Former Dem NM State Rep. Bob Perls of Corrales has a new political project--working to let the state's many independent voters cast ballots in primary elections. He's heading up the group  New Mexico Open Primaries:

Joe, Dedicated to the proposition that you should not have to join a party to vote, we are getting the message out, raising money, enrolling volunteers and moving important political reforms forward. 42 percent of Americans are not registered with a major party and 22 percent of New Mexicans are registered as declined to state (DTS). Many more registered Democrats and Republicans are registered as such simply not to be excluded in the primary elections. Parties use tax dollars to run a private club’s election. This is wrong and the number of people not voting speaks to the deep frustration that exists in this state with politics as usual. NMOP is dedicated to moving New Mexico to an election system where no one is excluded from voting. By getting a full range of participation in the first round elections, all voices are heard which means candidates and elected officials have to listen to the right, left and center to get elected and stay in office.

Perls has his work cut out for him. The two last major elections around here--for ABQ mayor in '13 and Governor in '14 had record low turnout.

QUIT THE CHEERLEADING

Expatriate New Mexican Chris Cervini checks in with reaction to our Monday blog on the explosion in New Mexicans eligible for the Medicaid program for low income households:

Joe, you are one of the few to draw a bright line between NM's slumping economy and the rise in Medicaid eligibility. I would argue there is one more sector to blame and that's the NM business cheerleaders. They howl and howl for their tax cuts as if that's the magic snake oil that will create jobs. Well, they've gotten their tax cuts and what's been the result? Crickets. Until we are willing to face the major underpinnings that hold NM's economy back (poverty, education, curbing violence), all the tax cuts in the world aren't going to cut it. Remember, NM has essentially paid (through tax incentives) companies to come here in the past and that hasn't worked out long term. Until policymakers and business cheerleaders start looking at economic development in a fundamentally different way, NM's economy will continue to plod along and sadly, the ranks of those in poverty will grow.

WE HAVE A WINNER