OP/ED

Op-Ed: New Mexico’s Failure To Join Interstate Compacts Reduces Access To Health Care

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By KRISTINA FISHER
Associate Director, Think New Mexico

Nearly every New Mexican has experienced the harmful effects of our state’s worsening health care worker shortage, from struggling to find a doctor to waiting months for urgently needed care.

The good news is that state lawmakers have an opportunity to take one simple step that would immediately improve access to health care: joining the majority of other states that participate in interstate compacts for doctors and other health care workers. There are 10 major compacts for health care workers, yet New Mexico only participates in one Read More

Sigmon: HB342 & SB527 Will Be Good For New Mexico

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By LANCE SIGMON
Principal
Allen Sigmon Real Estate Group

As a past chair and current board member of NAIOP New Mexico, I am recommending legislators pass HB342 & SB527, which will provide equitable property tax reform for non-residential real estate. I’m a registered Republican. Many of the Assessors across the state are Democrats. I’ve been complaining to my wife about the divisiveness and partisanship our country and communities have been engaged in. Instead of complaining about divisiveness, we wanted to be an example to the state of how compromise could actually work.

Instead of Read More

Op-Ed: About Those Smith’s Marketplace Complaints…

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By TOBIAS HAAG
Los Alamos

I found this letter interesting for a variety of reasons. I have a few perspectives on why LA County decided to allow the only Smith’s Marketplace in New Mexico to operate in Los Alamos. It should be noted that I am not a Smith’s employee, and my comments do not represent the beliefs of the organization.

I have worked in retail and retail management for 17 years, split evenly between Los Alamos and surrounding areas. I am going to say some things that will undoubtedly irritate some of you readers, so please understand I am in no way a representative of Smith’s or Kroger.

My first Read More

Op-Ed: Calling On Elected Officials To Honor Oath

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By CELINA STEWART
CEO
League of Women Voters of the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the League of Women Voters of the United States CEO Celina Stewart issued the following statement in response to actions taken by the new administration and the impact on voters.

“In the first 17 days of the Trump administration, we’ve witnessed nothing short of the weaponization of government against Americans. The callousness of the most recent actions, including the terrorizing of the immigrant community, shows a blatant disregard for the well-being of the American people. We’ve seen the weakening Read More

Op-Ed: Be A Warrior For Democracy!

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By GEORGE CHANDLER
Los Alamos

On Saturday Feb. 22 at noon, Chair Andrea Determan will convene the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County at the Unitarian Church on North Sage Loop. First the three wards (North Townsite, South Townsite, and White Rock) will meet to elect ward officers and members of the Central Committee. Then the new Central Committee will meet to elect County officers (Chair, vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) and at-large members of the State Central Committee. Takes usually about two – three hours. You can attend, vote, and run for any of the positions if you are a registered Read More

Commentary: Rube And New Mexico Residents Should Be Confused By This Bad Bill

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By BILL CHURCH
The Santa Fe New Mexican

The dynamics of a legislative body — especially one trying to find its identity — are similar to the junior year of high school. The 11th grade is cited as critical for social emotional learning, which is a fancy way of describing the art of playing well with others.

There are lawmakers who get noticed for their personal skills, work ethic and public service. Others who are more focused on getting attention. And others who are ignored.

Just like high school.

Who knows which cool-kids clique Rep. Kathleen Cates, a Democrat, wants to hang with at the Roundhouse, Read More

Op-Ed: New Mexico Legislature Should Focus On Current Needs, Not Building Permanent Funds

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By CARTER SWANSON
Policy Analyst
Rio Grande Foundation

More and more New Mexico chooses to stockpile money in permanent funds, rather than spend. The total value of these funds is currently a mind-blowing $58 billion. This means that the New Mexico State Investment Council has one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world (according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute).

There are only two states, Texas and Alaska, that have larger funds. It is speculated that in the coming decades, revenue from these permanent funds will surpass revenue from oil and gas.

On its face this sounds like Read More

Salute To Rep. Christine Chandler For Developing And Sponsoring HB11 – Paid Family Medical Leave Act

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By BILL WADT
Los Alamos

We are so fortunate to have Christine Chandler represent us in the NM House. Her combination of compassionate, incisive thinking with extensive legal knowledge and experience as a County Councilor and State Representative makes her an ideal chair of the House Judiciary Committee as they consider legislation to improve public safety. 

Chris looks at the big picture and long-term consequences of legislation. Research has repeatedly shown that investment in early childhood and enabling positive social-emotional relationships between primary caregivers and children Read More

DeVolder: Smith’s And The Old Gray Mare

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BY MARK DEVOLDER
Los Alamos

There was a tune that I grew up with, “The Old Gray Mare” (The old gray mare, she ain’t what she used to be). The same might be said for the Smith’s grocery store in downtown Los Alamos.

The following are some things I have noticed recently or over the past couple of years:

 

  1. There is a depression in the asphalt for a utility feature which is a tripping hazard / shopping cart impediment near the south entrance to the store. The feature has been there since the store / parking lot was constructed. (Note: It might be a good idea to fill the feature with a steel disk of suitable diameter.)
Read More

Solar Is Vital To Decarbonization – So Why Stifle Its Growth?

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By NICHOLAS THOMPSON
Los Alamos

Recently the rule which governs rooftop solar (E-5) was updated. There were two significant changes that drastically impact the value a homeowner or business can get from installing solar. This, in conjunction with arbitrary limits on the amount of solar allowed to be installed, will hamper residential solar deployment in Los Alamos at a time when we need as much clean energy as we can get.

Starting from the basics, solar systems generate energy during the day when it’s sunny. At night, they don’t do anything. But most people use energy throughout the day and night, Read More