NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/category/commentary/page/126/)
Some people would jump at the chance to change places with Eldrick Tont, but I would not. He has had his last nice moment in the public. Yes, he may win more glory in golf, but from now on everything will be written with an asterisks: He cheated on his wife so he probably cheats at golf. Continue Reading
Successful businesses use tough times to reinvent themselves. That is exactly what New Mexico state government needs to do. It’s painful, but it sure beats the alternative. Continue Reading
The Whites Peak land swaps have not been done in a way that has been open and transparent to the public. The public should be asking some hard questions about the proposed swaps. Continue Reading
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce (GACC) recently proposed that New Mexico re-impose the tax on food. If the GACC wants to raise taxes, a wiser strategy would be a targeted tax on junk food, rather than making necessities like fruits, vegetables and baby food more expensive for New Mexico families. Continue Reading
Our corrupt system gives corporations and other special interests undue influence that undermines the Constitution that created it. The ongoing health-care reform debate in Washington proves the point. Continue Reading
I’ll be heading to Washington this week, along with legislators from other states who have been designated to lobby the Senate on behalf of the White House Working Group of State Legislators for Health Care Reform. Continue Reading
During these difficult times, a broad-based tax on food to fix the budget shortfall is a bad idea. I will not support it, plain and simple. Instead, here are a few other ideas for reducing the state’s budget shortfall. Continue Reading
Even after thousands of years of human intellectual advancement, the same blood lust central to the society that enjoyed going to the Roman Coliseum to watch gladiators kill each other is alive and well in our own society. Continue Reading
The Ethics Commission Act recently endorsed by the Legislature’s interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee is probably the best example of open, public, bipartisan government at work that I have been a part of in the last 25 years. I am more hopeful than ever that this bill will succeed. Continue Reading
How do we increase support for educators without increasing taxes or substantially increasing the state budget? Why don’t we require recipients of the Lottery Scholarship to volunteer their time helping educators? Continue Reading
Webcasting has made the Legislature more accessible for Tax and Rev Secretary Rick Homans, so he’s decided to use the same tool to make the Budget Balancing Task Force more accessible to New Mexicans. Let’s hope others in state government follow his example. Continue Reading
NMSU does have a responsibility to make itself as transparent as possible in a number of areas. However, especially with the state facing its current budget crisis, moving to make information regarding all donors available to the public could have dire consequences. Continue Reading
We can reasonably conclude that Dec. 25 is a date chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus for political reasons by the emperor Constantine. Dec. 21, the day we call the solstice, is arguably a more appropriate holy day. Continue Reading
New Mexico State University ran a transparent search for its new president. But there’s an especially disappointing provision in the contract given to new President Barbara Couture that has me worried the university may be taking two steps back for the one big step it took forward. Continue Reading
Our country needs to resolve this issue: Is it the Christmas holiday or winter holiday?” Can federal and state employees say, “Merry Christmas” and put up Christmas trees on public property? As important: Can federal and state employees decide not to say “Merry Christmas” or put up Christmas trees? Continue Reading