E FRE
VOL 6 | ISSUE 276 | JULY 17, 2020
Legislative Finance Committee tackles major issues By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor
A GOOD A LONG LOOK
group of New Mexico legislators has gathered in Cloudcroft — once rated as one of the nation’s most overlooked and underrated destination spots — to help fashion New Mexico’s path through the global pandemic. Three days of meetings that started July 15 at Cloudcroft High School could direct the course of some vital affairs in the state, including how the economy is reopened and how schools and college campuses come alive. “New Mexico’s economic future could well be determine[d] by the testimony to be presented at this week’s LFC [Legislative Fina nce Committee] meetings. I have served on the LFC for years and I feel these are the most critical hearings I will ever participate in,” Sen. Steven Neville, R-Farmington, said. “It is a desperate time in our state and we are desperate to fi nd answers and solutions on how to reopen our state’s economy, how to reopen our schools next month and how our college campuses will operate and educate students under COVID restrictions.” He was joined by another member of the LFC in his i nt en se i nt ere st i n t he meetings. “The presenters at this week’s LFC meetings make some of the most imperative testimony we will ever hear as members of the interim
LONG LOOK | SEE PAGE 15