The Radio Que Tal Archives

Walt Rubel Commentary: Nothing ‘Beautiful’ about Medicaid cuts

5/20/2025

Whether it is international trade, immigration enforcement or health care, New Mexico has much more to lose from the policies of the new administration than most states.

Then-Gov. Susana Martinez went against Republican orthodoxy in 2013 when she signed legislation creating the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange as part of the Affordable Care Act, better known then as Obamacare. That led to an immediate and significant expansion of Medicaid funding to the state, and a dramatic decrease in the number of residents without health insurance.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Let’s go bowling and ice skating

5/13/2025

Bowling and ice skating are both coming to Las Cruces.

During a State of the County Address last week, County Manager Scott Andrews announced that the county intends to add a seasonal ice skating rink as part of a larger upgrade at the Fairgrounds.

Walt Rubel Commentary: OMDP faces tougher challenge

5/6/2025

Here we go again.

In 2017 President Donald Trump sent Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to New Mexico to consider revoking or altering the status of the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument. Monument supporters rolled out the red carpet. Zinke toured the OMDP on horseback and had a rustic photo of himself plastered all over the front page of the newspaper. And it worked. Zinke recommended that other monuments be closed instead. Supporters of the OMDP felt like they had dodged a bullet, and it was now clear sailing ahead.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Trade war would hit this region hard

4/29/2025

In 2007 I accompanied then-Gov. Bill Richardson on a trade mission to Chihuahua, Mexico. I wasn’t the only one. Business owners from throughout the state also made the trip south to negotiate deals with business owners in Mexico.

Until that trip, I didn’t understand the importance of international trade to our state, especially southern New Mexico.

Walt Rubel Commentary: The heavy burden of jury duty

4/22/2025

Serving on juries for two recent trials was one of the most difficult and least satisfying things I’ve ever done.

As a journalist working at newspapers in small communities, I was exempt from jury duty for most of my life. I knew too much about the cases and the attorneys. The city attorney of Canon City, Colorado was the setter on our co-ed volleyball team.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Business as usual in Santa Fe

4/15/2025

It was a bad day for good government Friday.

Faced with a choice between the people of New Mexico who she has taken a vow to serve and the big-moneyed lobbyists who have been in her ear for the last six years, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham went against the people.

Walt Rubel Commentary: State changes focus to preservation

4/1/2025

The New Mexico Legislature didn’t do much this year to update policies and procedures that are more than a century old. We will continue to have an unpaid Legislature convening in 30- and 60-day sessions to meet the lifestyle demands of those living in 1912.

There was one area where lawmakers decided to update from the horse and buggy days, and that was wildlife preservation. Laws on the books until this year treated wildlife as either food or sport. The job of the state was to ensure there were plenty of animals to be shot, trapped and hooked, and to manage that process.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Don’t blame police or the car show

3/25/2025

The Las Cruces Police aren’t to blame for the mass shooting Friday night at Young Park that left three people dead and 15 wounded.

Freshman Rep. Sarah Silva was wrong when she said police had, “the resources they need to address the issues.” Anybody who has made a police call recently and waited forever for an officer to arrive knows they are short on manpower.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Family Leave bill falls short again

3/18/2025

Should business owners have a legal obligation to support employees who have just had a baby or are going through other life-changing situations?

It’s a question the New Mexico Legislature has not yet been able to answer yes to. Legislation requiring employers to provide paid family medical leave passed the House for the first time this year, but stalled in the Senate Finance Committee. By the time it arrived there, the bill had been so watered down in order to get through the House that even its supporters were no longer enthusiastic about its passage.

Walt Rubel Commentary: High risk to state in taking a stand

3/11/2025

The Legislature’s Finance Committee does a thorough analysis of every bill, including their best estimate as to how much money it will cost or save the state. But some bills are hard to put a price tag on.

House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act co-sponsored by Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces, won’t have a direct cost to the state. But the indirect costs could be enormous.

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