[NENA] Brief minutes of D4 Coalition 15 April Meeting

[JOE YARDUMIAN]

                                                                                                            4/19/09
                                           BRIEF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 15 DISTRICT 4
                                             COALITION OF NEIGHBORHOODS MEETING

The April D4 Coalition Meeting focused on a report from Legislators on the recently completed Legislative Session at Santa Fe.  Legislators attending the D4 Meeting were Senator Tim Eichenberg and Representative Bill O'Niell. Also in attendance was City Councilman Brad Winter.

Briefly the topics addressed Budgetary concerns and the impact of the Monetary Shortfall, Ethics, Taxes, Cyber stalking, Death Penalty, Unemployment Benefits, College of Santa Fe, Trucks on Alameda, and Home Seller Tax Notification Responsibility to Buyers.

Over 1600 bills were introduced, over 300 passed after surviving various committees and both legislative houses.

In Ethics reform, less passed than desired.  Successful legislation included restricting lobbying activity for 3 years after legislators leave office, and campaign funding limits.

The Budget problems had major focus, reducing spending in a number of difficult areas in order to not raise taxes and to minimize loss of jobs.  Unemployment benefits were extended to minimize the impact of job loss.
Particularly hard hit were the increase in cost of health benefits, retirement costs, and no salary increase for public employees and school teachers.  These increases have a 3 year "sunset" requirement.  Money to augment the shortfall was taken from "other pots" and rainy day funds, and in delaying projects.

As noted in the paper, the Governor signed repeal of the Death penalty in New Mexico.

Accelerated depreciation was approved to ease the burden on taxes and existing taxes were not increased.

Cyber stalking was recognized as an increasing problem and a project was approved to investigate ways of attacking the problem.

The problem of increasing truck traffic on Alameda was recognized and it is hoped that Stimulus Funding will permit acceleration of the I-25/ Alameda transportation project.

Campaign funding limits were passed but the amounts and restrictions were less significant than desired.

The problem of the sudden jump in house taxes which occurs at sale resulted in passage of legislation requiring the seller to notify the buyer of the tax jump expected on home sale assessment.

An attempt by the Legislature to have the State buy the College of Santa Fe failed

Both Legislators are convinced that a Special Session will be called later in the year

Brad Winter discussed the current disagreement between the Mayor and the City Council regarding projects proposed by the mayor and the revisions by the Council, particularly the Mayors proposed funding of the Tingley Beach "swimming Hole etc, vs the Council support of funding for critical infrastructure.  

Both Legislators and Brad Winter responded frankly and in depth to numerous questions from D4 members.

Adjourned at 9;10 PM

Respectfully submitted
Joe Yardumian, NENA Rep to D4










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