It's been another of those years in ABQ, prompting this irresistible jab at the city's continuing battle with crime. Hopefully Santa made it to your place unscathed and in one piece. It wasn't easy. As Christmas Eve arrived two officer involved fatal shootings had Santa on the defense.

In 2018 the murder rate in the city again soared to near record levels. And rather than being "crimes of passion" that law enforcement can do little to prevent, on closer scrutiny many of the killings are related to drug dealing. Are the administration and city police putting enough emphasis on that? If the murder meter continues to soar it will be a question that will hover over them in 2019.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

It will be yet another legislative session when heated debate occurs over using a portion of the $18 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund for early childhood education. The debate has raged for a decade, with a constitutional amendment that would ask voters to allow use of the the fund passing the House several times but stalling out in the Senate Finance Committee, led by conservative Dem John Arthur Smith.

Back in 2013 Smith engaged in a 15 minute debate over the proposal with Allen Sanchez, CEO of CHI St. Joseph's Children (who we work with) and who is pushing the amendment. Since then the state has seen a worsening of its standing in the child well-being standings but Sen. Smith has indicated he is not going to change his mind. So like a ghost of Christmas past here's that '13 debate as lawmakers prepare to revisit the proposal yet again at the '19 session.

Reader Tom Miles who tracks such matters reports:

In FY 2017-18, about $689 million was withdrawn from the Fund. About $585 million (85%) went to Common Schools (PreK/K-12); about $34 million (5%) went to Higher Education, and about $70 million (10%) went to 12 other beneficiaries. Total state FY 2016-17 education budget was $3.23 Billion of which $619 million LGPF education contribution was about 19%.

A popular version of the constitutional amendment for early childhood would appropriate about $150 million a year from the LGPF  for ten years. Miles says the LGPF has more than doubled in value since falling to about $8 billion in the financial crisis of fiscal year 2007.

AT THE MOVIES

We're in the middle of the peak movie season. Reader/reviewer Eric Lucero is in the thick of it and says two period films currently playing warrant five star ratings:

Mary Queen of Scots (R) ☆☆☆☆☆ Writer Beau Willimon of "House of Cards" fame seamlessly crafts a complex true story of 16th century power politics into one that will drive Queen Mary (Saoirse Ronan, an Irish American actress) and English Monarch Queen Elizabeth (Margot Robbie) to blows!

Their conflicted lives, loyalties, and their timeless struggle to survive in a man's world are worth the ticket price alone. But, there can "only be one" winner in their world; and that singular Ruler is destined to become one of history's most powerful women. Ronan deserves an Oscar, as does Willmon. "Scots" is among 2018's Best Films.

The Favourite (R) ☆☆☆☆☆ Greek Director Yorgos Lantgimos (The Lobster-2015) offers his least surreal and most meaningful film to date with another historic costume drama about two impetuous, willful and gifted women; Lady Sarah Churchill (yes, an ancestor of 20th century statesman Sir Winston) played with zeal and panache by Rachel Wiesz (Disobedience-2017) and her ne'er-do-well cousin Abigail, also played exceptionally by Emma Stone (La La Land-2016).

Both battle feverishly for complete dominance over and the singular affection of the frail 18th century English Queen Anne (Olivia Colman, The Crown-2017). Which scheming and conniving suitor will become The Favourite? This Trinity of power is funny and highly entertaining, as is the supporting cast. The Favourite is among 2018's Best Films.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2018