Lose the loophole to scrap the shortfall
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$400 million in additional revenue could be generated by closing the tax loophole on gasoline purchased on Native American land alone. Let’s stop hobbling ourselves. Continue Reading
Helena Chemical Co. has not been a good neighbor
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Helena Chemical Company’s flippant attitude regarding state regulation and the concerns of neighbors has earned it a bad reputation, the state’s environmental protection division director argues in this commentary. He writes that the Environment Department’s regulation of Helena is not unfair. Continue Reading
Public hearing offers transparent forum for air permit
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Today in Mesquite, the Environmental Improvement Board will host a public hearing on Helena Chemical Company’s application to operate its facility without an air quality permit. Here is a Helena vice president’s explanation of why his company’s Mesquite operation doesn’t need a permit. Continue Reading
Healthy business = healthy economy = healthy community
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As the executive director of the Santa Fe Alliance, an association that represents locally owned independent businesses in New Mexico, I can testify that reform which gives business owners a fair shake at offering health care to their employees is critical. Continue Reading
Cut the number of elections to reduce money’s role in politics
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In New Mexico, we should consider three possible steps to reduce the role money plays in our system. First, reduce the number of offices subject to primaries. Second, make some elective offices appointive. Third, lengthen the terms of elected officials. Continue Reading
Wilderness compromises border security
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This is in response to Mr. Nick Voges’ assertion that Senator Bingaman’s wilderness bill “would make our borders safer.” If wilderness study areas are designated as wilderness, the Border Patrol will no longer be able to conduct routine patrols and will be prohibited from utilizing mechanical equipment or other modern detection devices. How does that make us safer? Continue Reading
When will senseless child abuse end?
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The public and I have had enough with innocent children dying from criminal child abuse. I am calling for the state, law enforcement, local government, municipalities, nonprofits, and everyone in the community to work together to use all available resources to combat this problem. Continue Reading
An ounce of prevention – or millions of gallons of cure?
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The Pit Rule is about properly managing contaminated oil and gas waste to protect New Mexico’s precious groundwater. These rules do cost money to implement, but the costs are far less than what companies (such as BP in the Gulf) would have to pay to clean up spills. Continue Reading
Let’s teach the right lessons in our schools
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If we truly want to help our kids, we must stop giving away high-school diplomas and provide the necessary tools for students to earn them. We should prepare children for a world where there are real consequences for success and failure. Continue Reading
Maryland regulating social media in campaigns
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As social media becomes more integrated into political campaigns, the question of rules and regulations of social networks for campaign usage comes to the forefront. Maryland is the first state to be proactive in addressing this question. Will New Mexico be next? Continue Reading
A busy half-year
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Summer 2010 is scarcely one week old, and looking back it has been a very busy half-year for the Attorney General’s Office. We have been working on major issues including state investments, public land exchanges, environmental protection, and various civil and criminal prosecutions. Continue Reading
Susana vs. Denish: The racial divide and an all-Hispanic ticket
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Susana Martinez may have all the momentum in the world, she may have a great marketing plan of anti-Richardson themes, and she may even have the soccer mom from Alaska on her side – but her Achilles heel may be the simple fact that her running mate is a Hispanic as well. Continue Reading
Restructuring for access and transparency
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Government of the people, by the people, and for the people requires, most of all, the people. The people have an opportunity to closely examine the process of government with the current Government Restructuring Task Force, but so far few are taking advantage of that opportunity. Continue Reading
Opportunities lay ahead for NM rural communities
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USDA Rural Development-New Mexico oversees a portfolio of more than $800 million. We at USDA are prepared to deploy the resources and develop the partnerships needed in our rural communities to help secure their future for years to come. Continue Reading
This November, New Mexico’s future is on the line
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I believe this campaign will be about where Diane Denish and I stand on the issues that matter to voters. I am confident this fall voters will support an agenda of bold change that challenges the status quo and delivers real results. Continue Reading