NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/category/commentary/page/122/)
Tiger Woods needs to go to Africa not as a celebrity but as a worker and spend the next two years obscurely making things better in a country 99 percent of the world does not even know exists. Take no cameras nor press people and leave no trail. Spend two years undiscovered by the press serving humanity as penitence. Continue Reading
Like most legislators, I am not proud of the fact that we were unable to finalize the budget during the 30-day session. However, the 30-day session was not a complete loss. There were some important issues that I am grateful we did address. Continue Reading
This special legislative session will continue the positive communication that’s occurred among the members of the finance and tax committees. We are moving forward to gain the confidence of the general public. Our focus is on doing this job right to avoid another special legislative session.
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One part of our state budget negotiations that has drawn almost no attention from the media or from advocates is that the bulk of revenues being discussed are scheduled to be phased out. They’re being called “temporary.” Keeping that “T” word in revenue legislation would be an enormous mistake, both fiscally and politically. Continue Reading
There is a limit to how much taxes can be raised to cover state government spending. Now is the time to balance tax increases with spending cuts and enact a sustainable spending plan. Continue Reading
For the upcoming special session, perhaps we should require legislators to bunk up in pairs to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers for their lack of action. Continue Reading
Schools have adopted a rigorous curriculum aimed at increasing test scores that disallows fun activities and naps so there is more time to concentrate on academics. This does not have any research to support it. Continue Reading
The clock is ticking. There are fewer than 15 hours left in the session, with some of that (probably) spent in recess so lawmakers can get some sleep. Here’s to hoping Sanchez calls the webcasting bills up for hearings before the clock runs out on Thursday. Continue Reading
Maybe it is time to discuss a third party that reflects what’s actually in the state Democratic Party platform. We need a party that supports ethics reform, a fair tax system and equality for all New Mexicans. We need a party that puts the environment ahead of corporate interests. We need a party that fights for working people, not for corporate greed. Continue Reading
The Legislature is making hard choices to cut government spending and raise the money necessary to pay for essential services. While no one is happy about the choices we are making, all of us can take some comfort in knowing that the Legislature is acting responsibly. Continue Reading
The state now has one employee for every 87 residents. Under libertarian Gary Johnson? One employee for every 81 residents. I hope legislators on both sides of the aisle start to acknowledge how trim our state government has become and work toward a balanced approach to filling our budget gap. Continue Reading
When the House Judiciary Committee gave a do-pass recommendation this weekend to a bill that would create a publicly accessible database of financial information from government agencies in New Mexico, it took two steps forward and one step back. Continue Reading
When a truth is out of favor, it is still a truth. One such truth is that protecting your family, or children at school, is only possible with a force at least equal to an attacker’s force. Continue Reading
The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday supporting legislation pending in the New Mexico Legislature that would validate existing agreements with utilities such as El Paso Electric Company. Continue Reading
Information is power, and right now the public has none about the governor’s exempt employees. But there is hope, if the House will do its part and pass legislation that would create an online “Sunshine Portal” that would publish detailed, up-to-date financial information from state government. Continue Reading