Category: Commentaries

Walt Rubel Commentary: New hope for beleaguered part of city

2/2/2023

The city has had an extensive, detailed plan to revive the El Paseo corridor ever since 2009.

That was the year Las Cruces was one of a handful of cities selected by the federal government for a new program to revitalize economically depressed sections in core areas of the city. We were awarded $2 million, which was enough to conduct a pretty thorough survey.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Local lawmakers claim greater power

1/26/2023

Three years ago, none of the committees in the New Mexico House of Representatives were chaired by a member from Las Cruces. This year, our representatives lead three committees, including the one that writes the budget.

Nathan Small was elevated from vice-chair to chairman of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, which is charged with writing the first draft of the state budget each year, always House Bill 2. House Bill 1 is the so-called “feed bill,” which pays for the Legislature’s own expenses.

Walt Rubel Commentary: City makes pitch for switch to electric

1/19/2023

Did they ever pry that gun away from Charleton Heston, or did they just bury him with it?

Inspired by Heston, U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, made a similar vow last week, though it will be tougher to bury him with the object of his devotion.

“If the maniacs in the White House come for my stove, they can pry it from my cold, dead hands,” he declared. I assume he’ll die with oven mitts on?

Walt Rubel Commentary: Are surveillance cameras the solution?

1/12/2023

I was walking along a public sidewalk the other day when a woman’s voice came from a nearby house informing me that I was being recorded. So, I belted out a medley of Broadway show tunes.

There was once a time when constant surveillance conjured up Orweilian images of Big Brother. Now, it’s just a routine part of life.

Walt Rubel Commentary: End of the (almost) million-dollar duo

1/5/2023

The last time the New Mexico State University Board of Regents set out to pick a new leader, after having unceremoniously ridded themselves of Garrey Carruthers, they had a hard time picking between the two finalists for the job. And so, they hired both of them. At a combined salary of almost $1 million.

Let’s hope there’s a clear frontrunner this time.

Walt Rubel Commentary: New Year’s Eve a lousy time for a party

12/29/2022

If we were to randomly pick a time, date and place to throw a party, I doubt many people would choose midnight on Jan. 1 outdoors.

It’s way too cold. Our forecast calls for strong winds most of the day on New Year’s Eve. They should calm down before midnight, but the temperature is expected to be in the mid-20s. And, as is always the case, our weather will be a lot nicer than other areas of the country.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Aggies quiet the critics, for now

12/22/2022

Maybe the Aggies can compete at the top level.

The late-season success of the New Mexico State University football team under first-year coach Jerry Kill - winning five of its last six games, with the only loss coming against Missouri, and earning an invitation to play in the Quick Lane Bowl on Monday - should silence critics like me who have suggested that the team should drop from the Football Bowl Subdivision to the Football Championship Subdivision.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Reform will bring new expertise to PRC

12/8/2022

Attorneys seeking to overturn the will of voters who approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 reforming the state Public Regulation Commission had to make two conflicting arguments.

The first was that voters weren’t bright enough to read the amendment and understand that it would result in PRC members being appointed and not elected. The second was that voters are the only ones bright enough to be entrusted with the task of selecting utility regulators.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Lights, camera, action … Miranda rights

11/30/2022

In June, 2012, I succumbed to the hype and joined with millions of others to watch Nik Wallenda attempt to cross over Niagara Falls on a highwire.

A few minutes into the walk I realized that, because so much of the promotion had been about the fact he could fall off and die at any moment, a little part of me would feel cheated if he made it across alive. Disgusted by my own human nature, I rushed to change the channel.

Walt Rubel Commentary: Clear path ahead for Lujan Grisham

11/24/2022

In a year of national political turmoil and upheaval, it proved to be a status quo election in New Mexico.

The only real changes came as a result of redistricting, most notably in the Second Congressional District. The victory by Gabe Vasquez flips a seat that has been reliably Republican ever since the state gained a third district following the 1980 census.

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