Letters: Right-to-work bill wrong for NM

New Mexico tribes are proud of all that we contribute to the advancement of our state. Our vibrant history and cultures enrich the experience of each New Mexican and helps our growing tourism industry draw millions of visitors and millions of tax dollars to our beautiful homeland. Not only that, but the revenues generated from the oil, gas, and gaming industry activities from Indian-owned properties and businesses produces about $70 million a year for state coffers.

In return, our state gives back by supporting the Tribal Infrastructure Fund, which helps to maintain our communities’ fundamental infrastructure needs, of which we are decades behind most other communities. Additionally, capital outlay funding provides for essential social, economic, and wellness projects directed toward serving our New Mexico populations who continue to struggle with socio-economic issues at a disproportionate rate when compared with other groups. In total, the relationship that New Mexico tribes have maintained with our state government has been reciprocal and rewarding when we’ve been able to work together for the betterment of all New Mexicans.

Unfortunately, this year’s legislative session has marked a disappointing departure from that history of cooperation in service of our state’s greater good. Over the past month in the roundhouse, I’m sad to say that I’ve witnessed elected officials push unwarranted and dangerous legislative attacks that would irrevocably harm New Mexico’s working families, including Native American families. Instead of thinking first about what’s best for our state, these legislators are clearly distracted by out-of-state corporate and political interests that are bent on exploiting our people for higher profits. Adding insult to injury, HB291 seeks to kick us while we’re down by legislating a commission to “study” the moving of federal land to state control. Land that we use for cultural purposes – and there are no provisions for inclusion of any tribal leaders on the commission. This proposition could have no beneficial outcome to honest, hardworking New Mexicans.

But one of the worst examples of this session’s political posturing is the determination of some legislators to pass HB75, or the “right to work” bill. In spite of thorough economic research that proves “right to work” is linked to lower wages, fewer benefits for workers, and less access to health care, the drive to push this unfair and unnecessary bill is overwhelming and defies all common sense. “Right to work” would only hurt New Mexico’s economy overall, and the consequences of this bad legislation would be felt much more deeply by tribal populations that are already dealing with the highest poverty level of any group in the state, low wages and high unemployment. In some tribal communities, unemployment can be as high as 45 percent.

The proponents of this bill are the same behind-the-scenes operators who stand against all efforts intended to lift working people up. They oppose legislation that would actually benefit and grow the future of New Mexico’s economy: a meaningful increase to the minimum wage, and a well-thought out and scientifically sound educator evaluation system that allows teachers to embrace the cultural and language differences of our diverse cultures and to teach them in ways that allows them to truly learn.

The latest move in the spectacle around HB75, where lawmakers have attached an insignificant wage hike to the bill ($8 — an hourly wage that I made back in the early 80s), should be the “coup de grace” for anyone who still thinks that “right to work” supporters are genuinely concerned about New Mexico’s economy. The proposed increase is overtly insufficient and will continue to leave hard working families far below the poverty line.

Representative Nate Gentry has doubled down on legislation that may make his out of state CEO campaign funders happy, but those of us actually working to move New Mexico forward can expect less take home pay, less access to health care, and a crumbling social safety net.

Those are the facts. Legitimate academic research shows that “right to work” cannot promise a bump in manufacturing or increase in jobs, only a faster race to the bottom for all of our working class people. After decades of working together with our state legislature toward shared prosperity for all New Mexicans, as an enrolled New Mexico tribal member, I cannot remain silent on this issue: “right to work” is wrong for New Mexico.

Debra Haaland
Albuquerque, N.M.

High court ordered us to have an invalid president

I would like to take this opportunity to express my displeasure with the latest ruling on Feb. 20, by the Supreme Court pertaining to the presidential election. It sounds like the high court ordered us to have an invalid president for the next four years.

First, the two crybabies Mr. Dale Tsosie and Mr. Hank Whitethorne were big time losers in the primary election and decided to file grievance to the Office of Hearing and Appeals. Their grievance was dismissed by virtue of the 10 calendar days mandated by tribal law to file grievance.

The grieving party then began crying to the Supreme Court and filed their appeals where they were granted special treatment by getting their appeals accepted which is outright wrong. It is crystal clear the high court made a history making mistake and violated tribal law which mandated 10 calendar days for a candidate to file against another candidate.

The justices are failing to admit they committed a serious violation of the voter’s rights and are afraid to admit it publicly.

How is it fair and just for the high court to accept the appeals of the two crybabies more than 90 days after the certification of candidates? They should be ashamed ofÊthemselves of their poor performance in collecting less than 3 percent votes during the primary election.

