SANTA FE - State Senator David Ulibarri updated his activities during the 2008 legislative session in a telephone interview with the Beacon.

One of the more controversial bills requested by Governor Bill Richardson is the domestic partners legislation, which would extend certain rights to unmarried partners, both gay and straight. “That bill has passed the public affairs committee, one of the committees I serve on,” Ulibarri said. “Now it goes to the judicial committee for a vote and then it will be returned to the Senate for a full vote and then sent to the governor for his signature. The bill has already passed in the house.”

Another hot button issue is the governor's request for a stem cell research law. “That bill has passed in committee by an 18 to 20 vote. It must clear two committees before being sent to the house,” Ulibarri reported.

The senator has found life easier in his sophomore year. “It's different his year because I know what to expect and I'm working closely with Representative Ken Martinez,” he observed, adding that he and Martinez really miss Representative George Hanosh, who is missing the session due to health issues.

Ulibarri has introduced legislation which he said is beneficial to his district. “I submitted legislation asking for $400,000 in additional funding for groundwater research at New Mexico Technical Institute in Socorro,” he explained.

Another bill sponsored by Ulibarri requests $10 million for a substance abuse program to serve Cibola and McKinley Counties. “The bill has passed the committee, but there probably won't be enough money to fund it until next year. However, the existence of the bill will catch the attention of the Human Services Department,” he said.

Ulibarri teamed up with Martinez to request $1 million in bonds for New Mexico State University - Grants Campus construction projects. That bill has passed the Senate and been sent to the House.

Ulibarri said that he is in contact with the county on a daily basis so that his position as Cibola County Manager isn't neglected. “I really have a terrific county staff which keeps everything running while I'm in Santa Fe,” he concluded.

Ulibarri seeks treatment center, new buying

rules for county

SANTA FE - "Public service is what my life has been about and so I find it rewarding to be back at the Legislature working for the constituents in my District," said Sen. David Ulibarri (D-Cibola, Socorro, Valencia-30) in a press release at the end of his first two weeks of the 2008 regular legislative session.

"I was pleased to cast my vote on the Senate Floor for the Senate Finance Committee's substitute for Senate Bill 333 which would make up to $223.8 million available for capital projects across the state through General Obligation bonds. Some of those projects would have a positive effect in my district and the surrounding area."

Ulibarri noted that the bill would make available $70,600 for improvements to the Acoma Pueblo Senior Center, $6,000 for improvements to the Grants Senior Center, $505,000 for improvements at the Laguna Pueblo Senior Center, $36,000 apiece for the Northern and Magdalena Senior Centers, and $479,200 for the Del Rio and Meadow Lake Senior Centers. The bill would also make $1 million available for NMSU renovations at its Grants campus.

"I would have liked to have been able to visit with and be visited by more of my district constituents during the legislative session,” the senator said. “So I was happy to be able to host the young students who served as my interns here on the Senate Floor today." Hewas joined today by Vanessa Frank, Ramona Yazzie, Raquel Martinez, Michel Curley and Aparicio Cohoe - all young students from the area around his District.

In addition to his capital outlay legislation, Ulibarri has been working for other legislation on behalf of his district.

Senate Bill 106 seeks to provide $400,000 to support New Mexico Tech's atmospheric and ground water research capacity. "I introduced this legislation because the quality of ground water in my district is a major issue and it is important that do as much as we can to begin to solve water quality problems and make drinking water more available." The bill is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.

He also introduced Senate Bills 334, 457, and 487. Senate Bill 334 seeks $10 million to provide a substance abuse treatment facility for Cibola County. Senate Bill 457 would allow local governments to have more flexibility in their procurement processes and recognize economic reality by allowing them to conduct small purchase procurements for goods and services up to $30,000.

Senate Bill 487 would establish a special fund that would be used to fund the reclamation of abandoned uranium mines, an issue the senator said he believes has been neglected for too long. "This gives the State another tool for doing necessary remediation," he said.

By Diane Fowler

Beacon staff writer