Los Alamos County Lobbyist Scott Scanland and Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler present a briefing about the 2019 legislative session during Tuesday night’s council work session at the White Rock Fire Station. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

COUNTY News:

“It’s like a total good news story,” NM District 43 Representative Christine Chandler told Los Alamos County Council regarding the 2019 legislative session.

She explained, during the council’s Tuesday night work session held at the White Rock Fire Station, that the state’s revenues are very healthy and as a result, legislators were able to fund a lot of things that the Los Alamos community and others consider very important.

For instance, House Bill 2 contained over $400 million dollars for transportation projects, including over $50 million for the local road fund, according to agenda documents.
 
 Additionally, Chandler reported lawmakers approved to spend an additional $450 milllion for public education.

Chandler also touched on the SB 11 bill, which states contractors operating a laboratory facility in New Mexico are indeed subject to gross receipt taxes.

Chandler said she carried the bill on the House side and was pleased to see the bill pass unanamiously on the floor.

The good news continues; Chandler said the revenue the state receives from oil and gas is projected to increase next year.

However, Chandler said, nothing stays unchanged. Just because the state has a flux of money now does not mean it will continue to do so in the future. She said she feels legislators need to develop a plan B for when that revenue runs out.