Pocket veto politics
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The City of Santa Fe’s No. 1 priority in this year’s legislative session went to a silent and unceremonious death. Continue Reading
Interlock devices are no panacea for drunk driving
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While New Mexico does indeed seem to be enjoying a mostly downward trend in alcohol-impaired fatalities over the last several years, that trend is not the result of any discernable effect of the interlock law. Continue Reading
Steve Pearce’s attack on wildlife
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In recent months Congressman Steve Pearce has been like a hunter on safari, taking aim at one species or habitat after another. Here are some of his targets. Continue Reading
Don’t endanger the economic life of our state
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Today the state’s oil and gas revenue is in jeopardy because there is a concerted effort to have the sand dune lizard listed as an endangered species. The stakes are too high to endanger the economic life of our state. Continue Reading
Will the 9/11 first responders law do the job?
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The final version of the 9/11 first responders bill was considerably watered down, with more than $3 billion in funding cut from a previous version. Will it still do the job? Continue Reading
A time to celebrate
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Upon learning of the death of Osama bin Laden, our nation was filled with renewed pride. The celebration was the appropriate response of a grateful nation to so many who have given so much. Continue Reading
New Mexico’s biggest problem
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Sen. Eric Griego was right on in a recent commentary to criticize state lawmakers who refused to discuss, debate and vote on raising revenues during the 2011 legislative session. Continue Reading
Reality finally setting in on federal budget
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Dueling budget proposals from President Barack Obama and Rep. Paul Ryan have worthwhile elements, but at the same time, both avoid making some tough, but necessary, cuts to the federal leviathan. Continue Reading
Voters support commonsense environmental safeguards
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Two polls tell a story that New Mexicans agree that it is a priority to protect our air, land and water, including during difficult economic times. It is time for our elected officials to listen to the people. Continue Reading
Today we recognize Earth Day
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I urge everyone to use today to reflect on what we can do in our daily lives to support the preservation and restoration of our important natural resources. Continue Reading
Bills that could have softened the blow for most vulnerable weren’t heard
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The most notable thing about the recently finished 60-day legislative session is not what was signed or not signed by the governor. It was also not what passed and didn’t pass. Much more interesting are the bills that were never even given a fair hearing. Continue Reading
An update on corruption cases
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Much has been said and written about the court ruling that removed my office from the public corruption prosecution of former N.M. Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron and three others. Continue Reading
What does it mean to ‘educate’ children?
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Perhaps the time has come to have a public dialog that is not about charter schools, vouchers, tax credits, magnet schools, free schools, grading schools and teachers, ending social promotion, corporal punishment, and so on. Continue Reading
Creating a friendly environment for all businesses
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I support the film industry, but I also support every other industry that provides goods and services that improve quality of life. Thus, my goal as a legislator is to create a friendly environment for all businesses. Continue Reading
It’s not how much you pay – it’s how much you make
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Over and over, every April, we are informed by the media that a small number of income tax filers pay a large share of income tax, as though this were remarkable or even alarming. It’s fair, but is that remarkable? Continue Reading