House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements committee organizes, sets meeting schedule and staff briefings

Representative De La Cruz, chair of the New Mexico House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee, opened an organizing meeting and told members the panel will begin meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that department staff will start giving project-status presentations beginning Tuesday.

The meeting consisted of member and staff introductions and a short procedural discussion about the committee’s schedule and operations. "I would really like us to start at 09:00 sharp," De La Cruz said, adding that staff should present the status of projects in the districts and that the committee would try to handle at least two presentations per meeting.

Committee assistant Candy Carlson introduced herself to the group and described her recent experience. "I'm Candy Carlson. I will be I am your committee's assistant. I'm really excited about this first time to be a committee assistant," she said, noting previous experience as a bill clerk and work at the secretary of state’s office.

Ranking member Catherine Brown and other members underscored committee norms and priorities. Representative Patty Lundstrom asked the department to provide laminated state district maps for members’ offices: "if you could provide a state of New Mexico district map for everyone, a large one that is laminated so we can have it for our offices," she said.

De La Cruz also reminded new members that questions should go through the chair and asked members to keep questions concise to allow the committee to cover its agenda in limited time. The chair said he maintains an open-door policy and encouraged members to contact his office with questions.

There were no formal motions or votes recorded during the organizing meeting; members instead used the session to establish meeting logistics and staff briefing plans. The chair adjourned the session after the introductions and brief remarks.