Tipping Point New Mexico

551 Why New Mexico is Sitting on Billions of Unspent Funds with Tom Clifford

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Tom Clifford to discuss New Mexico's hidden pots of money and billions of dollars in unspent funds sitting around, often not  generating a return. Tom Clifford was cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration under Gov. Susana Martnez. He now works as Research Director with New Mexico Tax Research Institute.    Why is New Mexico sitting on billions in unspent funds? Could there be a better approach? What should ...

550 Lots of Stories on EV's, School Choice Index, Fake Felony

Plenty to discuss on the EV front. I had an opinion piece that ran in numerous papers statewide on the Gov's EV mandate. The City of Albuquerque is buying electric buses from a company favored by the Biden Administration which is also bankrupt. A busservice in Wyoming can't even get spare parts. In yet another EV debacle the City of Albuquerque installed an electric shuttle (replacing the train from the Zoo to the Biopark). Apparently the shuttle doesn't work very well in the cold or he...

549 Robert Bryce - Analysis of Flawed Electric Vehicle Mandates for New Mexico

On this week's conversation Paul sits down with energy journalist and commentator Robert Bryce. Bryce is the author of 6 books on energy and writes regularly at his substack. We discuss various energy issues, but especially focus on Gov. Lujan Grisham's headlong push for electric vehicle mandates and subsidies and why they are so flawed. You don't want to miss this timely conversation! 

548 Keep Your Cars, DOE Say No to New Mexico Hydrogen Hub, Big Spenders in Santa Fe and more

RGF launches "Keep Your Cars"initiative. According to a new poll Americans are not ready to buy EV's. New Mexico fails to win race for "hydrogen hub."  Big-spenders in Santa Fe are looking for massive spending growth. New Mexico has a welfare problem. NY Times story highlights New Mexico's education woes. In the wake of his post on Sen. Tallman's opinion piece in ABQ Journal he had a lengthy conversation with the Senator. Paul shares a bit about the article and his conversation....

547 Energy Policy and Impacts with Kathleen Sgamma of the Western Energy Alliance

Paul talks energy policy and its impacts with Kathleen Sgamma of the Western Energy Alliance. The impact of the Middle East war on energy prices. Kathleen Sgamma sets the record straight in a House of Representatives hearing. The impact of Biden administration policies on energy in New Mexico and nationwide. Conflict issues related to Secretary Deb Haaland's daughter and her political activities. Access to oil and gas under attack on federal and state lands in New Mexico. The pro...

546 Balloon Fiesta, EV Charging Stations Powered by Diesel, Credit Card Fees, Workforce Participation and more

Paul and Wally discuss the wonderful International Balloon Fiesta taking place as well as the tragic situation in Israel and some of the geopolitical impacts such situations would traditionally have in global energy markets.  World’s largest EV charging station relies on diesel generators. Biden is also coming for your gas vehicle. In a new opinion piece RGF board member Julie Wright argues the federal government shouldn’t dictate credit card fees. According to a new LFC report New M...

545 Albuquerque City Council Elections - HELP Coalition with Carol Wight

On this week's interview Paul interviews Carol Wight of the New Mexico Restaurant Association and the local HELP coalition regarding HELP's efforts in this fall's local elections. Paul and Carol discuss the political dynamic in Albuquerque and previous (successful) efforts by HELP to transform City Council in a more positive direction. What are their past accomplishments? What needs to be done still?  Who are the candidates up for election this fall and when does early voting start? 

544 EV Mandates to Include Charging Stations, LFC Report on Film Subsidies, Soccer Stadium is Back

On this week's show Paul and Wally discuss a few big and important topics of long-standing interest to RGF.  MLG's Construction Industries Division is planning to implement a new EV charging station mandate that will have negative impacts on apartment developers and commercial real estate alike. The ABQ Journal has an excellent editorial and opinion piece. A new LFC report trashes New Mexico's film subsidy program. Over the next month Mayor Keller will be attempting to push a lease ...

