The bright economic spots may not be lighting up enough of the state but where they do shine, sunglasses are in order. For example, even those who have been bullish on the SE NM oil boom continue to be taken aback by the historic numbers:

. . .Production could increase by another 300% over the next decade, generating about $8 billion in annual revenue for the state by 2030. . . That’s nearly four times more than the $2.2 billion the government collected from industry activities in fiscal year 2018. “High production really is the new normal for the foreseeable future in New Mexico,” NM Oil and Gas Association executive director Ryan Flynn said. “The industry has consolidated around the Permian Basin and we believe production will remain at record levels.”

So how could this be a problem for the state? Well, the state still is unwilling to come up with a robust multi-year investment plan to deploy these new riches:

Drilling operations have slowed in other places in recent months, with active rigs declining by about 50 in Texas compared with last year, said Sen. John Arthur Smith, a Deming Democrat and chair of the Legislative Finance Committee. The rig count in New Mexico has remained steady, but production could slow down here in the coming months, he said.

The problem is that as the billions come in no one seems confident that state government can effectively deploy the wealth. Rather than emboldening policymakers, it scares them. It's not a concern that can be dismissed out of hand. Take a look:

The Fed have sent some $300 million into the state, all to spread broadband access, especially in rural access. And here's what you get:

. . . New Mexico lags when it comes to high-speed Internet and efforts to address access are disjointed and scattered across multiple agencies. Federal officials point to census figures that show almost 30% of New Mexico residents have no internet subscription of any type while 55% of residents have a subscription such as fiber, cable or DSL at home. Legislative analysts looked at how New Mexico compares to other states and territories and found it trails all but Mississippi and Puerto Rico in household broadband penetration. Two of New Mexico's neighbors--Utah and Colorado — rank in the top five most connected states while Arizona ranked 14th.

If you can't get it right with that $300 million, the conservatives argue, how can you get it right with the new oil billions pouring in? Best to save the cash or rebate it to the public, they contend.

Poor states like New Mexico and Mississippi come at things from a deprivation point of view. They don't think of what progress can be made with newfound wealth, but what can go wrong. It's a view that is bolstered each time there is a case of government bungling.

New Mexico is at a crossroads, blessed with billions but lacking the self-confidence to look at a changed future. That's why the "new normal" makes Santa Fe so uncomfortable.

ELECTION TIME--AGAIN

We just finished the Nov. 5 ABQ election but it's already time to prep for the December 10 run-off elections in ABQ city council Districts 2 and 4. BernCo Clerk Linda Stover says:

Early voting for the Dec. 10 Election begins Tuesday, Nov. 19. Five early voting locations will be open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Saturday, Dec. 7. Early voting locations will be closed Nov. 28-30 for Thanksgiving. The locations are as follows:

Clerk’s Annex – 1500 Lomas Blvd NW, Suite A
Daskalos Center - 5339 Menaul Blvd NE
Holly Plaza – 6600 Holly Ave NE, Suite B-6
Los Ranchos Villa – 6601 4th St NW, Suite E, F
The Shoppes at 6001 San Mateo – 6001 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite B-3

In District 2 in the ABQ Valley Councilor Ike Benton faces Zack Quintero in a run-off. Both are Democrats. In District 4 in the NE Heights Republican Brook Bassan faces Democrat Ane Romero.

THE BOTTOM LINES

In a first blog draft Thursday we reported that Senator Heinrich's new chief of staff is one of three Hispanic staff chiefs on "the Hill." There are three in the Senate, in addition to those in the House.