Winning the future in rural New Mexico
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To keep rural New Mexico vibrant and prosperous, three priorities should be emphasized: infrastructure, education and innovation. Continue Reading
Despite flaws, public education shows resilience
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On evidence, public education is remarkably resilient in spite of its pronounced shortcomings, evading one doomsday after another. The monster is such that society seems to have no choice but to complain while, at the same time, paying for it. Continue Reading
Pension reform is the right thing to do
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One of the more difficult votes during the recently concluded legislative session was on Rep. Mimi Stewart’s attempt to address projected shortfalls in the PERA and ERB retirement funds – shortfalls that could potentially exceed $15 billion by 2016. Continue Reading
A bankrupt rationale for budget cuts
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“The economy forced legislators to cut spending,” Sen. Campos wrote recently. No, it was highly paid lobbyists for the richest New Mexicans and out-of-state corporations who forced the Democratic majority to cut spending and not raise revenues. Continue Reading
Time for a review of the Electoral College
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We live in the world’s greatest democracy, yet the U.S. Constitution does not provide for the popular vote of our president by all Americans. Bizarre as this may sound, it is true. Continue Reading
An idea whose time has come
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This session I sponsored legislation to allow my colleagues an avenue by which they could support and fund our public schools without raising taxes, and to allow the citizens of New Mexico the chance to vote on their support for our public schools. It didn’t pass, but there’s time to try again next year. Continue Reading
Legislature faced difficult choices, strived for compromises
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This year’s legislative session will be remembered as one of the most difficult in years, as the economy forced legislators to cut spending for the third year in a row. Continue Reading
Say no to Obamacare health insurance exchanges
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Obamacare is unpopular, unwieldy, expensive, likely unconstitutional, and will shortly be a prime target for repeal. And the worst is yet to come: Obamacare expects states to do much of the law’s dirty work. Continue Reading
NM needs health care employee retaliation protection
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Recent lawsuits and complaints about health care employers retaliating against whistleblowers prompted me to sponsor legislation to protect health care employees who report improper patient care. Continue Reading
The problem with Skandera
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It seems obvious, given her complete lack of educational credentials and her political background, that Hanna Skandera is a foot soldier in an ideological war taking place right now against working people – teachers and other unionized workers. Continue Reading
The difference between old neighbors and good neighbors
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We drink the water at Devil’s Spring. So do our kids and grandkids, and our livestock, and wildlife, and you. The Pit Rule is the difference between our old neighbors and our Good Neighbors. Continue Reading
Education reform is needed now
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Ending social promotion, assigning a grade to a school, and rewarding great teachers are all essential to changing the culture of education in New Mexico. Continue Reading
Why I support the current driver’s license law
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Our governor calls the law that allows foreign nationals to obtain driver’s licenses dangerous, but it isn’t the law that’s dangerous – it’s the rhetoric. It divides us as a society. Continue Reading
Opportunities for business owners in the clean energy economy
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The results are in: Transitioning to a clean energy economy offers huge economic growth opportunities for New Mexico businesses and entrepreneurs. And, as a small business owner, growing our business is something that I think about every day. Continue Reading
Every driver in N.M. should be properly licensed
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The Senate compromise will help ensure that people who have New Mexico driver’s licenses are genuine New Mexico residents and have provided their true identity to the state. It will keep both our highways and our nation safer. Continue Reading