NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/category/guest-columns/page/85/)
It is interesting, and a little troubling, how certain misconceptions get a grip on the public’s mind. One glaring example of this is the widely repeated claim that the state prisons are full of people who have been convicted of simply possessing drugs. Continue Reading
Many New Mexicans are asking whether Gov. Bill Richardson will line-item veto the reimposition of the local portion of the food tax that was passed during the recent special session. However, once they learn the story behind the food tax’s passage, New Mexicans are more likely to ask instead: “Why wouldn’t Governor Richardson veto the food tax?” Continue Reading
Congressman Teague says he hasn’t decided how he’ll vote on this bill. But what he needs to remember is that he represents the interests of New Mexicans, and this health-care legislation will have severe, negative impacts. Continue Reading
The health-care reform bills currently pending in Congress are by far the most serious effort in years to rein in the staggering growth of health-care spending. If we throw this opportunity away, we are going to be sorry and broke for a long, long time. Continue Reading
The Sunshine Portal is a Web site that will provide every New Mexico citizen with important information on the state’s finances and overall fiscal health. More importantly, with the veil of concealment pulled away, it will provide citizens with information to effectively oversee the operation of state government. Continue Reading
I’m going to celebrate this week – National Sunshine Week – by giving thanks for America’s many sunshine guarantees. In New Mexico, thanks to a legion of dedicated activists, we now have some of the toughest freedom-of-information laws in the nation. Continue Reading
We will persevere and keep moving forward, step by step, until we make it clear that stealing from the public treasury is not the way we do business in New Mexico and that such practices will have legal consequences. Continue Reading
There is a growing body of evidence showing that right-to-work states enjoy faster economic and employment growth than non-RTW states. There are 22 states in the union that have adopted RTW laws, and New Mexico is not one of them. Continue Reading
I am calling for an immediate joint caucus of House and Senate Democrats. There has been too much difficulty and miscommunication surrounding our attempts to address the budget. Continue Reading
Like most legislators, I am not proud of the fact that we were unable to finalize the budget during the 30-day session. However, the 30-day session was not a complete loss. There were some important issues that I am grateful we did address. Continue Reading
There is a limit to how much taxes can be raised to cover state government spending. Now is the time to balance tax increases with spending cuts and enact a sustainable spending plan. Continue Reading
Maybe it is time to discuss a third party that reflects what’s actually in the state Democratic Party platform. We need a party that supports ethics reform, a fair tax system and equality for all New Mexicans. We need a party that puts the environment ahead of corporate interests. We need a party that fights for working people, not for corporate greed. Continue Reading
The Legislature is making hard choices to cut government spending and raise the money necessary to pay for essential services. While no one is happy about the choices we are making, all of us can take some comfort in knowing that the Legislature is acting responsibly. Continue Reading
The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday supporting legislation pending in the New Mexico Legislature that would validate existing agreements with utilities such as El Paso Electric Company. Continue Reading
Information is power, and right now the public has none about the governor’s exempt employees. But there is hope, if the House will do its part and pass legislation that would create an online “Sunshine Portal” that would publish detailed, up-to-date financial information from state government. Continue Reading