Officials discuss priorities

State representatives displayed bipartisanship and a willingness to work for the better of Roosevelt, Curry and Quay counties in this upcoming legislative session at a Legislative Forum Thursday in Clovis.

CMI staff photo: Christina Calloway

State and U.S. legislators met Thursday in Clovis with local leaders to discuss the upcoming legislative session in Santa Fe and to hear what's important to their constituents in this area.

But the same could not be said for U.S. Congress, who will have a rough road ahead of them, according to Tim Kethley, a representative for U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M.

Local leaders jammed into the Ingram Room in the Clovis Carver Library to meet with area state legislators and U.S. lawmakers and their staff representing New Mexico. The purpose: To discuss what's on the table in this upcoming legislative session and to express the needs of the area.

The event was co-sponsored by the Eastern Plains Council of Governments (EPCOG) and the Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

CMI staff photo: Christina Calloway

Curry County Commissioner Dan Stoddard asks a panel comprised of state and U.S. legislators about benefits at a legislative forum Thursday at the Carver Clovis Library.

Clovis City Commissioner Sandra Taylor Sawyer opened up the forum with an Ethiopian proverb, stressing the importance of lawmakers working together.

"When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion," Sawyer said. "Let's pull forward."

After introductions panel members gave a congressional update as to what's in store for the next few months.

"A lot of stuff is up in the air with the re-election of President Obama," said David Williams, field representative for Sen. Tom Udall.

Williams said they are looking to extend a production tax credit for wind energy in 2013. He added that Udall will also be pushing for the farm bill to be adopted.

"I think both sides will be at the table giving a little bit," Williams said.

Ron Wilmot, a representative for U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, said there will be a lot of money pumped into the community throughout Cannon Air Force Base as Congress should vote for to fund base expansion.

Kethley wasn't as optimistic as the Democrats about much getting done the next couple of months.

"If you expect Washington to fix problems right now, it's just not going to happen," Kethley said. "It's going to be a very difficult road ahead."

Kethley said government spending has hit $3.6 trillion and revenues have been less, about $2.3 trillion.

Kethley added that if agreements aren't met by the end of the year to solve the deficit problem, there will be an automatic cut to the military of about $1 trillion.

"That's going to affect New Mexico and this community," Kethley said.

District 66 State Rep. Bob Wooley, R-Roswell, said the upcoming state legislative session should have a different tone.

"I hope and pray we work as a bipartisan group," Wooley said. "There's good people on both sides."

Wooley said they will be tasked with balancing the budget and hopefully spending surplus money on the road improvements.

"The road department is broke and lots of roads all over are really bad," Wooley said.

Wooley said the proposed repeal of a law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license will also be on the table.

District 67 Rep. Dennis Roch of Texico said the budget is an issue every year, but he feels legislators will pull together to get it passed.

"We have the same goal in mind but our approach differs," Roch said.

He stresses cutting spending and finding ways to bring in new revenue, enabling compromise of how to save more money.

"We have had surpluses coming in because oil and gas is booming," Roch said.

District 63 Rep. George Dodge of Santa Rosa works on committees with Wooley and Roch. He agreed that working together can solve spending issues.

"If you can take one thing away from today, go to Santa Fe," Dodge said. "Your voices need to be heard."

The representatives agreed that representation of small rural areas is shrinking. They said although they plan to fight for Curry, Roosevelt and Quay counties, they also want local leaders to speak up.