La Politica New Mexico

The Beat is New Mexico!---Do we have to be stuck at the bottom of the barrel?--- Perspectives from Southern NM and the border region

Friday, January 15, 2016

Links for January 15, 2016:
  • Which Republican candidate will lower your tax bill the most?  The Street
  • Who owns US business?  How much tax do they pay?  NBER Digest
  •  State:  PED "erroneously reported" success with Gov's keystone child reading initiative.  ProgressNowNM
  • ABQ home sales take surprising jump in December.  Capitol Report
Posted by Jose Z. Garcia at 4:49:00 PM
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About Me

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Jose Z. Garcia
Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
Dr. Jose Z. Garcia taught at New Mexico State for three decades before becoming Secretary of Higher Education from 2010 through 2014. In 2020 he was a legislative aid to President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen (D SD38) He specializes in Latin America, the U.S.-Mexico border, and New Mexico politics. He was chairman of the Democratic Party in Dona Ana County the early 1980s.
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A Father Say's Goodbye, His Mother Cries Nearby

A Father Say's Goodbye, His Mother Cries Nearby
Juarez, Yesterday, Photo Diario, click for story

Tell Me a Story, The Six-Year Old Girl Said, And Then She Died

Tell Me a Story, The Six-Year Old Girl Said,  And Then She Died
She Saw Her Mother Die, And Then She Was Hit By A Bullet; click for story

Reies Tijerina, RIP

Reies Tijerina, RIP
Photo by Mark Bralley. Click on pic to go to story

Juan Roybal, of the Alianza

Juan Roybal, of the Alianza
Photo by Mark Bralley. Click on pic to go to story

Almost Encajuelado: Lucky to Be Alive

Almost Encajuelado:  Lucky to Be Alive
Kidnapped Man Escapes: Photo El Agora. Click for Story

Portrait of a Killer

Portrait of a Killer
El Zorro, Azteca Gang Leader. Click for story

Where Are We?

Where Are We?

Portrait of An Alleged Car Bomber

Portrait of An Alleged Car Bomber
Fernando Contreras Meraz, "El Dorado," Accused of Setting Off Car Bomb in Juarez in July. Click for Story

Remember?

Remember?
click on pic to go to story

Mike Runnels, RIP

Mike Runnels, RIP
Lt. Governor 1983-1986

Portrait of An Accused Cop Killer: "El 15" of La Linea

Portrait of An Accused Cop Killer:  "El 15" of La Linea
Arrested in Juarez October 14, Accused of Murdering 3 federal agents in August

Don Tripp: Speaker of the House

Don Tripp:  Speaker of the House
click on pic to go to story

The Bicentennial Grito in Juarez Last Night

The Bicentennial Grito in Juarez Last Night
Photo El Fronterizo: The Spotlight is on Mayor Reyes Ferriz, on the Balcony. No One Was There to Celebrate. Click for Story

Marisol Valles Garcia, New Police Chief in El Valle

Marisol Valles Garcia, New Police Chief in El Valle
Says narcotrafficking is not part of her beat

Where Does the Democratic Party Go From Here?

Where Does the Democratic Party Go From Here?
Click on pic to go to story

Aubrey Dunn Last Night in Deming

Aubrey Dunn Last Night in Deming
Will He Stop the Train?

An Hour Earlier This Room Was Filled With Young People At a Party: Now There is Only Blood

An Hour Earlier This Room Was Filled With Young People At a Party:  Now There is Only Blood
Photo Diario: 13 Killed in Second Massacre of Adolescents This Year Click for Story

Police Station, Guadalupe D.B., Valle de Juarez

Police Station, Guadalupe D.B., Valle de Juarez
Now Under Command of Marisol Valles Garcia: Photo El Pionero, click for story

First Inspector Salomon Alarcon, Commander, Third Group, Juarez

First Inspector Salomon Alarcon, Commander, Third Group, Juarez
Christian Torres, Diario Photo: "Arrested" by his own troops, Alarcon shouts at reporters

Police Rebellion Saturday Morning

Police Rebellion Saturday Morning
Diario Photo: Federal Policeman Accused of Making False Arrest, Forced to Face Reporters

The Driver's Assistant Was Killed While Trying to Escape from the Emergency Exit

The Driver's Assistant Was Killed While Trying to Escape from the Emergency Exit
Photo: El Mexicano

Former Attorney General Patricia Gonzalez

Former Attorney General Patricia Gonzalez
Brother Was Kidnapped: Click for Story

Does This Look Like a Double Dip?

