SpeakUp!: Democrats are euphoric about paid family and medical leave

Where California goes, there goes New Mexico. The fires destroying areas in California and in New Mexico are not caused by CLIMATE CHANGE. They were started by humans using an agenda of saving the planet from humans. This insanity has to stop. We need common sense in government, not stupidity. GH

As a constituent of state Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, I disagree with her disregard for ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, especially in the East Mountains where we risk drought-induced fires, dried up wells, and loss of homeowner’s insurance — all reflections of climate change (“NM can’t afford more ‘feel good’ climate laws that have no tangible impact,” Jan. 24 Journal). She represents us, not the oil and gas industries. SM

CLIMATE CHANGE is real enough in state Rep. Stefani Lord’s East Mountains district where I live, and it is bankrupting her constituents with outrageous insurance rates. Even if you can get insurance, dried-up wells and dead forests are trigger-ready for catastrophic fire. Is she representing us or Hobbs? SW

State Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, gets one thing right: New Mexicans need good JOBS and economic opportunities that will lead us into a prosperous future. We can do this with the Community Benefit Fund, Senate Bill 49, legislation that will boost our economy and train workers for the jobs of the future. NW

Here it comes. Democrats are euphoric about PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE. Up employee taxes, up small business costs, hello government control. Look forward to a large burden for taxpayers. GT

Regarding PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE: Nice concept, but the fact is small businesses can’t afford it. They are finally bouncing back after suffering from draconian restrictions during COVID. And, although they are recovering, they face the rising cost of goods and labor. Instead of taxing overburdened business owners and employees, why not fund the program with revenue from oil and gas? ESJ

Shout-out to the Albuquerque Bernalillo County WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY. Broken water line on our street recently and they were right on it. Thank you. APW

Regarding “Carry your dog’s deposits with pride to the trash” (Jan. 25, Journal): Kudos to KEVIN GLASGOW for pickup and disposal of canine Luke’s waste while out walking. I have done the same, raising a hand in greeting while holding a bag with a fresh deposit, and it is very disheartening to see many excrement bags and fresh and old deposits left unattended. TB

Despite the fact that thousands of Albuquerque residents travel WYOMING BOULEVARD all day long, the city has allowed the ugliness that has been in the median between Candelaria and Montgomery to persist for years. Shame on whatever city department is responsible. EW

Recently I, on foot, was once again bullied off the sidewalk by a BICYCLIST. This was on a street with one of Albuquerque’s multitudes of generous, but mostly unused, bike lanes. My sympathy is long gone. JR

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s idea of a state-run homeowners’ INSURANCE PLAN is an excellent one. Profit-incentive insurance plans are a failed concept, just as it is for health care. Let’s look at government-run insurance plans for life and auto insurance to compete with private insurance companies. EN

Regarding “Elect a Republican gov. to break NM’s cycle of failures” (Feb. 2 Journal): We have elected them; remember Gov. Susana Martinez? Gov. Gary Johnson? We desperately need to change laws and ELECT AN INDEPENDENT. Maybe then N.M. will get serious about both gun control and crime. VCM

Regarding “You Never Forget a Fire” (by Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 18)”: A one-party state rule encourages sloth, carelessness and CORRUPTION. Good government comes from competition, no competition means no freshness - just the same party drones performing the same tasks founded on the same assumptions over and over. Sound familiar? KJ

What is the purpose of the APS LOGO change? Who benefits? Stationery supplier? Are there kickbacks? To me it signifies that APS is full of hot air. There’s evidence they have much more important things that they ought to prioritize. SW

President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding the MIDAIR COLLISION of a passenger jet and military helicopter in Washington, D.C., was appalling. Instead of just giving condolences to the families of lost loved ones, he tantrums with insults, name-calling and degrading of others. He made it political, unpresidential and childish. PP

Not one single grocery item has gone down. And the WAR IN UKRAINE is still going on. What’s his name said he could end it in 24 hours. JL

Why in the world would President Donald Trump want to impose high TARIFFS on Mexico that will harm its economy and impoverish its citizens, making them much more, rather than less likely, to migrate to the United States? The only people who will benefit from his policies are cartels and human traffickers. ST

Now that the idea of RENAMING New Mexico has been brought up in a Sunday Journal cartoon, why not have a renaming contest? MB

A couple 2025 things the writers of the CONSTITUTION likely didn’t envision 237 years ago: a president with a felony conviction and a senator who wears a hoodie and gym shorts to work. BV