44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING STATE EXECUTIVE AGENCIES TO MAINTAIN CURRENT LEVELS OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN RURAL NEW MEXICO AND TO MINIMIZE CLOSURE OF FIELD OFFICES DUE TO THE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON SMALL AND REMOTE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WHEREAS, many rural communities are being hurt by systematic reduction of public services by state executive agencies; and

WHEREAS, the labor department, taxation and revenue department, human services department, New Mexico state police, department of environment, department of health, state highway and transportation department and department of game and fish are some of the agencies that have reduced or closed field offices and reduced public services in rural New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, constituents in rural areas must travel great distances to obtain public services due to the closure of field offices and are significantly harmed by the loss of public services; and

WHEREAS, local governments already on the thin edge of fiscal health are devastated by the loss of field offices closed in the name of fiscal efficiency; and

WHEREAS, "taxes" on rural citizens have been raised through the increase of users fees and out-of-pocket costs that they must bear to obtain even minimal public services;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that state executive agencies continue to provide equal access to state services for rural citizens and communities and to evaluate the impact of field office closures, reductions in staff and public service cutbacks on rural economies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, each cabinet secretary and agency administrator and the members of the legislative finance committee.