Unless I read the NM Legislature web site wrong, on this last day of the legislative session the NM Senate passed by a vote of 37-3 the $134 million Severance Tax Bond bill for funding Capital Outlays in Fiscal 09-10 which includes $1 million for "track rehabilitation and improvements to the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad". (This is in addition to the $99,200 already appropriated for Commission operating expenses in the coming year).

This is all pretty amazing considering that the state has less than half as much capital outlay funding available to divvy up as compared to previous years, but the $1 million for the C&TS was a figure agreed upon in earlier budget estimates put forward by the House, Senate, and Executive. Having already passed the House by a vote of 37-28, the bill (HB 154) now goes on to Governor Richardson for signature into law. Whew!

Much thanks to the Commission for a truly effective job of lobbying this year.