Submitted by Monica Luna As a dedicated constituent of Senate District 9, I have thoroughly researched the various candidates vying for office. Among the diverse array of options, one individual distinctly stands out: Audrey Trujillo. A resident of Senate District 9 for 25 years, Audrey is not only a committed mother and wife but also […]
Commentary
Opinion: It’s time to forget party lines and focus on helping New Mexicans
Submitted by Jay Block, Sandoval County Commission and candidate for NM Senate District 12 The people of New Mexico have suffered too long, due to failed policies that have delivered the worst education system, worst child well-being, and highest violent crime rate in the country. That should be enough. But we are also one of […]
Proposed constitution amendments would increase property taxes for homeowners
Submitted by Karen Wentworth, League of Women Voters Two of the four constitutional amendments voters will see on the ballot this fall are property tax exemptions for veterans. Currently all 100% disabled veterans are exempt from property taxes in New Mexico. Amendment 1 would offer partial exemptions to veterans who are partially disabled. A veteran […]
We celebrate 20 years of columns
“I want to stop and smell the roses,” he said. “If you want it, you can have it. Otherwise I’m going to shut it down.” That was newsman Hal Rhodes, founder of New Mexico News Services. He had started NMNS in 1997 to provide opinion columns to New Mexico newspapers. When Hal was ready to […]
Commissioner Bruch: vote yes for all four GO Bonds
Submitted by Sandoval County Commissioner Katherine Bruch As we know, Sandoval County is special. It’s why we live here. Diverse communities, cities, towns, villages and tribal communities. Urban spaces and rural expanse. Work opportunities range from high-tech, skilled positions to hospitality jobs to ranching and farming. Our 3,714 square miles also boast recreational areas that […]
Buy a piece of history
If you love historic hotels, and I do, it was a punch in the gut to read that the St. James Hotel in Cimarron has closed. The storied St. James not only has a big place in New Mexico history — punctuated by 26 bullet holes in the barroom ceiling — it’s a major employer […]
A million here, a million there
Imagine this: You are a legislator in the state House of Representatives and are told that you have $2.5 million to distribute in your House district or $4.2 million in your Senate district. Wow! You would no doubt feel like Santa Claus. This is what happened in the 2024 legislative session and it’s what happens […]
In New Mexico, straight ticket voting is a losing proposition
I find myself selecting the “Snooze for 30 days” option on social media more and more for my more strident connections as we get closer to the election and the anger from each side gets a little crazier. Democrats and Republicans alike are obsessed with cat-eating memes. J.D. Vance admits to “creating the story.” No […]
Letter to the Editor: UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center Is Harming Patients’ Interests by Refusing to Negotiate a Contract
The University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center is not only breaking state law but also jeopardizing the care of its own patients by refusing to allow some of its healthcare workers to be members of a union and have a voice in patient care. University of New Mexico Health System, of which UNM […]
Opinion: Competency vs. Incompetency
Barbara Romo is district attorney for the 13th Judicial District, which includes Valencia, Sandoval and Cibola counties. The recent special legislative session was of particular interest to me and my office for its purported emphasis on public safety issues. Since the session only lasted five hours, however, in the end there was not much to […]