The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (FOG) joins U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján’s friends and constituents in wishing him a full recovery from his recent cerebellar stroke and subsequent surgery. And, of course, our thoughts and well wishes extend to his family.

News of the stroke he suffered days ago shocked all of New Mexico and the nation. Sen. Luján has worked for years for the progress and advancement of New Mexico. He has been a friend to New Mexicans as he continues the tradition of service begun by his father, late New Mexico House Speaker Ben Luján.

Welcome news from Sen. Luján’s Chief of Staff reports the Senator will make a full recovery. Support from both...

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Mexico’s kids were beginning to see more plentiful opportunities to thrive. Our leaders had made improvements in public policies, including higher funding levels for cradle-to-career education and increases and expansions of tax credits for working families. Since the pandemic, federal relief funding and a better-then-expected revenue outlook have allowed lawmakers to make significant strategic investments that will result in a more equitable recovery.

There is one area, however, that has remained stubbornly intractable. For several decades, storefront lenders (who peddle installment loans, car title loans, and tax refund anticipation loans) have...

‘Layin it on the line’

“A recent study by Oxfam explained the distribution of wealth which to many people is alarming. The report states that 85 individuals in the world have more combined wealth than the poorest 3.5 billion.”

It further states about our country: “In the US, where the gap between rich and poor has grown at a faster rate than any other country, the top 1% captured 95% of growth since 2019.  During that time, 70% of Americans became poorer.”

The “rich get richer” as the old saying goes and the gap between rich and the number of poor widens every day. Of course, the obvious way to balance out the deficit would be to add all the money together and...

Every day, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers in New Mexico pin on their badges, strap on their duty weapons, and head out to protect their fellow citizens.

Many kiss a spouse, children, or loved ones farewell, hoping to meet again soon.

For some, that reunion never happens.

According to The Officer Down Memorial Page Inc., three New Mexico officers last year died in the line of duty: State Police Officer Darian Jarrott, Artesia Police Corporal Thomas Wade Frazier and Colfax County Undersheriff Jeffrey M. Montoya.

Numerous others were injured on the job.

The fact [that] 73 officers nationwide were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2021, the highest...