10 Continued from page 9 Weapons School, TOPGUN, serving as the Standardization Officer and the Navy’s Subject Matter Expert for GPS Weapons. His talk was incredibly fascinating. His stories about combat missions and landing on a carrier at night in turbulent waters makes one wonder how TOPGUN pilots stay alive. Stevie is one cool customer. As one of the final orders of business, the NMBA acknowledged Jay Jenkins, who stepped in the last several months as acting NMBA President after our friend and colleague Lonnie Talbert relocated during his term. Many thanks to Jay for his continued support of the NMBA. As a final order of business, the NMBA elected its new officers and board members for 2022-2023. They are as follows: • President: David Hockmuth, Wells Fargo Bank, Albuquerque • President-Elect: Mark Horn, Pinnacle Bank, Gallup • Treasurer: Mike Lowrimore, Bank of the West, Albuquerque New Board Members • Kamal Ali, PNC Bank, Albuquerque • Aaron Emmert, Pioneer Bank, Roswell • Scott Czarniak, First National 1870, Albuquerque State Revenue Picture and Possible Legislation Recently, state economists presented to the Legislative Finance Committee with the state’s most recent revenue outlook. As one legislator said, “And the news seemed almost too good to be true.” A projected $10.9 billion in revenue for the coming fiscal year sets a new record for New Mexico. It is more than twice the $5.4 billion the state took in just over a decade ago. It represents a projected $2.5 billion in “new” money for the budget year beginning July 2023 (the increase over last year’s revenue), a 29% growth from the FY23 recurring budget. So what is the 2023 Legislature likely to consider in the way of new programs and pressing needs of the state? Here are some possibilities: • Revising the state’s tax code. Perhaps lowering the gross receipts taxes and decreasing taxes for middleclass workers. • Infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, and dams. • Public education • Health care • Expansion of broadband infrastructure • Safe and efficient water systems • Trust funds for future state needs n 505-843-9232 | www.ELCDC.com Enchantment Land CDC is a local non-profit that assists in the growth and development of small businesses in New Mexico and El Paso, offering local expertise and local decisions on SBA 504 loans. Empowering the Local Economy
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