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The state budget signed by the Governor included more than $1 billion for local infrastructure projects throughout the state. Capital outlay funds are for the state’s 33 counties and its municipalities came via House Bill 505, totaling about $1.2 billion statewide. The bill was signed by the governor and enacted into law on April 7th, 2023.
Representative District 51, John Block issued a press statement issuing praise for his leadership for bringing nearly $3 Million back to his district in funding. While the money back to Otero County is applauded there is much that is left out of the statement by the representative. The fact is District 51 Representative, John Block voted against House Bill 505 which funded major projects within Otero County.
Below is the roll call vote and how the House representatives voted. Note: John Block NAY.
Thus technically, yes, the state allocated funds back to Otero County! However not with the vote of support from District 51 Representative John Block as implied.
Representative Madrid whose district includes parts of Otero County to include Chaparral voted in favor of HB 505 thus endorsing the allocation of funds to Otero County, New Mexico.
Another fact is significant capital improvement money was also allocated to the Mescalero Apache Capital Projects, $3,690,000, The City of Tularosa Water Improvements, $2,500,000, New Mexico State University Alamogordo Campus Infrastructure, $1,000,000 and to the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, $1,870,000. The City of Alamogordo receives $1,237,000 for Alameda Park and Zoo improvements as well as funding for a chairlift at the police department, police vehicles and significant funding for irrigation at the golf course.
The total in Capital funding allocated to Otero County of which Mr. Block, voted NAY, is $14,251,075.
Commentary and Facts:
The state of New Mexico invested $1.2 Billion in capital outlay funds this year. Our representatives need to be fighting to get Otero County’s share of the pie.
The $14 Million received back from the state represents just $207.93 per Otero County resident based on our population of 68,537 residents.
Residents of Bernalillo County by contrast received back $308 per county resident in capital outlay funding, or almost 33% more value, from the efforts of their representatives to bring the pork back to their community.
Now, it’s debatable rather the state should be spending these vast amounts in infrastructure spending.
Yes restraint needs to be the order of the day, however if the state is going to spend the funds, shouldn’t Otero County and Southern New Mexico residents get their fair share at least equitable to the residents of the counties in Northern New Mexico?
Otero County must have representation that fights for our fair share. Instead of NAY votes and then SPIN, Otero County needs advocates in the legislature leading and championing project funding, based upon requests from the local representatives at the municipal and county level. Then Representative Block and others need to fight tooth and nail for our local citizens to get our fair share of the state budget pie.
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