LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No such thing as quick fix for NM

ONCE AGAIN, Paul Gessing and the Rio Grande Foundation are arguing for New Mexico to pass right-to-work legislation. As always, he implies that economic nirvana is just around the corner if we would just embrace right to work. And while he cites the economies of Texas and Arizona as examples of the effectiveness of right-to-work laws, he never talks about our neighbor to north, Colorado.

Perhaps Gessing doesn’t want to talk about Colorado because it is not a right-towork state and its economy is booming. The reasons for that have nothing to do with right-to-work laws. Colorado’s economy is doing well because it has an educated and skilled workforce in place, solid infrastructure, decent public transportation options, along with quality education at all levels from pre-school to college. And it hasn’t come from corporate tax giveaways, but from investment by state and local governments who think long term rather than next quarter.

New Mexico needs to quit looking for the quick fix to grow our economy, such as right-to-work laws, which have a mixed track record nationally, and start investing in our people, infrastructure and education. It will take time and effort, but it will be worth it. All the right-to-work legislation on earth won’t help if our people aren’t educated enough to do the jobs companies need, and they can’t get to work because the roads and bridges are beyond repair. Colorado understands that, and it has nothing to do with right-towork laws. It has everything to do with planning and investment in people and what they need to work effectively. MIKE SNYDER Albuquerque