Opinion News
Arts & Culture: Julia Lambright—A Light in the Desert
Walking into the Norbertine Abbey in Albuquerque’s South Valley for an art exhibit a few years back, I was smitten by a small icon.
OPINION: Realize Las Cruces: City Council’s Vote Could Reshape Neighborhood Zoning
Zoning codes don’t sound exciting, but they impact many aspects of our City and daily lives.
By Sarah Smith | Dec 17, 2024
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OPINION: Vindicated but not consoled: congressional report and the toll of ill-conceived mandates
By Sarah Smith | Dec 12, 2024
Many of us remember 2020 as the year of COVID, when our lives were upended and nothing would ever be the same again. What began as a novel illness quickly cascaded into “2 weeks to flatten the curve,” followed by lockdowns, school closures, mask mandates, and vaccine mandates.
Arts & Culture: Albuquerque in Three Songs
By Brian C. Nixon | Dec 3, 2024
When it comes to popular music, Albuquerque is well represented. From Weird Al Yankovic to Albuquerque’ own, The Shins, Albuquerque is sung about with humor, hubris, and honor. A cursory Google check shows over twenty songs with Albuquerque in the name or within the lyrics.
OPINION: New Mexico should dump its clean energy policies
By Kenneth Costello | Dec 2, 2024
It’s important to preface my remarks by saying that I don’t question the existence of climate change and that humans are a major (but not the sole) contributor. This is what science is telling us. As I argue below, I do object to energy policies that derive from a political or quasi-religious agenda, misinformation and ignorance of economic principles. Such policies are inescapably destined to jeopardize the public good for the sake of benefitting special interests.
Arts & Culture: Purgatory in New Mexico
By Brian C. Nixon | Nov 22, 2024
Purgatory may not be something all people believe in, but to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, Mexican actress Lupe Vélez, indigenous interpreter La Malinche, and La Llorna, a fictitious, forlorn woman, the intermediate state between life and death comes to life in Living Purgatory, a play penned by Patricia Crespin and directed by Alicia Lueras Maldonado.
Arts & Culture: Voices From the Other Side of the Tracks
By Brian C. Nixon | Nov 19, 2024
History barely remembers Asa Whitney, Theodore Judah, and Lewis Clement, or the thousands of other Americans—Native, Chinese, Irish, Italian, German, Japanese and African—who helped build the first transcontinental railroad.
OPINION: Examining New Mexico’s HB7: Implications for Parental Consent and Youth Gender Care
By Sarah Smith | Nov 18, 2024
In 2023, the NM legislature and Governor signed law HB7, which requires that school districts must not “interfere” in any way with children accessing transgender (and abortion) procedures. Despite what some lawmakers have said about this law, there is no requirement for parental notification and there are no age restrictions for children to access these procedures. Schools can be fined $5,000 per instance if teachers or nurses “interfere” by talking to children's parents about their transgender procedures.
New Mexicans express dissatisfaction with current economic conditions
By New Mexico Sun | Nov 4, 2024
According to recent polling by the Albuquerque Journal, a significant portion of New Mexicans are dissatisfied with the current economic conditions.
OPINION: More bonds, more debt: New Mexico needs accountability, not spending
By Ramona Goolsby | Oct 15, 2024
New Mexico stands at a critical juncture.
Debate continues over fairness of tax contributions from wealthy Americans
By New Mexico Sun | Oct 14, 2024
The debate over whether the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes continues to be a contentious issue in the United States.
Rio Grande Foundation surveys candidates on parental rights and school choice
By New Mexico Sun | Sep 26, 2024
The Rio Grande Foundation's education reform division, OAK New Mexico, has conducted a survey among legislative candidates concerning key educational issues in the state.
RGF president discusses homelessness and economy at public events
By New Mexico Sun | Sep 25, 2024
On Saturday, Paul Gessing, president of the Rio Grande Foundation (RGF), participated in a Braver Angels event held in the International District. During the event, he initiated a conversation on homeless policy. He argued that additional tax dollars are not necessary to provide housing for the homeless.
OPINION: Facts are stubborn things
By Tom Vaillancourt | Sep 6, 2024
The amount of pure garbage that is raining down on us from the political class is the worst in recent memory.
OPINION: Both Democrat and Republican legislators have failed us
By Sarah Smith | Jul 23, 2024
I don’t usually agree with the Governor. Over her tenure, I have objected to most of Governor Lujan Grisham’s policies including her disastrous Covid lockdown and school closures (from which we’re still struggling to recover), her electric vehicle mandates (which will hit the poor the hardest), and her tyrannical use of emergency powers to disarm law-abiding citizens.
OPINION: The Muleshoe Expansion Is A Land Grab For the Ages
By Yvette Herrell | Jul 16, 2024
While New Mexico is struggling against inflation, an open southern border and a flat economy, our rural communities have an additional fight on their hands. An aggressive overreach of the Federal Government threatens to undermine local communities.
New Mexico's special session faces criticism over public safety bill proposals
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 13, 2024
New Mexico legislators are convening at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe for a Special Legislative Session to discuss bills aimed at public safety. The proposed legislation includes measures on involuntary commitment, firearm possession as a second-degree felony, and criminalizing homelessness under "pedestrian safety" in high-speed areas. Critics argue these approaches focus on coercion and punishment rather than effective solutions.
OPINION: Wake Up Santa Feans
By Kenneth W. Costello | Jul 1, 2024
Like me, many residents of Santa Fe consider the city a good place to live. Reasons include the weather, culture, and outdoor activities. Sadly, Santa Fe’s quality of life is not enhanced by its city government.
Equality New Mexico addresses controversy over House District 18 election messaging
By New Mexico Sun | May 21, 2024
Equality New Mexico (EQNM) has issued a statement addressing the controversy surrounding its recent messaging related to the 2024 election for House District 18. The organization has received feedback from individuals who have expressed concerns about EQNM's stance, particularly regarding text messages sent out that contrasted candidates running for the district.
EQNM seeks volunteers for Pride Month events across New Mexico
By New Mexico Sun | May 14, 2024
Pride Month is approaching, and EQNM is seeking volunteers for various events across New Mexico. The organization aims to engage communities in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, and Portales through multiple activities.
