NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/category/commentary/page/110/)
There’s been lots of negative news for Secretary of State Mary Herrera lately, and I’ve written a lot about the scandal plaguing her office. But research for two recent articles reminded me about one very positive step forward the office has taken under Herrera’s leadership. Continue Reading
At a time when the United States is in a recession and individuals, business and governmental agencies alike are feeling the economic crunch, there is a pool of additional money available right at our fingertips. No; it is not to be found in the form of higher taxes, but rather in the elimination of fraud. Continue Reading
In the 10 years he served as commissioner, my opponent allowed this important office to become a haven for special interests with little regard for the actual charge of the state land office. I want to bring a new brand of leadership and balance to the N.M. State Land Office where all benefactors and users of the trust can reach a common ground. Continue Reading
Why do some students in the same school, studying the same lessons, sitting in the same size classroom, outperform students just down the hall? Maybe a “Sunshine Portal for Teachers” will help us find the answer. Continue Reading
Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate Brian Colón did better than most lieutenant governor candidates across the nation in online fundraising during the primary, and he has a highly interactive social media presence. He attributes his success in the primary to social media. Continue Reading
If either my father or grandfather were alive today I suspect they would say that the only way to keep this nation’s freedom is for each subsequent generation to value the freedom that they had purchased in blood and sacrifice in their world war conflicts. Continue Reading
One fact faces the new governor, as well as state senators and representatives: The flow of funds from the federal government’s economic recovery stimulus program will cease. Even with those funds, the state had to cut the public education budget this year; without them, the state will have to cut it next year. Continue Reading
The upcoming November elections are just the beginning of a new era in American politics where more young people, women and Hispanics will begin to make a big leadership impact within the Republican Party both locally and nationally. Continue Reading
Susana Martinez continues to consistently claim that state government has grown by 50 percent (sometimes she says 54 percent) during the last 7.5 years. Her allegation about state government is simply not true, and it’s not even close. Continue Reading
The next governor of New Mexico will immediately be tasked with balancing a budget deficit in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Here is how I would achieve fiscal responsibility in New Mexico. Continue Reading
Shuckins! At my gas station this week was the dreaded note on the pump: “This gasoline now contains ethanol.” I have changed stations several times this last year to keep from buying E10, gasoline laced with 10 percent ethanol. Continue Reading
In 2003, Governor Bill Richardson signed legislation to allow those who are in this country unlawfully to obtain a New Mexico driver’s license. Seven years later, however, it is clear this experiment has failed, and yet the state’s chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Gary King, is still defending the policy. Continue Reading
With nothing to show for it, Governor Bill Richardson has just returned from another so-called “trade mission” to Cuba to meet with the communist regime’s dictators. Meanwhile, New Mexico lags behind other states in exports. Clearly, our state needs to get serious about trade. Continue Reading
State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia recently accused Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez of misrepresenting her role in the passage of a bill that resulted in tougher penalties for child abuse resulting in death. But the reality is that it’s Garcia – not Martinez – who is misrepresenting the facts. Continue Reading
In the Southwest, haze hangs over New Mexico’s Pecos Wilderness and many other parks and wilderness areas. Fortunately, we have an immediate opportunity to rectify this situation by ensuring that the biggest park polluters, coal-fired power plants, are finally made to clean up. Continue Reading