STATE News:

LAS CRUCES — State legislators from the U.S. and Mexico will meet in Las Cruces Sept. 19-21 for the Border Legislative Conference (BLC), a binational forum in which legislators exchange best practices and identify policy solutions addressing the complex issues along the 2,000-mile U.S. – Mexico border region.

Providing a focused and ongoing dialogue among state legislators of the 10 U.S.-Mexico border states, the BLC fosters regional collaboration and mutual understanding.

Membership in the BLC is comprised of legislators from the 10 states along the U.S.-Mexico border. These states include New Mexico, California, Arizona and Texas in the U.S., and Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas in Mexico. BLC Chair, New Mexico State Sen. Bill Soules (D-Las Cruces), is hosting this year’s conference in conjunction with the Council of State Governments West (CSG West).

“The Border Legislative Conference gives us a unique opportunity to meet our colleagues and engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration, and by including state legislators from both the United States and Mexico border region we can really dig into the issues,” Sen. Soules said. “We roll up our sleeves and discuss common problems, exchange information, and develop joint programs to strengthen relational and economic ties between border communities. I am honored to serve as host for the conference and welcome everyone to our beautiful city of Las Cruces.”

The conference will focus on topics related to border issues, industrial advocacy, supply chain, energy, drought management, public safety, migration challenges, welfare of unaccompanied minors and Public Health including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).