SW New Mexico News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –  This week, Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) was in Albuquerque, the South Valley and Los Lunas to meet with local elected officials and community leaders to hear their priorities and to share updates from Congress. 

Vasquez visited the new Westgate Community Center and met with Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Peña (District 3) and representatives from the City of Albuquerque, including Senior Affairs Associate Director Alan Armijo, to discuss ways they can work together in Congress. 

Afterward, Vasquez met with Bernalillo County Commissioners Barbara Baca (District 1), Steven Michael Quezada (District 2), Walt Benson (District 4) and Eric Olivas (District 5), and County Manager Julie Morgas Baca. The Commissioners talked about future projects, including ways Vasquez can support them through the upcoming Farm Bill. 

This Congress, the House must re-authorize agriculture, nutrition and conservation programs through the Farm Bill, which must be passed every five years. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Vasquez will play a key role in the drafting of the bill this year. Since January, Vasquez has been meeting with stakeholders across the district to best understand their needs so he can secure those wins in Congress. 

While in Albuquerque, Vasquez met with key stakeholders who will be directly impacted by the Farm Bill. On Monday, Vasquez visited the Los Jardines Institute with State Senator Linda Lopez, leaders from the Agri-Cultura Network and several local farmers. During this visit, many shared their priorities for the Farm Bill. 

On Wednesday, Vasquez, Bernalillo County Open Space, Agri-Cultura Network and the Youth Conservation Corps discussed the benefits of accessing local produce to promote nutrition and economic development at Hubbell House in the South Valley. 

The South Valley Economic Development Center hosted a network training. Vasquez joined local producers and shared with them how he plans to share their priorities in the House Agriculture Committee ahead of the Farm Bill discussions. 

Earlier this year, Vasquez proposed over $30 million in Community Project Funding for New Mexico’s second congressional district. Vasquez requested $4 million for the Atrisco Vista Boulevard Improvement Project to reconstruct the 2.35-mile stretch of road, which has the potential to bring 13,000 jobs to the area. While in the district, Vasquez met with Bernalillo County officials to visit the space and discuss the potential impact it can have. 

Lastly, Vasquez held an opening for his new office in Albuquerque. At the opening, Vasquez was joined by State Representatives Joy Garratt (HD-29), Kathleen Cates (HD-44), Flor Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela (HD-16), State Senator Linda Lopez (SD-11), Bernalillo County Assessor Damian Lara, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, National Hispanic Cultural Center Interim Executive Director Zack Quintero, and representatives from the offices of Albuquerque Mayor Keller, Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan and Representatives Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03). 

Original source can be found here.