Racehorses, slot machines and election campaigns
In New Mexico, horse racetracks have become centers of political power. This is a republication of a September 11 article by Noah Raess and Joshua Bowling in Searchlight New Mexico.
Category Analyses
T or C owners will see their property taxes triple
The ballot measure for $3 million in general obligation bonds for water, sewer and roads passed two years ago. How many voters knew or cared that property taxes would double or triple to pay off that debt?
Water-hoarder Augustin Plains Ranch—corporatocracy vs. the people
It's sickening that Augustin Plains Ranch, owned by an Italian billionaire, has forced the people to pay for legal battle after legal battle to stave off a massive water grab.
What you need to know, 9/3/2024
We know the electoral college elects the President, but do we know how few votes it takes to change the electoral college composition? Here is a detailed breakdown of how so few people end up deciding the results of a democratic election, courtesy of The Guardian.
Wilson & Co. gives some reasons why the Cantrell Dam project will cost $8 million
Flood control for Williamsburg, the southeastern part of Truth or Consequences and the Sierra County Fairgrounds is going to be expensive. Liability is probably driving this project, but it’s not been explicitly stated.
T or C Commission gets real—mostly Mayor Hechler
A city commission meeting chock full of fact-based reporting, with critical-thinking on display and real talk and direction from Mayor Rolf Hechler.
Trash rates are going up. Will they be fair?
Polycart customers way overpay and commercial-dumpster and drive-in customers at the scale house way underpay. “Free” recycling is paid for, really, by the polycart customers.
Switcheroo: police department’s gross receipts tax revenue will pay off new police building debt
More wheeling and dealing behind closed doors by the T or C city commission concerning the purchase of the PNC Bank building for the police department. The purchase and purchase price was done in secret and a switch in how to pay for the building's renovation was too.
T or C’s “Central Park” is safe for the moment
The city commission approved the recording of a survey map of city land at the Aug. 14 meeting, a first step in offering the land for sale. Mayor Rolf Hechler said they are still gathering information and they won't sell "until we know what we are selling it for."
Political considerations, 8.8.24
Looking more closely at the educational policies likely to be implemented in a Trump presidency versus a Harris presidency
Splitting the baby: question on ballot, candidates not
The district court will decide who our flood control directors will be over the next year IF the people decide we need a flood control district and another passel of local elected officials--we have a flood commissioner--or the additional tax and debt such a district will bring.
Good deal, bad democracy—T or C City Commission purchases PNC Bank building for $430,000
Whether you agree or not with the purchase, the lack of transparency in the process should give you pause, if you care about democracy.