2009 Legislative Session Just Around the Corner, A New Governor Waits in the Wings and Revenue Disappears

2008 has been a watershed year. I have never seen anything like it, not just in my 12 years as a public official-- but also in my lifetime. The level of political engagement, and expectation is at an all time high, yet the economic crisis we face is huge.  Sometime in the next few months we will have a new Governor, Diane Denish. Until then, we’re not really sure who is in charge on the 4^th floor of the Roundhouse.  In addition, this year’s elections have swept a new group of Senators into the legislature on the coattails of hope and the promise of change.  We will need their energy—and yours--to address the $500 million shortfall in this year’s budget and another tough budget next year. My survey reflects this economic dilemma, and I am sorry for the rather dreary tone.  But we have some hard decisions to make.  Now more than ever, I need your help, [ click here ] for my survey, print it out, fill it in, detach, fold, affix stamp, and send it back to me before I leave for the session on Jan. 19.  Or you can drop it my office in Santa Fe once the session begins.  Or you can also call me in Santa Fe at 1-505-986-4300 or e-mail me at dede.feldman@nmlegis.gov.

Click here to read more about upcoming session and 2008 interim committees

August 2008

Leave No Child Inside: APS’s Valley Cluster Funded to Move Kids Outdoors Thanks to Outdoor Classroom Program

This past spring, the State Parks Division held an event down at the Rio Grande Nature Center (a state park) to herald the second year of the statewide Outdoor Classroom Program. And the proof of the program's appeal was in the pudding - or actually, in the Bosque - as scores of elementary and high school students descended on the Nature Center from as far away as Ramah Navajo and as close as Georgia O'Keefe Elementary, in the Heights. The idea behind the program is to get children outside, in nature, where they can learn science, geography first hand, and fall in love with nature….. [Click here to find out how Dede expanded the program to include Valley schools]

Conservancy District Dumps Trail Improvements along Griegos Drain

As some of you may have read in the media, a few weeks ago, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District has decided to quit the Ditches with Trails project, a joint endeavor of the city, county, state, national parks service, and almost a score of neighborhood organizations in the North and South Valley. MRGCD had been a member of that endeavor in the past, and was cooperating, I thought, in a very constructive way—until now. Fearing some kind of “take over” of the MRGCD’s authority over the ditches, and reacting to a well organized group who used misleading tactics to stir up fear of a paved, urbanized trail effort that would benefit recreationalists from outside their area, the Board stopped the project without even considering the feasibility report.

° Help is on the Way thanks to two measures that I initiated:

The Nurse Advice Line is open for business 24-7. Call 1-877-725-2552 if you have a medical problem but no access to a doctor or a nurse. [ Click here ] to read more about it.

Protect Yourself against Identity Theft by freezing access to your credit report. [ Click here ] to find out how.

Visit our Photo Gallery

From Farm to School: Senator Feldman joins board members of the Rio Grande Community Farm as they deliver local tomatoes to APS to feed Valley Cluster Schools. Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish and Sen Feldman with weatherization partners from Central New Mexico Housing Corporation at home of Cindy Dominguez, whose home was weatherized this fall.   Dede and Diane have been long-time champions of  funds for energy efficient home renovations. Senator Feldman at Alvarado Elementary School, where kids benefit from fresh, local fruits and veggies each week under a grant from the state legislature.  Students from the Los Puentes Charter School visited Senator Feldman during the 08 session to lobby her on a bill about wildlife.  Students are always welcome. It's a great learning experience. Call Sen. Feldman's secretary at 505-986-4300 to arrange for your child to be a page, or schedule school trips.