October 3 2021- The Rio Rancho Observer, and Erie Times News are now the latest news media to publish Op-Eds submitted by prominent supporters of HR3339 and the National Infrastructure Bank. (Click links to see full letters.)

The Rio Rancho Observer included the following in the letter:

"The infrastructure needs of New Mexico are daunting. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, some of the urgent problems include:

30 percent of New Mexico roads are in poor condition that damages cars;
6.5 percent of our bridges are structurally deficient;
219 dams are rated high hazard potential;
The cost to bring drinking water systems to a state of good repair is over $1.4 billion;
20 percent of New Mexico’s students lack internet service at home, and 8 percent don’t have a computer;

New Mexico needs large water projects to bring fresh water into the state to address the drought; and

The power grid in New Mexico must be expanded and upgraded to assimilate electricity produced by renewables and other sources.

Only the National Infrastructure Bank can address this staggering need. It will create millions of new jobs, pay Davis-Bacon wages and mandate Buy American policies.

We are losing the infrastructure race to China. The Chinese spend 8 percent of their gross domestic product on infrastructure; Europe 5 percent and the U.S., barely 2 percent. Is it any wonder that U.S. infrastructure is ranked 13th in the world?
Resolutions of endorsement have been pouring in from state legislatures, city and county councils, and labor and business organizations. A resolution was introduced during the 2021 session (SM2).

New Mexico endorsements include: New Mexico LULAC, Central New Mexico Central Labor Council, the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity, Rio Arriba County Board of Commissioners and others.

New Mexicans want to improve our quality of life!

We urge everyone to support HR 3339. Contact your Congressional representative to enlist their sponsorship of this measure.

Signers include:
Ada Lee, Democratic Party activist, Rio Rancho
Linda Chavez, Democratic Party activist, Rio Rancho
Dennis Montoya, Board of Directors and past State Director, LULAC New Mexico; Rio Rancho
Sen. Bill Tallman, District 18, Albuquerque
Sen. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, District 6, Taos
Sen. Harold Pope, District 23, Albuquerque
Sen. Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics, Chair Senate Conservation Committee, District 39, Los Cerrillos
Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, District 12, Chair Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee, Albuquerque
Sen. Linda Lopez, District 11, Majority Whip, Albuquerque
Sen. Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez, District 16, Albuquerque
Rep. Joy Garratt, District 29, Albuquerque
Rep Gail Chasey, District 18, Chair House Judiciary Committee, Albuquerque
Rep. Christine Chandler, District 43, Los Alamos
Rep. Elizabeth Thomson, District 24, Chair House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, Albuquerque
Fred Baca, State Director, LULAC New Mexico, Silver City
Mark Strand, President Central New Mexico Central Labor Council; Albuquerque
Angela Merkert, Executive Director, Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity (New Mexico), Albuquerque
Sarah Manning, Outreach Coordinator, Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity, Albuquerque
Josie Marrujo, Past President AFGE Local 4041; Founding member AFGE Hispanic Coalition; President, LULAC Council 8057; Albuquerque
Dr. Pablo Vigil, Board of Directors, New Mexico Hispanic Medical Association, Las Vegas"