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Last week I told you about my trip to the White House to meet with Vice President Biden and local leaders from around the country who are working on finding local solutions to stop gun violence.

     >Read More: "This week, I met with VP Biden at the White House about a very important issue"

In the 7 days since I left the White House, at least 6 people have been shot in Albuquerque alone. 

This is a problem we can't wait for a dysfunctional Congress to solve.

If you haven't already, read my post about some of the ideas I heard from Mayors, Governors and City Councilors from around the country. Then use the survey form to send me your ideas for Albuquerque.

In the meantime, I'm helping some local groups get their own conversations started this week.  Show your support to #StopGunViolence in ABQ by attending one of these events with me:

IN THE NEWS

APD Reverses Their Plan on Reverse Drug Sales to Homeless


KOAT: APD DRUG BUST CHANGES, Sunday May 30
COUNCILOR PAT DAVIS, A FORMER COP, EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE BUSTS. AFTER OUR STORY AIRED, HE SENT A LETTER TO CHIEF GORDEN EDEN ASKING HIM TO SUSPEND LOW LEVEL BUY BUSTS. 

UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS


Saturday, Jun 04, 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM: 2nd Annual International District Health Fair

UNM SE Heights Clinic, 8200 Central Ave SE

The International District Health Fair, "Celebrating our Community, Celebrating our Health," is an annual event hosted by the SE Heights Center for Family and Community Health, Albuquerque Indian Center and Ed Romero Terrace apartments.

This is a time to recognize our diversity and showcase all of the partners who are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of our community. Learn more


Early Voting
Now through Saturday

Democrat and Republican Primary Election Day
Tuesday June 7
Voting locations, sample ballots and FAQs before you vote all online at bernco.gov/clerk

CITY LEGISLATION TO WATCH

P-16-2, "Public Financing Modernization Act", Adopting A Proposition To Be Submitted To The Voters At The November 8, 2016 General Election Or Next Regular Or Special Municipal Election, To Modernize Public Financing Mechanism (Davis and Harris)

• Did you know?  Before the disastrous Citizens United decision, Albuquerque's public financing system was a national model.  Since then, provisions in the law that limited donations by city contractors and outside groups have gutted the law making it difficult for candidates in competitive races to compete against candidates backed by special interests.  While not a total fix, this bill would help to equalize the funding available for mayoral candidates in next year's important mayor's race.  This bill was debated twice, and after adding amendments offered jointly by myself and Councilor Harris, it will come to the Council for final action on Monday. 

R-16-36, SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR SOLAR ENERGY FOR ABQ

What if Albuquerque was a real leader in solar energy? Why aren't we already?

A few months back, I introduced a bill with Councilor Ike Benton to set an ambitious but achievable new goal for the City of Albuquerque buildings: produce 25% of energy needs from solar energy by 2025. 

As one of the state's largest energy consumers, the standard we set has a big impact on both the taxpayer-funded power bill and on energy policy for all of New Mexico.

Our bill was heard at our last Council meeting, but debate and a vote was deferred until Monday June 6th.  Learn more and send your comments of support to councilors using this quick webform.

R-16-36: Establishing A Goal Of Generating Twenty Five Percent Of The Energy Consumed By City Of Albuquerque Facilities From Solar Energy By 2025 (Davis, Benton)

• Sets a new standard for generating 25% of energy consumed in city buildings from solar energy by 2025

• By the end of 2016, directs a city committee to make recommendations for implementing the new standard

Read the full text here.

City Budget Highlights

Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Berry signed the city’s FY17 budget that includes more than $525 million in operating expenses to provide city services as well as raises for all city employees.

City Councilor Pat Davis wants to highlight the following programs included in next year’s operating budget that target his priorities to increase public safety and expand opportunities for the residents of District 6.

• $190,000 to support and expand the Metropolitan Court’s Homeless Court program.  Councilor Davis began meeting several months ago with Judge John Duran and court staff to identify new funding to continue this important program after state budget cuts forced the court to reduce the scale of the project.
• $2 million to close out the fundraising needed to build a new large-scale library serving the International District.  The city is currently evaluating locations for this $10+ million project.
• $50,000 for a pilot project to add additional parking in Nob Hill.  Since taking office last year, Councilor Davis has met with numerous business owners and residents who championed the need for additional parking near local retailers provide shoppers greater access to local retail and keep commercial traffic out of neighborhoods.  This pilot project is conceived to expand parking locations and public access to private parking lots not currently available to shoppers.  More to come soon.
• $20,000 to support We Are This City, a non-profit alliance of local artists building a new marketplace for local artists to share their works around the country and develop their own business skills to support this growing segment of our creative economy. 

“Our homeless court program was too important to abandon,” says Davis. “Our criminal justice system is full of homeless and near-homeless people who end up in and out of courts and jails that never address their underlying issues like addiction, underdeveloped job skills and a lack of stability that keep them getting out of this system.  Participants who commit minor crimes get opportunities for shelter, treatment and job placement instead of incarceration; that saves taxpayers now and pays larger dividends on this investment down the road.”

PS - Do you have constituent questions? Need help from City Hall?  
Sean Foran is our new policy analyst in District 6 and he is here to help you.  Contact him at 768-3152 or seanforan@cabq.gov