Policy Outcomes From Past Town Halls

Past town halls have helped strengthen public policy in New Mexico in numerous ways. The following list contains a few outcomes to which New Mexico First contributed:

• Healthy New Mexico Task Force, 2008
• Medical student financial support: aid to repay loans, incentives to stay in NM, 2008
• Alignment of HS graduation requirements with college entrance exams, 2007
• High School Reform Act, 2006
• Enactment of the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act, 2005
• Enactment of the Renewable Energy Act and the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit, 2002
• Creation of the independent NM Tax Research Institute, 2001
• Phase-in of full-day kindergarten, 1999
• 21 regional basin and watershed plans included in the statewide watershed plans, 1998
• Expansion of Mayor’s Youth Advisory Councils to more communities, 1996
• The Town Hall on Children and Their Families resulted in a call for a Town Hall on Youth, October 1996
• Constitutional amendment of the anti-donation clause to allow for use of public funds for economic development, 1994
• Constitutional Convention supported, 1994
• Restructuring of Worker’s Compensation laws, 1993
• Ethics and campaign reporting requirements adopted by legislature, 1993
• NM Mining Act became law, 1993
• Creation of the NM Finance Authority and the Public Project Revolving Loan Fund, 1992
• Defense Conversion & Technology Act passed, 1992
• 3 members of New Mexico First served on the Government Efficiency and Effectiveness task force (based on 1992 Town Hall recommendations)
• Establishment of the State Health Policy Commission, 1991
• Pre-natal care added to Medicaid, 1991
• Environmental Improvement Division elevated to cabinet level status, 1991
• Expanded efforts to improve the state’s database on geology and groundwater, 1990
• Permanent school funding task force created by the legislature, 1990
• Formation of the Economic Development and Tourism Commission, 1987

New Mexico First thanks the citizen volunteers and organizations who are responsible for these town hall recommendations becoming state policy.

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