By Carla J. Sonntag
NUCA-NM Lobbyist
 
 
            I recently attended an executive retreat in the Manzano Mountains.  With several session options to choose from, my first choice was 'Communication'.  Who can't benefit from better communication skills?
 
            The interesting thing about this mini seminar is that it was centered on communication with 'Millenials' - today's teen generation.  With 93 million of them, Millenials are a force to be recognized as we consider how we are going to move forward - both politically and in the work place.
 
            While we have much to learn from and about Millenials in order to make everyone's life easier, I learned something critical about us:  the Baby Boomer generation in which 90 percent or more of NUCA-NM's membership fits.  We are known as the "Sit Down and Shut Up" generation.  And that certainly explains a lot.
 
            We have played our role and lived up to our generational definition all too well.  We have only ourselves to thank for where we are politically in this state and in this country.
 
            Quite honestly, I lost out on a lot of what was said after this one enlightening moment about our generation.  I was lost in thought wondering, "Are we too late?"  Having raised two Millenials, I choose to adopt their optimistic outlook on life and say, "Absolutely not!"  But then I have to jump back into my Baby Boomer group and recognize that it is going to take work - hard, dedicated work over many years to make changes in our political system that will once again recognize that business is the backbone of this country.  And it is business that creates jobs, pays the majority of the taxes and generally supports the life that we've come to love and expect.
 
            If we continue to 'sit down and shut up,' we will lose more business advocates in our state's legislature and allow more 'Progressives' to raise taxes and tell us how to run our businesses.  After suffering through the battles of the last 60-day session, any lobbyist will tell you, it's a brutal environment for business in this state.
 
            So what are we going to do? 
 
            I have organized a meeting of business owners, association executives and other interested parties to discuss how we will get involved in the next statewide election cycle.  If we don't get to work now for victories in the next election cycle, it will mean exponential losses for business that will be increasingly difficult to overcome.
 
            This meeting is not being widely publicized and will be by invitation only.  Any member of NUCA-NM is encouraged to attend.  Please contact me directly for additional information at (505) 836-4223 or govrelations@msn.com 
 
            Hope to see you there!