https://www.desertexposure.com/stories/support-needed,4285

To get Washington, D.C. to sit up and take notice, its stressed the movement needs to start locally before advancing to the New Mexico Legislature. Constituent support would be paramount. If a bill is passed and signed by the governor, state lawmakers can then take the issue to the state’s congressional delegation. To that end, Amy Barela, Republican Party of Otero County chair, recently worked on a resolution that, if passed, will be a first-step. Titled “Resolution to Support Efforts to Change the Federal Occupational Classification of Emergency Dispatchers,” the document asks for the support of Otero County commissioners.

Two bills were introduced early in the 116th Congress addressing this very matter: S.1050 in April 2019 in the U.S. Senate, the “Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act”; and H.R. 1629 in March 2019, a like-titled bill known as the SAVES Act. H.R. 1629 is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Norma Torres, from California, who spent 17 years as a 9-1-1 dispatcher before election to public office. Several unions have endorsed the legislation, including the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, according to efficientgov.com. The websites govtrack.us, and congress.gov, reported both have bipartisan support but have yet to advance.

In reality, a majority of other states would need to participate as well. In mid-May, lawmakers in the New York proposed just such a bill.

A big part of what motivates the Mackewiches is that no one should have to go through what she has without an emotional safety net. Three days after the crash she visited the site to leave a memorial.

“As much as we are heartbroken,” Miller’s obituary cited, “he left the world doing his favorite thing, riding his motorcycle. Justyn was the kindest person you would have the privilege of knowing. If someone needed help, he would be first in line all the while saying ‘come on guys, let's get this done.’”

The Mackewiches hope that, in his memory, a groundswell of supporters will say likewise: “Come on guys, let’s get this done.