Does This Look Like a Double Dip?
Click for Larger Picture from Calculated Risk

Part of the Writing on the Wall Last Night. Click for Story

Part of the Writing on the Wall Last Night.  Click for Story
Narcopinta blames Chapo for killing women accused of being extortionists

Wes Handy RIP

Wes Handy RIP
Click for Story

Her Two Daughters, 8 and 10, Were Uninjured

Her Two Daughters, 8 and 10,  Were Uninjured
Foto El Mexicano, click for story

Disconsolate: Seven Killed Friday Afternoon

Disconsolate:  Seven Killed Friday Afternoon
Photo by Hector Dayer, NorteDigital

Ignacio Coronel

Ignacio Coronel
Sinaloa Cartel Leader Killed; click for story

Uncle Sam's Reaction to Recent Strikes Against Mexican Drug Traffickers

Uncle Sam's Reaction to Recent Strikes Against Mexican Drug Traffickers
Diario de Juarez Cartoon; click for bigger pic

Unemployment Still Double Dipping

Unemployment Still Double Dipping
click for larger image

Portrait of a Killer

Portrait of a Killer
Jesús Armando Acosta Guerrero, alias “El 35” Click for Story

Hector ("Teto") Murguia Takes Oath of Office: Mayor of the Most Dangerous City in the World

Hector ("Teto") Murguia Takes Oath of Office:  Mayor of the Most Dangerous City in the World
Photo: Diario de Juarez

More Handwriting From La Linea: Naming Names

More Handwriting From La Linea:  Naming Names
Photo Diario; click for story

Susana Enters Cowboy Kitchen in Mora Saturday Afternoon

Susana Enters Cowboy Kitchen in Mora Saturday Afternoon

La Linea Denies Shooting Diario Photographers

La Linea Denies Shooting Diario Photographers
click for story

Cowboy Kitchen, Mora, Before the Truck Pulled Up

Cowboy Kitchen, Mora, Before the Truck Pulled Up
Click for story

Decapitated Head on Roof of Car; Body Inside

Decapitated Head on Roof of Car; Body  Inside
Photo Norte Digital; click for story

Massacre in Tamaulipas This Week

Massacre in Tamaulipas This Week
Photo el Universal; click for more photos

Candidate Susana and Future Governor?

Candidate Susana and Future Governor?
In Mora, October 30, 2010

Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin

Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin
Police Erase Narco-Message. Click for story

Map of Sta. Teresa Area

Map of Sta. Teresa Area
Click for Bigger Map

42 Times This Weekend

42 Times This Weekend
Diario Staff Photo Click for Story

Cesar Duarte

Cesar Duarte
Diario Photo: Click for Story

Another Shot of a Lonely Grito: Photo El Norte

Another Shot of a Lonely Grito:  Photo El Norte
Empty Parking Lot, Mayor Reyes Ferriz Giving the Grito on September 15; Click for Story

He Was Ahead in the Polls

He Was Ahead in the Polls
Dr. Rudolfo Torres, Candidate for Governor; Click for Story

Fernando Gomez Mont

Fernando Gomez Mont
Admits Failure, Calls for Reform. Click for Story

The Boy in the Red Stroller Saw His Mother Die

The Boy in the Red Stroller Saw His Mother Die
Diario Photo, click here

Sen. Mary Kay Papen

Sen. Mary Kay Papen
Receives Award

Stimulus for Banks But Not Jobs?

