Trail building equestrians of New Mexico

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Title: From the Director of NM State Parks - Important NM Trails Legislation

 

Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 8:28 AM

Subject: From the Director of NM State Parks - Important NM Trails Legislation

**Apologies for multiple postings**

Dear New Mexico Trails Advocates:

The 2009 legislative session is bringing exciting possibilities for trails!  Two bills have been introduced—HB 273 and SB 222—that will benefit trail users and make major, positive impacts on trails programs across the state.  Please contact your state representative(s) and senator and urge them to support HB 273 and SB 222.  In addition, if you want to help, make it a priority to contact legislators on the two committees listed below right away.  You can find address and email contact information for your legislators on the Legislature website:  www.nmlegis.gov or you may reach legislator offices by calling the Capitol switchboard: 505-986-4300.

Information about these bills:

House Bill 273 (Rep. Nathan Cote):  HB 273 would revise and update the NM State Trails System Act, which was first passed in 1973 but has been little used in 35 years.  Those of you who attended the State Trails Conference last September in Albuquerque may have heard a presentation on this subject from me and the concept of revising the Act was one recommendation that came out of the conference.  HB 273 would significantly improve the ability of State Parks to implement the Act, provide new tools that will be vital to long-distance trails projects such as the Rio Grande Trail, and lay the groundwork for future efforts to increase state funding for trails.  Rep. Cote is a terrific trails advocate and he needs your direct support and assistance to pass this legislation.  HB 273 will get its first hearing in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee (HCPAC) on Thursday, February 11.  Please contact members of HCPAC and urge them to vote FOR HB 273 on February 11.    The members of the committee are:


Representative
Gail Chasey - (D)
Chair

Representative
Antonio "Moe" Maestas - (D)
Vice Chair

Representative
Thomas A. Anderson - (R)
Member

Representative
Zachary J. Cook - (R)
Member

Representative
Karen E. Giannini - (D)
Member

Representative
Bill B. O'Neill - (D)
Member

Representative
Al Park - (D)
Member


SB 222 (Sen. Dede Feldman) dedicates a portion of Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District property tax revenues collected in Bernalillo County to a formal trails program on the MRGCD ditches and drains within Bernalillo County.  This kind of program for MRGCD is long overdue and would also provide some fairness and better services to the taxpayers of MRGCD that provide the vast majority of MRGCD’s budget, but who do not irrigate.  MRGCD’s own 2007 survey showed that 83% of residents within MRGCD favored dedicating a portion of their MRGCD property taxes to trails.  SB 222 will be heard in the Senate Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) on Tuesday, February 10. Please contact members of SPAC and urge them to vote FOR SB 222 on February 10.     Here are the names and contact info for committee members:

Tim Eichenberg
Capitol Phone: 986-4859 or 986-4300
Email: eichenberg4senate AT gmail.com

Vernon Asbill
Capitol Phone: 986-4349 or 986-4300
E-mail: vernon AT asbillforsenate.com


Mary Jane Garcia
Capitol Phone: 986-4726 or 986-4300
E-mail: maryjane.garcia AT nmlegis.gov

Eric Griego
Capitol Phone: 986-4862 or 986-4300
E-mail: eric.griego AT nmlegis.gov

George Munoz
Capitol Phone 986-4387 or 986-4300
E-mail: munozgeo AT gmail.com

Cynthia Nava
Capitol Phone: 986-4834 or 986-4300
E-mail: cynthia.nava AT nmlegis.gov

Gay Kernan
Capitol Phone: 986-4274 or 986-4300
ggkern AT valornet.com



Thanks!

David J. Simon
Director, New Mexico State Parks
P.O. Box 1147
Santa Fe, NM  87504
(505) 476-3357 office
(505) 476-3361 fax
dave.simon AT state.nm.us

www.nmparks.com

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Attachment: HB273 State Trails Act.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document

Attachment: HB0273.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document

Attachment: SB0222.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document

Attachment: SB222 MRGCD Trails Program.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document