543 Pete Dinelli - Homeless Policy and Issues

On this week's interview Paul talks to Pete Dinelli. Dinelli has a long track record of public service. He's an unapologetic progressive Democrat and blogs at: https://www.petedinelli.com/ Paul and Pete discuss homeless policy in Albuquerque and some of the issues surrounding it. They also discuss a lot of data surrounding homelessness and the numerous factors that make homeless policy so difficult to implement successfully. 

542 Education Conference, Shooters Captured, Homeless Ruling, EV Mandate Enforcement and more

Paul is in Savannah, Georgia. He discusses what has brought him there. Paul also recaps the OAKNM education conference which took place on Friday.  The shooters who precipitated MLG's anti-gun health order were captured. They have (not surprisingly) been involved with the criminal justice system in the past and were not likely to be deterred by MLG's anti-gun orders. A MLG-appointed New Mexico district judge rules that the homeless can't be removed from public spaces.  How will MLG'...

541 Zach Fort of New Mexico Shooting Sports Association - Unconstitutional Gun Grab and Public Emergencies

On this week's interview Paul talks to Zach Fort of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association. They discuss the Gov.'s unconstitutional gun grab. They discuss legal actions being taken to rein the Gov. back in and what will happen next with gun rights and public emergencies in New Mexico.    

540 Governor's Gun Order, Kohl's Closes Due to Crime, Electric Vehicles Struggle and more

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the latest on MLG's gun order and where we see things going from here.  On a related note Kohl's in Coronado Mall has abruptly closed. Employees interviewed by KOB TV cited theft as a leading issue. Biden's own Energy Secretary experienced some issues firsthand and NPR was there to report on them. Also, a bill was passed in the US House that would stop states from banning gas vehicles. Only a few Democrats voted for it including Gabe V...

539 Developments at Estancia Valley Classical Academy

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Estancia Valley Classical Academy parent Craig Springer and teacher Traci Erickson. EVCA was until recently affiliated with Hillsdale College and its Barney charter school project.  Paul believes EVCA is one of the "crown jewels" of New Mexico's K-12 education system and developments at the school are critical to the movement for a freer Land of Enchantment.   

538 Gun Ban in Bernalillo County, COVID Past and Present, Literacy Institute Proposed, Issues with EVs and Mandates

MLG goes full totalitarian with a ban on carrying guns in public in Bernalillo County.  As COVID cases rise and some places reinstate restrictions, RGF notes that he and the skeptics were right and MLG and the lock downers were wrong.  A local blogger believes that since she won the election she was right about COVID. MLG asks for a $30 million Literacy Institute. As we move toward the EIB making a decision on MLG's EV mandate RGF posts a fairly comprehensive list of issues with ...

537 Representative Larry Scott - Electricity Policy, Gross Receipts Tax Reform and more

On this week's interview Paul talks to Rep. Larry Scott. Rep. Scott represents part of Hobbs, NM in the Legislature as a Republican. Paul and Larry discuss the electricity situation in New Mexico and whether nuclear might be a part of the "energy transition." They also discuss other issues with New Mexico's electricity reliability and price.  Paul and Larry then talk about the prospects for gross receipts tax reform and how a bill passed in 2019 impacts those prospects.  Also, Rep. Scott h...

536 Gov. Richardson's Passing, Joe The Plumber, Call to Censor Free Speech at NMSU, NM Doctor Shortage and more

During this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss their respective recent trips out of state and their coincidentally winding up on the same flight. With the recent passing of former NM Gov. Bill Richardson, Paul and Wally discuss him and his mixed legacy in New Mexico.  Joe "The Plumber" who once spoke at an RGF-sponsored event  also passed recently. Paul and Wally discuss his rise to notoriety. Some leftist southern NM Democrats are calling for NMSU to censor conservative spea...

535 New Mexico Electric Vehicle Mandate, State of New Mexico to Purchase Airplane, Biden Administration Energy Policy

On this week's conversation Paul sits down with Larry Behrens of Power the Future, an energy advocacy group.  We discuss Gov. Lujan Grisham's plans to mandate electric vehicles in New Mexico, the Administration's hypocritical purchase of an airplane, and ongoing ways in which the Biden Administration is hindering energy freedom and making Americans poorer.  

