Time again for the always popular Reader Vox Populi where our insightful readers hold forth.

Reader Jim McClure is in the same corner we are when it comes to satellite internet delivery for under-served rural areas:

 Joe, I’m glad to see you watchdogging the progress of broadband deployment. It’s great to see the state broadband office opening the door a little to satellite. The issue I see is that satellite and wireless systems can be deployed quickly, after which the project team could be disbanded. The Broadband Office currently employs 30 people with the prospect of more when construction actually begins. The state’s commitment to the slow pace of fiber optic construction may give these people at least a decade of job security. So wireless internet will bring connectivity to more New Mexicans more quickly, but could force broadband office employees to find honest work when the project is completed. The state clearly has to keep its priorities straight. 

Reader Freddie Lopez turns thumbs down o the proposal to raise the state tax on alcohol as advocated for by a trio of Democratic legislators in our Other Voices blog of December 5:

Hi Joe, I believe Democrats are making a huge mistake pushing for this during the next legislative session. No one is denying the devastating impact alcohol abuse has on our state, but raising taxes is not going to solve anything. People are still going to purchase alcohol and some will continue to abuse it in spite of the potential taxes on it. Our legislators should focus on investing in sobriety and treatment programs for those struggling with alcohol addiction. Also, New Mexicans don’t want to hear about taxes being raised with inflation continuing at high rates.

ANOTHER NO VOTE

Longtime reader John Gniady also says this is no time to raise the booze tax which was defeated at last year's legislative session:

It’s no wonder that passing alcohol abuse legislation of the type advocated for in the Other Voices blog of has gone nowhere given the positions of the legislators supporting such legislation. 

There is the assertion that: "It is unconscionable that Native Americans, Hispanic, and Black individuals in the state report the lowest prevalence of alcohol use yet experience the highest rates of alcohol-related death.” In other words, decreasing alcohol consumption through higher taxes does not have the desired effect of reducing the harms to society. That is reason enough to defeat this approach. It’s ineffective. This also conflicts with their other assertion: "One of the most powerful ways to do this [prevent alcohol abuse] is by increasing alcohol taxes, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.” Which is it? 

Also, the source of several additional assertions such as, "Although the harms to society from alcohol costs the state’s economy nearly $4 per standard drink, the state collects $0.04 to $0.07 in taxes per standard drink.” are not referenced so the reader cannot come to an independent conclusion.

If I were in the legislature, I would push for strengthening existing alcohol abuse laws by adding to the minimum requirements of jail and/or prison sentences where it is clear alcohol abuse was involved. The problem is the judicial branch of state government is “soft on crime" of all types. Harsher sentences for all kinds of crime would be a wake-up call that society’s tolerance for crime be it alcohol abuse or anything else has diminished. 

VETS TAX BREAK UNFAIR

We get this from a retired county assessor who wishes to remain anonymous as they comment on two property tax breaks for veterans that were approved by state voters at the November election: 

As a former Assessor, I agree with those opposed to the tax breaks awarded to veterans in the two approved constitutional amendments. I had retired before this issue came up, but why is it the property tax that is always impacted? If the state wants to help veterans (which I agree) it should be for all veterans, not just homeowners--and that should be done with the state income tax, not property tax. Bernalillo County tax revenues will be strongly affected by these new tax cuts.

Bernalillo County Assessor Damian Lara, who took no position on the amendments, did say he was concerned about their impact on elderly homeowners. He says the assessed property tax rate on BernCo homes will now probably go up by $50 to $100 a year.

WNMU SCANDAL

Andre Larroque of Cedar Crest comments on the expense account scandal we blogged of Nov. 26 that has engulfed Western NM University at Silver City and its President Joseph Shephard:

Hi Joe, The current system of individual public four-year colleges in each corner of this vast state seems antiquated while potentially complicating the necessary oversight to prevent them from becoming the personal fiefdoms of top administrators. We should ask ourselves if full four-year institutions are even appropriate in sparsely populated and less-economically healthy areas. Many potential students may choose not to get a full degree just yet and need to hold down a real job or help take care of local family members to support livelihoods. Perhaps an effective expansion and strengthening of our community colleges would better enhance educational opportunities and options in the more remote places while still keeping these parts of the state from becoming ‘college deserts’.

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