HOUSE MEMORIAL 47

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

George Dodge, Jr.

A MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING STATE AGENCIES TO SEEK A STRONGER ROLE IN WORKING WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

     WHEREAS, since 2009, the United States department of agriculture has made more than ten billion dollars ($10,000,000,000) in investments in New Mexico in economic development, agriculture, trade, infrastructure, conservation and research; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture is critical to the success of state food and nutrition programs by financing school breakfasts, lunches and snacks to thousands of children and to seniors across the state every day; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture's natural resources conservation service makes critical investments in the sustainability of New Mexico's land, water and air; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture rural development finances dozens of community water and wastewater systems, with a special emphasis on tribal and colonias projects; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture helps sustain existing farmers and ranchers and is working to support young farmers and ranchers through its farm service agency; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture is the largest public investor in broadband telecommunication in New Mexico and offers millions of dollars in support annually for New Mexico rural electric cooperatives; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture works to support housing in New Mexico through home-repair, home-loan and home-loan-guarantee programs; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture supports local farmers' markets, supports New Mexico products overseas and markets New Mexico products worldwide; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of agriculture is currently engaged with dozens of New Mexico communities by offering economic development planning and local investments in health care facilities, telemedicine, distance learning and other crucial areas;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that state agencies be encouraged to seek a stronger role in partnering with the United States department of agriculture in supporting agriculture, rural development, water, infrastructure, energy and broadband; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be encouraged to develop closer contact with the United States department of agriculture to better understand how department funding can be used to leverage state projects; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each appropriate cabinet agency be requested to develop a plan with the United States department of agriculture for potential state project funding; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each appropriate cabinet agency report its funding plan to the appropriate interim legislative committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture, the United States secretary of agriculture, the director of the New Mexico state office of the United States department of agriculture rural development and the office of the governor for appropriate distribution to state agencies.

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