Lawmakers, residents put heads together on growth

CLOVIS — A delegation of state lawmakers huddled with residents Friday as a means of garnering ideas to create jobs and bolster the economy.

New Mexico House of Representatives Speaker-designate Brian Egolf chaired the Job Creation and Economic Development Listening Tour, which made a stop at the Clovis-Carver Library. Egolf was joined by Rep. Bill McCamley, Rep. Randy Crowder, Rep. Carl Trujillo, Rep. Antonio Maestas, Rep. Dennis Roch, Rep. George Dodge, Jr., Rep. Jim Trujillo, Rep. Debbie Rodella and Sen. Pat Woods.

"Right after the election, we were talking about priorities for the incoming majority, as well as the House as a whole," Egolf said. "It was very quickly decided that we wanted to put as much emphasis as possible on finding things the legislature could do to help create conditions to spur job growth and nurture our economy. We wanted to reach out to you and hear what your thoughts are."

Egolf said the delegation started its fact finding mission in Las Cruces and has been to Roswell, Carlsbad and Hobbs before wrapping up next week in Albuquerque.

Renewable energy, tax reform, early childhood development, education, social issues, budgeting and infrastructure were among some of the topics raised during the session.

Curry County resident Hoyt Pattison said he served in the New Mexico legislature for 22 years.

"I know what you folks are going through," he said in addressing the panel. "We have to balance the budget in New Mexico. We've got to get it done here. And over regulation is one of the biggest obstacles to economic development in our state. Something has to be done in that regard as well. We elect you to make the laws, not the regulatory agencies."

Gayla Brumfield, who serves as chairperson of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, also expressed concerns to legislators.

"I have been in real estate for more than 40 years," she said. "It kind of bothers me when I get a call from a family or business that is interested in coming to New Mexico, and they've done they're research. We're on a lot of bad lists. I would like to have some focus groups to address reports that we are one of the worst run states. We need to look at some of our social issues that keep us at the bottom. The way to create jobs is to look at our infrastructure issues. We need four lanes all of the way to Albuquerque. And water is vital. The state has really stepped up on the Ute Lake Project, which is essential to this region."

Egolf said the 90-minute session would not be the final opportunity for residents to share insight with legislators.

"I want to thank everyone for their time and valuable input," he said. "We all learned a lot. We want to find common ground, find ways to broaden issues and give voices to issues that arise in our respective communities. I will say this is not the only time we are going to be here. This is the first visit and start of the conversation. Hopefully something good came out of it."