OP/ED

Op-Ed: Española Is At A Crossroads … Do We Continue Down The Path Of Decline … Or Try Something New?

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By Samuel LeDoux
Española City Councilor

Española is at a crossroads: do we continue down the path of decline where instability, controversy, and incompetence dominate city hall, or do we try something new?

Over the last four years, John Ramon Vigil has made the City of Española his own personal telenovela, with constant headlines about his personal problems, staff turnover, and rising crime and homelessness rates. During his term as Mayor, the city has stumbled into millions of dollars in debt, and we haven’t been able to often pass more than 4-5 ordinances a year.

I’m supporting Read More

Op-Ed: I’m For Nuclear And I Am An Environmentalist

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By JUDY-ANN POTTINGER
President & Director
Clean Energy Association of New Mexico

Is this possible? Pro-nuclear and pro-environmentalist at the same time? It might be like saying, can you be a Cowboys fan and live in Houston? Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive.

For decades, environmentalism and nuclear energy have been cast as enemies. But what if that narrative is outdated? Meet the next age nuclear—the big shift.

This shift isn’t just theoretical or fringe; it’s mainstream, even among well-known climate champions. Bill Gates, long known for his focus on climate, has become Read More

Op-Ed: Thank You, Los Alamos

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By KAREN WILLIAMS
Director of Development
UNM-Los Alamos

Since beginning fundraising efforts for UNM-LA in 2023, we’ve had wonderful responses and great results! This community is uniquely caring and aware, and we are very grateful that so many have been moved to include UNM-LA in their philanthropic budgets!

In 2023, we began campaigning in the community with individual donors, the Los Alamos Community Foundation, and local corporations (SMSI and N3B) and successfully established a $500,000 endowment fund for the long-term financial well-being of our campus.

Did you know that though Read More

Op-Ed: Protecting Northern New Mexico’s Land, Water, And Communities From Wildfire

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By Sen. Bobby Gonzales, D-Los Alamos
New Mexico District 6

In northern New Mexico, wildfire is not an abstract threat—it is something we have lived through, endured, and are still recovering from.

Communities across Taos, Mora, San Miguel, and Colfax counties know this all too well. The Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire burned hundreds of thousands of acres, displaced families, damaged acequias, destroyed grazing lands, and forever altered watersheds that our villages and pueblos rely on. The scars remain visible today—not just on the land, but in the lives of the people who depend on it.

Our Read More

Reasonable Malpractice Reform Benefits Every New Mexican

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By DAYMON ELY
Attorney
Former New Mexico Representative

At its heart, the debate over medical malpractice reform is not about trial lawyers or corporate profits – it is about our most basic values. Every New Mexican deserves access to quality health care. And every New Mexican deserves justice when that care falls tragically short.

Medical malpractice is rare. Fewer than 1% of medical providers are responsible for the vast majority of malpractice claims, but when tragedy strikes and a patient is harmed or killed, that patient or their family needs to know that they can get justice in a Read More

Op-Ed: New Mexico Education Is Improving—Despite What the Rankings Say 

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By Sen. Bill Soules, D-Doña Ana
New Mexico District 37

For too long, the state of education in New Mexico has been judged by a single metric: proficiency. This metric is only a snapshot of literacy rates, and direct comparison of proficiency between states can be misleading. A new white paper on New Mexico student literacy demonstrates that our students are making real, measurable reading gains over time, often matching or exceeding national growth rates.

The white paper, commissioned by New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders and conducted by Evress analytics, uses Read More

Dekker: Senate Bill 177 Is A Blueprint For New Mexico’s Economic Future

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By DALE DEKKER
Founding Principal & Brand Ambassador
Dekker

For decades, New Mexico has talked about economic diversification. Senate Bill 177, sponsored by Sen. George Munoz is what it looks like when we finally decide to do it.

This legislation is not a collection of disconnected appropriations. It is a strategic investment plan – one that recognizes where the global economy is heading and positions New Mexico to compete, lead, and win in that future. At its core, SB 177 acknowledges a simple truth: states that invest intentionally in innovation, talent, and infrastructure will Read More

Op-Ed: Hold The line In Hard Times

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By ERIC SCHALLER
Los Alamos

I used to work in a level 1 trauma center’s Emergency Department. Occasionally, we saw the results of horrible, evil things come in the door. Things that could rattle the most seasoned docs, nurses, techs, and researchers. Things that I don’t talk about. Things that make you question the assumption that humanity is basically good. Things that make you question whether what you are doing is worthwhile. Things that can make you become cynical and turn your back on trying to help people.

To help myself and my team cope with things like this, I developed the following

Read More

Op-Ed: New Mexico Can’t Afford To Be Left Out Of Innovation & Opportunity

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By DAVIN LOPEZ
NMIDEA President

New Mexico has always been a place of ingenuity. From agriculture and aerospace to energy and advanced manufacturing, we’ve built our economy by solving problems in tough environments. But too often, when the New Mexico Legislature talks about innovation, investment, and economic development, they forget about the importance of research and development (R&D). Passing the R&D tax credit bill is a chance to change that — and it’s a chance the Legislature should not miss.

The research and development tax credit is not a giveaway. It’s a proven tool used Read More

Currier: Oil And Gas Revenue—The Lifeline Behind New Mexico’s Progress

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Missi Currier

By MISSI CURRIER
President & CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association

Our state is a special place to live and work. In recent years, we’ve seen opportunities that create multi-generational benefits. The Opportunity Scholarship that has increased New Mexicans’ access to higher education and trade schools. The potential of childcare for all. Even dollars that ensured those on SNAP would not go hungry when the benefits paused. Strengthening the middle class and lifting those out of poverty through affordable, sustainable energy options. Lending a helping hand is something Read More