New Mexico’s Departing Conservation Champions
CVNM has worked closely with many legislators, with some relationships going back decades. Throughout the maelstrom that is the New Mexico legislative session, our advocacy team and allies have spent countless hours consulting, coordinating, celebrating and sometimes commiserating with our conservation champions. In many cases, genuine friendships are formed, which makes saying goodbye all the more difficult.
At the close of this year’s legislative session, we had the bittersweet privilege of working with many of these champs on historic conservation and climate legislation for the very last time. With the retirement of over a dozen legislators, several of them conservation champions, this was an especially poignant session for many of us. During this session alone, we made remarkable progress, with more than $400 million appropriated for climate and conservation programs. We increased funding to some of our chronically underfunded state agencies and programs, passed the NM Match Fund, Clean Car Income Tax Credit, and Energy Storage Systems Income Tax Credit, and secured additional funding for the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and more, thanks in large part to the leadership displayed by our legislators in their final session in office.
In particular, we want to express deep gratitude to Rep. Gail Chasey (HD-18) for her decades of leadership in pursuit of building a more sustainable, just and resilient Land of Enchantment for all. The longest-serving member in the House of Representatives, she was a champion in voting to protect New Mexico’s air, lands, water, wildlife, and communities. She has worked diligently to streamline environmental permitting for public projects that protect public and environmental health. We always knew we could count on Rep. Chasey, and her steadfast leadership in the Roundhouse will be missed.
We would also like to acknowledge the following legislators who are stepping down: Senator Siah Correa Hemphill (28), Senator Brenda McKenna (SD-9), Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (SD-12), Senator Nancy Rodriguez (SD-24), and Senator Bill Tallman (SD-18). Each of them hold a 90% or greater lifetime Conservation Score and have made a lasting impact advocating for New Mexico communities, the environment and public health in the Roundhouse. CVNM would also like to express deep gratitude to Senator Steve Neville (SD-2) for co-sponsoring SB 9 and playing a critical role in getting New Mexico’s first-ever permanent conservation fund across the finish line.
CVNM dedicates our 2024 Conservation Scorecard to these departing conservation champions, with a special thanks to the ongoing commitments of returning legislators, partners, allies, and decision-makers who made this year such a big win for conservation, climate, and democracy.
Representative Gail Chasey.
Know the Score > Take Action
Say ‘thanks’ … or, ‘no thanks’!
Tell your Legislators that you ‘know the score’
One of the best ways to influence the voting records of your elected officials is to communicate regularly with them. If your legislators scored well, it’s important to thank them and to support them. If you feel you weren’t well-represented by your legislators’ votes, it’s important to hold them accountable by letting them know what you think about their votes. The Scorecard is your key to staying informed on your legislators votes and getting in touch with them.
Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators
Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.
The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.
Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts, as listed on the current Legislators page.
To find your House District number and Representative, visit our map here.
To find your Senate District number and Senator, visit our map here.