534 American Petroleum Institute Meeting on Carbon Capture in Albuquerque, Massive Budget Surplus Forecast for NM and more

This week Paul joins Wally from Chicago where he is attending the State Policy Network conference of free market think tanks.  Paul and Wally both attended a presentation on carbon capture held by the American Petroleum Institute in Albuquerque. Wally has significant experience with this technology and the two discuss its potential in New Mexico.  NM has another massive surplus. Will the politicians blow it again? What should they do? Paul further flushes out the concept of MLG-nomics...

533 Carla Kugler - New Mexico Construction Industry - Finding Workers and Competing for Projects

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Carla Kugler. Carla is President & CEO at Associated Builders and Contractors New Mexico Chapter. She represents the non-union construction industry in New Mexico. Carla recently won "Executive of the Year" from the New Mexico Society. of Association Executives. In addition to that Paul and Carla discuss New Mexico's construction industry and their constant struggle to find good workers and what they are doing about it as an industry. Carla also a...

532 Local Government Issues Impacting New Mexico

On this week's show local government issues are the most impactful, but there remains a lot happening in New Mexico.  BernCo property tax assessor is playing an"interesting" game.  The BIG solar deal announced last week piles subsidies ontop of subsidies. Santa Fe's excise tax on property sales is coming up for avote on Wednesday. Mayor Tim Keller says AFSCME "runs" Albuquerque.

531 Tax History Discussion with Brian Domitrovic, co-author of "Taxes Have Consequences"

Brian Domitrovic is an intellectual historian interested in the history and development of supply-side economics. He is the author of the book "Taxes Have Consequences: an income history of the United States" which was published in 2022 and he co-authored with Arthur B. Laffer and Jeanne Sinquefield. Brian spoke at a recent Rio Grande Foundation luncheon so we sat down to discuss tax history, Art Laffer, and more.

530 Bidenomics, Increasing the Price of Public Works Projects, What are the Best and Worst States to Live In and more

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss. a recent opinion piece highlighting the fact that the environmental left doesn’t care about “democracy” or even addressing CO2 emissions. President Biden was in Albuquerque recently touting "Bidenomics." In reality his economic policies have been a complete failure. Speaking of that, a new rule from the Biden Administration will increase the price of roads and other public works projects. During that same trip he also placed some of th...

529 Education Reform and Parental Rights in Education with Rebecca Dow

On this this week's conversation Paul interviews former State Rep. and governor candidate Rebecca Dow. Rebecca is currently heading up the "Opportunity for All Kids New Mexico" education project for the Rio Grande Foundation. They discuss the upcoming education reform conference and some important developments in the area of parental rights in education. Check out this important and timely conversation!   

528 Is Gross Receipts Tax Reform On The Way?, New Mexico 34th for Health Care, Albuquerque Public Schools and Parents and more

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss the complexity of the GRT, changes to the tax going back to the Richardson Administration, and how we need to extend the logic of GRT "pyramiding" changes for health care to other areas of the economy. New Mexico ranks 34th in Wallethub's best states for health care report. We take some time to dive into this report which focuses on one of the most important economic issues of the 2023 session. Conflict over informing parents on...

527 How Can We Address the Big Problems in Healthcare with Dr. Deane Waldman

On this week's interview Paul talks to Dr. Deane Waldman. Deane is a retired pediatric cardiologist from UNM Hospital and lived for decades in Albuquerque. He now lives in Texas so Paul and Deane compare and contrast the two. Then, Deane, who writes extensively on issues in American health care, talks broadly about the impact of the Pandemic on American health care, how Americans' rights were abused by the government, and what can be done about it. They also discuss the broader medical provi...

