Denish and Colón: First Three Months of Obama and NM Delegation Accomplishments Only the Beginning

To highlight the impact of the President's policies here in New Mexico and to take stock of what still needs to be done to get our economy moving again, Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish and Democratic Party Chairman Brian S. Colón held an event yesterday outside Washington Middle School in Albuquerque. The event was held on the 101st day of the Obama administration.

After only three months in office, President Obama and New Mexico's five Democratic members of Congress have taken major steps to jump start our economy, save and create millions of jobs for American workers, expand health care for millions of children, ensure pay fairness for women and pass a budget blueprint that invests in America's future and makes critical improvements in health care, education, and clean energy.

"In their first few months in office President Obama and our Democratic delegation have committed themselves to move quickly to get our economy going," said Brian S. Colón, Chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, in a statement released yesterday. "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will save or create 22,000 jobs in New Mexico by investing in vital infrastructure projects, investing in new energy technologies, improving medical record keeping, and preventing cuts to important state initiatives in healthcare and education."

In New Mexico, Governor Bill Richardson and Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish have created the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment to implement the recovery plan passed at the Federal level. They are responsible for the distribution and accountability of the millions of dollars in Federal money that will come to New Mexico.

"New Mexico has received $450 million in education for pre-school through college to help with funding shortfalls," said Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish. "Our job is to make sure the dollars are well spent. Most importantly, what we've seen is that times are tough and these funds can't come at a better time for those working for education."

Denish and Colon also pointed out that these investments are just the beginning.

"These actions are just a down payment and President Obama, our Democratic members of Congress and our State leaders are working together to enact major changes in the areas of health care, energy and education to get our country back on track," Colón said.

"The new administration has set a standard and a tone, not just for these 100 days but for the next 100 days, and the next 100 days and the hundreds of days to come," Denish said. "He's taken the bull by the horns along with our Democratic House and Senate to make sure that what is happening in Washington benefits New Mexico and America's working families."