Stimulus for Banks But Not Jobs?
Beginning of the Double Dip? Click for Story

Death Comes to a Clamato Salesman

Death Comes to a Clamato Salesman
Diario Photo

Health Care USA: First in Cost, Last in Quality

Health Care USA:  First in Cost, Last in Quality
click for full report

Pew Study On Intermarriage Rates

Pew Study On Intermarriage Rates
Click on Graph for Pew Study

They Meant It, Too!

They Meant It, Too!

Sheriff Candidates at Forum

Sheriff Candidates at Forum

Unemployment Weekly Claims

Unemployment Weekly Claims
Click on Image for Larger Picture

Garrett, Other County Commission Candidates at Forum

Garrett, Other County Commission Candidates at Forum

La Paloma (Dove) Is A Symbol of Peace

La Paloma (Dove) Is A Symbol of Peace

Police Officer Executed. Why Would This Change the Way Patrols Work? See Story

Police Officer Executed.  Why Would This Change the Way Patrols Work?  See Story
Click for Original Diario Story

Oil Spill Map

Oil Spill Map
La. Gov's Office: Click Here

Duarte Campaign Worker Killed in Juarez

Duarte Campaign Worker Killed in Juarez
click on Diario picture for story

U.S. Debt:

U.S. Debt:
Click for Larger Pictures

Wall Street Fine After Bailouts: Personal Bankruptcies Way Up

Wall Street Fine After Bailouts:  Personal Bankruptcies Way Up
Are Your Surprised? Click for Story 5/4/2010

The Rich Lost Less

The Rich Lost Less
Are You Surprised? Click for Story

Still Not a Lot of Jobs

Still Not a Lot of Jobs
click for larger picture

Hispanics Against Local Police Involvement in Immigration

Hispanics Against Local Police Involvement in Immigration
Pew Hispanic Center: Click for Study

Click to Look at New Mexico Median Income

Click to Look at New Mexico Median Income
But We're Still Giving Food Stamps to Hollywood Movie Producers

New Mexico Still in Recession

New Mexico Still in Recession
See Story; click to get original map

Cartoon in Diario Today: Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

Cartoon in Diario Today:  Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?
click for original

Recession Gets Worse

Recession Gets Worse
Feb. New Home Sales at Record Low Click for Larger View

Senate Finance Chair John A. Smith: Budget Passed Requires 6% Economic Rebound

Senate Finance Chair John A. Smith:  Budget Passed Requires 6% Economic Rebound
At a recent meeting in Mesquite

Cervantes, Smith, and Jennings Listen to a Comment

Cervantes, Smith, and Jennings Listen to a Comment
Mequite Fire Station March 16

Billy Garrett

Billy Garrett
Candidate, County Commission

The Dollar Value of Education

The Dollar Value of Education
From Bureau of Labor Statistics click on picture for larger image

Does It Look to You Like The Recession is Over?

Does It Look to You Like The Recession is Over?
Click for Large Picture: Updated Chart, 26 months into the recession: From Calculated Risk

Community Leaders with Candidate Steve Pearce

Community Leaders with Candidate Steve Pearce
Mesquite Water District Manager Martin Lopez, Cong. Steve Pearce, Jesus Carrasco, Victoria C. Carrasco

Memorial of Condolence

Memorial of Condolence
Passed by the NM Senate

Long-Term Unemployed

Long-Term Unemployed
Click here for story in NYT

Sen. Papen Smiles as the Governor Signs SB 279

Sen. Papen Smiles as the Governor Signs SB 279
Senators Papen, Morales next to Governor, Espy Holguin, Larry Sedillo, Marty Nieto, Jesus Carrasco, other supporters look on. Photo Courtesy of Cindy Fargo cfargo@dlcp.org

Too Much Power?

Too Much Power?
Bank Concentration graph by Financial Times, Click on Graph for Story

Anatomy of a Housing Bubble Bursting

Anatomy of a Housing Bubble Bursting
click here for larger picture

Guess Who's Hurting?

Guess Who's Hurting?
click here to enlarge

MSA Unemployment

MSA Unemployment

Esther Chavez Cano, R.I.P.

Esther Chavez Cano, R.I.P.

