Tipping Point New Mexico

On this week's interview Paul talks to Albuquerque Mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez. Chavez owns a company that manages parking lots, so Paul and Daniel discuss some of the issues facing that industry. Then they discuss the issues Chavez plans to take on in his campaign including permitting, crime, homelessness, and other critical issues facing the City. Don't miss this important conversation!

As the BBB moves through Congress it is worth noting that even Joe Biden thought provider taxes are a scam. Paul and Wally discuss an evergreen headline in New Mexico. And another one! To top it all off New Mexico is looking to add subsidies for illegal immigrants to taxpayer-subsidized ObamaCare policies. What to think of Zohran Mamdami (and his importance to New Mexico). The messy Sawmill subsidies. State Investment Council sends $2 billion out of State.

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sat down with Rio Rancho Mayor and GOP candidate for Gov. In this discussion Paul and Gregg discuss his major accomplishments as mayor and why those and other experiences in business make him qualified to be New Mexico's next governor. Paul and Gregg also discuss some of the top economic and education policies of the Rio Grande Foundation like the gross receipts tax and school choice and his stances on those critical issues. Tune in!

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss Paul's recent article highlighting Arizona's superior policies relative to New Mexico's. Matt Mitchell recently gave a talk on economic freedom in NM. Here are his slides and an interview with Bob Clark of KKOB. Social Security could have been solvent with private accounts full of cash if Congress had followed George W. Bush-style reforms 20 years ago. MLG wants to completely delete emails quickly after just 30 days. Albuquerque's Mayoral race is set with 7 candidates. Paul and Wally discuss some best and worst case scenarios.

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Albuquerque mayoral candidate Mayling Armijo. Armijo has been involved in economic development at various levels of government and has filled out the RGF mayoral candidate survey which highlights her views on economic development. Although new to electoral politics Armijo has plans to bring significant change to Albuquerque. Don't miss this important conversation.

Paul stopped by the No Kings rally in ABQ on Saturday. He offers a full report. Route 66 visitors center highlights failure of government. We have received a few candidate surveys back. They can be found at ErrorsofEnchantment.com New Mexico (stupidly) joins California lawsuit over EV mandate repeal. RGF "beats the heat" attending "fiesta" in Albuquerque. New Mexico NPR/PBS stations among the most dependent on federal $$: We talked last week about NM's 50th ranking in Kids Count. This is what the left wing Voices for Children group had to say.

On this week's interview Paul talks to Sarah Smith, an activist in Las Cruces, New Mexico, about some of the most important issues facing her area of the State. Sarah came to prominence during the COVID as a leading opponent of MLG's lockdowns. Sarah is involved with Coalition of Conservatives in Action (a Las Cruces grassroots group), New Mexico Freedoms Alliance (which operates statewide), and the National Coalition for Health Integrity. They discuss a recent referendum attempt that was denied by politicians in Las Cruces, plans afoot to ban natural gas in Las Cruces, and broader economic and political issues in the City. Don't miss this conversation!

On this week's conversation Paul has an update on the heat rule (plus some more information on exactly who is behind it). Another year, another 50th ranking for NM in the Kids Count index. We discuss what is happening and why New Mexico will improve its outcomes only when voters decide they want better. A bill being considered at City Council would impose stiff new regulations on landlords. RGF has sent out candidate surveys for ABQ Mayoral and Council candidates. NM residents spend 6th most nationally on health care. Trump tariffs WERE overturned by a court, but they are back thanks to a rapid appeal Howie Morales will NOT run for Gov. after all.

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Doug Peterson. Doug is principal of Peterson Properties which is a real estate holding and management company based in Albuquerque. Doug and Paul discuss exploding property tax assessments imposed by Bernalillo County Assessor Damian Lara, the proposed Business Improvement District downtown, and broader issues in New Mexico's commercial real estate sector. You don't want to miss this timely conversation!

A panel of trade judges just unanimously declared the majority of Trump's tariffs illegal. What does this mean? Another candidate has entered the race for Gov. What does it mean? Treasurer of New Mexico's Democratic party abruptly resigns 5 weeks into the job. What's going on? The Food Stamp program (SNAP) is being trimmed in the BBB. New Mexico is the number one food stamp recipient state. MLG and other blue state governors respond to the end of California's EV mandates. Recent testimony highlights New Mexico's absurd federal dependency. Paul recently talked to KOAT TV about Albuquerque's shady public campaign financing system.

On this week's interview Paul sits down with New Mexico House Minority Leader Rep. Gail Armstrong. They discuss her rural district and added responsibilities as minority leader. They address the recently-completed legislative session and its challenges. Mostly, Paul and Rep. Armstrong discuss education policy in New Mexico and a recent forum in Albuquerque at which Sen. Mimi Stewart and Armstrong engaged in a discussion over early childhood reading and Mississippi's educational successes. Check out this important conversation!

