PHOTOS FROM GALLUP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SPORTS, B1 & B2
a Gallup Sun VOL 11 | ISSUE 512
www.gallupsun.com
January 17, 2025
2025 Legislative Session
Lundstrom prefiles trade port, law academy bills By Molly Ann Howell Managing Editor
B
efore the legislative session starts Jan. 21, the Sun sat down with Rep. Patty Lundstrom to talk about her priorities for the session. Lundstrom is sponsoring two bills this session — House Bills 19 and 48. She prefiled them before the session began. The deadline for legislators to pre-file bills is Jan. 17. TRADE PORTS DEVELOPMENT ACT HB 19 is the Trade Ports Development Act. The bill will open the opportunity to become a trade port to more cities across New Mexico, including Gallup. In an interview with the Sun, Lundstrom explained why trade ports could be beneficial for New Mexico. “We’ve had a lot of trouble over the years, and even still do today, with supply chain distribution,” she said. “We have to figure out a way in this country where we can unload and distribute cargo coming from outside the U.S. quicker than we currently are.” Lundstrom sees the Trade Port Development Act as an economic development driver. She said that Doña
Ana and Bernalillo counties are also looking at becoming trade posts. To become a trade post, an area must have interstate access, railroads and airports. LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING HB 48 serves as Lundstrom’s attempt to decrease crime rate in the area. She hopes to bring back the law enforcement academy to Gallup. The University of New MexicoGallup’s satellite academy closed in 2001 due to a lack of funding. Gallup Police Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo and McKinley County Sheriff James Maiorano III were both part of the academy’s last graduating class. “Our answer to some of the public crime issue is to try and get more police on the street,” Lundstrom explained. “We [can do that] by getting that academy back up and running.” UNM-Gallup partnered with the City of Gallup to fund the academy. Now, UNM-Gallup’s Chancellor Sabrina Ezzell is supporting Lundstrom’s efforts to bring the program back. Lundstrom said she is also expecting other crime-related bills to be discussed and voted on in the beginning
of the session. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called for a special session in July to discuss public safety and ideally pass some bills related to that issue. But the legislators were only in session for six hours, and they ultimately decided not to pass any of the governor’s crime bills. Lundstrom said she expects the situation Rep. Patty Lundstrom to be a bit different this session. She said the governor has probably gotten legislators to back her public safety bills, and so those are more likely to pass this session. The 2025 Legislative Sessions begins Jan. 21 and will end March 22. The governor will have until April 22 to sign and approve any legislation that arrives on her desk.
Remembering former Dist. 6 Rep. Eliseo Alcon Staff Reports
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ormer State Rep. Eliseo “Lee” Alcon passed away on Jan. 13. He was 74 years old. Alcon, who had been diagnosed with liver cancer, resigned from his seat as the District 6 Representative in November after he was placed in hospice care. He passed away while surrounded by his family. He lived in Milan, N.M., and was elected to the state house in 2009. He advocated for New Mexico veterans, the economy, and the environment. He also served as chair of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and the Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. Alcon was a military veteran who received a
Former State Rep. Eliseo "Lee" Alcon Bronze Star for his service as a combat medic in the Army during the Vietnam War. New Mexico House Democrats issued a statement after Alcon’s passing, thanking him for his service to New Mexico. “We are tremendously saddened by the loss of
our esteemed colleague and dear friend Eliseo,” the statement reads. “During his 16 years in the House, Rep. Alcon was a tireless champion for his western New Mexico community and our service men and women. We deeply appreciated the warmth, kindness, good humor, and dedication he brought to the Roundhouse.” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also paid her respects to the former Representative. “Rep. Alcon served our state with honor, distinction, and longstanding dedication to his constituents in western New Mexico,” she said. “From his heroic service as a combat medic in Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star, to his 16
years of dedicated public service in the legislature, Rep. Alcon exemplified public service. As chairman of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and the Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, he helped improve the lives of veterans, workers, and families across New Mexico. My heart goes out to Rep. Alcon’s family, friends, colleagues, and the communities he served so faithfully.” Alcon represented District 6, which is a part of both McKinley and Cibola counties. Both boards of commissioners were asked to send a recommendation to Lujan Grisham after Alcon announced he was stepping down in November.
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