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…

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 Alb…

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 fu…

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 regu…

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…

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 Republican…

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 appr…

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 questi…

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?). Wha…

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? Pa…

On this week's interview Paul talks to Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez a freshman Republican from Hobbs, NM. Cortez has a unique and compelling story that has led her to the New Mexico Legislature. Paul and Elaine discuss the recent session, some of the bills she sponsored, and her philosophy as a legislator. Sena Cortez is an energetic and exciting person…

Whatever you think of the recent Blue Origin flight, the fact is that Bezos' technology is far superior to Virgin Galactic's. Paul recently traveled to Gallup: I-40 is a dangerous embarrassment to NM. The Albuquerque Public Schools 2025-2026 budget is slated to spend an estimated $35,384 per student. As usual Trever of the Journal nails it with his…

On this week's interview Paul talks to former Albuquerque Journal opinion editor Jeffery Tucker. They begin by discussing the recently announced plan by the Journal to sell its building and launch into a discussion of the newspaper business. They further discuss the life of an opinion editor, changes to the business over time, and Jeff's numerous j…

The GOP HQ fire bomb suspect appears to have been captured. He looks JUST as you'd expect. MLG vetoed two bills in the waning hours of her signing period (we agree with her on both). MLG also ripped Democrat leadership in the Legislature saying of the tax bill “Even more troubling is the fact that what ultimately emerged lack both strategic coheren…

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Troy Clark. Troy is head of the New Mexico Hospital Association which represents most hospitals throughout New Mexico. They discuss how hospitals are set up in New Mexico (government, non-profit, and for-profit), but quickly turn to the legislative session and the Gov.'s signing of a bill directly (negat…

MLG has until Friday to sign or veto bills that passed this session. She signed a few on Monday. Paul and Wally discuss some of the bills signed. Many of them were not relevant to RGF, but nonetheless will impact the State in important ways. Then, Paul and Wally have a lengthy discussion of the most important economic issue facing our nation, the t…

Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies for the libertarian Cato Institute was in Albuquerque for some talks to RGF and Federalist Society. He sat down with Paul to discuss the medical provider shortage in New Mexico and broader issues in healthcare. Michael especially takes on the issue of Medicaid which is a joint federal/state program …

Someone appears to have committed arson at NM GOP HQ. According to a new Wallethub report, New Mexico is dead last when it comes to the Return on Investment (ROI) for taxpayers And, another new Wallethub report places New Mexico first on "most stressed." The best part of what happened in the session is the death of several bad bills. State data on …

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with Tego Venturi, a realtor in Albuquerque. He recently won realtor of the year from the National Association of Realtors. Tego and Paul discuss the local housing market and current conditions in the metro area and then move on to talk about housing legislation and whether the bills being passe…

On this week's Tipping Point NM conversation Paul and Wally discuss three timely events: The end of the 2025 60-day legislative session; The Lobos success and subsequent defeat The shooting in Las Cruces which (again) involved young people, even teenagers shooting and killing each other. Much of this episode is dedicated to going through the bills …

On this week's interview Paul talks to Matthew Mitchell. Matt is Senior Fellow in the Centre for Human Freedom at the Canadian Fraser Institute (a free market think tank). But Matthew WAS with the Rio Grande Foundation many years ago. He is a native New Mexican living in Angel Fire. More importantly, he and Paul have co-authored a new report "Econo…

With less than a week left in the session, Paul and Wally discuss the latest from Santa Fe. Specifically, Paul and Wally discuss SB 176 and the fact that reforms like it to address NM's medical malpractice laws have been slowed thanks to the trial attorneys. In a huge win for businesses and taxpayers paid leave died over the weekend. HB 14, a medio…

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with Albuquerque mayoral candidate Eddie Varela. RGF hopes to talk to each of the candidates about their visions for Albuquerque's future and how they would address some of the very serious issues facing New Mexico's largest City. Check out the first of these conversations with Mr. Varela about …

Paul and Wally discuss the latest on HB 11, formerly known as Paid Family & Medical Leave. A bill to raise alcohol taxes died in committee (HB 417). Are alcohol taxes dead for the session? Speaking of which, the tax bill is/could be the biggest bill yet to drop this session. It could STILL include this and other tax policies and be rammed through b…

This week's "interview" is a little different. This week Paul and Wally talk taxes. What is their purpose? Why are they such a priority right now for the Rio Grande Foundation? Which taxes do more or less economic harm? Why is the GRT such a "unique" issue here in New Mexico? Paul is doing a more thorough presentation on taxes in New Mexico at an e…

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the latest on the newly renamed paid leave bill and other issues in the Legislature. How are things looking in terms of the Freedom Index? Paul recently wrote a blog post that was picked up by the Santa Fe New Mexican that the process in Santa Fe stinks. MLG plans a special session to deal with Tru…

On this week's interview Paul sits down with attorney, activist, and author Ilya Shapiro. Shapiro worked at the libertarian Cato Institute for more than a decade and attempted a career change to Georgetown Law School. Sadly, a factually accurate but "controversial" post on social media got him into hot water and caused nationwide controversy includ…

Paul and Wally share the latest from the Roundhouse. Paid Family Leave is revised and heading for the House floor. HB 417 a revised alcohol tax of 6% has passed through the House Tax Committee on partisan lines. Free speech is under attack in Santa Fe: https://errorsofenchantment.com/new-mexico-s-b-85-a-legally-dubious-speech-chilling-proposal/ In …