Paul recently sat down with KOAT Channel 7 to discuss New Mexico's $6 billion in unspent capital outlay funds. He discusses why it is an issue and what he believes should be done about it. NPR: left leaning Texans are moving to New Mexico. New Mexico is corrupt, but lack of economic freedom is a primary cause, not the effect. New Mexico's "clean fuel standard" takes another step towards implementation. The US Senate has voted to overturn California's EV mandate (which is what NM is working under). The bill now heads to Trump's desk. Paul to participate in panel discussion on Trump tax cuts/reform. RGF to host event on decline in NM's economic freedom. Paul and Wally recently watched a video series about New Mexico by a YouTuber named Nick Johnson. The video on Santa Fe is particularly interesting and funny.

On this week's show Paul talks to Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer of Farmington. Sen. Sharer has been a long-time conservative stalwart in Santa Fe. They discuss some of the Republican successes of the 2025 legislative session and his new role in leading the GOP Senate. During the second half of the interview they focus on the proposed heat regulations which are currently open for public comment. Finally, they discuss the closure of San Juan Generating station and the potential sale of PNM.

On this week's show Paul and Wally begin by discussing breaking news with the potential sale of PNM. They also discuss former President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis and the fact that this diagnosis was likely known for some time. Santa Fe Public Schools' budget is a massive $46,000 per student next year: RGF appeared in National Review recently. An okra farm received $25,000 from New Mexico taxpayers. Then things got even more interesting. With talks under way in Washington over Medicaid reform New Mexico politicians are "freaking out." Paul and Wally explain why cuts and reforms are long overdue. There has been a spate of issues with air traffic control especially in Newark, Paul has done work on this issue in the past. The solution can be found by looking north to Canada. There has been a lot of discussion about New Mexico's underfunded pensions recently. What's going on?

On this week's Tipping Point NM interview Paul talks to the legislator who scored the VERY best among all 112 in the Foundation's Freedom Index: Rep. Randy Pettigrew. Pettigrew represents Lea County in the Legislature. He has long been a conservative stalwart in the Legislature. Pettigrew pulls no punches in this frank discussion!

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss several recent developments relating to New Mexico's political situation. Skyrocketing costs of New Mexico's pre-K places the State at: $13,227 per child. Where are the results? To their credit the media have started to discuss the APS budget using our approach to overall spending. House Republicans w/ Democrats including Rep. Vasquez vote to overturn California's EV waiver. One Rep.'s bizarre constituent mail. Do oil and gas "run" New Mexico's Legislature. Trump threatens film tariffs?

On this week's episode Paul talks to local entrepreneur and businessman (and Hillsdale College graduate) Daniel Higbie. They discuss unique cultural obstacles to entrepreneurship in New Mexico and their historical origins. They also discuss specific efforts that he and other business owners have undertaken in order to change New Mexico and its approach to business, wealth, outsiders, and more. Here are several links to various concepts discussed in the conversation: https://www.praxis.co/redemptive-entrepreneurship https://faithdrivenentrepreneur.org/ https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/ https://faithdrivenentrepreneur.org/find-a-group/

Paul was in Las Cruces recently. He gives a brief report about his efforts there and the latest things happening in the City. Paul and Wally also discuss the City's growth potential and economic challenges. Las Cruces is coming after natural gas heating and appliances. Paul recently talked to KOAT TV regarding Gov. MLG's contingency fund and questions about its use. Albuquerque City Council recently considered and rejected a gross receipts tax hike. Paul was in attendance. $3.3 million spent by city of ABQ to renovate apartment steps? As prices drop it is worth noting that NM oil production has been rising. Will that continue? 7 years in and we have ANOTHER judge-ordered remedial plan for New Mexico's education system.

On this week's Tipping Point NM interview Paul sits down with Carlos Garcia of Garcia Automotive for an update on New Mexico's electric vehicle situation. What's the latest with the mandate both at the federal and state levels? Did the Legislature do anything? When do 2026 vehicles (43% of which are supposed to be EV's show up on dealer lots?). What's next for EV mandates and car buyers in New Mexico? Also, Carlos and Paul discuss the impact of Trump's tariffs on the auto industry and Elon Musk's fall from grace (with his best customers).

NM Democrats pick teachers union official as new state party chairwoman. Paul and Wally discuss the TRUE purpose of NM's government education system. The 2025 legislative session concluded with no action taken on the Gov.'s EV mandates. latest on EV mandates in New Mexico. With the 43% mandate set to kick in soon, what are the latest EV numbers? Paul will be in Las Cruces for two presentations on May 1/2nd. Proposed New Mexico regulations on working in the heat could have a profound impact on some businesses. A recent event in Santa Fe put on by the media outlet Axios involved several New Mexico political types. The event was about "renewable energy" but it included discussion of the budgetary impact of renewables when compared with oil and gas that were enlightening.