Top of Mind: Does New Mexico need a Paid Family & Medical Leave law?

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

What issue would you like to be a priority at N.M.’s current legislative session?

“I would like to see a requirement that for high school graduation one must have taken a class in financial literacy. This knowledge is essential to get started on good financial health. Twenty-five states do it and we should too.”

— Steven Rogers Albuquerque

“Crime should be the top legislative priority. I appreciate recent efforts to crack down on crime, but it will take a sustained effort over many years to truly make a difference. An assault rifle ban is essential. Do it. Please attack the bad driver problem. Need vehicle safety inspections.”

— Mark Yarnelle Albuquerque

“Gun control. There are limits to every amendment in our Constitution. … We don’t need military assault rifles on our streets. If no limits, I want a bazooka and tank.”

— Michael Taylor Albuquerque

“The most pressing issue in this session is how do we work with the oil and gas industry to lower their carbon footprint?”

— Dianna Woods Santa Fe

“… Making financial literacy a required course for high school graduation would have such a tremendous impact on their future success.”

— Mark Gorham Albuquerque

“What is going to be done about our teachers, law enforcement and physician shortage? We are losing good people. Housing costs are ludicrous. What is to be done about that? Now? We are rich with the methane leaking gas; build some very affordable houses and go after our shameful polluters.”

— Mary Jo Carey El Prado

“It’s the 2-ton elephant in the room. … I’m an energy and environmental engineer knowing that it’s not too late, but we do need to act. I’d like to see climate action to reduce fossil fuel emissions.”

— Athena Christodoulou Albuquerque

“Pressing issue for Legislature: Ensure that financial literacy becomes mandatory as part of the K-12 curriculum — please.”

— Charles Bergman Albuquerque

“Climate change and the rather dismal steps N.M. is taking to address it are at the top of my list. The climate is hotter than climate-scientists even predicted it would be at this point. This is affecting our food availability, water, energy usage, pollution of air, water, and land.”

— Roxanne Pacheco Albuquerque

“Banning fracking in New Mexico: what needs to be done for this to happen? New York and Vermont did it, so why can’t we?”

— Sharon Guerrero Santa Fe

“The cease-fire resolution calling on our N.M. congressional delegation to support an immediate cease-fire in Gaza is critically important. Israel’s genocidal campaign is killing hundreds of Palestinians daily. The U.S. must stop funding this madness and change course quickly. Cease fire now.”

— Lora Lucero Albuquerque

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

Does New Mexico need a Paid Family & Medical Leave law?

Want to participate in Top of Mind? Submit your response at: https://www.abqjournal.com/opinion/ - go to Other Forms, then Top of Mind

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