Regional coalition serves Northern New Mexico
As a group, the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities has a louder voice in actions taken at the state and national levels.
Developing a shared message among Northern New Mexican communities, counties and pueblos is a positive product. Carrying that product to legislators in New Mexico and Washington, D.C., as a united group with a concise message is powerful.
The Regional Coalition of LANL Communities is one of many ways to address issues in Northern New Mexico, and Andrea Romero did a great job of coordinating those efforts as the executive director of the coalition over the last three years. In addition, when it came to light that she was submitting reimbursements for board meals where alcohol was served, she apologized, took responsibility and repaid those board expenses out of her own pocket. As reported in the Santa Fe New Mexican, I attended that dinner meeting (“Agency’s use of public funds flagged,” Feb. 25). A recap of the meetings with legislators that day with other coalition participants revealed insights and perspectives of how our presentations were received.
The work of the Regional Coalition is extensive and should not be overshadowed by this financial oversight. Founded and significantly funded by Los Alamos County, the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities has found common causes with neighbors in Northern New Mexico. Narrowing our focus to these common causes has made for better data to provide to our legislators along with concrete solutions and requests for funding to make Northern New Mexico better. Los Alamos continues to fund the efforts of the coalition, as noted in its fiscal year 2019 budget. Los Alamos County staff and elected officials who serve on the board of the coalition contribute hours of service toward the issues of the region.
Many communities, including Santa Fe, Española, Taos, Ohkay Owingeh, Rio Arriba County and Taos County, also support the efforts to discuss the issues directly with legislators at the state and national level. They commit resources and time, in a coordinated approach, to share the message and make an impact on the decisions and votes of our senators and representative.
Trips to Washington, D.C., serve multiple purposes. Meeting with Department of Energy and Department of Defense officials helps the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities members better understand the constraints and competing issues for the resources the coalition seeks. In turn, the coalition’s support for missions such as environmental management is communicated to appropriations staff and analysts in various senator’s and representative’s offices. Meeting these individuals in their offices has made good impressions because of our common message, focused issue research and data with real-life experiences about the issues discussed.
As a group, the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities has a louder voice in actions taken at the state and national levels. Louder than an individual community or county can make or afford. Solid progress has been made in the past three years, and Northern New Mexico is benefiting from a shared set of common goals with improved relationships with bureaucrats, legislators and among local elected officials.