jsmith's Archive
Commuter Rail: 1. Dig Hole. 2. Pour In Money 3. Repeat
Our spiritual friend in Arizona, Coyote Blog, takes a look at the Rail Runner following this article about it in the AZ Republic, which brushes off the RGF as an ‘anti-tax foundation.’
Give it a read.
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: Transportation
Education from the Top Down
Yesterday, the US Census Bureau released its latest report on the public financing of elementary-secondary education. The data itself is also available.
On average, $8,701 of taxpayer money was spent on each student nationwide in 2005. New Mexico ranks at #35 in spending, $7,580 per K-12 student. Compared to its neighbors, New Mexico collects more revenue [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: Education
Pluto Planet Day?
The New Mexico House of Representatives will vote tomorrow on a resolution that declares Pluto be a planet, and tomorrow, March 13, 2007, as “Pluto Planet Day”. The bill’s sponsor, Doña Ana County Democrat and landscape architect Joni Marie Gutierrez, must have a vastly over-inflated sense of government power. The State of New Mexico has [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: Decidedly New Mexican
Math APS Style
Yesterday, the state Senate passed a bill that would force the split up of Albuquerque Public Schools into smaller districts. Remarkably, only two Senators opposed the bill, which would work by prohibiting school districts larger than 35,000 students. Currently, APS has more than 90,000 students in captivity, so simple division implies a partitioning into at [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: Education
The Numbers Behind DWI Arrests
Last night’s fascinating report by KRQE’s Larry Barker on the trends (or lack thereof) behind DWI arrests in Bernalillo County should be required viewing for New Mexico politicians. Barker’s DWI timeline displays monthly arrests since 1991, highlighting key events in our ongoing battle against drunk driving. Barker’s conclusion? Tighter enforcement and stricter penalties are not [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: General Info
A Glimpse into Our Future
Recently, Albuquerque became the fourth city in the nation to impose its own local minimum wage, following the lead of Santa Fe despite the well-documented harm to The City Different’s low-skilled workers. Before we can begin to measure the effects of this mandate on the state’s largest economy, Governor Richardson is set on imposing [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: "Living" Wage
A Picture Is Worth…
As Harry pointed out, New Mexico’s ranking for economic freedom among US states and Canadian provinces is quite dismal. New Mexico always seems to stand out on a map:
Not so pretty, is it?
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: Economic Freedom
Is APS Worth It?
Before heading off to the polls, it’s always wise to take a look at the sample ballot, you know, so you don’t end up accidentally voting for Pat Buchanan. Preparing for tomorrow’s APS special election, we find, in English and Spanish:
“Shall the Albuquerque Public School District issue $351,000,000 of general obligation bonds to erect, [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: Education
NM’s Interior Design Cartel
New Mexico is one of five states which license the phrases “Interior Design,” “Interior Designer,” and “Designer.” Anyone can practice interior design in New Mexico, licensed or not, but you need the state’s permission to in any way indicate that you do such work. The law clearly isn’t designed to protect consumers, since anyone can [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: Economic Freedom
A Government Shopping List
Out enjoying the gross receipts tax holiday this weekend, but confused about which items are exempt? Be sure to bring a shopping list–in this case, the state’s 7-page list of taxable and nontaxable items.
You’re going to need it…
Belts aren’t taxed, but the buckles are if sold separately. Bowling shirts aren’t taxed, but bowling shoes are. [...]
In: Uncategorized
Tagged with: General Info
