New Mexico Mercury

Women’s Murders, Justice and Corruption in New Mexico

Since 2009, Frontera NorteSur has followed the story of 11 murdered women and girls found in a common burial site on the West Mesa of Albuquerque, New Mexico. February 2 marked the fifth anniversary of the discovery. Although there has been much talk and speculation about who is responsible for the killings, the crimes remain mired in impunity.

What’s more, women with profiles similar to the West Mesa victims are still missing, prompting further speculation of another clandestine graveyard somewhere out there...

Tax Credit Increase for Low-Income Working Families Would Increase Tax Fairness

New Mexico lawmakers have at their disposal an effective tool for helping the working families in our state who need it most. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC)—a credit based on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—goes to low- and moderate-income families that work, helping them meet their basic needs. Increasing the credit would do so much for these families struggling to get by on low wages, and there’s a way to pay for the increase that actually helps restore a little bit of fairness to our tax system...

Common Core, Common Commotion

A standards-based, one-size-fits-all approach to improving American education continues at the state level amidst criticism by those on the left and right.

Provincial Matters, 2-17-2014

V.B. Price's weekly collection of appreciations and observations.

Insight New Mexico - Howie Morales

V.B. Price talks with Democratic State Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Howie Morales about claims made by the Martinez administration, education reform, the behavioral health audit, transparency and more.

El Machete: Art Worth More Than People

The Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi

Provincial Matters, 2-10-2014

V.B. Price's weekly collection of appreciations and observations.

Insight New Mexico - Richard Fox’s Legislative Breakdown

V.B. Price gets in depth analysis on the current NM legislative session from political scientist Richard Fox.  Fox also gives his recommendations for a more efficient and successful legislature.  

What Does Real Reform Look Like?

When a state’s children protective services fails to serve or protect children it is supposed to help, what is to be done? What is the root of the problem a state faces in trying to help children who are abused in their own families? How can a system that almost everybody calls dysfunctional be reformed?

Since the death of 9-year-old Omaree Varela in Albuquerque last month, legislators, officials of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department and advocates for children have been asking these questions. So far, they have no good answers...

The New Free Trade Fever

20 years after the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect, little interest has been shown until now by the governments of the signatory countries for reopening the trade pact. But a similar agreement between Mexico and the European Union, signed in 1997 and enacted in 2000, is under review and could be expanded.  

Three working groups from the European Commission are expected to be in Mexico February 11-13 for discussions that could lead to changes in the current agreement, especially as they pertain to the energy, agricultural, financial services and telecommunications sectors...