NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/category/guest-columns/page/72/)
The explosion of income and wealth among New Mexico’s richest, the dramatic drop in their personal state income tax rates, our state lawmakers’ budget cuts for the past three years, the cutting of public services, and the cutting of education for the middle class, working poor, and poor are coming home to roost. Continue Reading
I’ve been disappointed that some members of Congress don’t think we can afford to protect our public lands. Continue Reading
I don’t think it’s particularly important that Speaker Luján broke rules. Most of our House speakers have. I think the real meat of this story is that some members found a way to get together and execute the will of the people. Continue Reading
The good news here in New Mexico is that there is still time enough in our legislative session for both parties (and the lone DTS) to come together and send a smart and effective driver’s license bill to Governor Martinez to sign. Continue Reading
In an environment of 20-30 percent annual rate increases, consumers need to know whether their health insurance rates are fair and reasonable. I also believe insurance companies should be solvent. I’m sponsoring a bill that would help. Continue Reading
We have 107 holes in our tax code. Looked at another way, each time we pay any kind of tax, we pay 20 percent extra to cover all the special interests that don’t have to pay. Continue Reading
Government workers in New Mexico are smart enough to know that they are benefitting tremendously in terms of pay and benefits. Otherwise they’d ask for their $600,000 in political contributions back! Continue Reading
The N.M. Supreme Court has appointed a commission to examine how the courts might better serve New Mexico. You can help by taking an online survey. Continue Reading
Congratulations, administration and its supporters: Through this unwillingness to engage people with actual knowledge of the film industry, you have sent New Mexico plummeting from a globally respected position of leadership straight into the gutter. Continue Reading
The recent bipartisan compromise endorsed unanimously by my colleagues and I on the House Taxation and Revenue Committee demonstrates that New Mexico is still willing to incentivize film production in our state but sets a reasonable limit on the annual negative impact to the state’s general fund. Continue Reading
As the secretary-designate for the Energy Department, I agreed to background investigations by both the Rules Committee and the Department of Public Safety. The issue was whether private eyes would be held liable for the misuse of personal and family information. Continue Reading
This insane union busting is going to turn the whole darn country into one of those maqiladoras in Mexico. Continue Reading
New Mexicans are demanding, and rightfully so, more transparency and higher ethical standards from their public servants. Continue Reading
My family and I are forever thankful for the wonderful opportunity afforded to me by Senator Bingaman and his staff more than 10 years ago, when I was selected to be a U.S. Senate page. Continue Reading
The recession that has forced budget cuts is ending and there is hope that critical services can be restored as early as this fall. Continue Reading