Author Archives: merilee

Ethics and the predatory lending bill

“You think you’re a big shot. I own you, and I own the legislature,” declared the liquor industry lobbyist, speaking loudly at Santa Fe’s La Fonda hotel, in a banquet room full of legislators and press. This legendary event happened … Continue reading

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Enforcing Yazzie-Martinez

The coalition supporting the Yazzie-Martinez court decision is complaining that the state Public Education Department has not yet published a comprehensive plan. The demand was made public in a news release in early January. Yazzie-Martinez, we recall, was the 2018 … Continue reading

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Money is not enough to fill needed jobs

Here’s great news. You can get a job starting at $20 an hour plus pretty good benefits, including a pension. There are plenty of job openings for prison guards in New Mexico. The Corrections Department is even advertising on TV. … Continue reading

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Picking up the garbage

New Mexico is branding itself as a destination state for outdoor recreation. We have a new Outdoor Recreation Division in the Economic Development Department. We’ve had an outdoor recreation state conference; another one is being planned. We’re investing the state’s … Continue reading

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Charities that waste their money

A small collection of unneeded junk has been sent to me from charities to which I have never given any money.  They send glossy full-color calendars or tote bags printed with their name, in envelopes the size of a pillowcase.   The … Continue reading

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The dignity of good work

To certain people, Scott Fabel is a national hero. Fabel runs an auto body and collision repair shop in Appleton, Wisconsin. He is the 2021 winner of the All Star Award from FenderBender, the magazine of the body shop industry. … Continue reading

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Trying again to streamline regulations

            Twenty-six agencies, said the director of the Cattle Growers Association, speaking at a public forum several years ago. Federal and state. That’s the number of regulatory agencies her members – New Mexico’s ranchers —  had to deal with.  Then … Continue reading

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It’s past time to fix the bridges

I was wondering whether I’d be safe driving across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. When I lived nearby, I drove across it many times and didn’t think twice. I floated under it on a raft. But it’s a long way … Continue reading

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Open the darn rest stops!

This week’s hero is the owner of the Conoco station and convenience store at the Wagon Mound exit of I-25. On a recent trip to northeastern New Mexico, that station was open on a Sunday afternoon, with a working restroom … Continue reading

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Saving workers’ comp

Unlike most articles on this web site, “Saving workers’ comp” was written in 2021 specifically as a memorandum for the New Mexico legislature. Readers are invited to copy and share it. by Merilee Dannemann, for the New Mexico legislature New … Continue reading

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