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Viewpoints

Local journalism matters to New Mexicans

Friday, 14 February 2020 08:04 By Lilly Irvin-Vitela President and Executive Director New Mexico First

The Sustainable Local Journalism in New Mexico: Community Perspectives report builds a rationale for the importance of vibrant local journalism to community well-being. By harvesting the wisdom of civically engaged leaders across New Mexico communities, this report acknowledges the need for accurate and relevant sources of information. Credible information from trustworthy sources allows community members to make informed decisions for their families, businesses, and civic institutions, engage in community-building efforts, and participate in the democratic process.

Lilly Irvin-Vitela, New Mexico First President and lead author, describes the community conversations that informed the...

Governor, environment secretary react to rollback of Clean Water Act protections

Friday, 07 February 2020 10:00 Staff Reports

SANTA FE - Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney released statements decrying President Trump’s brazen and disastrous decision to roll back Clean Water Act protections nationwide, including over a majority of New Mexico’s waterways on Jan. 23.

Early Jan. 23, the federal administration finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, redefining the “Waters of the U.S.”

“Trump’s new rule is an absolute disaster for the state’s water resources,” Lujan Grisham stated. “No other natural resource in New Mexico has greater significance to our people than our water: environmentally, culturally, economically, recreationally...

Reducing domestic violence

Friday, 31 January 2020 04:39 By Pam Wiseman New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director

What it really takes

What causes violence? Why has stopping it proven so challenging?

There are undoubtedly multiple causes of domestic violence, but the most important question isn’t what causes violence. It’s how to prevent it.

Proven solutions

A community that does not tolerate domestic violence.

In places where violence is not tolerated, in either word or deed, violence is less common.

Coordinated justice system that emphasizes accountability.

A criminal justice system that is coordinated, and that holds people who violate the law accountable, will result in decreased violence. The opposite is, of course, also true. Where there is little, or no accountability, and...

Op-Ed: Response to LFC budget recommendation

Friday, 17 January 2020 04:04 By James Jimenez Executive Director, N.M. Voices for Children

On the topic of the budget recommendation released Jan. 7 by the Legislative Finance Committee, James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, issued the following statement regarding the budget recommendation released Jan. 7 by the Legislative Finance Committee:

“Once again, some in the Legislature want to continue this slow-drip process for funding early childhood care and education services. Unfortunately, the Legislative Finance Committee budget recommendation is far below the investments needed in the programs that matter most to New Mexico kids and families and far below the responsible recommendations made by Governor Lujan Grisham.

“Despite knowing...

N. M. Environmental Law Center hands out Toxic Turkey Award

Friday, 20 December 2019 08:59 Staff Reports

Tewa Women United, Joni Arends win other awards

SANTA FE, N.M. - The New Mexico Environmental Law Center bestowed its annual Toxic Turkey Award to Los Alamos National Laboratory for nearly six decades of polluting the human and natural environment and continuous violations of basic principles of environmental justice.

The Law Center awards the Toxic Turkey Award to a person or group that has shown extraordinary disregard for New Mexico’s environment and the communities that live in it. The Law Center presented the award at its annual Member Appreciation Party in Santa Fe Dec. 8.

In announcing the award, staff attorney Jon Block pointed to the origins of LANL to develop the...