TALK OF THE TOWN

We twist and shout over political ads in CD1

AFTER HEARING Sen. Mark Moores’ ad in which he says that Rep.

Melanie Stansbury did not help pass legislation for exempting state income tax on Social Security payments in the 2020 legislative session, I knew I had to write because this is really stretching the truth. He twisted the information. I will shout the reality.

Moores’ ad twists information to scare senior citizens when in fact, Stansbury did work toward passing this legislation. She sponsored not one but three bills to exempt Social Security from state income taxes.

The N.M. Legislative session ended without these bills passing. It’s not as if Stansbury didn’t try or was against these bills. Stansbury stated: “I stand with our seniors. In Congress, I’ll continue to protect Social Security.”

Her legislative record attests to this.

Will (her CD1) opponent, Moores, do the same?

Information on the candidates’ legislative bills and activities can be found (by searching online for) KOB Fact Check on Moore’s amendment — proof offered by the campaign.

Please be registered to vote for this special election to fill the CD1 seat.

Vote on or before June 1. You make the final decision for not only CD1, but for all of New Mexico. Feel free to share this info with friends in CD1.

CHRISTINE SPIGARELLI Rio Rancho

Our trash pickup driver went the extra mile

I WISH to applaud and thank the trash pickup driver serving the 8100 block of Corte de Aguila NW (on April 19).

A worker had laid a step ladder against a neighbor’s trash and recycle containers, thereby preventing automated pickup of these containers.

The recycle driver drove past the containers as access to them was blocked. However, the driver of the trash pickup vehicle stopped, moved the ladder and proceeded to pick up the trash.

The driver’s action is that of someone who cares, desires to do the job, and (who is) willing to go the extra step. We need more people like this.

DAVID SKOWRAN Albuquerque

Ensure funding for our at-risk students

AS A retired teacher and former director of a higher education research and study center focused on the impact of public policy on our diverse populations, I am glad our state is giving greater attention to how our systems of public education are funded. Very big and important steps were taken to distribute our state’s tax revenues more equitably for school districts and for our students’ families across the state.

The state no longer shorts school districts receiving federal impact aid, and the Legislature increased the Working Families Tax Credit and the Low-Income Tax Rebate.

Roughly three of every four families whose children are in our public schools (are) “at risk,” and by helping relieve the enormous stress that comes with daily struggles to survive, our students will be less “at risk” of having traumatic experiences, which in turn effect their ability to learn.

Using the tax system to encourage greater equity among our people is smart policy. Our state should now diversify our revenues to be sure we have alternative revenues to close future gaps between the needs of New Mexico students and available resources to support them.

PATRICIA JIMENEZ-LATHAM Rio Rancho

Being soft on crime begets more crime

READING THE Journal and listening to the news, it seems that Albuquerque citizens are fed up with the crime rate. In order to understand what is happening, we must examine the ingredients. What is meant is that if a delicious-sounding meal is being prepared, but spoiled/rotten ingredients are being used, the result will be awful.

In the case of the crime rate, we continue to elect politicians and judges who are soft on crime, i.e.

we are a sanctuary city, and then complain that the crime rate is too high. Your votes can turn the situation around.

JACK HERTZ Albuquerque

BRIGHT SPOT