With surplus, now is the time for New Mexico to go big

New Mexico has existed under a cloud of false austerity for the past eight years. While the Martinez administration, as well as some members of the Senate, preached austerity they really meant it for poor and working families. Wealthy developers and out-of-state corporations were not only given the perks of tax cuts and deregulation, they have used their power and influence to kill measures like raising the minimum wage and fully funding early education. For eight years, the calls for everyone to pay their fair share and investing in families, workers and education have fallen on deaf ears with little change. The difference now, however, is that New Mexicans signaled in a big way that they are ready for change.