Greetings! It's February and the Congress is getting adjusted to its new leadership and activities are gearing up-particularly at the committee level. Bills are being introduced and the release of the President's FY2008 Budget kicks off what should be an interesting budget and appropriations season. I will be traveling to the state later this month during the President's Day recess and look forward to interacting with my constituents. Please continue to contact my offices when there is something we can do for you and when help is needed. Take care, and enjoy this month's issue.

Sincerely,

This month I am pleased to report that there is finally a compromise deal that could bring hope and a greater measure of fairness in mental health care coverage to as many as 113 million Americans-and nearly 500,000 New Mexicans.


After years and then months of intense negotiations with mental health advocates, and insurance and business organizations, Senators Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and I have introduced the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (S.558).

This Domenici-Kennedy-Enzi bill will mean that group insurance plans that offer mental health coverage must do it on nearly the same level as they cover other physical ailments, like heart disease or diabetes.

When it comes to treating mental illnesses, many insurance plans today charge higher co-payments and deductibles, and too often they cover fewer hospital stays and outpatient treatments. It's a problem that has needed fixing for a long time. It's a matter of simple fairness for those who suffer from a mental illness and their families who suffer with them.

S.558 builds on the 1996 Mental Health Parity law that I authored with the late Senator Paul Wellstone.

The 1996 law began the parity process, and helped raise greater public awareness to the plight of those with mental illnesses and the societal stigma often associated with those illnesses.

Today, about 26 percent of American adults, or nearly 58 million people, suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder each year. Six percent of these adults suffer from a serious mental illness. Mental illness is also closely linked to the more than 30,000 suicides in the United States every year. In addition, an estimated 16 percent of all inmates in state and local jails suffer from a mental illness.

Approximately 370,000 individuals in New Mexico have some kind of a mental disorder, and of these, about 71,000 adults have a serious mental illness. They are individuals with schizophrenia, major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nearly 19,000 children/adolescents in New Mexico have severe emotional disturbances

Mental health is a national problem and now we have a package that can move the nation forward to better address treatment for those who suffer from this disease. I encourage you to follow the debate. I am hopeful for swift enactment of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007.

To read a Mental Health Parity Q & A with Senator Domenici download here.

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The people of Bernalillo County are setting a terrific example for our state in their ongoing efforts to conserve water. In the past 10 years, their conservation efforts have meant each resident in the state's most populated county is using 86 fewer gallons of water a year than they did in 1995. That's wonderful news and proof that every single New Mexican can play a positive role in making sure there is enough water for all of us in the future.

Recent extended and severe drought conditions really brought home to us just how critical water is to our state and to our nation. No one doubts that water is a most precious resource which must be thoughtfully managed and protected, and perhaps no one understands the importance of water like the people of the Southwest.

While state and local governments have primary control over administering water resources, I work to use my committee assignments to ensure federal resources and policies are available to help our water situation in New Mexico. Membership on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee are useful in that quest.

Last December, the President signed into law two bills I sponsored that should help improve the water situation in New Mexico-the Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 and the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act.

The Rural Water Supply Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a rural water supply program and make

available loan guarantees for rural water supply projects. This law will help provide a clean, safe, affordable, and reliable water supply to rural residents of New Mexico. I am pleased that the President's FY2008 budget recommends $1.0 million to start implementing this program.

The Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Act authorizes demonstration programs to find the best ways to remove non-native species that choke our rivers and sap our limited water supplies. This new law also authorizes re-establishment of native vegetation.

In January, I reintroduced the New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act, which was passed by both the House and Senate during the 109th Congress but never signed by the President. This piece of legislation authorizes the United States Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation to provide technical and financial assistance to the state of New Mexico for assessing the State's surface and ground water resources. I've also reintroduced a bill to provide federal resources to more thoroughly assess our groundwater resources in aquifers around the state.

Water resource issues will remain a priority for me during the 110th Congress as we all look for sound, sustainable solutions to the long term water challenges we face in New Mexico. In the meantime, it is worthwhile for everyone to visit this "Water-Use it Wisely" website, which offers more than 100 ideas for how we can conserve water.

February is Black History Month to call attention to the extraordinary contributions made to our communities by Americans with African heritage.

It is always a special privilege when I can tell you about exceptional people who just happen to be young leaders.

For instance, we can salute the New Mexico students who were awarded scholarships at a recent breakfast to commemorate the birthday of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

Each one of these young people was singled out by the Lay Organization of Albuquerque's Grant Chapel AME Church. They were chosen for their academic work, community service, and developing leadership abilities.

  

Roben Dent, University of New Mexico

Deanna Young, University of New      Mexico

Paul Palmer III, Rio Rancho H.S.

Tahlia Horton, Highland H.S.

Quinton Smith, La Cueva H.S.

Keyanna Carson, Valley H.S.

Eboni Coleman-Wilson, New Mexico      State University

Roxanne Stovall, Rio Rancho H.S.

Josh Carson, Sandia H.S.

