Governor visits Clovis

CLOVIS - Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham visited Clovis Friday to officially announce state funds coming for the Ute Water Pipeline, more building space for Clovis Community College's nursing program and the city's new Hillcrest Senior Center.

The governor also spoke at a swearing-in ceremony for the Clovis Police Department.

Lujan Grisham began her visit to Clovis with a stop at Clovis Community College's Allied Health building where she announced $2 million coming from the state for an addition. The $2 million represents a package of $1 million from the governor's capital outlay fund, which she said is typically used for improvements to state buildings, and $1 million from area state legislators.

Lujan Grisham brought up the need for the facility as she said the state is short an estimated 6,000 nurses. She said a shortage such as that creates shortages in other areas of health care.

The state money will be put together with a donation from local retired businessman Don Bonner who donated $2 million for the new addition for a total fund of $4 million.

The governor was joined in the meeting by those who helped put the financial package together: District 63 Rep. Martin Zamora, retiring District 64 Rep. Randal Crowder, District 67 Rep. Jack Chatfield and District 7 Sen. Pat Woods.

A number of other local officials and administrators were at the college for the governor's presentation. Clovis Mayor Mike Morris introduced the governor at each function.

The governor spoke on how health care is diminishing in rural areas across the country.

"I believe New Mexico can lead the country with rural health care delivery funds," Lujan Grisham said.

She also spoke of the need for behavioral health care facilities in the state.

After the announcement at Clovis Community College the governor went to a construction site for the Ute Water Pipeline on SR 467 at its intersection with Curry Road 6.

Lujan Grisham was officially announcing construction funds coming to the pipeline project through the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority of $30 million: $20 million from the governor's capital outlay fund and $10 million from the state environment department.

At both presentations the governor said it's been a good year for usable funds coming to the state for many projects due to oil and gas revenues.

"We have resources we haven't had before," Lujan Grisham said. "We can invest sizeable resources."

Among those present at the Ute Pipeline presentation were Col. Terence Taylor, commander at Cannon Air Force Base, former Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield, Clovis City Commissioners Helen Casaus, Juan Garza and more including New Mexico District 27 Sen. Stuart Ingle.

Lujan Grisham spoke on how she and Ingle are long-time friends.

The governor had high praises for Morris, talking about his drive to get money for the pipeline.

The governor then participated in a groundbreaking for the proposed Hillcrest Senior Center, which will be just to the south of the city's aquatic center. She announced that $1.5 million has been allocated from her office toward construction of the senior center.

"These are investments that will improve the quality of life for residents here in Clovis now and in the future," said Morris. "I'm grateful to the governor for providing this funding and for her visit to our community today."

Before the governor returned to Santa Fe she participated in a swearing in ceremony for three new officers for the Clovis Police Department: Jacqueline Granillo, Isaiah Vasquez and Kevin Forguson.

Clovis Police Chief Roy Rice and the governor said the ceremony was about families as the room at the Clovis Civic Center was packed with people.

The governor said the state is short about 1,000 officers but $50 million has been set aside for recruitment and retention incentives.

The governor then helped pin new badges on the new officers.

Lujan Grisham was asked what she knew about abortion clinics that have announced they want to relocate to New Mexico.

"I don't know where," the governor said. "But they have to be credible, professional and safe."

She said there are firearm issues the state is paying attention to. She mentioned the ghost gun concept and how to handle it has come up especially since Thursday's assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe whose assassin used a homemade or "ghost" gun, according to police.

Lujan Grisham praised the smooth rollout of cannabis legalization.

"Growing, selling, creating, it's all going well," she said.

She also had praise for a new high speed electric vehicle charging station in Socorro off I-25.

"The federal government will be spending $38 million putting in charging stations on our north, south, east and west interstate corridors," she said.

Lujan Grisham said she has no doubt if there is a gap in getting charging stations set up in the state the Legislature will take care of the need.

As for problems with illegal immigration at the border in southern New Mexico, Lujan Grisham pointed out there is global migration in progress and it has "everything to do with climate change."

"Temperatures are increasing," Lujan Grisham said. "And I'm always going to follow the science."

She spoke of the aridification of The West and New Mexico being a global leader in research on the matter particularly through research at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.