Dear Neighbors: During my tenure in office, weโve delivered big wins for the rural East Mountains; while making strong progress on issues like public safety, behavioral health and housing across the region.ย For the first time, weโve dedicated county funding forย East Mountain roadsย and increased the length of roads rehabilitated. We repaired from 11 miles a year […]
Guest Commentary
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Opinion: Why is the Sandoval County Tax Assessor race silent?
By State Representative Kathleen Cates โ This election season, Sandoval County residents have had real chances to hear from the people asking for their votes. We sat down with candidates for Sheriff. We heard from candidates for Governor and the State Legislature. Those conversations mattered, not just because of what was said, but because showing […]
Opinion: Applauding Heinrich for bi-partisan permitting reform work
My friend and colleague Rep. Meredith Dixon (D-Bernalillo) recently penned an opinion piece urging support for the federal SPEED Act. I applaud her and join her. The SPEED Act is permitting reform legislation with real potential to un-cuff a myriad of environmental projects across New Mexico, including in my district right here in Albuquerque. Equally […]
Opinion: SPEED Act Would be a Left/Right Win
By Paul J. Gessing — Federal legislation known as the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED Act) would make needed improvements to Americaโs antiquated federal permitting system for energy projects. While Sen. Heinrich and the Rio Grande Foundation may not agree on exactly what types of projects need to be improved, we all agree […]
Opinion: Former Sheriff Phil Snekeker makes his pitch for BernCo sheriff in Dem. primary
My name is Philip A. Snedeker. I am a candidate for the office of Bernalillo County Sheriff. I will be seeking the Democratic nomination for the office, in the Primary Election, in June of 2026. I grew up in Southern New Mexico, in the Town of Silver City. I attended local rarea schools. I earned […]
Opinion: New Mexico’s disability laws get important updates, and more still needed
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย By State Representative Kathleen Cates — In 2023, New Mexico unanimously passed HB 131, becoming the first state in the country to mandate private insurers to cover prosthetics and orthotics. Since then, 11 other states have filed similar laws.ย State Rep. Kathleen Cates was first elected in 2022 to represent State House District 44 […]
Commentary: Ethical rules apply to judges and judicial candidates in New Mexico
Karl Refisteck is the director of New Mexico’s Administrative Office of the Courts, which oversees operations of the state’s court system. By Karl Reifsteck, Administrative Office of the Courts — The founders of our nation viewed a fair, impartial, and independent judiciary as a cornerstone for the government they envisioned 250 years ago when breaking […]
Letter to the Editor: Sale of public utilities to out-of-state funds should sound alarms in New Mexico
Opinion & Commentary in The Paper. Dr. Taylor Spence is an adjunct instructor of history at CNM and New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) and lives in Albuquerque. Alarm bells should be ringing for all New Mexicans as the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) is set to decide on allowing the sale of not just one but […]
Opinion: Let us expand democratic rights, not make it harder to use them
Opinion & Analysis Charles Goodmacher, Rio Rancho Recently, President Trump declared on Truth Social that he would not sign any bills until the SAVE Act is passed. Itโs a stark escalation in the effort to pass the bill, and both the bill and his speaking as though he is already a King by demanding Congress […]
New Mexico Chief Justice: Supreme Court offers a civics program for students
By Chief Justice David K. Thomson, New Mexico Supreme Court — The Supreme Court of New Mexico launched a program in 2021 to help young people learn about our system of justice and the role of courts in resolving legal disputes. The concept of the Rule of Law Program was straightforward: We learn by observation. […]

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