Here in Washington we are back to work, with the beginning of the 110th Congress. I am enjoying this time to hear fresh ideas and work with the many fresh faces in the Senate. This year I will be proposing some new ideas and legislation of my own, and will continue working hard to represent New Mexico. I anticipate a great 2007 and also wish you the best in this upcoming year.

Sincerely,

Extreme snowfall in the northern and central portions of the state stranded many New Mexicans making it impossible for them to conduct their daily activities in late December and early January.

In northeastern New Mexico, Army National Guard helicopters delivered bales of hay to stranded cattle, which can only survive 5-10 days without food or water. Without such critical efforts from the New Mexico National Guard, the situation in our state would undoubtedly be far worse. I commend and thank the Guard for their efforts, and thank all of the people who helped to bring food and other necessities to those in need during the worst of the recent snowstorms.

When a natural disaster of this nature occurs, a state's governor has the ability to request from the President a Federal Disaster Declaration. Before a Federal Disaster Declaration can be made, however, the State must demonstrate that all possible actions at the State and local levels have been taken and that State resources are not adequate to absorb the costs associated with the disaster.

The state must also conduct an estimate of the damage that has occurred and outline both State and local resources that have been and will be committed to alleviating the disaster.   An assessment

of snowstorm-related losses is being carried out in the state.

Although New Mexico Governor Richardson has not requested a Federal Disaster Declaration as of January 22, 2007, he may send one to the President soon. Consequently, I have joined my colleagues Representatives Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce in sending a letter to President Bush and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to support making federal aid available through a Disaster Declaration.

Earlier this month, I also joined Senators from Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma to introduce legislation that will reauthorize the Livestock Compensation Program and provide aid for producers who suffered livestock losses. Our bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate funds from the Commodity Credit Corporate to eligible producers that suffered losses from the recent winter storms in the West. A companion bill (H.R.185) has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

Because winter storms continue to hit this area, it would be ideal for Congress to act as soon as possible on this legislation.

Unfortunately, I recently decided to send many New Mexico civic and community leaders a letter outlining the situation we are facing with the FY2007 congressional appropriations process. It is unfortunate because the letters did not have good news related to the appropriations stalemate that is likely to negatively affect businesses, organizations, schools, and community services in the state.

Right now, the only FY 2007 appropriations bills signed into law are those funding the Department of Defense and the Homeland Security Department. The House and Senate leadership has decided to handle all other funding through a continuing resolution (CR), and this will limit federal support for programs and services that help New Mexicans grow, prosper, and in some cases just survive.

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have made it a consistent goal to support federal funding for New Mexico projects. For example, the CR will mean losing funding to help expand the dialysis center in Gallup, to keep the cotton gin laboratory at New Mexico State University, to help Ruidoso upgrade its wastewater system, or improve management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

There are scores of New Mexico programs and projects ill-affected by a year-long CR.

I have said publicly and privately to the Senate leadership that the handling of the FY2007 appropriations bills has been a travesty. I am pushing an approach so Congress can work out remaining FY2007 funding bills, and work its will as the Constitution requires. It is our responsibility to preserve important priorities like funding for our laboratories, schools, and vital community projects.

I am not certain Congress will be allowed to address the remaining 2007 appropriations bills, particularly since the FY2008 budget and appropriations process is already beginning. However, New Mexicans should voice their displeasure with the FY2007 appropriations process with the congressional delegation. I will, at the same time, continue a vigorous fight for the completion of each of the annual money bills that keep New Mexico effectively attacking community ills and making breakthroughs in technology, science and medicine.

The U.S. Senate will soon debate S.2 to authorize an increase in the federal minimum wage. This bill would increase wages over 26 months by $2.10 to $7.26 an hour. This would be a 41 percent increase over the current $5.15 minimum wage and would be the largest single increase ever.

Considering the federal minimum wage was last raised in 1996, more than 10 years ago, and 27 states have since raised their state minimum wage above the current federal level most agree that a federal wage increase is ordered for. I helped author the 1996 compromise that led to the last wage increase, which included small business tax incentives to ensure that the economy remained strong.

It is likely the upcoming Senate will debate proposals to couple small business tax and regulatory relief with any legislation that increases the federal minimum wage. The intent of these small business incentives will be to ease any increased burden placed on small businesses by a minimum wage increase. Some argue that a minimum wage increase could harm the very workers a wage increase is intended to help if a small business owner is forced to reduce benefits or reduce their workforce.

