Category Archives: Articles

Libraries can be political targets

Communities cherish their local libraries. We count on them not only for books but for music, movies, access to computers and other services. We are so used to them that we often take them for granted. But recently, libraries have … Continue reading

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Tragedies continue at CYFD

How has New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department gotten it so tragically wrong so many times? Don’t you wonder? A recent special report by KOAT television highlighted the story of 4-year-old James Dunklee Cruz, beaten to death by his … Continue reading

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A little tax relief

New Mexico doctors got a bit of relief in an amendment to the tax law enacted this past session. Doctors have had to pay New Mexico gross receipts tax on co-pays and deductibles — the portion of the bill paid … Continue reading

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To stop the shooter

If teenager Beau Wilson – now forever labeled the Farmington mass murderer — had been behaving erratically and a relative or friend had noticed, and had sought help from law enforcement, what might law enforcement have done? If a friend … Continue reading

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Cannabis is not without risk

New Mexico has passed the one-year anniversary of legalizing recreational adult-use marijuana. The news releases were bursting with excitement. Government and business leaders were celebrating, saying the industry is off to a great start. These announcements focused only on the … Continue reading

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If we pay legislators, what will they do differently?

On a recent episode of the PBS TV show “New Mexico in Focus,” a panelist used the phrase “full time” in talking about a salaried legislature. This was the latest confirmation that when New Mexicans talk about a salaried legislature, … Continue reading

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The new reality in feeding children

If your children attend New Mexico schools, starting next school year you can decide whether to give them three meals a day or let the schools provide two of them. The choice is yours, if you can afford it. It’s … Continue reading

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Governing the school boards

Years ago, as a young reporter in Taos, I was assigned to interview candidates for the local school board. This was considered a booby prize for the new kid in the newsroom. Most candidates had no major policy positions and … Continue reading

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Legislative salaries in other states vary widely

In 2021, Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives left the state en masse to prevent a vote on a bill they opposed. After a couple of weeks, some told national media they had to get home. Not to … Continue reading

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Reinventing the state school board

Something we New Mexicans are not good at: electing officials for certain powerful statewide commissions. Our track record is abysmal. We have elected people who have disappointed us over and over. So it’s curious that legislators tried to reinvent the … Continue reading

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