Tried, but missed the deadline for your request for junior money (Senate Bill 2), so I’m writing this letter so that everyone understands how I allocated these funds. I voted for the bill to make capital outlay funds transparent and I fully understand that all state funding decisions should be available to New Mexico citizens.
The reason so many legislators were working to reinstate junior money is that it is the only money we can allocate for operations, including staff.
This year we had $1.8 million for capital outlay funds and these funds are directed to local governments including counties, cities, acequias, mutual domestic water associations, land grants, and volunteer fire departments to help with buildings and infrastructure. Junior money also has to go to state government entities and some funds are reoccurring and others are non-reoccurring.
This year the members of the House of Representatives were each allocated $180,000 for reoccurring funds and $180,000 for non-reoccurring funds.
I spent my reoccurring money on grant writing. I gave $80,000 to the Local Council of Governments, $50,000 to the City of Española and $50,000 to Rio Arriba County for grant writing research, grant writing and technical assistance.
It is my hope these funds will be put to good use in helping local governments obtain needed infrastructure and program services at the local level. It is also my hope this money will be reoccurring to help strengthen our communities in the years ahead.
In non-reoccurring funds I gave $60,000 to the Office of the State Engineer for grant writing assistance for the Interstate Stream Compact Compliance and Water Development for Acequia Capital Project program. Acequias throughout our state need assistance in accessing state and federal funds. My district (41) has the most acequias in the state.
Another $60,000 was given to Northern New Mexico College to help implement a program supporting students in sustainable agriculture. Another $60,000 was given to Santa Fe Community College for a research study for the First Born Program. When this research study is completed it will enable the First Born program to be eligible for federal funding.
The governor has called for a special session on April 5 and hopefully these funds will be restored.
Susan Herrera
Rep., District 41