Category Archives: Articles

Sunset the notion of sunset review

Posted on March 7, 2011 by merilee

Oh, dear.  Sunset review is back again:  another great idea that may not work so well in New Mexico. Sunset review is legislative code language for kicking the can down the road.       If it worked, we would not today … Continue reading →

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Rights and hazards of the mentally ill

Posted on February 21, 2011 by merilee

My friend’s life was dominated by her mentally ill son. He was schizophrenic and had dangerous delusions.  He would be committed to the New Mexico State Hospital in Las Vegas for six months at a time, but could not be … Continue reading →

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Small business needs a real relief act

Posted on February 7, 2011 by merilee

Before it vanishes into the vapor, mourned by almost no one, let me tell you about the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act. Promising title, wasn’t it? It could evaporate this year. It’s named in a long list of things to … Continue reading →

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Obstacles to state restructuring may be set in concrete

Posted on January 24, 2011 by merilee

In the old days, a friend reminisced long ago, we had to move after every election. State office buildings were rented, she explained. After the election the new governor could reward political supporters with leases. Mediocre facilities, scattered all over … Continue reading →

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What shall we do with a drunken worker?

Posted on January 15, 2011 by merilee

This was submitted to the Albuquerque Journal in response to a Journal news story and published in January 2011. The Journal’s latest report of an apparently outrageous workers’ compensation case touches on a genuine controversy in workers’ compensation (“Drunken Worker … Continue reading →

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Size matters in government, too

Posted on January 10, 2011 by merilee

The New Mexico Economic Development Department employs fewer than 100 people and has a pretty simple business model: it promotes economic development. The New Mexico Health Department employs well over 3,000 people. It operates eight residential medical facilities, including hospitals … Continue reading →

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Too fat to drive? What’s next?

Posted on December 28, 2010 by merilee

“I’m takin’ little white pills and my eyes are open wide.”  Remember that?  “Six Days on the Road,” composed in 1963.  An anthem celebrating the great American truck driver, knight of the road, proud and free, lean and mean. The … Continue reading →

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Fixing the real problem, whatever that is

Posted on November 19, 2010 by merilee

My friend and I are discussing the legacy of Governor Bill Richardson.  Aside from all the controversies, what did he really do for New Mexico ? “He finally got education reformed,” my friend says.  “Replaced the old state school board … Continue reading →

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What the next governor didn’t plan for

Posted on November 10, 2010 by merilee

Bob Woodward was all over the talk shows a few weeks ago.  Woodward is the indefatigible Washington Post reporter and author of many “insider” books about presidents; his newest is “Obama’s War,” about President Obama and the Afghanistan war. According … Continue reading →

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Are you really ready to vote early?

Posted on October 25, 2010 by merilee

Early Voting begins in New Mexico on October 16.  Are you ready? Perhaps you have reached a firm decision on your choices for Governor and your district’s representative to Congress.  Good.  How about the rest of the ballot? New Mexico … Continue reading →

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