Taking the Collective Voice of Dona Ana County to Santa Fe

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As published in the Las Cruces Bulletin

The 2019 Legislative Session is kicking off with a new administration and a pot of new money that totals over $1 billion. Ideas for how to spend that money are as abundant as the oil and gas wells in the eastern part of the state that account for much of that additional revenue.

So as New Mexico begins this next chapter in its history, how can those investments be made in a way that builds long-term positive economic and social returns for our community, as well as our state?

The Doña Ana County Legislative Coalition (DACLC) has sought to help our state elected officials prioritize policy and investments that would make a positive difference in the lives of the county’s residents. The Coalition is comprised of public and private sector members that represent business, education, economic development, and government who take a look at each member’s needs, collectively agree on what’s most important, then speak with one voice on one another’s behalf. Members include:

  • Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce
  • Las Cruces Hispanic Chamber
  • Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance
  • Las Cruces Public Schools
  • New Mexico State University
  • The City of Las Cruces
  • Dona Ana County
  • Spaceport America
  • The Bridge of Southern New Mexico

For the 2019 session, the Collaborative outlined investments that will continue to build upon progress being made all across the county in education, quality of life, safety, and the space industry. 

To continue growing our state-leading high school graduation rate, the Coalition is supporting equitable funding and improving the outcomes for New Mexico’s Dual Credit Program. The establishment of the New Mexico True Talent Fund would create $9-12 million of recurring funding to reimburse the colleges and universities who make dual credit possible.

These courses are directly contributing to increased graduation rates, but the colleges and universities that offer them are not receiving anywhere near sufficient funding to cover the costs to deliver. With the state hitting a record high 73% graduation rate, we need to keep delivering these courses and reach even more students, including those that are working to earn career certifications and two-year degrees while they are in high school through Career and Technical Education Pathways and Early College High Schools.

Every 1% increase in the state graduation rate translates to almost $10 million in additional annual earning power of those graduates, if all they do is graduate high school. The numbers skyrocket when they complete college at any level.  The increase in incomes then ripples out into increased spending in their communities, as well as increased state and federal taxes that fund the work of the public sector (education, government) in their communities.

Another priority laid out by the Coalition is support for the burgeoning work taking place at Spaceport America.  Governor Lujan-Grisham has publicly stated her support for the home of the commercial space industry in New Mexico…with opportunities for economic impact growing each year. The addition of a payload processing center, additional taxiway, and ground support hanger will help the Spaceport meet the needs of commercial space companies interested in bringing their exploration of space to New Mexico’s unique airspace.

Investments that support the continued transformation of downtown Las Cruces, increased operations at the Las Cruces Airport, improved flood control and waste water across the county, and updated infrastructure at our state’s land grant university are all part of requests that support our county’s forward progress.

There will be a lot of trips made up I-25 over the next two months for many in our community. We look forward to the investments that will flow back into our county because, by working together and speaking with one voice, Doña Ana County continues to lead the way!