Political Quotes

“I should note, these are significant sums which the Navajo allottees depend on each and every year. According to a 2017 Department of the Interior IG report, 20,855 Navajo allottees receive a collective $96 million per year from revenues raised through responsible oil and gas development on their allotments. Quite simply, infringing on their right to develop their mineral resources jeopardizes their quality of life. Further, oil and gas development has blessed the State of New Mexico with significant budget windfalls in recent years. Just last week, the Department of the Interior announced that the State of New Mexico would receive $1.17 billion in revenues from Federal oil and gas development, the highest disbursement in the State's history. 2018 was a record-breaking year for oil and gas development in New Mexico, with State revenues reaching $2.2 billion, total. Roughly half of these revenues will return directly to the State's schools, investing in higher pay for teachers and staff, while other funds were allocated for infrastructure projects and public services. These funds were provided by oil and gas operations on not only Federal lands, but on State trust lands, as well. Roughly 8 percent of the withdrawal area in this bill is owned by the State of New Mexico and can be developed for the benefit of its citizens.…”