526 Should New Mexico Implement Texas Policies?, Albuquerque Bike Trail and Soccer Stadium, Who Benefits Most from Film Subsidies and more

Paul had an opinion piece about his recent trip to Texas and observations. It ran in Sunday's ABQ Journal. Not surprisingly, the article drew heated responses from those who despise Texas and others who appreciated the perspective.  The left wing "Searchlight" New Mexico did a story which was obviously an attempt to make MLG seem like a "moderate" on the environment. Paul sat down w/ KOAT to discuss the Mayor's proposed bike trail. In a separate story he also discussed the latest plans ...

525 UNM Professor, Reilly White, PhD - Issues Facing New Mexico's Economy and What Can Be Done

On this week's conversation Paul sits down with Reilly White, PhD. Reilly is Associate Professor at the Anderson School of Management at University of New Mexico. They discuss Professor White's perspectives on New Mexico's economy, some of the core issues facing the state, and his views on what can be done to improve things. White is a breath of fresh air from academia and you don't want to miss this conversation. 

524 Update from Carlsbad, $80 million 7-mile bike trail in ABQ, Dirty Dishes in Your Future and more

Paul was in Carlsbad recently. He discussed a number of issues there and met with the Mayor and other community leaders. The oil and gas continues to boom there. Paul offers specific details of his visit here. As the first paid tourists get ready to launch out of Spaceport America the facility is already going to need millions of dollars in repairs.  Albuquerque is poised to construct an $80 million 7-mile-long bike trail.  The US Forest Service admits that it set yet another major ...

523 Janus Decision's Impact on New Mexico with Jarret Skorup of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy

On this episode Paul sets down with Jarrett Skorup, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Michigan based free market think tank.  They discuss the fifth anniversary of the Janus Decision by the U.S. Supreme Court and update New Mexicans on right to work for public employees and a study that Mackinac produced which found that large numbers of New Mexicans left their government union.

522 Lagging Job Creating, High State Spending, Fewer Children and more

Despite MLG’s claims, NM still lags in job creation. Another data point highlights the fact that New Mexico government spends much more than its neighboring states.  New Mexico has seen a steep drop in the number of young children.  Santa Fe mayor plans to raise the City’s minimum wage to $20 an hour.  In another potential bad policy move from Santa Fe the City is considering an excise tax for affordable housing.  RGF leads national coalition effort to highlight problems with the f...

521 What's Happening with the Four Corners Economy - Chris Hunter

In this week's discussion Paul interviews Chris Hunter. Chris works with Four Corners Economic Development in Farmington and NAPI. Paul and Chris discuss the ongoing challenges and successes in the Four Corners economy as it works to overcome a return to low natural gas prices and the shuttering of San Juan Generating Station. The balance of the conversation takes on hydrogen, Gov. Lujan Grisham's plans for hydrogen in New Mexico, and the environmental groups' opposition to those plans. Don'...

520 New Mexico's Share of GDP shrank between 2012 and 2022, Another EV Mandate and more

Paul and his family took a trip to Texas recently. RGF often cites data highlighting the economic success of Texas. He shares a bit about the trip and Texas’ economic success. Also, Buc’ees are awesome!  NM’s already small share of national GDP shrank between 2012 and 2022.  Gov. MLG plans to push ANOTHER EV mandate through the unelected Environmental Improvement Board.  Currently the Gov. has imposed a 7% mandate as of 1 year ago by 2025. The Gov. plans on imposing a 43 percent mand...

519 New Mexico Chapter of Folds of Honor - Educational Scholarships to Spouses and Children of Military Members - Col. Jim Quick, USAF (Ret.)

On this week's special Independence Day show Paul interviews Col. Jim Quick, USAF (Ret.). Quick is President of the New Mexico chapter of Folds of Honor. Paul and Col. Quick discuss his organization's work providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. They also discuss his military background, what drew him to New Mexico, and what NM can do to attract more such retirees.

518 RGF is Hosting Opportunities for All Kids in September, Richest New Mexican, Supreme Court Rulings and NM Impacts and more

517 Homeless Policy - What's Working, What's Not - with Judge Glock of the Manhattan Institute

On this week's conversation Paul sits down with Judge Glock to discuss the homelessness crisis. Glock is a researcher and Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. He was also in Albuquerque recently to speak at a Rio Grande Foundation luncheon.  Paul and Glock discuss homeless policy nationwide and especially in New Mexico's largest city, Albuquerque. What factors are worsening the situation and what cities/states are doing to improve or worsen the situation? 

