Message from the Commissioner
New Mexico’s children own 13 million acres statewide, and the State Land Office is charged with managing these lands so our children can attend schools of excellence.
More than 150 years ago Congress gave these lands “in trust” to support education. Today, revenues earned from energy production, agriculture and economic development on trust lands pay teachers, build buildings, and buy books.
The Ferguson Act of 1898 made additional land grants to the territory and broadened the purposes for which income from trust lands could be used to include: universities, hospitals, correctional facilities, public buildings and water projects.
During my tenure, the trust’s beneficiaries have received nearly $2 billion from oil and gas production, renewable energy, agricultural leasing and economic development activity on trust lands. The trust’s primary beneficiary -- public schools – have received $1.7 billion.
But our investment in New Mexico’s school children doesn’t stop there. We teach youngsters about conservation, we put technology in the classroom, and my “Land for Schools” initiative makes trust lands available for new school construction.
Generating revenue is only the beginning of trust stewardship. Since taking office, I have secured from the state Legislature $5 million to further my land management efforts, which include: forest, range and watershed remediation, wildlife habitat improvement programs, illegal dump site clean up, and stabilization of our cultural treasures.
I am a firm believer that pro-business policies are compatible with conservation efforts. Trust lands play a key role in the development of expanding communities. I have worked with Hobbs, Las Cruces, Silver City, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, and Albuquerque to create dynamic and competitive communities.
It is critical that we find a balanced approach that allows for natural resource development, but also protects the environment; therefore, I have taken the lead in developing environmentally sensitive sources of energy. I am the first Commissioner of Public Lands to lease trust lands for wind, solar and biomass energy development. Alternative energy projects provide another source of revenue to pass along to New Mexico’s school children, and these particular projects also provide economic development opportunities and create jobs in rural communities.
Equally important is my commitment to provide the utmost level of fiscal responsibility and efficiency by requesting flat budgets every year of my tenure. I am proud of the fact that we continue to make significant strides in our operations without any increase in our budget. The Land Office spends only three cents of every dollar we earn. And my increasing revenues and cutting costs the Land Office saves every New Mexico tax filer $500 a year.
My team and I are always seeking out innovative opportunities to maximize revenues for the trust, create economic growth opportunities, conserve our vast natural resources and improve customer service standards. There are no limits to growth and progress. But, no commissioner can undertake this mission alone. Every member of my team – and each of our lessees – plays a pivotal role in shaping every child’s future. We must set new standards and benchmarks for the land office and for future commissioners who will manage the trust well into the 21st century.