Monthly Archives: June 2019

The new heroes of gun violence

There’s a new standard of heroism in America. The hero is the one who jumps in front of the shooter, saving lives while sacrificing his own. It happened twice in recent weeks. This is a new subject for frank talks … Continue reading

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Retirees responding to pension challenges

  At least three separate controversies are going on these days at PERA, the Public Employees Retirement Association. One involves hundreds of thousands of dollars; the second involves billions, and the third involves open meetings. PERA, the Public Employees Retirement … Continue reading

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Legislation making New Mexico more humane

Of all the bills that died in this year’s legislature, I thought surely the pet food tax would have passed. The pet food tax – excuse me, fee — passed comfortably last year and was vetoed by Gov. Martinez. I … Continue reading

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A little tax break

Thanks to an obscure provision in the New Mexico tax code, a property tax break is available to a few people who might really need it. An injured worker who receives workers’ compensation permanent total disability benefits (PTD), is low-income, … Continue reading

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The capital outlay secret

Every year, the Legislature divides up a pot of money known as capital outlay, for one-time expenses such as construction, repair, and purchases of equipment. This year the total has approached a billion dollars. The process of dividing the money … Continue reading

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