New Mexico Mercury

Friday Voyage: Lessons From Uruguay Part 2

Uruguay's progressive renewable energy policy has become a beacon of what's possible when taking into account sustainability, public health and national values. 

Crimes Against Humanity Don’t Disappear

Albuquerque's West Side murders and the ongoing killing of women in Ciudad Juarez expose systematic injustices related to class and social power when dealing with femicide.

Regional Water Planning - Just Another Windmill?

Is the most recent state water planning initiative a Quixotic undertaking? Mike Agar explores the possibilities beyond the windmills.

El Machete: Francis Ruins Christmas

El Machete: Francis Ruins Christmas

For Whom Does the Bell Toll?

On December 19, New Mexico’s Supreme Court rendered its 5-0 decision that denying same-sex couples the right to engage in civil marriage is unconstitutional. This was an early Christmas present for the hundreds of lesbian and gay couples throughout the state who got their licenses from the six brave county clerks who began issuing them last August, for the thousands more who have been waiting for state-wide approval, and to our many supporters of all sexual identities who believe in equal rights for all...

Provincial Matters, 12-23-2013

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

Friday Voyage: Lessons from Uruguay Part 1

A South American country's lucid vision of education and healthcare.

Flat-Lining New Mexico’s Tax System Would Make it Even More Unfair

New Mexico’s state and local tax system is already unfair—with the lowest-income New Mexicans paying a rate double that of the highest-income earners. A so-called ‘flat tax’ or ‘consumption tax’ would make the tax system even more regressive. Still, there are legislators who would like to enact a consumption tax. Representative Tom Taylor and Senator William Sharer introduced twin bills (HB-369 and SB-368) during the 2013 legislative session to do just that. Although that legislation did not pass, it is all but guaranteed to make a reappearance in January—and in subsequent years if it is not adopted in 2014...

Governor’s proposals continue to demoralize teachers

In the upcoming 2014 Legislative Session I will again seek approval of a bill that would appropriate nearly $68 million to hire intervention teachers to help identify and serve students from kindergarten through the eighth grade who are struggling academically in reading and/or mathematics.

In 2013, Rep. Mimi Stewart and I introduced Senate Bill 474, which sharply contrasted with Governor Susana Martinez’s and Public Education Department cabinet-secretary-designee Hanna Skandera’s past initiatives to retain third graders not reading at proficiency without their parents’ approval of the action...

Provincial Matters, 12-16-2013

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