Author Archives: merilee

A small change for better schools

Back in the era of Susanna Martinez’ governorship, there was a push for a law that would allow New Mexico public schools to hold students back in third grade if they couldn’t meet reading criteria. I wondered why there was … Continue reading

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Medical leave might not work for ranches

Do you think there is workers’ comp insurance coverage on the Yellowstone Ranch? What about paid family and medical leave? The fictional Yellowstone Ranch is the spectacular starring location of the “Yellowstone”TV series, now running on CBS after first being … Continue reading

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Family leave bills are not quite ready

If you get injured at work and need time off for your injury, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that compensate you for most of your lost wages. What if the legislature passes the bill to provide paid family … Continue reading

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Affordable housing is not affordable enough

If you want to buy your first home in New Mexico, and you are of low to moderate income, you probably should not count on buying a new one. According to one of the state’s leading experts, New Mexico builders … Continue reading

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Start the new year with a vision

“New Mexico 2050” was the very ambitious title of an only slightly ambitious project. In 2015, a small conference was held and a book was published, featuring in-depth analysis of major issues by respected New Mexico policy experts, edited by … Continue reading

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Greenhouse gases and the new methane rule

Maybe the new oil and gas methane rule has a silver lining for New Mexico. That is, if Texas and other oil-producing states have to comply with the same rule as New Mexico, that is no longer a competitive disadvantage … Continue reading

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Election turnout was pretty good

The recent New Mexico off-year election had an average voter turnout of about 20 percent. Some commentators said that’s a lousy turnout. I disagree. I think it’s pretty good considering the newness of this process. It’s really different to have … Continue reading

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Resorting to the unthinkable

In an episode of the original Star Trek, the Enterprise lands on a planet where inhabitants have lined up submissively to die at the Disintegration Chamber. The planet is at war with a rival planet, a war fought entirely by … Continue reading

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Getting ready for the off-year election

New Mexico is having an election in a couple of weeks. Now is a good time to get started figuring out whom and what you will be voting on. More precisely, we are having lots of separate elections, all at … Continue reading

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A presidential candidate talks serious policy

Doug Burgum, governor of North Dakota, made thought-provoking remarks about the complex relationship of our national security, the environment, and the global implications of how countries meet their energy needs. He caught my attention when he mentioned the mining of … Continue reading

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