516 Does New Mexico Want or Need Public and Green Banks?, Public Union Membership Plummets in New Mexico after Janus Decision and more

Some interest groups are lobbying for a public bank in New Mexico. Others want a "green" bank. What's going on with these proposals?  Liability in the event of a disaster. The submarine loss raises questions for New Mexico about Spaceport and whether taxpayers could be on the hook in the event of a disaster. This is especially relevant as the first paying customers are set to fly out of Spaceport America this week.  Tuesday the 27th is the 5th anniversary of the Janus decision. New Mexic...

515 Expansion of "529 Plans" for Education Costs - Natalie Cordova and Carolyn Fittipaldi of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico

One of the very best things that happened during the 2023 legislative session was expansion of "529 plans" that can be used to save for education (now they can be used for both college and K-12). This week's show is an interview with Carolyn Fittipaldi, Marketing Director, and Natalie Cordova, Executive Director of The Education Trust Board of New Mexico. This is an important tool for New Mexicans to save for all kinds of education options. You should listen AND share this episode with anyon...

514 The new Voices for Children "Kids Count" report came out. New Mexico is dead last (again) and a lot more

The new Voices for Children "Kids Count" report came out. New Mexico is dead last (again). Paul and Wally discuss the issue at length based on posts here and here.  NM has 3rd heaviest "sales" tax burden in US.  Why is APS no longer posting their budgets?  A new report from Pew finds NM is one of 18 states that lost population from July 2021 to July 2022 and highlights how much states gained and lost. New Mexicans shouldn't get too excited about those one-time rebates.  There ...

513 Legislation related to New Mexico's Medical Provider Shortage - Dr. Howard Gogel

On this week's episode Paul interviews Dr. Howard Gogel of Southwest Gastroenterology to discuss the accomplishments of the 2023 legislative session when it comes to New Mexico's medical provider shortage. Yes, they passed medical malpractice reform and some reforms targeted at addressing gross receipts taxes for doctors, but will they move the needle on getting more medical providers to New Mexico? You don't want to miss this important episode!  

512 Deb Haaland Celebration turns into Protest, No 90-Degree Temps Yet in ABQ, $4.1 Billion Budget Surplus for FY 2023 and more

Rio Grande Foundation Event on Wednesday, June 14th. The effort to put several problematic policies on the ballot as a referendum has run into a significant roadblock due to our Secretary of State, a judicial ruling, but specifically a provision relating to “public peace, health or safety” of the state. Deb Haaland encountered Navajo protestors on her recent trip to “celebrate” Chaco limits. NM’s left wing land commissioner imposes arbitrary 1-mile barrier around schools. What will be...

511 Gerges Scott - Nuclear and Oil and Gas Energy Issues in Southeast New Mexico, Advocacy Groups Wild Claims Regarding Contract, A First-Hand Account from Scotland and England

On this Tipping Point conversation Paul interviews Gerges Scott. Gerges is a Senior VP at Agenda, an Albuquerque-based public relations firm. Gerges was recently "across the pond" for conferences in Scotland and England. Gerges and Paul also discuss the Holtec facility which was recently approved in Southeast New Mexico and its importance both for the New Mexico economy AND for its potential role in reigniting America's nuclear industry and efforts to bring zero-carbon energy to market.   ...

510 ABQ Governance Changes, Volunteers Asked to Clean Up Bus Stops, NM's "New" 529 Changes, LFC Reports Low Workforce Participation and High Oil and Gas Revenues and more

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally briefly discuss Albuquerque's City Council consideration of putting significant governance changes on the ballot.  Meanwhile, the City recently asked volunteers to help clean up bus stops.  New Mexico's new "529" law takes effect on June 16. The new law gives additional K-12 savings choices to New Mexicans.  The Legislative Finance Committee is undergoing a leadership change. RGF and recent LFC report both highlight New Mexico's workforce p...