Victor Montoya and Nancy Gepfert

Victor Montoya and  Nancy Gepfert
MAF last night

Gary Perez in Anthony

Gary Perez in Anthony
Comments on Tax Consequences of Municipalizing Anthony

jobs and job approval

jobs and job approval
Unembployment and Presidential Job Approval Click Here for Article

Map of Proposed Incorporation Area

Map of Proposed Incorporation Area
Early Voting Has Begun

Long Recovery?

Long Recovery?
Click and Scroll down for Full Graph

Governor Bruce King, R.I.P.

Governor Bruce King, R.I.P.

NM Employment Tanks

NM Employment Tanks
Click for Larger Picture and Scroll Down

Mass on the Fenced Border At Anapra, Mx-Sunland Park, NM

Mass on the Fenced Border At Anapra, Mx-Sunland Park, NM
Three Bishops Comment, click for story, Norte Photo

Jose Campos, This Morning at Roberto's

Jose Campos, This Morning at Roberto's
With Mesquite Movers and Shakers

Lawrence Rael

Lawrence Rael
Candidate for Lt. Governor: click for story

Chano Merino

Chano Merino

Candidate Jose Campos

Candidate Jose Campos
Click on photo for story

Candidate Brian Colon

Candidate Brian Colon

At Anaya-Catered Reception for Bruce in Moriarty

At Anaya-Catered Reception for Bruce in Moriarty
Last Roundup

Another Soldier Executed

Another Soldier Executed
Diario Staff Photo; click on photo

More Executions

More Executions
Diario Staff Photo; click on photo

Candidate Linda Lopez

Candidate Linda Lopez
Click on photo for story

Onlookers Gather at the Site of a Woman's Murder

Onlookers Gather at the Site of a Woman's Murder
Diario Staff Foto: click for larger pic

Sing to the Tune of La Cucaracha

Sing to the Tune of La Cucaracha
click for original Norte cartoon

Candidate Martinez Shares a Laugh with South Valley's Arturo Uribe At Announcement

Candidate Martinez Shares a Laugh with South Valley's Arturo Uribe At Announcement
Click on photo for story

Funeral Services, Javier Rosales

Funeral Services, Javier Rosales
Diario Staff Photo

Magistrate Judges Frietze and Garcia Cut the Ceremonial Ribbon

Magistrate Judges Frietze and Garcia Cut the Ceremonial Ribbon

Lazy Hazy Days

Lazy Hazy Days
Luis Torres, Diario de Juarez

A Face in the Light

A Face in the Light
diario Staff Photo

Possible Rail Route from Pta. Colonet to Juarez

Possible Rail Route from Pta. Colonet to Juarez
IMS Worldwide, Inc.

Are you in favor of granting more beer and wine licenses in the South Valley?

Indios Fan

Indios Fan
Mexsport Digital Image, Diario. Click to Enlarge

Panama Canal Expansion Route

Panama Canal Expansion Route
IMS Worldwide, Inc.

Orange Polo Shirt

Orange Polo Shirt
Diario Staff Photo, click to enlarge. See Story ("Two More...") below

Susana Martinez With Reporter at Roberto's After Announcement

Susana Martinez With Reporter at Roberto's After Announcement
Click on photo for story

The Eye of the Beholder

The Eye of the Beholder
Diario staff photograph

Children in Juarez Back to the Grind

Children in Juarez Back to the Grind
Julio Cesar Aguilar, Diario

Minority-Majority Population Under Age 20

Minority-Majority Population Under Age 20
Click to See Full Image

Maria Antonia Baldon

Maria Antonia Baldon

Back To School: Worker Scrubs School Walls

Back To School:  Worker Scrubs School Walls
Norte de Juarez

Workers Disinfect Food Tables

Workers Disinfect Food Tables
Diario de Juarez

Street Vendor's Selling Food: See Story

Street Vendor's Selling Food:  See Story
Juan Alanis, photographer, Diario de Juarez

At the Juarez Airport

At the Juarez Airport
Ricardo Munoz, photographer, el Diario

Wait Lines on Santa Fe Bridge

Wait Lines on Santa Fe Bridge
Julio Cesar Aguilar, Diario

Latino Population 2007

Latino Population 2007
Click on this image

Governor's Races 2009-2010

Governor's Races 2009-2010
Click on the Image

The South Mesilla Valley is 84% Hispanic. Should New Mexico have a cabinet-level Office of Hispanic Affairs?

