Podcast
Tipping Point New Mexico
Hosted by Paul Gessing · EN
Podcast of the Rio Grande Foundation that addresses public policy issues facing New Mexico.
50episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
830 Eric Olivas - Bernalillo County Commissioner
1w ago00:45:58Tap to summarizeOn this week's episode Paul sits down with Democrat Bernalillo County Commissioner Eric Olivas. Olivas is the sponsor of a plan that would move the County towards public campaign financing. Commissioner Olivas and Paul also discuss economic development including a major solar facility that will likely receive generous subsidies from the County. Finally, they discuss the County's economic development rubric.
Transcribe →829 Brook Bassan Tax Increase: Its Back, New Mexico is Outmigration Island of the the Southwest, New Mexico School Enrollment Drops and more
2w ago00:41:35Tap to summarizeOn this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss: ABQ City Councilor Brook Bassan plans to (yet again) bring her half-cent gross receipts tax increase up before City Council. Meanwhile, RGF has it on good authority that https://errorsofenchantment.com/abq-councilor-brook-bassan-plans-to-bring-her-tax-hike-back-yet-again/ New Mexico's Supreme Court ratifies MLG's "free" childcare overreach w/o so much as a hearing. NM an island of outmigration in the fast growing southwest. NM school enrollment decline driven by plummeting births. According to the Wall Street Journal Albuquerque's child population dropped third most among major cities between 2015 and 2024.
Transcribe →828 Gregg Hull - Candidate for Governor of New Mexico
2w ago00:55:35Tap to summarizeOn this week's interview Paul sits down with Republican gubernatorial candidate Gregg Hull. They discuss efforts around rebates, eliminating the personal income tax, and other aspects of tax reform. They also discuss data centers and other hot button issues in the 2026 campaign for governor.
Transcribe →827 Bernalillo County to Consider Public Campaign Financing, LNG Bring Big Bucks to US, Hull Gets Big Endorsement and more
3w ago00:35:18Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point conversation. Paul and Wally discuss the fact that Bernalillo County WILL consider public campaign financing at August 11 meeting (a vote will be held that night although if adopted it will wind up on local ballots in November). Football stadiums are good enough for the world cup, but not NM United and Lobos. LNG exports are bringing trillions of dollars to US economy (as we predicted). RGF has provided and encourages YOU to provide public comment against the current, arbitrary Chaco Canyon buffer. Trump plans to impose 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods using tariff language from the Smoot-Hawley days. Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima endorses Gregg Hull for Gov. Also, according to KOB 4, a televised debate between the two WILL happen.
Transcribe →826 Erica Ramirez - Gender Ideology in New Mexico Schools
3w ago00:36:36Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with Erica Ramirez, New Mexico native and Independent Women spokeswoman. They discuss the crisis in New Mexico's schools—especially the issue of pushing gender ideology on kids, why the organization is active in New Mexico, a recent Supreme Court decision on the issue, and more.
Transcribe →825 Learning Centers Staffed by "Many" Undocumented Workers, Data Center Moratorium for NM? and more
4w ago00:48:43Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss: Paul's family vacation in Florida including a trip to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center where he "met" a famous New Mexican. The Rail Runner turns 20 years old today. What's the latest on $250 refunds? Will MLG call a special session or not? Sen. Munoz writes an article endorsing elimination of New Mexico's personal income tax. Paul applauds New Mexico politicians for speaking about the "abundance mindset" but explains why it shouldn't just be about government. NM's next Gov. SHOULD address New Mexico's permanent funds which are estimated to grow to $100 billion in just a few years. According to a left wing group that supports "free" daycare New Mexico's "learing" centers are staffed by "many" undocumented workers. New York's left wing Gov. Hochul JUST banned data centers from her state. The last thing NM needs is a moratorium on data centers.
Transcribe →824 Timothy Sandefur - "Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence"
Jul 200:39:39Tap to summarizeOn this week's interview and in honor of America's 250th birthday, Paul sat down with Tim Sandefur. Tim is Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Goldwater Institute, the free market think tank based in Arizona. Tim is also author of the new book, Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence. Tim was recently in Albuquerque for a book event put on by the Rio Grande Foundation and New Mexico Federalist Society. Don't miss this important and inspirational discussion of the importance and creation of America's founding document.
Transcribe →823 Tax Rebates vs. Income Tax Reduction, Film Industry Decline, Governor's Expensive Emergencies and more
Jun 3000:44:40Tap to summarizeOn this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss MLG's sudden call for $250 taxpayer rebates. Paul welcomes the news since RGF is the ONLY organization in New Mexico to have argued in favor of them. $250 is on the low side. Sen. Munoz says he wants to reduce income taxes, but where's he been? Another story (this one from KRQE) details the decline of NM's film industry. NM government: spend more money, fail, wash, rinse, repeat. MLG's emergencies are expensive in many ways, not just her COVID destruction. Voices for Children (as usual) gets it completely wrong on NM's economic incentives, specifically the LFC's report on them. Paul provides a brief recap of the Foundation's event with Tim Sandefur and reflects on 250 years of American independence.
Transcribe →822 Carol Wight - State of the Restaurant Industry and Her Plans for the Future
Jun 2500:46:34Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point Paul sits down with Carol Wight, Executive Director of the New Mexico Restaurant Association. Carol recently announced that she'd be retiring from the Association at years' end. Paul and Carol discuss some of the numerous ways they've worked together over the years as well as more recently. They also discuss the state of the industry and her plans and reasons for moving to Arizona in the near future.
Transcribe →821 Maggie Toulouse Oliver Drops Out of Race, UNM Law Dean Under Fire, Is a $1,000 Rebate Headed Our Way? and more
Jun 2300:42:51Tap to summarizeRGF won BIG for taxpayers last week in Albuquerque's City Council defeating Councilor Bassan's proposed gross receipts tax hike (again). Paul recently traveled around Southeast New Mexico. Here's what he heard and said. Democrat Lt. Gov candidate Maggie Toulouse Oliver drops out of race. What's next? Sen. Peter Wirth announced that he won't run again and won't stand for Senate Majority Leader in 2027. Paul has thoughts. UNM's Law School dean is under fire for lack of diversity. Paul believes the dean's opponents should join him in opposing state spending for the Law School. The ABQ Journal talks to home builder and recent podcast guest Mackenzie Bishop about his plans to increase his business out of state. New Mexico, time for a rebate on $850 million. This money would provide for a $1,000 rebate per filed tax return. LFC: New Mexico SNAP program rife with fraud and abuse. The state's SNAP payment error rate has climbed to 16.6 percent, the fifth highest in the country. As a result, New Mexico could face up to $173 million annually in federal cost-sharing penalties.
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