth Data Analysis Center at UNM.In a nutshell, geospatial data is held in many places – agencies, counties, municipalities, federal, tribal, and private entities.Geospatial data helps to identify the location of people, places and things using latitude and longitude.Most emergency responders – 911 systems -- rely on geospatial data.In New Mexico, data does exist, but it is often incomplete.The Geospatial Resources Program would begin the process of establishing standards so that the most accurate data could be accessed using distributed databases.Distributed databases makes it possible for entities to maintain their own datasets, so they are the most accurate, but allows others access to important pieces of the data.Working with NMSU, NMT, state and federal agencies, counties and municipalities, the Geospatial Resources Program will begin to provide accurate information for policy making.For example, flood plain data is vital to developers to reduce risk and to protect property.It is the type of information that FEMA would like to have to anticipate threats to people and properties.Accurate well contamination data could help policy makers establish more appropriate, local remedies. It is the application that is so exciting.But first things first!There must be a way to share the data.Please take a look at this draft and give me your thoughts. (Draft attached text file Geospatial Resources Act)
Rural Libraries(not yet introduced)
Geospatial Resources Program is all about sharing information.Our libraries are masters at doing exactly that!Using some of the latest technology, libraries can provide access to the world to the smallest of our communities.Education in rural areas is changing because of cost and many other needs.I believe that libraries will play a vital roll in sustaining the educational systems and vitality of rural communities.When I think about the potential of creating Rural Library “ribs” connected to a backbone like Lambda Rail, I see a New Mexico that can educate its people for a lifetime, grow its economy and maintain its rural, southwestern life style.Please take a look at this draft. (Draft attached PDF 163659.1)
Repeal the Regional Housing Authorities (not yet introduced)
In 1994, Regional Housing Authorities were established across the country.In looking at the existing language, it is clear that the intent was to find a way to provide and sustain low-income housing.Unfortunately, that same law provided little oversight anywhere and also allowed the Regional Housing Authorities to issue bonds.In the State of New Mexico there are/were seven Regional Housing Authorities.Region I never functioned, Regions II and III no longer function and have serious problems, Region IV is under a court order and has issues, Regions V and VI are examples of how all the other regions should have operated, and Region VII, has recently been closed down.Today, the IRS is investigating almost all the Housing Authorities created in the early 1990’s.New Mexico is facing the problem of bonds going into default and we have no idea what the State’s liability might be.A conservative estimate is $10 million.Region V and Region VI have done a wonderful job serving the people, but it appears the structure of the Regional Housing Authorities has put the entire state at risk, and in Regions I, II, II, IV, and VII the need low-income housing is going unmet.This is a very difficult problem.The solutions will not be easy.Please weigh in with your thoughts.(Draft attached PDF 163100.2)
Emergency Planning for Small Towns and Small Counties (not yet introduced)
As witnessed during our recent snowstorms, emergency systems that most people think are in place, just aren’t there yet.I think television shows like Star Trek (my favorite) CSI, and some of the disaster movies gives people the impression that these systems have been developed right along with what we are watching.The truth is, it takes a significant emotional, intellectual and financial commitments on the part of every state to make sure that help is available to people, as quickly as possible, when things go wrong.This is never perfect, and always evolving.One mayor was telling me that during an emergency he needed to know who to call for assistance and wanted to know what resources were available nearby.He didn’t get an answer to those questions.9-11 has raised many challenging questions from general interoperability requirements to knowing who’s in charge during an emergency.Not surprisingly, most efforts are focused on large metropolitan areas.When it comes to Homeland Security incidents, New Mexico never makes the list.That doesn’t mean that there aren’t critical assets.It does mean that we have fewer people and are geographically isolated.I believe it is time to look at emergency planning from a bottom up perspective.I know that in an emergency trust and information are critical.We have the most capable institutions in the country to work on this issue, New Mexico Tech and two national labs -- Sandier and Los Alamos.It is time we look at how to provide simple planning tools to small towns and counties, how to make sure we can communicate and provide assets in an emergency, and how to recover from a disaster.We need to plan to help ourselves.(Draft to be posted soon)
Enforceable Title Insurance (Co-sponsor with Rep. Mimi Stewart – HB254)
Title insurance should mean something.Somewhere along the way, the State of New Mexico required the purchase of title insurance but failed to require that the purchaser be made whole if the title search lacked due diligence.(Bill attached)
Bills already introduced:
Other bills I am working on:
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Re-establish Rural Jobs Tax Credit
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State Interoperability Requirements
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Individual Asset Accounts and CRAT
Capital Outlay:
If you are considering a Capital Outlay request, please go to the Legislative Website and complete the appropriate documentation.Each request needs a budget with reasoned estimates of costs.If you are a non-profit, please make sure a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between your non-profit and the local government agencies that has agreed to act as your fiscal agent, accompanies your request.Please e-mail the completed package to me.Hurry!Time is running out!