Grubesic: NM Still Playing Catchup

John Grubesic

Capitol Report New Mexico - I just got back from Phoenix, Arizona and Sacramento, California — two cities in differing states of economic turmoil. As bad as it looked, they still seemed to be light years ahead of New Mexico, economically, educationally and fiscally. They are facing severe financial problems like New Mexico, but they have more to lose. The amount of money that has been invested by Arizona and California in developing infrastructure and an economy is massive. New Mexico’s debt isn’t as great because we haven’t taken any real risk to improve this place. We have not invested enough in anything to make New Mexico competitive with our neighbors, the nation or the world. We had record revenues just a few years ago that we squandered or let Richardson’s pals steal. I am not sure how many highway interchanges Phoenix had, but it was more than one. Ours is such a big deal that we found it necessary to name it. How did Arizona get to be where it is and why does New Mexico still languish behind it, and every state around us?

Jerry Brown

At last count there were about 49 ahead of us — unless you care to count teen pregnancy, the drop out rate and teen suicide. We’ve got them all beat there. We are still tops in all the bad stuff and rock bottom in all the good. Why? Albuquerque has a better climate than both of these cities. I drove more getting from one place to another in Phoenix than I have in the last two months. In summer you have to use oven mitts to touch the steering wheel. It rained and rained and rained and rained some more in Sacramento. All the reservoirs were near or at capacity. And the rivers? Well, the Rio Grande would hardly qualify as a Rio, much less Grande and none of them were staying within their banks. Sacramento was teeming with people. The legislature was in session — I think it goes year-round there — and people were upbeat, enthusiastic and seemed undaunted, even though they are soggy, their basketball team was leaving, they had survived eight years of termination governing and had just re-elected Governor Moonbeam. Read full column here: News New Mexico

Grubesic: NM Still Playing Catchup