Scholarship honorees not pictured include:

Armand Devigne, Albuquerque

Ashley Holley, North Carolina State      University

Kenneth Holley, New Mexico State      University

Asha Coleman-Wilson, Eastern New      Mexico University-Roswell

Tommy Jewell, Santa Clara      University

Jessica Dompreh, Murray State      University

I believe these young adults will be among the next generation of business and civic leaders in our state. I congratulate them and encourage them to continue their hard work.

It is said that with age comes wisdom. In my case, I am the "heart healthy" product of the enforced wisdom of my darling Valentine, Nancy.

A few years ago, Nancy insisted I start exercising and eating better. And you know what? When I cheat a little-that second bowl of ice cream or skipping my exercise regime-I feel it.

February is the month of hearts and Valentines, because the best thing you can do for your loved one is make a few changes in your habits to make you "heart smart" like I am. Thanks to Nancy.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 80 million Americans have some form of heart disease. Here in our state, 3,376 New Mexicans died from some form of heart disease in 2005.

Surprisingly, heart disease is far and away the number one killer among women. The American Heart Association indicates that one in 2.6 female deaths in the United States is from cardiovascular disease, compared with one in 30 from breast cancer. The AHA has launched a "Go Red for Women" campaign to make women more aware of the heart disease threat.

The good news for men and women is that by taking care of your heart, like I'm doing, you can decrease your chances of having a stroke or heart attack. Here are a few tips to take charge of your heart health:

Schedule a yearly check up to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked.

Quit smoking

Engage in physical activity a minimum of 30 minutes on most or all days of the week.

Control your cholesterol by eating foods low in saturated fat and trans fat such as lean chicken or turkey, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

Cut down on salt to help lower high blood pressure

Maintain a healthy weight

For more information on heart disease risks and prevention go to:
http://www.americanheart.org

This month, we salute students in Doña Ana County and Rio Rancho whose good works and caring exemplify the pillars of Character Counts - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.


Sixty-four families are still homeless following devastating August floods that ravaged Hatch in southern New Mexico last year. In November, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) set up fully-furnished, three-bedroom mobile homes for each family in Rincon, just south of Hatch. These families can stay in the FEMA trailers rent-free for up to 18 months, or until they find permanent housing.

Now these trailers are nice, but they aren't "home." Remarkable young people in southern New Mexico who embrace the pillars of Character Counts recognize this, and they took action to try to make the holidays a little nicer for the Hatch flood victims.

In Las Cruces, students at Oñate High School and Columbia Elementary raised money for their neighbors.

Sierra Middle School kids donated money to the Red Cross earmarked for Hatch flood victims, and they collected clothing. Vista Middle School students donated backpacks for students in Hatch, and they sent the families Christmas decorations.

Meanwhile, fourth grade students at Puesta del Sol Elementary in Rio Rancho were upset when their classmate was hit by a car while riding his bicycle to school. The young man eventually lost his left leg below the knee.

It was a terrible ordeal for his parents, not only because their son was injured but also because of mounting medical and household bills. So the Puesta del Sol Cheer Team decided to dedicate its fall fundraising to this family. Instead of using the money for team needs, the girls gave the proceeds to their classmate's family to help offset a few expenses.

For February, we salute these great team efforts in the spirit of Character Counts. What great heart our young people show us. They illustrate how we can make life better for our neighbors when we live by the lessons of Character Counts.

The IRS is giving all taxpayers an extra two days to file their 2006 tax returns, so the often-dreaded April 15 deadline doesn't count this year. The new deadline to watch is April 17.

The two-day extension was granted because April 15 falls on Sunday this year and the following day is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia.

You may want to use that extra 48 hours to visit the helpful IRS website and gain access to the most commonly requested forms and publications. This site also offers answers to most of the federal tax questions you may have while preparing your return.

1040 Central is the primary site for individual taxpayers. Among other things, it can help you determine your refund or how to e-file your personal taxes.

The IRS Business site, has the same information but is geared toward business taxpayers.

VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, assists those who yearly income falls between zero to $39,000 and who cannot prepare their own taxes.

VITA sites are usually located at community or neighborhood centers, schools, libraries, shopping malls or other convenient locations. To find the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-829-1040.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) is a free service to help those over the age of 60. TCE provides tax counseling and basic income tax return preparation for Senior Citizens. AARP also provides a similar program called the Tax-Aide Volunteer Program. For more information on TCE, you may call 1-800-829-1040 and for the AARP program, 1-888-227-7669.

If you need tax forms and don't have a computer, you may call 1-800-829-3676 (1-800-TAX-FORM).

For those of you who may have purchased a hybrid vehicle last year (2006) and would like to know the tax credit available, more information is available from the IRS. This will give you information on the various qualifying vehicles and how much credit may be applied based on when you bought the vehicle.

These photos were recently taken after severe winter storms in the Clayton area. Domenici staff visited the region to assess the toll taken on ranching and farming operations.