Richardson to lobby for overpass funds

Gov. Bill Richardson promised help in getting funds for an overpass over State Road 467 during a stop in Clovis Tuesday on a swing through eastern New Mexico.

Approximately 30 people attended the town-hall style meeting in the Bert Cabiness City Government Center, which included a question and answer session between attendees and the state’s top boss.

Richardson said Curry County entities have received some money for the overpass, which was promised to area residents when the county closed the Wheaton Street railroad crossing. However, the Richardson-appointed Community Development Council failed to award Curry County a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant that was intended to help fund overpass construction.

He said his administration would “work on that” during the next Legislative session.

Eastern New Mexico State University Regent Jay Gurley asked Richardson about reports that the state budget will have a $150 million shortfall in the coming year. Richardson said the estimates — originated in the state Legislative Finance Committee — are exaggerated.

“That report came mostly from Democrats, who object to my tax cuts,” he said. “We are balanced and I expect to remain balanced.”

Asked for his opinion on the situation in Iraq, he replied, “I did support the president on Iraq, but I don’t believe they planned for afterward.”

He said other countries, including Moslem countries, should be brought into peace-keeping activities. Also, other Middle Eastern countries should be engaged in the long-term peace keeping process after the U.S. turns over security duties to Iraqis in June, he said.

New Mexico should develop a state program to provide benefits for veterans after they return from Iraq, he added.

Reporter Nicole Garcia, of NBC Channel 4, Amarillo, told Richardson the Curry County Commission had voted earlier Tuesday to consider a resolution banning same-sex marriages in the county. She asked him for his reaction to the move.

“I have no problem with that,” he said. “In New Mexico, we have protection for gays in housing and the workplace, and against hate crimes. But, beyond that ... The Attorney General has said same-sex marriage is not the law.”

He added that he would not support a U.S. Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

“The state of New Mexico should have a say in that, not the (federal) government,” he said.

Richardson noted that Clovis Community College President Beverlee McClure was named vice-chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Higher Education March 19.

Richardson also visited Portales on Tuesday, and is scheduled to visit Hobbs, Carlsbad, Artesia and Ruidoso today.