Cover, Aug. 27: “Chile Wars”
To Note
Rob DeWalt's fine article about what exactly a "Hatch Chile" includes legislation sponsored by the New Mexico Chile Association. However, it doesn't include the caveat issued by the Save New Mexico Seeds Coalition that the legislation permits any state chile grower who registers with the Department of Agriculture to advertise his chiles as "Hatch" no matter where in the state they were grown.
Interestingly this aspect of certifying New Mexico chiles was only noted by one state news source: Albuquerque's KOAT.
According to the coalition, that is one of four problems with the legislation, including one that affects DeWalt's word-of-mouth small farmers roasting and selling by roadsides: If a farmer doesn't spring for the $500 certification fee, he can't legally advertise his chiles as "New Mexican," never mind "Hatch."
DeWalt observes, "There is also a culture of mistrust among people who understand that food labels are a lot like politicians: Sometimes, they lie." The New Mexico Chile Association, unintentionally or otherwise, has linked itself to those dubious labels. I do know the story is worth pursuing.
Charles Gregory
Santa fe
News, Sept. 3: “House Rules”
Limbo
The Republicans in the New Mexico House of Representatives have had their sights on the lower chamber since the state elected a Republican governor. In the past 15 years, the Democrats have seen their hold on the state House slowly erode from an overwhelming majority to a precious few. Now with an unprecedented number of House members not seeking reelection and retiring, a tipping point has been reached. Because of party registration, Democrats will decide which Republicans will be elected.
The stakes are high. A shift in power means a new House speaker and a wholesale replacement of committee chairs and members. With at least $285 million available in new tax revenue as well as having the ability to influence public policy over a vast, faceless bureaucracy that controls all of our lives, some voters may feel the rapture is at hand. Will we go or will we stay? Political asylum in Artesia?
Constitutionally, the Legislature is tasked with formulating a state budget and addressing any issue having to do with "the public peace, health, safety and welfare" of its citizens. Whichever way it goes, the gypsies will always be in charge of the palace.
Ray Lopez
Santa Fe
News, Sept. 3: “Deportation Mill”
Reverence
Allegra Love, you are nothing short of an angel!
Emily Folks
SFReporter.com
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