On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Leadership Albuquerque participants took a trip north to Santa Fe for its Government Day.
Jeremy Oswald, Leadership ABQ chair and ABQ Market president for Citizens Bank, told participants on the bus that the goal was to expose the group to several different vantage points on government in New Mexico.
During the stop, Leadership Albuquerque participants went to five different locations, which allowed them to hear from top leaders in the state legislative, executive and judicial branches – as well as from newly-elected Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia, who provided an important local government perspective.
The group toured the Roundhouse as the 30-day legislative session was in full force.
Scott Darnell, Leadership ABQ program advisor, was the first to present on what roles do appointees and advisors play within government.
Darnell is a former senior aide and advisor to a governor, a mayor, and our business community, and for several years, he helped teach a course on U.S. Presidential Leadership and Decision-making at Harvard University.
Arriving just before 9 a.m., the group filed into Mabry Hall at the New Mexico Public Education Department. This is where Charles Sallee, Legislative Finance Committee director, presented “Money Matters: New Mexico’s Fiscal Position/Outlook and Legislative Priorities.”
Sallee oversees the construction of the budget each year, keeps legislators apprised of fiscal and economic developments in the state, and leads a staff of program evaluators who analyze the effectiveness of various programs in state government.
Oswald said New Mexico’s fiscal position and budget outlook over the past six years has seen historic revenue coming into the state.
“With so much money to spend, or save, or invest, or return to taxpayers, it has made for very difficult and important conversations,” Oswald said. “This year, we continue to expect significant revenues, but as expected, the meteoric rise of oil and gas production can’t continue forever, so revenues are leveling off.”
Sallee talked about how the Legislature and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham are likely to handle this budget dynamic.
The group then walked to the New Mexico Supreme Court where Leean Kravitz, Leadership Albuquerque vice chair and vice president, Government Relations and Public Affairs at Fidelity Investments, introduced Senior Justice Michael E. Vigil.
“Senior Justice Michael Vigil has served on the Court since being elected in 2018 and was the Chief Justice from 2020 to 2022. He previously served on the New Mexico Court of Appeals for fifteen years and practiced law for over 27 years prior to his judicial service,” Kravitz said.
Justice Vigil explained the responsibilities and role of the Supreme Court, as well as, the court’s legislative priorities
After the presentation, Leadership Albuquerque participants toured the Supreme Court Chambers and law library.
The group then walked to the Roundhouse — hitting all the floors.
Dan Schlegel, chief of staff to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham gave a presentation inside the Governor’s Cabinet Room.
At this time, Oswald told the group that the goal was to:
- Understand the governor’s priorities for the state, including her top legislative priorities.
- Understand how the Governor’s Office is structured and how the Governor works with her team of advisors – here and across state agencies – to make decisions and oversee government operations.
- And understand some of the highlights and challenges that confront those who work at such a high level in state government.
participated in a panel for Leadership Albuquerque on the role of lobbyists.
The group then participated in a panel presentation in understanding the role of lobbyists and perspective on state government. The lobbyists that participated were, Joe Thompson, Thompson Consulting; JD Bullington, JD Bullington Government Relations; and Rikki-Lee Chavez, New Mexico Capitol Counsel & Consulting.
By mid-afternoon, the group then went to Santa Fe City Hall where Mayor Michael Garcia spoke about what it’s like to be in the position. Garcia was elected in November and began his role on Jan. 1.
The group then traveled back to Albuquerque after an informative day on local government. The Chamber thanks the speakers and participants for the learning opportunity.