The Chamber this week released its 2019 New Mexico Legislative Summary, highlighting the successes, challenges, and major policy changes resulting from an historic and eventful 60-day legislative session.
The Summary places this year’s session in context — with a new Governor and 21 new legislators (including 19 in the House) and a budget surplus in the billions — and outlines the agenda approved by the Chamber’s board, which focused on priorities like responsible budgeting and infrastructure spending, support for economic development incentives, and crime reduction and public safety improvement efforts.
Among the Signature Successes highlighted were the securing of $60-75 million for the state’s closing fund, the creation of an Early Childhood Education and Care Department, the establishment of a state ethics commission, and substantial criminal justice reform initiatives and funding for advanced crime-fighting technology. The Chamber also successfully opposed a Charter School Enrollment Cap and Moratorium, a substantial corporate tax increase, and an onerous environmental review proposal that would have substantially limited development in the state, among other problematic measures.
Featuring testimonials regarding the Chamber’s efforts from legislators from both parties and from both the Senate and House, as well as from stakeholders like Katherine Freeman of United Way of Santa Fe County and David Abbey, Director of the Legislative Finance Committee, the Chamber’s 2019 New Mexico Legislative Summary is a testament to the Chamber’s significant role as a voice for the business community.