Good News from the NM Legislature

[Dick Cowles]

The NM Legislature just wound up its annual session and came through with a total of $!,440,000 of appropriations for the C&TSRR for fiscal 2022 and beyond, with the funding becoming available starting this July (or perhaps earlier; and, of course, assuming the Governor does not veto any provisions).

Despite the devastating impact of Covid19 on ridership, the legislature was again generous in its funding: appropriating $1.1 million for capital projects (such as rebuilding locos, upgrading track, etc.), $239,000 for Commission operations, and (surprise) $101,000 for marketing and promotion.

To the best of my recollection, NM has never before appropriated monies for marketing and promotion for the C&TS, despite efforts over more that twenty years to receive such support from NM.

Kudos to NM Commissioners Bill Lock and Billie Elbrock, to lobbyist J.D. Bullington, and to John Bush, Ed Beaudette, and all who helped make this happen.

[Greg Coit]

Thank you Dick. That is indeed excellent news!