Good news: Someone besides NMBC is talking about the fact New Mexico needs to fund classroom programs and teacher salaries – not more college buildings. NMBC is pleased to see that former Governor and current Chancellor at New Mexico State University Garrey Carruthers is saying NM has too many college campuses. That point has been made to voters by NMBC repeatedly over the past six years, most recently in 2016 when CNM asked for a tax increase to put up more buildings even though they already have 9 campuses within 25 miles of each other. Read the Carruthers article from the Albuquerque Journal HERE.

Know a Hero? See how to nominate them below.

2017 Heroes Banquet: The Annual NMBC Heroes Banquet will be on September 8, 2017, from 6pm – 9pm, at the Albuquerque Hyatt Regency. This uplifting banquet will honor fallen Heroes and their surviving family members as well as First Responders who devote their time, energy and talents to protect our families. We will also honor those from the community who work to expand free enterprise and improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans.

Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America. Founded July 4th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America is celebrating its 241st birthday this year. Many Americans begin the holiday celebration today, with the official festivities on July 4.

The American ideal “…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” is as true today as it was when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

Energy Week: President Donald Trump plans to talk about surging U.S. exports of oil and natural gas during a week of events aimed at highlighting the country’s growing energy dominance. “The fact that we’re no longer in the age of energy scarcity -- that we’re in the age of energy abundance -- positions the United States in a totally different place,” said Dave Banks, a special assistant to the president for international energy. “This gives access to affordable, reliable energy in the United States, and gives the U.S. a major competitive advantage.” Read more from Bloomberg.com HERE.

It requires courage and strength to take bold action, and that’s exactly what New Mexico needs to change our path. NMBC is proud to see the recent action taken by two Sandoval County Commissioners, Jay Block and David Heil, who proposed a Right to Work ordinance on 6/15/17. A draft of the ordinance will be available at a later date.

How many U.S. Forrest Service employees does it take to run a chipper? While in northern New Mexico near Taos recently, NMBC came across the above scenario. Apparently, it takes nine federal workers to handle feeding pine branches into a wood chipper. NMBC spends a lot of time talking about the need to reduce dependence on government programs in New Mexico. The other half of the equation is reducing government dependence on a bottomless pit of tax dollars that encourages waste and a ‘spend it so we can get more next year’ mentality.

NMBC will host a Roswell Action Luncheon at ‘The Liberty’, 312 N Virginia Ave, July 12, 2017, from 11:30 to 1:00pm. Join NMBC, business leaders, elected officials and candidates for office to discuss a proactive and positive approach to making New Mexico a better place to live and do business. Get tickets for the Roswell Action Lunch HERE.

Vote today in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). Polls are open today for In person voting to pick four MRGCD commissioners for the following counties: Sandoval, Socorro and Bernalillo. Water rights, conservation and usage are important and property owners in the district should use their vote. You can find information on the candidates HERE and if you are eligible, get out and vote.

ExxonMobil shows what it means to be a good corporate neighbor, going above and beyond to support New Mexico's higher education. In a generous move, ExxonMobil and their employees have donated almost $200,000 to higher education institutions in New Mexico. Education is one of the most important tools we can use in creating a better state for all our citizens. Thank you ExxonMobil for standing with New Mexico! You can read more about this generous donation here.