Brook Bassan, candidate for City Council District 4, stopped by the Republican Party breakfast to talk about her background, her beliefs, and her campaign. A native New Mexican, Brook has grown up with strong family values emphasizing common sense and a great work ethic. These values will help her deal with some of the significant issues confronting Albuquerque's future: increasing crime, growth and economic sustainability, a sub-standard education system, and the failed ART system.

While the current mayor and city council stumble from one failed big government proposal to another, I'm sure that Brook Bassan can bring the fresh air of free market solutions to this great city.

VOTE BROOK BASSAN!

New Mexico is a state beset by problems.  Some of them are pretty obvious like crime, poverty and an education system that is just not performing well.  But lurking just beneath the surface is the crucial matter of funding our public employee pension plans.

The combined assets of the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) and the Educational Retirement Board (ERB) are about $27.6 billion and the combined liabilities are $40.1 billion leaving the plans with a $12.5 billion deficit.   When you consider that the state will be obligated to pay the health care costs of 40 per cent of the state's population through Medicaid, that a district judge has determined that the state needs to pay more for education, and all the other government programs, the state has financial obligations that are just not sustainable.

The state is anticipating a $1.2 billion windfall from oil and gas revenues this year but that is only a 10 per cent dent in the total deficit.  State legislators are going to have to make some tough decisions like suspending cost of living increases, increased employee contributions and, maybe, converting from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan.

Robert "Bob" Godshall was tapped, Saturday, by the Republican Party of Bernalillo County (RPBC) Central Committee to run for the seat of outgoing State Representative Larry Larranaga this fall.

"It is an immeasurable loss to the RPBC and the state of New Mexico having Rep. Larranaga leave us," county party chairman Robert Aragon stated.

"The 20 years of dedicated service Larry gave us in the Roundhouse is deeply appreciated and will be sorely missed. We are fortunate to have in Bob someone who has demonstrated equal dedication and integrity to serve our state and the residents in district 27!" 

​Bob is a longtime homeowner in House District 27 and serves as the county party's vice chair in that Ward. 

In his remarks to the RPBC Central Committee, Bob shared his passion for the state of New Mexico and about the three core concerns of his: Crime, failing schools and jobs. These three challenges facing our city and state will be his primary focus should District 27 elect him to serve in the Roundhouse.