Due to the unfair and unjust ruling by the high court a highly educated veteran and former state legislator was disqualified for the presidency. What do the justices really have against Navajo scholars? I am wondering who is behind this scheme in creating chaos and disharmony among us, outside entity or a former leader supporting the court ordered presidential candidate.

It’s heartbreaking that the high court with its ruling sends a negative message to our highly educated youngsters and veterans they are not good enough to return home and take a leadership role.ÊIs the high court leading us to communism?

The latest ruling by the high court pertaining to the presidential election is distasteful and worse than the previous ones. What part of the law mandating the 10 calendar days for filing grievance does high court not understand?

The other issue I would like to allude to is the voter’s rights violation committed by the high court in their ruling. The high court, the ma’ii lawyers and opposing party should be held in contempt of our voting rights.

Personally, I don’t think Mr. Tsosie and Mr. Whitethorne can afford continuing to hire expensive attorneys to defend them each time. In fact, Mr. Chris Deschene was ordered to pay for their legal fees in the initial first round when David Jordan labeled us as mob. Who is their financing source?

With the help of the BIA the feds need to step in and do a thorough investigation of these serious violations of our voting rights. It’s time to get to the bottom of the mess. I am asking the voters to come together and move forward for the investigation.

Finally, I would like to commend delegate Leonard Tsosie for his bravery by saying that it is time to re-evaluate the Supreme Court. I say it’s time to oust the chief justice and his associate judge for creating disharmony among the Navajo people.

Thank you for affording me this opportunity to express my concerns and other related issues.

Vern Charleston
Farmington, N.M.

There are better ways to improve N.M.

I’m a 26-year-film worker from Isleta Pueblo, N.M. I take pride in knowing the work we do has a direct influence on our communities. I enjoy the work and multiple challenges of setting up different shows, but I don’t appreciate the rights of working families being undercut for the sake of big companies and CEOs to increase their already huge profits and bonuses. It’s not the way we do things in Native American communities.

On Monday, during New Mexico Film and Media Day, I stood with other industry advocates and supporters to rally in support of each other, the growth of our economy and the vast number of jobs that the industry brings to the state. Anti-worker legislators are after these simple liberties. Their support of HB 75 demoralizes workers in the film industry and everyone that inspires to learn the craft.

There are better ways to improve New Mexico and the quality of life, stepping on the working class with bills like HB 75. It’s time legislators do what we elected them to do and protect workers by partnering with us to introduce legislation that strengthens our workforce and builds our economy.

Antonio Zuni
Member
Screen Actors Guild
Isleta Pueblo, N.M.

Thank you Tip-A-Royal participants

Thank you so much for your monetary donations, but also royalty, thank you for your service and time to the Tip-A-Royal event Feb. 7, 2015, at Earl’s restaurant in Gallup.

Miss Navajo and I appreciated your support that day. The proceeds will be put to great use supporting the Special Olympics teams in Arizona and New Mexico.

This year’s Tip-A-Royal event not only reached programs in Arizona, but reached out to New Mexico as well. Your thoughtful support and generosity is a way to celebrate these programs and all they do for our athletes.

Miss Navajo and I, Miss Indian New Mexico thank the following royalty who helped at this event:

• Miss UNM Gallup, Nicole Young.
• Miss Indian NAU, Jaymee Biakeddy.
• Miss Indian Farmington, Shenoa Jones.
• Miss Rock Springs Community Veterans Association, Theophilia Begay-Charley.
• Miss Ramah, Natana Begay.
• Miss Teen Navajo, Violetta Dempsey.
• Miss To’hajiilee, Erica Nelson.
• Miss Tohatchi High School Princess, Zunne-Bah Martin.
• Miss Tohatchi Middle School Princess, Shundeen-Bah Martin.
• Miss Twin Lakes Elementary, Nizhoni-Bah Martin.
• Miss Navajo Technical University, Glennis Yazzie.
• Miss Alamo, Tierra Apachito.
• Miss Northern Navajo, Robyn Barber.
• Miss Fort Defiance Agency Elderly, Lavenna George.
• Miss Tsech’il Princess, Vernice Yazzie.
• Miss Western Navajo Teen, Raquel Whitehair.
• Miss Western Navajo, Tashina Benally.
• Miss Central Navajo Teen, Ashley Claw.
• Miss Tsaile Junior High Princess, Thiya Parish.
• Miss Tsaile Elementary Princess, Kaylee Smith.We are grateful for everyone’s support, time, and contribution to this event. Without all of you there, this event would not have been successful.Ahéhee’ shiké’ dóó shidine’é.

  Nicole Kahbah Johnny
  Miss Indian New Mexico XVLII
  

  McKeon Dempsey
  Miss Navajo Nation
  

  
  

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