Army Unit Assigned to Juarez

Army Unit Assigned to Juarez
Jesus Alcazar, Diario de Juarez, photographer

Elderly Couple Killed In Navolato

Elderly Couple Killed In Navolato
Read Story in "Juarez in Early April"

Map of Santa Teresa-Juarez

Map of Santa Teresa-Juarez

The Governor, Arturo Uribe, and Fire Fighters

The Governor, Arturo Uribe, and Fire Fighters
Standing: Tom Ontiveros, Artie Herrera, Alfred Nevarez, Jesus Carrasco, Angel Reyes. Seated: Governor Richardson, Arturo Uribe

Will the Governor Sign HB 185 Into Law?

Cartoon In Diario

Cartoon In Diario
click to enlarge: minimum wage has lost 80% of its value

The New Electoral Map

The New Electoral Map
Click on Map for Larger View

Rep. Joseph Cervantes and Constituent Mariano Uribe

Rep. Joseph Cervantes and Constituent Mariano Uribe
At the Roundhouse in Santa Fe

Senator John Arthur Smith and Speaker Ben Lujan

Senator John Arthur Smith and Speaker Ben Lujan
Mark Bralley, photographer

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  • Calculated Risk

New Mexico Blogs

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Detailed Profile

Dr. Jose Z. Garcia retired from state government in January 2105 after serving for four years as Secretary of Higher Education in New Mexico. Prior to this appointment he was a faculty member at New Mexico State University for more than three decades, specializing in Latin American politics. He has lectured in every Spanish-speaking country in Latin America and written extensively on Latin American militaries, civil wars, coups, and the U.S.-Mexico border. He has received numerous research grants to, including awards from the Ford, Hewlett, and Wilson Foundations, and the federal government. He directed the Title VI Latin American program for 13 years at NMSU, as part of a nationally ranked UNM-NMSU consortium. He was a co-founder of the Paso del Norte Water Task Force, an international organization convening major water managers and experts in the binational region, and chaired the organization in 2010. He currently writes a blog, la politica new mexico, dealing with New Mexico politics and the U.S.-Mexico border. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.

As Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Garcia was responsible for the oversight of 24 institutions of higher learning, recommending to the legislature the distribution of about $1.2 billion among the institutions; performing institutional audits when necessary; distributing student financial aid; administering two federal grant programs; monitoring private and proprietary institutions; conducting policy research; and recommending higher education policy directions. He was also active as Chair of the $2.3 billion Education Trust Fund, strengthening the college savings plan for New Mexicans. During his tenure Dr. Garcia created the first performance-based funding formula, rewarding institutions for performance rather than for costs of operation. He secured a voluntary two-year moratorium on new buildings on public campuses, and began an analysis of the supply and demand for New Mexico higher education graduates in the New Mexico workforce. He initiated the first sustained agenda between New Mexico Higher Education and the four New Mexico Tribal Colleges, advocating for stronger ties between the states and the tribes in issues of higher education; and hosted various conferences related to improving college completion rates in New Mexico—closing the achievement gap, improving college readiness, improving remediation rates; setting college completion goals for institutions, creating a better workforce through higher education, and orientations for boards of regents. He was a member of the board of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE), and the State Higher Education Executive Officers association. He served as a delegate to U.S.-Mexico Border Governors’ conferences and to New Mexico-Chihuahua and New Mexico-Sonora conferences.

After receiving a BA from Occidental College, Dr. Garcia was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to Ecuador. He received an MA from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and a PhD from the University of New Mexico. He spent two years teaching international relations and other subjects at the U.S. Army School of the Americas at Ft. Benning, where he received a teaching award and went to Jump School.

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