Record-breaking 900 County Members Participated!
SANTA FE, NM – A record-breaking 900 county officials and employees from around the state participated in the 2019 New Mexico Counties Legislative Conference held January 15-17, 2019 in Santa Fe. County representatives met to develop strategies for addressing legislative initiatives affecting counties and communities. “Our legislative conference was a great success, with 900 registrants from across the state,” said Executive Director Steve Kopelman. “It was wonderful hearing from Governor Lujan Grisham, Senate Majority Leader Wirth, and House Appropriations and LFC Chair Lundstrom about the 2019 legislative session.”
Preconference workshops addressed county government’s huge challenge on behavioral health needs, legislative lobbying tips, managing healthcare in county jails, and fiscal audit responsibility. Bryan Desloge, National Association of Counties Past President and Leon County Florida Commissioner, reported on the importance of counties working together whether it be at the local or federal level. He also emphasized how counties shoulder an enormous responsibility in the criminal justice system and that needs to change.
Newly elected Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke at the Thursday morning legislative breakfast emphasizing that this administration will work with local government on shared opportunities, shared benefits, and shared liabilities. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth and Legislative Finance Committee Chair Representative Patty Lundstrom also reflected on the 60-day legislative session and how refreshing it will be to work on a budget, especially for education, with this new administration.
Recognition awards were given to counties for the following:
FY2017 Audit and Accountability Awards for sustained excellence with the highest audit opinion:
- Small County: Guadalupe County
- Mid-Size County: Chaves, Curry, Lincoln, McKinley, and Roosevelt Counties
- Large County: Doña Ana and San Juan County
- Most Improved: Harding County
- Continued Audit Excellence: Los Alamos County
- Friend to the Counties: Rick Lopez
Adult Misdemeanor Compliance Reaccreditation Program:
- San Juan County
NMC also recognized county achievements for the Workers’ Compensation Pool Safety and Risk Awareness Program. The NM EDGE County College graduation ceremony recognized 30 students for their outstanding achievements through NMC’s collaborative partnership with New Mexico State University.
Throughout the conference, NMC’s 20 elected and professional affiliate groups met to discuss several topics including telecommunications, civil rights claims, election restructuring, detention special management, preventing financial losses, medical marijuana, and other legislative issues.
The New Mexico Counties is a non-profit, nonpartisan association representing New Mexico’s 33 counties since 1936. Its mission is to strengthen New Mexico counties’ ability to govern their own affairs and to improve the well-being and quality of life of their constituents. NM Counties provides numerous services to counties including legislative advocacy, self-insurance administration, legal assistance, and professional development. For more information, please visit here.