I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
We thought it was just New Mexico. But it’s also Illinois, California, Nevada.
New Mexico’s next governor faces several challenges once she takes office, but none is bigger than the state budget. But with one day to go in a negative gubernatorial election neither Republican Susana Martinez nor Democrat Diane Denish has presented exactly what can be called a comprehensive, detailed plan to address the challenge. Instead they’ve made vague promises: no raising taxes during the first year, no cuts to K-12 education or Medicaid, programs that represent more than half the state budget.
Turns out, New Mexico isn’t unique. Candidates running for governor in several states, including those mentioned above, are adopting similar strategies, according to the Associated Press.
Candidates in those other states are electing for detail-free statements so as to not to “put their heads out and get them chopped off,” one budget expert tells the Associated Press.
Like New Mexico, most U.S. states are facing budget deficits, some of which are quite enormous. And like here, the gubernatorial candidates in those states are avoiding actual proposals for fear of provoking a post-Halloween fright among voters.
Like in New Mexico, the remedy for each state’s budget woes will be painful, but the details — and pain — will come after Election Day.
Good to know New Mexico’s gubernatorial candidates aren’t unique. But I bet that won’t come as much of a consolation for some New Mexico voters, who might have appreciated more details and perhaps a little more respect from the candidates hoping to be New Mexico’s next governor.
