REQUESTING THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS, COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, NEW MEXICO'S THREE PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS, PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION AND STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO COOPERATE IN PROVIDING FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK STATEWIDE.

WHEREAS, New Mexico is a predominantly rural state and small agriculture communities are in need of economic development; and

WHEREAS, the state is last among the fifty states in per capita income, and development of the state's economic opportunities depends on adequate infrastructure investment; and

WHEREAS, high technology and communications infrastructure will be the critical difference in the twenty-first century for job growth and business expansion; and

WHEREAS, the cost of rights of way and inter-system compatibility for telecommunications lines are two of the largest obstacles in the establishment of connections among businesses, educational centers, citizens and markets; and

WHEREAS, the installation of fiber-optic systems is essential for New Mexico to compete in the twenty-first century;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the general services department, department of military affairs, commission on higher education, New Mexico's three public television stations, public regulation commission and state highway and transportation department cooperate in providing for establishment of a comprehensive telecommunications network statewide; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council direct the appropriate interim committee to study the obstacles to a comprehensive statewide telecommunications network for economic development and education and make recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of highway and transportation and general services, director of the commission on higher education, adjutant general of the department of military affairs and chairman of the public regulation commission.