44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPOINT AN INTERIM COMMITTEE TO STUDY ISSUES RELATED TO RURAL NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, more than twenty-five percent of New Mexico's population in 1990 was classified as living in rural areas; and

WHEREAS, New Mexicans living in rural areas face unique obstacles in obtaining services that are taken for granted by their urban counterparts, including access to health care, a ready availability of job and educational opportunities and economies of scale in public services and infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the revitalization and preservation of rural New Mexico is important to all of New Mexico;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to appoint an interim committee to study issues unique to rural New Mexico, especially those issues related to the health, safety and economic well-being of rural New Mexicans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee make recommendations, if any result from its study, to the second session of the forty-fourth legislature by December 1, 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be delivered to the members of the New Mexico legislative council.