Pearce, Lujan Grisham spar over tax cuts, union fees (NM Governor Race)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | August 20, 2018 | Dan McKay

[CedarDave]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Standing before hundreds of business leaders, Republican Steve Pearce and Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham clashed Monday over whether “right to work” legislation banning compulsory union fees should be part of New Mexico’s economic development strategy.

The two gubernatorial candidates — both of whom are giving up safe seats in Congress — also sparred over whether the Republican tax cuts passed last year are promoting economic growth in the country.

But Pearce and Lujan Grisham also treated each other with respect and avoided personal jabs. They hugged after the one-hour forum, sponsored by a coalition of 21 real estate, construction and business groups.

Monday’s forum focused on the economy and business issues. The sponsors of the event crafted the questions, and Journal Senior Editor Kent Walz served as moderator.

The unemployment rate in New Mexico fell to 4.7 percent in July, but it’s still among the highest in the country. Only four states and Washington, D.C., had higher unemployment rates, according to figures released this month.

Pearce, who owned an oilfield services company in Hobbs, said he grew up in poverty and understands first hand the dignity that comes with working hard to succeed. The state, he said, needs to reduce unnecessary regulation, train high school graduates for jobs and make other changes to improve the economic environment.

“New Mexico has an extremely hostile attitude toward businesses,” Pearce said.

The candidates disagreed over the tax cuts backed by President Donald Trump and passed by Congress last year.

Lujan Grisham described the cuts as “irresponsible.” Pearce said the cuts had resulted in a “growing, dynamic economy.”

[CedarDave]

Lujan-Grisham's TV ads concentrate on how much more money she would get from the Feds to pay for the additional NM spending she plans if elected. Dream on Michelle.

[CedarDave]

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[TheConservativeTejano]

Partner, I am originally from West Texas but it seems like NM has there share of what I call foreigners from Mexico that have somehow become citizens or still maybe not citizens.

They have plenty of jobs available right now in the Southeast part of the state of NM. Has anybody ever heard of Shale Oil and Gas?

Hobbs, Carlsbad, and Artesia NM are recipients of the largest Oil field known to mankind. There are plenty of jobs for everybody to go around in these areas.

Why is Lujan saying she will bring jobs back to NM???

We really know why and that is because she lies thru her teeth and the Rat party is good at deceiving and lying to the folks in NM so they can get your vote!

[CedarDave]

I’d say that Spanish is as prevalent or more so in the area of the oil patch. Jobs of all types include many Hispanics. Safety training presentations are given in Spanish with written tests also in that language. Every store, bank, gas station, etc. has bilingual attendants. It reminds me of a few days I spent in Montreal a couple of years ago, except the language there was French.

Most of the crime down here in the oil patch is from the Hispanics who are involved in drugs and can’t get a legal job due to drug-related addiction or past arrests. But there are many more who keep their noses clean and are hard workers, putting in 12 hour days.

Lujan-Grisham wants to ban fracking though she shows support for the industry in public. And of course, believes that more money from DC will mean more public, union jobs.

[Steven Scharf]

Steve Pearce had a pinch hit double in tonight’s Red Sox game. Unfortunately they were not able to pull out a win tonight.