Paul recently sat down with Americans for Prosperity's new state director for New Mexico Sarah Hetemi.They discuss what AFP does and is doing here in New Mexico especially during the ongoing legislative session (and how you can help) as well as what their plans are nationally in terms of issues like the Trump tax cuts and education choice. Paul and…

I testified yesterday on a bill that would eliminate New Mexico's income tax. Here's what I said and here's what happened. Speaking of zero income tax states, IN & OUT burger chain moves to Tennessee from California. PFML will finally be considered in its 2nd committee on Wednesday. Paul and Wally discuss what that means. NM Democrats seem to have …

On this week's interview Paul talks to return guest, author, and commentator Philip K. Howard about DOGE. For advocates of limited government DOGE is the most exciting effort to cut wasteful spending and bring functionality to the federal government that we have seen since at least the Grace Commission during the Reagan Administration. Howard and G…

Super Bowl: game wasn't so great, but great to see America celebrated and Trump cheered. A bill relating to expanding Medicaid is moving through the session. This is madness! Now MLG is the education reformer? This one is a doozie! I went on KOAT 7 to discuss a crazy bill that would hand our tax dollars to UNM and NMSU to pay athletes. HB 11 PFML r…

Paul talks with Representative Rebecca Dow about good and bad legislation that is being considered at the 2025 Regular Session of the New Mexico Legislature. They also discuss issues facing education and whether the legislature is considering items that improve New Mexico's low performance. Don't miss this informative discussion.…

A judge has ruled that MLG overreached in attempting to force districts to adopt 5 day school weeks. Paul and Wally discuss the latest from the Roundhouse. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores came out last week. New Mexico again brings up the rear. Tennessee becomes 13th state in US to adopt universal school choice. According …

On this week's interview Paul talks to Andrew Handel of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) about the new 2025 Education Freedom Index which he authored and his organization published. New Mexico ranked a poor 44th in the latest version of this index.

It's been a week since the Legislature began. Paul has been to Santa Fe twice and discusses what is happening. SB4 (net zero) is one of the craziest bills that will be moving this week. MLG gave her State of the State address. We have some thoughts. The Santa Fe New Mexican did a fact check of the address. RGF is part of a coalition working to defe…

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Zach Fort. Fort, a return guest on Tipping Point NM, handles legislative affairs for the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association. They discuss threats to gun rights, crime and whether genuine efforts to fight it will come about it in the the 2025 legislative session as well as Gov. Lujan Grisham's status …

Donald Trump was (again) inaugurated president of the United States on Monday. Paul and Wally discuss and address issues w/ Biden's presidency. Biden issued more pardons on his way out the door including for Anthony Fauci, Mark Milley, and several family members. More pardons have been issued by Biden than any other president in American history. B…

On this week's interview Paul talks to Jim Winchester. Jim is the Executive Director of the Independent Oil Producers of New Mexico (IPANM). IPANM is the voice of "small" oil in New Mexico. As small businesses their views tend to align with those of the Rio Grande Foundation. Thus, RGF works closely with Jim and his group on a variety of issues. Fi…

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the closure of the Amador Entertainment District in Las Cruces and the owner's eye opening comments. RGF helped the national Free Speech Coalition win a big victory w/ Meta/Facebook. New Mexico ranks last in Wallethub's best states for families. Albuquerque City Council takes one step forward, one …

Paul talks with Representative John Block about the upcoming legislative session. They discuss issues that will likely be addressed and the Republican's ability to shape what passes and what does not pass.

New Mexico remains a slow growth state when it comes to population. Tax changes took effect at the New Year. Here's what they mean. New Mexico's Environment Department releases a draft "clean fuel standard." New Mexico's RailRunner ridership rises slightly in 2024. The Administration of ABQ Mayor Tim Keller was found to have misused federal COVID $…

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with regular guest Carol Wight Executive Director of the NM Restaurant Association. Paul and Carol begin by discussing issues with the City of Albuquerque over the City's incorrect (by admission) calculation of its minimum wage law. Carol explains why this is not "restaurant greed," but actually…

The APS school board takes one tiny (yet controversial) step towards reality. The challenge of embracing a population decline for the government education system. More MLG misdirection on child poverty. RGF continues to call out the Gov.'s lies. A bill on the verge of being signed by President Biden will accelerate Social Security's demise. Paul an…

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down w/ Carla Kugler head of the NM chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. They discuss New Mexico's performance in the organization's Merit Shop Scorecard. They talk about New Mexico's massive $6 billion in unspent capital outlay dollars and the State's deteriorating roads. Finally, the…

MLG's budget is out and it offers taxpayers nothing. Paul and Wally do a bit of a deep dive into the budget process and why it is so confusing and lacking in transparency. Not all legislators want to address New Mexico's medical provider shortage. A $10B program to buy EVs for the U.S. Postal Service is far behind schedule, with defense contractor …

On the latest Tipping Point interview Paul talks to Dean Stansel, lead author of the 2024 Economic Freedom of North America report. What is economic freedom and why is it so important? Why does New Mexico lag in it and why is it getting worse?

New Mexico drops two spots to 47th in latest Economic Freedom of North America. UNM football loses head coach. Why does this have economic importance? "Free" college drives up attendance at New Mexico colleges and universities, but to what end? Bernalillo County is voting on Tuesday to potentially raise County Commissioner salaries under the recent…

On this week's interview Paul talks to Fred Nathan of Think New Mexico. The organization has a new policy report about the State's ongoing medical provider shortage. Paul and Fred discuss the organization's findings, whether the Legislature will be open to them, and areas of agreement/disagreement they have. Fred and his organization hope to make t…