NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/category/commentary/page/111/)
Mayor Berry is considering a $400 million expansion of the Convention Center to become “more competitive with other cities.” I asked a digital guru from Silicon Valley what the future of tradeshows is as an infrastructure investment for cities and here’s what he had to say. Continue Reading
Ok, so here I am one day sitting on the couch and I realize I’m screaming at the television. Why, you ask? Well, I’m so frustrated with the way the country’s going. That’s when I decided I’d either sit here and be part of the problem or do something that would let me be part of the cure. Continue Reading
There are those people who think that rattlesnakes can coexist with grandbabies. Not so. Most of us kill varmints without public comment since there are wingnuts out there who weep copious tears and want us to walk around rattlesnakes at our peril. I was raised differently. Continue Reading
The land commissioner is probably one of the most important and powerful positions in state government today. Recent comments reflect the importance of returning transparency, accountability and proven leadership to the New Mexico State Land Office. Here are my reform proposals. Continue Reading
During last week’s gubernatorial debate, neither candidate presented a clear, coherent, cogent statement of position on a single topic for two minutes without drifting, repeatedly, to one or more of their talking points, whether germane or not to the question, or resorting, repeatedly, to one or more of their thrust-and-parry jabs. Continue Reading
It’ll be interesting to see if Susana Martinez keeps doubling down on a whopper, or if she comes clean and says she’s simply changed her mind about vouchers (which might antagonize her fellow Republicans). The latter might make her a flip-flopper, but at least there’d be integrity to it. Continue Reading
Medians of divided streets are built to give drivers safety space in case “stuff” happens. So why do we put trees, rocks and boulders in them? Continue Reading
When Susana Martinez and Diane Denish spar in the upcoming debates, when they talk about reform, when they talk about ways to close the budget deficit of the state, ask yourself which candidate has the guts to put aside what she thinks is palatable politically and follow through and deliver on her campaign promises like New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is trying his very best to do. Continue Reading
We would like to respond to the New Mexico Petroleum Marketers Association’s attack on tribal gas tax agreements. There is no “loophole” as misleadingly stated by Mr. Baca. The tribes tax gas sold on reservations and use the revenue to serve the needs of their members. Continue Reading
A recent posting by Michael Swickard contained many inaccuracies and reflects an incomplete understanding of the elements involved in the effort to extend Sonoma Ranch Boulevard north from U.S. Highway 70 to two new public schools and the new Las Cruces Country Club golf course. Here is what has happened to date. Continue Reading
Diane Denish’s frequent use of a state jet and Susana Martinez’s purchasing of office supplies from a business owned by an employee create negative appearances that will harm their credibility with voters. Continue Reading
My thesis: Making high school optional can lead to improved public education at lower costs. Revisions to state law, with corresponding revisions in educational policy, can make a virtue of the reality of low graduation rates and ill-prepared graduates. Continue Reading
Developing a world-class education system will provide New Mexicans for generations to come the opportunity to compete and win at every level. This is why reforming education is one of my top priorities. Continue Reading
To improve, New Mexico’s public schools should forget everything else and concentrate on making reading at grade level THE GOAL. Any attention to anything else is wasted if the core competency of reading on grade level is not achieved by all students. Continue Reading
The proposed special assessment district to fund construction an extension of Sonoma Ranch Boulevard in Las Cruces has generated lots of conversation. But it’s a complicated process that takes time. It can still be done, but let’s do it correctly the first time. Continue Reading