Work is getting done at a glacial pace during session

By Diane Denish

You might have heard some rumblings that we’re having a bit of a slow legislative session in the Roundhouse. Those rumblings are right… and they’re wrong.

Far from a “do-nothing session,” as a certain governor recently branded it, work is getting done. It’s just been, well, glacial.

The main reason for that pace is the comparative lack of money for new programs and projects. In last year’s session, we had more than $800 million above the base budget. This year, legislators have an extra $360 million. At 6 percent, that’s not peanuts, but the bulk of it was quickly dedicated to public schools and Medicaid – worthy programs that ensure our children are educated and their families are healthy.

Still, good things are happening for New Mexicans, and I’m proud to have played a role in a lot of them. Here are just a few:

• We’ve invested $500,000 in the individual development account program to help residents learn how to save money wisely. Participants attend a series of classes about managing money and agree to set some aside every month. At the end of the program, the state uses its money, leveraged with federal dollars, to match what they’ve saved to spend on things like buying a home, going to college or starting a business.

Since its inception, the program has helped 1,000 low-income New Mexicans build their financial assets and work their way out of poverty.

• The Public Education Department is set to receive $150,000 for its outdoor classroom project, part of the “Leave No Child Inside” effort. These projects aim to connect children with nature, encourage healthy physical activity and make concrete connections with concepts in math, science and other coursework.

• Schoolchildren will be eating fresher fruits and vegetables thanks to $150,000 we’re giving to New Mexico State University to work with local farmers. Not only will New Mexico-grown tomatoes, lettuce, melons and other produce appear on more lunch trays, but local farmers will have a guaranteed buyer for their crops.

• When I saw the first American Eagle flight land at Roswell’s airport, it proved to me that the state can establish public-private partnerships to bring air service to more communities. So we’re putting $1.2 million toward carrying out that expansion, which will spur business development, alleviate the strain on our transportation system and bind the state’s communities together as an economic entity.

Communities that could take advantage of this include Carlsbad, Farmington, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Silver City and, seasonally, the Taos Ski Valley.

• You only turn 100 once, and in 2012, New Mexico hits the century mark. In next year’s budget is $100,000 to begin planning for celebrations that will invite tourists as well as residents to join in the fun and give a boost to the economy.

• American Indians who leave their native lands find their health care options limited – if not invisible – and that leads to some of the worst health outcomes in our state. We’re dedicating $150,000 for a Native American health care commission to serve the 50,000 American Indians in Bernalillo County. The commission will develop a plan to address their needs and look for additional money and services to provide care.

At noon on Thursday, legislators, lobbyists and activists get an extra-special Valentine’s treat: adjournment. Between now and then, many strong efforts will be made on behalf of our citizens – to strengthen schools, repair roads, deliver clean water to rural areas and more.

That’s the thing about glaciers: They move slowly, but they leave change in their wake.

Denish is the state’s lieutenant governor. She will be writing a weekly column throughout the 30-day legislative session that is underway. You can reach her office at (505) 476-2250.