COVID-19 has hit Native American communities harder than most. As a member of Isleta Pueblo, I am deeply concerned. Currently, the New Mexico Department of Health’s website reports that Native Americans account for nearly 50 percent of our state’s COVID-19 cases, and there is no telling what that number could be by the time you read this.

To make matters even worse, the Native population also has the highest uninsured rate in New Mexico.

As a lifelong advocate for the health and well-being of Native Americans, I worry that many of our community members will not have access to the healthcare they may need during this pandemic. At beWellnm, we want to make sure Native Americans...

The COVID-19 crisis has shown how quickly life can change.  But it also has shown how much we need one another, that we are a community, looking out for one another, taking care of one another and being responsible for and to one another.

Because of that commitment to our neighbors, we had to shut down the economy, an action which has reverberated down Main Street, hurting us both personally and as a state. New Mexico now faces an unprecedented budget shortfall of up to $2 billion which will require the governor to call a special session of the legislature to address the deficit.

Extremely difficult decisions will face our lawmakers. Less than three months ago they returned to...

Invest in people more than oil, gas

ALBUQUERQUE - New Mexico Voices for Children’s Executive Director James Jimenez released a statement  in response to the state revenue estimates announced May 6.

“While the forecast is as grim as expected, the state is better prepared for this economic downturn than it has been in the past. With federal relief and the state’s record-high reserves, New Mexico is well-positioned to make a few minor budget adjustments in the June special session. However, next year we must make some changes to our tax code in order to create more stable revenue for the long term.

The revenue estimate highlights how overly dependent New Mexico is on revenue from...

Since launching my campaign in May 2019, I have had the opportunity to travel throughout New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, an area nearly the size of Florida, and listen to the issues concerning members of our diverse communities. Whether in our rural, urban, retired, or working class communities, I hear the same themes repeated time and again: We need to improve our education system, expand our economic opportunities, and protect our environment.

In short, New Mexicans want to keep their families happy, healthy, and safe. It’s just one reason why I decided to put down roots and raise my family here, and today, it’s the reason why I’m calling on all of us to play our...