Americans are well aware of the importance of small businesses to America's economic health. In New Mexico, most workers are employed by a small business. Nationally, small businesses employ half of all private sector employees and have generated 60 to 80 percent of new jobs annually over the last decade.

The federal minimum wage was first established in 1938, when Congress adopted the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Since that date the FLSA has been the primary federal statute relating to minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor laws and other related labor issues. Over the last several decades Congress has often modified the FLSA by enacting new requirements for American workers and employers to keep pace with changes in the American work place.

The minimum wage provisions of the FLSA alone have been changed on eight different occasions. The upcoming debate will determine whether Congress chooses to amend this bill a ninth time and increase the federal minimum wage.

As a champion of Character Counts for more than 12 years, I hear stories every day about the good work of young people in every corner of New Mexico. But even I am bowled over by the generosity of Allison Stapleton of Albuquerque. She truly lives by the pillars of Character Counts.

When Allison was a freshman at Highland High School, she told Best Choice teacher Mandi Dotson she wanted to help. Allison became involved with the peer mentoring program. She volunteered for all the service projects. She attended all the events, and Allison became a Best Choice leadership representative.

Allie, now a junior at Manzano High School, remains committed to going that extra mile for her fellow students. She is President of DECA and active in student government. Allison also is an assistant coach for the Manzano Special Olympics team. And in her spare time, Allie helps her mother give T-L-C to an older sister with autism.

So you would think over Christmas break, she would deserve a rest, right? Not this amazing young lady. When Allison found out there were travelers stranded in our area because of the holiday snow storm, she took action! New Year's Eve, Allie and her Mom discovered a family in a van with no food and no way to move the vehicle through the snow and ice. Allie spent her own money and braved horrible road conditions to get food and hot drinks to this stranded family.

Allison most definitely went outside her comfort zone to give these folks respect and caring, and that is why she is our Character Counts teen for January.

Happy New Year-and every day, try to walk the walk and talk the talk of Allison Stapleton. Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, and Caring-Character Counts values that make all our lives richer.

Earlier this month New Mexico lost a very special man and a good friend of mine, Poe Corn of Roswell. Poe, who was 71, worked for me for almost 30 years and was my southern New Mexico field director. He oversaw my Senate operations in the eastern and southeastern region of the state.

When Poe passed away Jan. 2 after a lengthy illness, he left a void that will be hard to fill. He was a man who dedicated his life to service to the nation, having come to work for me after a 23-year Army career. He was a decorated veteran who served in Korea and Vietnam.

His effectiveness in representing me was built on a solid personal foundation as well as deep family roots in southern New Mexico. He worked diligently to make sure that the interests of southern New Mexico got attention in Washington. Most recently, Poe helped us through the BRAC threat to Cannon Air Force Base, and he tirelessly promoted the Character Counts program in southeast New Mexico schools.

Poe's relentless optimism and quiet competence made him an ideal representative. He was a down-to-earth fellow who never forgot the little guy. I am among the thousands of people who mourn his loss and miss him.

Winter weather has been unusually cold this year, and many of you are finding yourselves with extremely high utility bills. With this in mind, PNM has provided a list of several programs that may help those of you in need.

One useful federally-supported program is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. In New Mexico, the LIHEAP program is managed by the State Human Services Department, which can be reached at 800-648-7167. For more information, visit: AFC LIHEAP or AFC Brochure.

The Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) also offers LIHEAP information at 800-687-7854. If you qualify for LIHEAP, you may receive help paying your bill and PNM will not disconnect your service for non-payment through March 15.

PNM's "Good Neighbor Fund" is administered by the Salvation Army and provides

assistance to meet PNM customers' electricity, gas, firewood and propane bills.

To see if you qualify, call 505-872-1171 or visit PNM Good Neighbor Fund.

The Home Education Livelihood Program (HELP) offers assistance with either utilities, rent or food vouchers (if applicants are not receiving food stamps) each year. Call 505-265-3714 or visit HELP-New Mexico for more information.

Another helpful program is Silver Horizons for Bernalillo County residents age 60 and older who have received a disconnection notice for the heating and water. Call 505-884-3881 for more information.

I hope this information will be helpful during this cold winter time.

The holiday storm is a godsend for winter sports enthusiasts all over Northern New Mexico. The sun came out and the ski slopes have been doing great business. This picture features Steve Wall, his daughter Carly and canine companion slogging in snow shoes near Placitas.

Click on the image or visit this link to view full picture.