New Mexico has a history of inefficient management of its capital outlay funds and projects.

Guest Editorial from State Senator Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas and Member of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee

New Mexico routinely has hundreds of millions in appropriated but unspent capital funds dating back years, and the recent influx of more money into the system, related to the boom in the fossil fuel industry and the overall strength of the New Mexico economy, has just made the problem bigger.

The latest quarterly report on state-funded capital projects shows the state had outstanding capital balances of $5.8 billion across roughly 5,300 projects at the end of June.

Those dollars represent stalled opportunity.

Those dollars could be stimulating economies in urban and frontier communities alike.

They could be building the facilities and infrastructure that ensure the safety of communities and allow for critically needed services.

The problems with the current capital outlay system have been clearly identified—piecemeal appropriations that leave projects without all the funding they need, funding for local projects that communities aren’t ready for or do not need, failure to take advantage of all funding sources, and limited review or oversight.

The recent creation of a state capital outlay coordinating office should help with some of these problems, but we must address the many other issues and get that money working for New Mexico, fixing aging infrastructure, building new opportunities, and uplifting communities.

I will be introducing several capital outlay proposals during the upcoming legislative session.

In addition to proposing a $2.5 million capital appropriation for essential upgrades to the Rock Lake Fish Hatchery and Rearing station, I will be asking for funding to build a Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility on Storrie Lake near Las Vegas, NM, that would allow the Department of Game and Fish to raise Pecos pupfish, Chiricahua leopard frogs, and Rio Grande silvery minnow, and other threatened or endangered species for return to their natural habitats.

A diverse ecosystem contributes to the health and our enjoyment of the natural environment, and we must do what we can to help endangered species recover.

I will also sponsor legislation for the $70 million replacement of Eagle Nest Dam to protect water storage and distribution systems.

New Mexico is a recreational and outdoor destination, and these projects will contribute to providing access to and enriching great outdoor experiences.

At the same time, I will work to address the inefficiencies of our capital outlay system.

We must continue to invest in our state, even as we dedicate time and energy to making the system better.

Senator Campos, a Democrat from Las Vegas who holds a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s in guidance and counseling, has been a member of the Senate since 1991 and a member of the Senate Finance Committee since 1997. Campos is also a member of the Legislative Finance, Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy, and Water and Natural Resources committees. He has served as the senator from District 8 in northern New Mexico since 1991 and has served as president of Luna Community College, superintendent of the Las Vegas City Schools, and mayor of Santa Rosa.