New Mexico Legislature Taking Up Wide Array of Tribal Funding Requests

The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department has submitted more than 200 individual facility and infrastructure projects to the state legislature for capital outlay funding.

If approved before the legislature concludes its business on March 20, the funding for those projects will face one final challenge: either being signed into law or vetoed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

By far the largest request is asking for $22 million for the infrastructure planning, design and construction of housing in the Pueblo of Taos in northern New Mexico, about one mile to the north of the city of Taos.

Additional Taos Pueblo funding requests include $525,000 for the building, design and renovation of a village facility; and $425,000 for planning, design, and building of a 12-mile fence designed to protect bighorn sheep.

Other large projects submitted to lawmakers by the Indian Affairs Department include a request for $14.5 million to plan, design and build water system improvements for the Nahodishgish chapter of the Navajo nation in McKinley and San Juan counties.

Just under $19.2 million is being sought for water system planning, design, and construction for the Tohatchi Chatper of the Navajo Nation in McKinley and San Juan counties.

Lawmakers are also reviewing the Native American Library, Internet & Education bill, just introduced in the House.
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That legislation will provide some $95 million to nearly two dozen pueblos and tribes to build  broadband infrastructure in tribal colleges, community learning centers, education centers, and libraries.

By Garry Boulard