Let’s take big, bold steps for our state

As the New Mexico legislative session enters the final push, there are two fundamental paths for New Mexico’s future before us. Our state is adrift, without the clear direction and leadership that we need.

As a result, we have a choice to face our problems head on and lead with big ideas and real solutions, or to continue to take measured, incremental steps that demonstrate minimal progress.

Despite all the incredible aspects of our great state, we continue to languish at the bottom of so many critical measures of success. Employment continues to stagnate and health, income and educational levels remain near the bottom of national rankings.

At times it seems as if we have been conditioned to low expectations. Many of these challenges have been with us for a long time; some others are more recent phenomena.

Either way, it is time for us to get past “bold change” campaign rhetoric and deliver on the tremendous urgency for real action.

With little precious legislative time remaining, this choice comes into sharp contrast as legislators grapple with two agendas.

One agenda is very familiar: decreasing corporate taxes, increasing criminal penalties, holding back third-graders, reducing government spending and a “wait and see” approach to our state’s water crisis. This agenda lacks vision and is unlikely to move the needle on major issues, and may even take us backwards.

The other agenda champions new ideas, creating an innovation-based economy focusing on energy and technology, funding large-scale infrastructure projects, using treatment to curb addiction and reduce incarceration, fixing state agencies, establishing public private partnerships, developing a water strategy and revamping our tax code. These ideas are brimming with vision and would improve standards of living for everyday New Mexicans and our businesses.

The difference between the approaches is the starkest on two issues: jobs and education.

The lack of a meaningful job creation plan has landed our state at the bottom of the job growth list. Small tweaks to the tax code and tax cuts for corporations might poll well, but in reality they will do little to bring good jobs to our state.

Instead, we should focus economic development on closing some 400-plus ineffective loopholes and lowering taxes for all New Mexicans. Furthermore, the tax incentives that have proven effective should be enhanced to foster industries where New Mexico can compete and win on the national stage.

With respect to education, the tired, repeat policies we’ve heard about for the past three years are part of an out-of-state agenda that is more hype than substance. Both evidence and common sense tells us that adequate funding early on, sensible interventions for challenges in reading and math and professional development for teachers is more effective than simply holding back struggling third grade students.

It is time we aim higher and pursue legislation squarely targeted at making our state a national leader and setting the stage for all New Mexicans to succeed. We should not settle for window dressing initiatives that serve only to make politicians look good come election year.

Let’s take big steps, and finally pursue the agenda that will have a profound impact on New Mexico, now.

Sen. Tim Keller is Senate majority whip.