Capital outlay funds approved for Quay

The New Mexico Legislature last week approved more than $850,000 in capital outlay funds for Quay County projects during lawmakers’ last week of the annual 60-day session.

Legislators approved a total of more than $517 million for projects from around the state.

The list isn’t final, though. It is subject to a line-item veto from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in the coming weeks.

Quay County’s share of the capital outlay projects are:

• Arch Hurley Conservancy District maintenance equipment, $75,000;

• Quay County Detention Center renovations, $335,000;

• Tucumcari Senior Center renovations, $58,114;

• Tucumcari streets improvements, $388,190.

State lawmakers also reauthorized projects in the county that received capital outlay money during previous sessions:

• Mesalands Community College nurse’s aide and phlebotomy program facility renovations;

• Mesalands Community College solar and wind-energy program equipment;

• San Jon water storage system improvements.

On a related note, lawmakers approved House Bill 55, where the Legislature would be required to create a searchable database showing how each lawmaker spends capital outlay dollars. That bill awaits the governor’s signature.