Mayor outlines legislative priorities
The sights are set on ‘tangible projects’
Mayor Tim Keller released his administration’s legislative priorities for the 2019 New Mexico legislative session Monday, focusing on public safety, children’s issues, addressing homelessness, and creating jobs.
“We’re setting our sights on tangible projects that can make a real difference in our communities,” Keller said in a statement.
By topic, the mayor in a news release, proposed: On public safety:
■ Improved radio technology for better coordination between all emergency service providers in Albuquerque and the surrounding area
■ DNA processing automation to help resolve the rape kit backlog and ensure timely processing
■ Dedicated funding to support public safety, and infrastructure and equipment needs
■ Money for electronic gunshot detection
■ More support for the APD Gun Intelligence Center to solve gunrelated crimes
■ Updates to the police academy to better equip officers for community policing
■ Anti-auto theft technology money to reduce and better solve auto theft crimes.
■ Bunker gear to prevent risk of contracting cancer among first responders On homelessness:
■ Operating funds for expanded hours of operation for a 24/7 emergency shelter with crisis triage support
■ Construction of two centrally located shelter facilities with onsite supportive services
On children’s issues:
■ Money for two new child development centers on the West Side
■ More support for pre-K programs
■ Public library in the International District On job creation:
■ First phase of redevelopment at the Rail Yards
■ Adding Balloon Fiesta Park access improvements
■ Roadway improvements at Central and Unser
■ Increasing job training funding for the film industry through JTIP
■ KiMo Theater repairs to support Albuquerque’s creative economy.
■ Full funding for Local Economic Development Act so that the city can expand economic opportunities On inclusive Albuquerque:
■ ADA updates to sidewalks and intersections throughout Albuquerque
■ Animal welfare upgrades