Editorials
Editorial content. Content posted here may or may not reflect the opinions of the Beat. They reflect the opinions of the author.
New Mexico's Minerals Will Assist Our Nation's Transition to a Greener Economy
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 06 October 2022 06 October 2022
Working in the Mogollon Area We Will Create Economic Opportunities and Protect the Environment While Providing for Our Nation's Growing Mineral Needs
MOGOLLON, NEW MEXICO— At Summa Silver environmental stewardship and creating economic opportunities are values we act on every day while we seek to assist our Nation's transition to a greener economy.
Recently Leia Barnett with Wild Earth Guardians placed an editorial in this paper about Summa Silver's Mogollon Project that was misleading to your readers. We want to set the record straight.
Our current permitted Mogollon project is entirely on private, patented and fee lands, and will not impact public lands.
Canadian mining company stakes new claims on the edge of America's first wilderness
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 22 September 2022 22 September 2022
Expansion threatens Mexican spotted owl, Gila trout, and multiple critical watersheds
MOGOLLON, NEW MEXICO—Canadian mining company Summa Silver Corporation just released a statement that it has staked a large package of contiguous mining claims at its Mogollon Project near Silver City, New Mexico. Mogollon sits in the heart of the Greater Gila region, and the new claims more than double the company's project size, now significantly encroaching onto National Forest lands, including areas where threatened Mexican spotted owl and Gila trout have been documented.
Summa Silver's exploratory drilling operations are taking place just a few miles from the boundary of the Gila Wilderness, this country's first, designated almost 100 years ago through the efforts of the visionary conservationist Aldo Leopold. The Greater Gila region is known for its exceptional biodiversity, hosting more species of birds and mammals than any other region in the Southwest, including the only population of Mexican gray wolves. The Greater Gila is home to over 200 rare plant and animal species, with over 30 listed as threatened or endangered.
New Radio Ad Praising Governor's Education Record Gets an "F" for Fraudulence
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 21 September 2022 21 September 2022
Lujan Grisham's Education Record is Horrendous While New Mexico Remains 50th in Nation in Education
Albuquerque, September 21—New Mexico's education system is the worst in the country, according to U.S News & World Report, Forbes and Wallethub, but a new radio ad has the audacity to falsely claim that Gov. Lujan Grisham's record on education is strong and that she's fighting for students and parents.
The radio spot, released in Spanish, by the American Federation of Teachers and Latino Victory Fund is an absolute falsehood.
Lujan Grisham has consistently failed our students, schools and our state, and the record proves it.
New Mexico is dead last in the nation in education.
Gov. MLG touts abortion, but what about economy, education?
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 21 September 2022 21 September 2022
By Paul J. Gessing
With just a few weeks left before early voting kicks off, what issues will motivate how New Mexicans vote? According to one recent poll the top issue this fall is inflation/ the economy (at 59%). Crime was right behind at 58% followed by immigration and health care. Abortion was down the list at just 29%.
Surprisingly, the poll (done by KOB-TV) fails to even ask about education. In a state that consistently ranks at the very bottom in the nation on numerous (and bipartisan) education reports, serious education reforms should be at least on the radar. This is especially true as education is an inherently state issue (unlike immigration or inflation).
But, if you follow Gov. Lujan Grisham's campaign's public messaging you might believe abortion is the only important issue facing New Mexicans. Because we believe the New Mexico economy and education system are two critically important issues, the Rio Grande Foundation looked carefully at both candidates' websites for details on their plans if elected.
Voices Across New Mexico Agree: The Ivey-Soto Investigation Reveals Major Issues in Legislature's Anti-Harassment Policies and Process
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 20 September 2022 20 September 2022
New Mexico State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto has been credibly accused by multiple women of sexual harassment and other forms of abuse – and the independent special counsel hired by the legislature determined there was probable cause. However, the legislature's flawed process has stood in the way of holding Ivey-Soto accountable.
Read the below op-ed by former Navy officer Merritt Hamilton Allen and then the Albuquerque Journal's editorial pointing out the flaws in the legislature's process:
Carlsbad Current Argus: The Legislature's anti-harassment policy is clouded in secrecy by Merritt Hamilton Allen
Remember the sexual harassment complaint filed against Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto, Senate Rules Committee Chairman, earlier this year? You probably haven't heard much about it.
New Mexico outpaces nation on welfare recipients (and it's not even close)
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 17 September 2022 17 September 2022
Sometimes statistics on New Mexico just blow you away. A report from World Population Review highlights states based on welfare recipients per population for 2022. The surprising thing isn't that New Mexico is at the top of the list. What's amazing is how big it's lead is relative to states.
In fact, based on the data below New Mexico's rate of welfare receipt is 23% higher than the next highest state. Rarely do such massive differences exist when comparing the 50 states, let alone on a critical issue like welfare.
Ivey-Soto allegations and accountability
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 15 September 2022 15 September 2022
STOP IVEY-SOTO: New Website - StopIveySoto.com - Issues Three Demands on Senate Leadership
Daniel Ivey-Soto Has Been Credibly Accused by Multiple Women of Sexual Harassment, Bullying, and Abuse … He Now Claims The Investigation Into His Behavior is Over Despite No Public Release
GROUPS: "We do not accept the premise that this sham process was legitimate or the final arbiter of accountability… We will not back down."
Vocational High Schools in New Mexico – Now is the Time!
- Category: Editorials Editorials
- Published: 29 August 2022 29 August 2022
As we begin a new school year thousands of families across our state are sending their children to school. Unfortunately, some will not as their high school student has decided to drop out of school instead. They will not be alone; the Public Education Department indicates that 24% of high school students statewide will do the same - one out of every four. As we continue to lead the nation in dropout rates, the time has come to join the many other states who offer another way for students to earn their high school diploma - vocational school.
This may seem odd coming from someone who has worked in a college-preparatory school much of his career. However, I have always believed that parents should have a choice in where and how their children attend school. Regardless the type of schooling a student completes, a well-educated society benefits us all. To become a more prosperous state we must expand our thinking beyond the traditional and move into the possible.