Other Voices: As '24 Legislative Session Approaches The Senate's Senior Member Offers Food For Thought On Healthcare, Water And Education

Sen. Campos

Today's edition of "Other Voices" features the thoughts of the longest-serving member in the state senate, Senator Pete Campos whose sprawling district includes portions of eight counties, including Colfax, San Miguel and Taos. 

Campos, 68, will begin his 33rd year in the Senate when the Legislature convenes for a 30 day session in January. He is a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee where most ideas for improving the state find a hearing. Here is Campos' take on the upcoming session: 

With state revenues at record highs, much legislative talk is focused on how we can best use that money to improve the lives of New Mexicans. We know, based on a wealth of research, both that spending on programs that help the most vulnerable has a greater rate of return than other investments and that business leaders value quality of life and a stable tax environment more than tax cuts. 

With that in mind, I’m confident, if we ensure New Mexicans have access to a strong healthcare system, adequate water supplies, and an education system that both stimulates our children to be intellectually curious and prepares them for the workforce, we can lift up the lowest 25 percent and, within three years, move to the top of measures of well-being, becoming a leader in quality of life, the diversity of our economy, and the strength of our educational institutions. 

We can take the steps that will make this happen during the 30-day legislative session in January, and we can do it without taking anything away from any existing programs. 

Healthcare 

Working together, the University of New Mexico Hospital, the New Mexico Hospitals Associations, and others in healthcare can build a strong statewide network of services that address the basic needs of people in all parts of the state. Among other actions, we should 

--Expand the UNMH School of Nursing and physician assistant training program. 

--Strengthen and coordinate school-based health clinics and tele-health services. 

--Continue making medical maltreatment insurance coverage more affordable. 

--Continue to improve guardianship and conservatorship approaches to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

--Educate and train more behavioral health and social work employees, develop and support recovery centers, and better fund the Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas and other statewide institutions. 

--Coordinate healthcare services in New Mexico’s rural areas and fund small rural critical care hospitals in appropriate locations. 

Water 

--Water resource management must expand to include preventing waste and consideration of wildlife and environmental needs along with growing demand from communities and business. Among other actions, we should. . . 

--Develop a capital outlay plan and invest in improvements that will reduce water lost to leaks and evaporation, with a focus on the repair of dams.

--Increase staff in the Office of the State Engineer and Department of Environment to assist with water storage, distribution, and quality decisions and to work more closely with acequia associations.

--Implement proven water reuse systems to maintain green spaces. 

--Build a native aquatic species restoration facility to bolster statewide endangered species and enhance our natural environment. 

Education 

Our education systems must both provide our children with the lessons they need to be successful adults and with the skills to be independent problem solvers. Strong skills in mathematics and reading are the foundation for all future education and workplace skills and can instill a thirst for lifelong learning. An education in STEMH—science, technology, engineering, math and health—has become essential to many jobs and is key to some of the highest paying positions and builds the critical thinking skills essential to solving problems. 

If we prepare our children to be the skilled workforce of tomorrow, businesses will find New Mexico an attractive place to grow, providing the jobs that will allow our children to stay in the state. 

Among other actions, we should. . . 

--Work with the military bases, the national laboratories, and other institutions that require specialized skills on the development of education and training that will serve their needs. 

--Build crucial career and technical education programs at the high school and postsecondary levels that include training that meets the needs of the alternative energy and construction sectors.

Other Voices is an occasional feature of NM Politics with Joe Monahan. Submissions are welcome via email. 

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