HOUSE MEMORIAL 59

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Anderson

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FEASIBILITY OF ENACTING LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A BUSINESS INCUBATOR PROGRAM FOR VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

     WHEREAS, of the more than one hundred seventy-five thousand veterans in New Mexico, approximately eight percent own a business; and

     WHEREAS, in January 2011, approximately seventeen percent of New Mexico's veterans were unemployed, which is almost twice the state unemployment rate; and

     WHEREAS, in 2010, despite signs of economic recovery, job growth in New Mexico declined, resulting in more job losses; and

     WHEREAS, Governor Martinez has acknowledged the importance of encouraging small business growth to create jobs; and

     WHEREAS, after leaving the military, veterans often experience a difficult time fitting back into normal day-to-day activities, which results in an increased rate of suicide and homelessness among veterans; and

     WHEREAS, it is well-known that the response and support that veterans receive when they return from war has a significant impact on their transition back into society; and

     WHEREAS, helping veterans create and grow businesses could reduce the stress for veterans of integrating back into society and could benefit other New Mexicans by creating jobs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the military and veterans' affairs committee be requested to work with the veterans' services department and the economic development department to study the feasibility of enacting legislation to establish a business incubator program to foster the creation of veteran-owned businesses, lower veteran unemployment rates and increase jobs for New Mexicans; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the military and veterans' affairs committee report its findings, conclusions and recommendations for legislation to the legislature by November 2011; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the military and veterans' affairs committee for further distribution.

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