03/06/2024
It all started back around 2008 when my dear friend and mentor Annette Morales took a chance on this passionate yet wayward community leader and asked me to help her start working on something called “The Colonias Infrastructure Bill”. After she explained how this bill would bring much needed help to the residents of not only Doña Ana County, but all unincorporated parts of Southern New Mexico, this boy was all in. For two years, we lobbied and climbed up and down the stairs of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, trying to prove our case to not only the Southern delegation, but to all of our New Mexico legislators. She instilled her passion and work ethic deep within my Colonias soul. For that, I am eternally grateful. In 2010, our dreams came true, and our bill became the Colonias Infrastructure Law where our most vulnerable families would have access to 5% off the top of the gross receipts tax each year at the legislature. Hence, the Colonias Infrastructure Board was created as part of that law in order to administer these funds. I was appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Speaker Lujan. The why or how I still don’t understand. I was working with legislative leaders from across the state. I was humbled. For 13 years I have worked diligently to bring this vital funding to our communities and leveraging funds from the feds to match our state funds, further helping my beautiful Colonias residents.
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that after 13 years, I must retire from this awesome board. Due to my failing health and my husband having been diagnosed with terminal cancer, I can no longer serve with the same passion and dedication I once did and that this position requires. I want to thank my husband K Grey Carrillo-Jiménez for sharing me with the residents of the Colonias. I want to thank former Senator Pro-Temp Mary Kay Papen, former State Representative Mary Helen Garcia, State Senator and now Lt. Governor Howie Morales, former Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, and former governor, the Honorable Governor Bill Richardson for always trusting me and having my back while I was on the board. Oh! And thanks for all the ties, brother Howie!! Lol! I also want to thank my dear friend and brother Senator Joseph Cervantes for always offering his counsel and standing up for me when this little country boy wasn’t being heard on the board. Majority Whip, Representative Doreen Gallegos proved to be an invaluable resource while trying to maneuver the politics that tried to get in the way of helping our constituents. A big thanks to Representative Ray Lara for always listening to my frustrations over menudo in Vado, the crux that is Colonias! Thank you to Commissioner Oscar V. Butler for being the visionary many years ago that started the Colonias Initiative in Doña Ana County. And finally to my Comadre Erica Cisneros Gonzalez who always pushed me to keep going and not give up on my beautiful Colonias residents!
I will always treasure my time on this awesome board and I will miss my colleagues tremendously. As you all know me so well, I am down but not out! I will continue to be the voice for the voiceless and do my best to bring attention to the needs of the citizens of this great state. Thank you, New Mexico, for trusting me with so much. I hope I served you well. And please forgive me if I did not mention you. My mind is no longer what it used to be. I leave you wiser, but definitely with a Colonias sized hole in my New Mexican heart. Peace and love to you all! 💜🙏🏽💜
