FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santa Fe, N.M. — Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) will present State Senator Jeff Steinborn with the 2018 Luminaria Award for promoting and protecting the natural and cultural resources of New Mexico at CVNM’s 12th annual legislative reception on Jan. 24. CVNM’s Annual Legislative Reception is a dynamic gathering of policymakers, business leaders and community members, and will showcase CVNM’s 2018 legislative priorities.
“I’m very honored to receive this special recognition from Conversation Voters New Mexico. One of the most important things I can do as an elected official is protect our environment and natural resources for current and future generations,” says Sen. Jeff Steinborn.
Senator Jeff Steinborn was instrumental in efforts to establish the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and the Rio Grande Trail system. Efforts like these protect our unique heritage and support healthy, diverse local economies across the state.
“Senator Steinborn has been an important leader in protecting our public lands, culture, air, water and diverse wildlife species,” says Demis Foster, CVNM Executive Director. “Senator Steinborn is a true conservation champion and we’re proud to honor his enthusiastic and fierce advocacy as a legislator.”
Through all his years of dedicated public service in the New Mexico House of Representatives and Senate, Sen. Steinborn has earned a flawless 100% lifetime score in CVNM’s annual Conservation Scorecard. The Scorecard provides objective, non-partisan information about the conservation voting records of all members of the legislature.
Sen. Steinborn is a champion for protecting our public lands and supporting healthy, viable wildlife populations and humane, science-based management plans. He has repeatedly sponsored measures to prohibit coyote killing contests (i.e. SB 268, 2017).
Sen. Steinborn is a staunch proponent of clean, renewable energy development, even spearheading efforts to install solar panels on state buildings to reduce costs and pollution impacts on our communities (SB 227, 2017). Sen. Steinborn has also sponsored measures to establish an ethics commission, which is critical to our ability to manage our natural resources ethically, and measures to expand voting. Ensuring that every citizen’s voice is heard is crucial for the sake of our air, land and water and communities.
Past Luminaria Award Honorees
2017: Representative Gail Chasey
2016: Senator Cisco McSorley
2015: House Democratic Leader Brian Egolf
2014: Senator Peter Wirth
2013: Representative Mimi Stewart
2012: Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez
2011: Auditor Hector Balderas
2010: Mark Fesmire, Director of Oil Conservation Division
2009: Speaker of the House Ben Lujan & Senator Cisco McSorley
2008: Lt. Governor Diane Denish
2007: Governor Bill Richardson
CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that connects the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. We do this by mobilizing voters, helping candidates win elections, holding elected officials accountable and advancing responsible public policies.
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Contact: Liliana Castillo, 505-992-8683 or liliana@cvnm.org