FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2021
Contact: Joaquin Romero
(505) 506-5798
Legislation to Address Rural Community Disparities Passes Senate with Unanimous Support
SANTA FE – In an effort to address geographic equity across New Mexico, the Senate today passed Senate Bill 193, sponsored by Senator Crystal Diamond (R-Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, and Dona Ana) and Senator Siah Correa Hemphill (D-Catron, Grant, and Socorro). The bill creates a “Rural Equity Ombud” charged with addressing issues of concern to rural and frontier communities.
“I want to thank my co-sponsor, Senator Correa Hemphill, for working with me to bring a voice to our rural Senate districts,” said Senator Diamond. “Rural New Mexico is often underserved and I believe this legislation is a positive step toward narrowing the rural-urban divide.”
The permanent employment position will be housed in the Department of Finance and Administration and will provide both technical and planning assistance to federal, state, and local governments.
SB 193 will now advance to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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