Members of the New Mexico National Guard present the colors as the 2020 Legislative Session gets underway Tuesday in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard and Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler, both of Los Alamos gather for a photo at the opening of the legislative session Tuesday at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

SANTA FE – The 30-Day Session of the 54th New Mexico Legislature got underway Tuesday at the Roundhouse.

House Speaker Brian Egolf welcomed a capacity crowd of legislators, dignitaries and guests.

Among state officials recognized by Speaker Egolf at the opening was New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard of Los Alamos.

Commissioner Garcia Richard spoke with the Los Alamos Daily Post about the goals she hopes are accomplished during the session.

“We look forward to working with the state legislature and the governor to ensure that the New Mexico taxpayer is not on the hook for oil and gas clean up with the passage of our bonding memorial, full funding for our agency budget to do the important work of caring for our 13 million acres of state land, and increasing the length of our economic development leases with counties and cities to increase their economic opportunities using state land,” Commissioner Garcia Richard said.

Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler, also of Los Alamos, shared her passion for education and what she hopes to see accomplished.

“I am looking forward to another session focused on the state’s education moonshot: increased funding for public education, universal Pre-K, teacher raises and a new early childhood trust fund,” Chandler said. “I am happy to be part of moving New Mexico forward.”

The opening day activities include the annual State of the State Address delivered by the governor.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s delivered her second address since taking office. In her speech, she underscored the need for sustained investment in programs that meet the needs of workers and families, outlining bold expansions of New Mexico’s educational and economic horizons.

The governor identified key areas of emphasis for the 30-day legislative session including:

• Crafting a strategic and sustainable budget that rebuilds state agencies’ capacity to deliver services to New Mexicans and incorporates significant savings for a future rainy day (the governor’s executive recommendation includes putting 25 percent of “new money” into the state’s reserves);
• Investing in game-changing early childhood programs through the new Early Childhood Education and Care Department and the Early Childhood Trust Fund.;
• Delivering tuition-free higher education to New Mexico residents by restoring the original promise of the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship with the “last-dollar” Opportunity Scholarship;
• Implementing new measures that will enhance public safety in New Mexico, including a request, in the executive budget recommendation, for 60 new State Police officers; and
• Establishing a new fund for senior services; providing equitable and much-needed reform for the state’s public pension system that protects taxpayers and retirees; and more.

Read the full text of the governor’s address at www.ladailypost.com