I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
The New Mexico congressional delegation has released what they believe is necessary in an economic recovery package for the state. And the two biggest items on the agenda are transportation and education, with both dwarfing all other numbers provided.
The numbers are from the $850 billion economic stimulus bill, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, pushed by President Barack Obama. And, unlike the vote over the Bush administration’s Troubled Asset Recovery Program (TARP), which the representatives opposed, a statement released by the reps says, “All three members of New Mexico’s House Delegation plan to support the legislation.”
U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, a Hobbs Democrat, said his constituents have been “hit hard” by the recent economic trouble.
“By providing tax cuts that will benefit the majority of New Mexico’s working families as well as infrastructure investment that will create jobs and modernize our infrastructure, this plan gives our economy an immediate shot in the arm,” Teague said.
“This bold recovery and jobs package will create good jobs for the 1st Congressional District and provide much needed tax relief for working families,” said U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich.
“This recovery package will help communities and individuals who need help the most,” Rep. Ben Ray Lujan said. “The recovery plan focuses on job creation through infrastructure projects, renewable energy development, school modernization and other important projects that will help many communities and put people back to work.”
It is interesting to note that the two representatives from the districts that could be vulnerable in 2010, Heinrich and Teague, both spoke about tax relief while Lujan, from a safer Democratic district, spoke about infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, some of the proposed tax cuts are expected to be deemed ineffective at stimulating the economy according to President Obama’s own economic advisers.
Below are the figures given by the three representatives from numbers provided by the Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Energy and Commerce Committees:
Transportation Total
Highways & Bridges $281,158,912
Transit Capital Grants $24,066,600
Clean Water State Revolving Fund $28,496,754
Total $333,722,266
K-12 Education FY 2009 FY 2010 Total
Title 1 $53,207,000 $53,207,000 $106,414,000
Individuals with Disabilities Act $46,615,000 $53,669,000 $100,284,000
Educational Technology State Grants $3,873,149 $3,873,149 $7,746,297
Education Modernization, Renovation, and Repair $114,687,000
Total $329,131,297
Higher Ed Total
Education Modernization, Renovation, and Repair $39,619,000
Aid Available Recipients Average Award
Pell Grant Max Award of $5,350: Award Year 2009 ‐ 2010 $188,365,171 $52,096 $3,616
Early Childhood FY 2009 FY 2010 Total
Head Start $2,949,834 $2,949,834 $5,899,668
Child Care & Development Block Grant $8,908,267 $8,908,267 $17,816,534
Total $23,716,202
Community Services FY 2009 FY 2010 Total
Community Services Block Grant $2,847,778 $2,847,778 $5,695,556
Seniors FY 2009 FY 2010 Total
Low‐Income Home Energy Assistance $5,058,116 $5,058,116
Elderly Nutrition Services $806,764 $806,764 $1,613,528
Total $6,671,644
Healthcare FY 2009 FY 2010 Total
Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant $2,279,422 $2,279,422 $4,558,843
Federal Funding for State Medicaid Costs $528,486
Total $5,087,329
State Fiscal Stabilization FY 2009 FY 2010 Total
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund $209,642,000 $209,642,000 $419,284,000
Employment and Training $15,888,368
Make Work Pay Tax Credit Eligible Workers
684,000
Relief for Jobless Workers Total Eligible Recipients
$25/Week Increase in Unemployment Benefits 70,351
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program 13,756
Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Funding $46,361,350
