Thursday, February 18, 2021Same Old Record In Santa Fe; Record Revenue But Few Plans To Invest; Mattress Stuffers Prevail, Plus: Broadband Discontent Meets New Senator Lujan, And: Media's Larry Ahrens And Why He's Outta Here First, MLG said the $1.9 trillion stimulus package pending in DC would flood the state with $2 billion, Well, make that $3 billion, says Senate Finance Committee Chairman Georg Munoz. But who's counting? The sky is falling crowd immediately wailed the cry of the hoarders and said the oil fields of SE NM were being put out of business by Biden and that the state economy will soon crumble. Get the posturepedics out of storage, they cried, and stuff them so full they're as lumpy as your grandma's gravy. The scare is not true, of course, but that's the only record the hawks have in their oldies collection. And they play it over and over. They not only put it on the vintage turntable Wednesday when the $3 billion was rolled out but also when this news came: . . .Revenue levels in the coming fiscal year are now expected to exceed the state’s current $7.2 billion budget — that was pared back by lawmakers during a special session last summer — by $338 million. That’s double the estimated $169 million in “new money” from December. You would think Republicans would be talking about returning some money to the citizenry. Not to mention the Guv and Dems doubling down on the state's $200 million grant package for small businesses, or even some of the ideas featured here this week. We're used to the hawks, as tiresome as they get. Actually, the most disappointing aspect of this session is the performance of the newly elected senators and representatives. No names necessary but have any of them come up with just one bold and publicly stated idea challenging the status quo and the crummy standings we suffer from in just about everything that matters? Not that our wax-free ears have heard. Each legislature seems to end up the same. Newbies get there, quickly join the don't rock the boat club and become squishy cousins with the lobbyists who run the place (and rather effectively for their clients). Kick us if we're wrong but before you do please explain how else you become last in the nation year in and year out. Take your time. . . BROADBAND (CONT).
Senator Ben Ray Lujan held a virtual roundtable with members of New Mexico’s Homework Gap Team to discuss how to close the digital divide for the one in four New Mexico students who lack access to high-speed internet. . . Senator Luján highlighted his continued efforts to expand broadband access and asked panelists how he could support their work from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. How can Senator Lujan "support" their work? How about a five year plan to wire 90 percent of the state, money to go with it and a plan for cooperation between the state, the feds, local governments and private interests to manage the job? Lujan will get plenty of support from everyone, if he steps up with a comprehensive plan. Heck, any of our state's politicians would. Mabye reader David Strip near Cuba, NM can help. David reacts to our recent blogging about internet satellites as a possible longterm solution: I've been waiting for someone in political circles to notice the Starlink and Kuiper efforts and connect them to rural internet issues in NM. As you suggest, there is no amount of money that will bring internet to everyone in NM if we rely on ground-based technologies, especially those that require wire or fiber to households. In the truly rural parts of the state where it can be miles between houses, the cost of running and maintaining a physical connection will be prohibitive. In addition, running new connections may require new rights-of-way. New Mexico needs to break it's initiative into two parts. Identify unserved parts where dwellings are close enough together to use ground-based systems and those parts where space-based systems are most practical. The communities amenable to ground-based solutions will be served by a mix of wired and wireless technologies. The communities relying on space-based internet may still benefit from shared community connections to reduce the per household cost. Finally, the state must review regulatory structures. The incumbent carriers in many cases provide awful service because they lack meaningful competition or won't meet their obligations to provide service. Two cases are Tierra Monte, north of Albuquerque, and Youngsville, near Abiquiu Reservoir. In each case, there is a community of 30-40 households, virtually all of which would subscribe to service. In each case, they are a few miles from a likely connection to the telco infrastructure. Each has tried for years to get service, to no avail.
New options for rural internet, such as satellite, are becoming a reality and any legislative action toward universal access in NM must incorporate them. Geez, David, you're not even on the government payroll and came with a plan. Now do you have a billion or two to spare so we can get to work? MOVING ON AND OUT
My years in Albuquerque have been a wonderful blessing. The community has given me so much support and I've enjoyed tremendous success because of it. I have loved living in New Mexico. But there's a vibrant atmosphere (in Scottsdale) that is very evident. I only wish it would be evident in NM. . . People here are upbeat, friendly and happy. For many years on the air I advocated for a great economy and opportunity for New Mexico. The city and the state have so much potential. I'm afraid now that it's going to take several years to climb out for the hole created by COVID and the lockdown. Life is short. I'm ready for something new. So here's to new beginnings and old friends. Ahrens, 70, briefly ran for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in 2002.
This is the home of New Mexico politics. Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.   |
|