509 Vance Ginn - State Budgets and Tax Burdens

On this week's interview Paul talks to Vance Ginn, PhD. Vance is an economist who worked in the Trump Administration, is Founder and President of Ginn Economic Consulting, LLC, Host of the Let People Prosper Show Podcast, and is Chief Economist or Senior Fellow at Multiple Think Tanks. Paul and Vance discuss reports claiming that California has a lighter tax burden than Texas, ensuring sounds state budgets, and they even dive into immigration policy. 

508 Debt Ceiling Deal, Virgin Galactic Launch Up Stock Down, ABQ Public Schools Budget, Pre-K Effectiveness Questions, "Mississippi's Miracle", Solar NIMBY in Santa Fe

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the contents of the debt ceiling deal. While they agree that it is better than nothing, their "real" interest now shifts to the political battle between the mainstream and left/right in both parties.   Virgin Galactic had a successful launch last week, but their stock plummeted simultaneously. Why?  In education-related news, Albuquerque Public Schools adopted a massive $2.16 billion budget last week. The Associated Press discovers “Mi...

507 Joe Abbin - ABQ Blues - Crime and Policing in Albuquerque, NM

On this week's interview Paul talks to Joe Abbin. Abbin is an Albuquerque author and 36 year veteran of the Albuquerque Police Department. They discuss Albuquerque's crime issues as laid out in his book, ABQ Blues. You can read the book for yourself at the link. 

506 Spaceport Launch, MLG on Energy and Guns, Free College, Tax Vetos, Hydroelectricity to the Rescue, Debt Ceiling Fight and "Free" Busses

Virgin Galactic says it will launch its latest mission from the Spaceport on May 25. We wish them the best.  MLG recently spoke to Politico on energy. She made numerous factually incorrect statements. Paul fact-checks her comments and wonders why she'd say so many obviously wrong things. MLG ALSO claimed AR-15's are "automatic weapons" which is not in fact true.  A California city that has banned gas stoves has exempted a celebrity chef and his new restaurant from the ban.  UNM's bu...

505 Jodi Hendricks - New Mexico Family Action Movement (NMFAM) Referendum Project

On this week's interview Paul talks to Jodi Hendricks. Jodi is Executive Director of the New Mexico Family Action Movement (NMFAM). The group is one of the organizations working to put several passed and signed during the 2023 legislative session on New Mexicans' ballots. We discuss the State's challenging referendum process which is made all the more challenging by a hostile Secretary of State. What's behind the bills and efforts to overturn them? How can average citizens get involved? You ...

504 PNM Merger Ruling at NM Supreme Court, Western Electric Grid, Transit Ridership, Electric Vehicles, Nuclear Storage and more

NM's Supreme court weighs in on PNM merger. It will consider the merger itself, not the new PRC. The massive California snowpack could alleviate electricity woes on the Western grid at least temporarily thanks to a boost in hydro-power.  A recent blog from Cato Institute notes that national transit ridership remains depressed and is likely to remain so. Meanwhile, the ABQ Journal decries free buses' role in facilitating crime. Ford loses $66,446 for every EV it sells.  Will ABQ become ...

503 Jonathan Williams - Rich State, Poor States and How New Mexico Ranks

On this week's interview Paul interviews Jonathan Williams Chief Economist and Vice President for the Center for State Fiscal Reform at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is America’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism. Paul and Jonathan discuss the new Rich States, Poor States index that he puts together for ALEC and what it means for New Mexico and ...

502 "Free Money" is Popular, More New Mexico Rankings, Chaco Canyon Buffer and more

Paul flags his latest article in National Review’s Capital Matters in which he argues that New Mexico is like a lottery winner in all the good and bad ways.  US News report on “Best States” ranks New Mexico 47th overall. Is this a sound report? Paul dives into the details.  “Free” money is popular at least to those receiving it.   As NM’s entire Congressional delegation pushes a 10 mile buffer around Chaco Canyon monument at the same time as the Navajo Nation rejects ANY Buffer.  ...