The pendulum has swung way over people.

The taxpayers are now the unrepresented and the disadvantaged in New Mexico. Everyone that attended last Tuesday's meeting at the Round House is aware that the Native Americans are not only well represented but hold many legislative and committee positions. We hope these Representatives can be unbiased and held accountable if in a position that is conflict of interest.

The panel now endorsed a deal allowing more casinos. Click the link here to check out the story here in the Santa Fe New Mexican.

NEXT STEP! HOUSE BILL 365

Yesterday we filled Room 309 in the Round House and the Business and Industry Committee Chair, Representative Debbie Rodella, from Espanola allowed the people to speak! Thank you Representative Rodella!
 
The Memorial was supported by all members except Representative Georgene Louis from Acoma Pueblo who was also appointed in 2007 by Governor Bill Richardson as State Gaming Representative. If you would like to inform yourself of who your legislature representatives are or what committees they sit on, please go to: http://www.nmlegis.gov/
 
The people were heard and we received additional support from some of other members on the committee. As a result, Representative Carl Trujillo was encouraged to submit legislation to help ALL people dealing with high utility cost that are caused by astronomical Native American easements.
 
That legislation was introduced today. House Speaker W. Ken Martinez placed our bill with the Health, Government, & Indian Affairs Committee, chaired by Representative James Roger Madalena from Jemez Pueblo.

The bill will be defended on Tuesday, February 11. 

Time and location to follow. We need to fill the room once more!

Underdog 101: One step at a time!

Speaker W. Ken Martinez, please include in your NM Dem's album this photo of today's 
standing-room-only support of State Representative Carl Trujillo's memorial. 

The people supported awareness on the need for assistance on the allocation and recovery of access fees, charges, and trespass fines paid by the Electrical Distribution Cooperatives to any Native American Government Entity and to increase awareness of recent developments in Native American access agreements affecting the cooperatives' ability to provide electricity at a fair cost to the all consumers. 

We know the memorial is not a bill and want to see follow up legislation. The taxpayers of these communities are hoping that you as the Speaker of the House are supportive of ALL New Mexico citizens!

Bad things happen when good people do nothing.

In response to our communities’ pleas for support, State Representative Carl Trujillo has submitted a bill to the legislature that will establish regulation (limits) on easement agreements between Pueblos and Cooperatives.  People, we have not even seen the effect of the easement increase between San Ildefonso and Jemez Co-op in our electric bills yet and we have been told by Pueblo Officials that THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.  

San Ildefonso officials are fighting to void a County Road 84 perpetual easement that grants El Rancho residents rights to their properties. These same roads hold the lines for our natural gas.  Furthermore, our Federal Representatives have supported that the diversion and filtering station for the Pojoaque Basin Water Project be built on San Ildefonso land. This places Pojoaque, Nambe, Tesuque, and Cuyamungue at risk too! This is said to be another perpetual easement but so were the county roads.  What are we leaving our children if we do not unite and act now?

Currently, all Pueblo officials are not happy with this bill but our communities have not been happy for longer.  Enough is enough.  THE OPPORTUNITY has come to make a stand and say just that.  Enough is enough! How do we do this? By showing up respectfully in large numbers which will provide a BIGGER message regardless if this bill passes. Taxpayers and consumers have reached their limit and can no longer tolerate our Government’s support of this type of system. Our Federal Representatives cannot continue to represent and support a select portion of the voters. We, the majority, have minimal representation, no federal aid, no funds to hold lobby power, and have been told that when dealing with sovereign nations we do not have rights! Who is this majority? The taxpaying voters and consumers of these communities!

We have an opportunity to unite and take a stand!

On Tuesday, February 4th, this bill will be defended to a legislative committee by State Representative Carl Trujillo and others.  Time is 1:30pm.  Location is at the Round House, 3^rd floor, room 309.  

We need everyone and anyone who can be present meet at 1:15pm in front of the Round House.  This will take approx. only an hour.  Bring your elderly, your neighbors and anyone who wants to help take a stand.

HELP us take a stand!

Please Help!

State Representative Carl Trujillo has submitted a bill to the NM Legislature (in session now) that would limit the amount of easement cost the Pueblos could impose on Cooperatives. This is in response to OUR complaints about us taking the hit for unfair increases to utility easements in which the cost is passed to the people in the area. The same people that have NO say in the negotiation of these agreements. This open checkbook for what pueblo officials can ask for in easements was made possible by law 25CFR169.12 which grants them no ceiling no matter how unfair. 

When this bill goes in front of committee, Representative Trujillo will defend ALL people affected and will give a Community representative a chance to talk for the taxpayers. This is our chance to ask the lawmakers why they continue to support only 10% of the people? The majority in this area are taxpayers and we get the door slammed in our face by our Government once we mention Pueblos. 

WE will be in front of committee next Tuesday (Feb 4) about 1:30pm at the roundhouse. 

We need bodies. We need faces. No one will have to speak just show the people we elected that we have had enough. Please take the time to make a stand. It will be worth your time. Take the elderly in your area or if you need a ride, we will organize. 

More info to come and if you have specific questions or know someone that would like to get on our email listing, please email us at elranchocommunity@gmail.com.

Court rules in favor of co-op members, transparency

Check it out - This is proof that taxpayers, voters, and Electric Co-op members do have power when united!! It is time for change and we have a precedent!

Court rules in favor of co-op members, TRANSPARENCY!

Pojoaque Water Basin project notifications

Taxpayers, the link below has a long notification with dates/times/locations that we as community (Pojoaque, El Rancho, Nambe, Tesuque, Cuyamungue, etc.) will meet to ask questions in regards to the Pojoaque Water Basin project that will be affecting YOU! 

Please check it out - stay informed!
Nambe-Pojoaque-Tesuque River Basin Adjudication (NPT or Aamodt)