Podcast
Tipping Point New Mexico
Hosted by Paul Gessing · EN
Podcast of the Rio Grande Foundation that addresses public policy issues facing New Mexico.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
812 Former NM State Senator Jacob Candelaria - "Free" Childcare Lawsuit & Energy Transition Act
2w ago00:43:35Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point NM Paul sits down with former New Mexico Democrat State Senator Jacob Candelaria. Candelaria is the attorney for plaintiffs in the case against Gov. Lujan Grisham's "free" childcare program which was set up by the Gov. without legislative approval on November 1, 2025. Paul and Jacob have a detailed conversation about the case including a thorough analysis of the program's provision of child care funded by New Mexico taxpayers for the benefit of those in the state illegally. Additionally, in 2019 Candelaria was the sponsor of New Mexico's Energy Transition Act which Paul calls "the worst bill passed during Lujan Grisham's time in office." They discuss the legislation, why it has created the need for PNM to find a suitor (currently Blackstone, a private equity firm), and other flaws. You don't want to miss this conversation about two of the most important policy issues in New Mexico!
Transcribe →811 Oil and Gas Boom, Tax Incentives, Politicians "Grapple" with Oil and Gas Boom, Lousy Education Outcomes and more
2w ago00:45:22Tap to summarizeIt's time to vote early in New Mexico. Paul and Wally discuss early voting and some of the issues on the primary ballot. ABQ spends considerable amounts on the arts. Where does the money go? Whatever happened to taxpayer subsidized Unser Crossing. New Mexico politicians "grapple" with the oil and gas boom. New Mexico sees limited benefit from tax incentives. The NY Times highlights NM's lousy education outcomes. Friend of the show and private sector space analyst Doug Messier calls Virgin Galactic "Zeppelins of Today."
Transcribe →810 Linda Stover - Candidate for Bernalillo County Assessor
2w ago00:36:22Tap to summarizePaul talks with Linda Stover, candidate for Bernilillo County Assessor about the importance of the office and how her planned administration of the position would differ from the current Assessor. Learn about the importance of this office and the issues that have impacted property owners in Bernalillo County in recent years.
Transcribe →809 Pearce to Head Bureau of Land Management, Workforce Participation Plummets, APS Spending $36,859 per Student and more
3w ago00:48:40Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point conversation New Mexico's Steve Pearce was confirmed to head up Bureau of Land Management on a 46-45 vote. New Mexico Senators Lujan and Heinrich opposed him. The Santa Fe New Mexican covers overspending in New Mexico's "free" childcare program. Paul also highlights his recent Tweet on the program. Also, MLG's early childcare claims are without evidence as NM's workforce participation rate has plummeted since November 2025. Another court rules against Trump's tariffs w/ RGF signed on as an amicus. Wally and Paul discuss the case and why RGF takes issue with the tariffs. APS adopts massive budget totaling $36,859 per student. Paul and Wally explore the situation. MLG/NM courts are attempting an end run around Congress on EV mandates. NM's heavily subsidized film industry is failing (according to them, not us).
Transcribe →808 How Dependent is New Mexico on the Federal Government? - Pioneer Institute's Dependency Index - Federal Money to the States
3w ago00:34:41Tap to summarizeHow dependent is New Mexico on the federal government compared to other states? Paul talks with Mary Connaughton and Liam Day of the Massachusetts based Pioneer Institute regarding their recently released study "Dependency Index – Federal Money to the States." See how the various states compare using the Dependency Index using the study's interactive web-based data analysis and display tool.
Transcribe →807 Lawsuit Voids MLG's "Free Childcare", Environment Department to Reinstate Restaurant Inspections and more
4w ago00:49:16Tap to summarizeA lawsuit by Gov. candidate Duke Rodriguez voids MLG's "free childcare." What's next? MLG reinstates restaurant inspections by the NM Environment Department after the Department claimed they didn't have enough money to do them. Sens. Heinrich & Lujan cosponsor bill to kill federal school choice program. RGF calls out ABQ turf waste on KOAT 7. Las Cruces is in a budget deficit. Why? What could be done to improve the financial position of New Mexico cities? Ebon Solar pulls plug on a proposed Albuquerque solar panel plant. Developers overhaul Project Jupiter's energy plan. What does it mean? Will it win support from the environmental groups? RGF applies for certiorari to the US Supreme Court on a donor privacy case. Will RGF's case soon be heard by SCOTUS? Closure of Spirit Airlines highlights overreach by federal regulators.
Transcribe →806 Alex Uballez - Politics and Policy in New Mexico
Apr 3000:46:18Tap to summarizeOn this week's interview Paul sits down with former Albuquerque mayoral candidate Alex Uballez. Despite major ideological differences Paul was impressed by Uballez's communication skills and passion as expressed during his campaign for office. Whatever you think of Uballez's approach to the issues there's no question he is a new force to be reckoned with in New Mexico politics. Check out this interesting discussion between two people of differing viewpoints!
Transcribe →805 Assassination Attempt, State Energy Council, Social Studies Standards and more
Apr 2800:49:07Tap to summarizePresident Trump again faced an assassination attempt. Paul and Wally discuss. . MLG unveils State Energy Council. Paul and Wally have thoughts. NM's social studies standards are as bad as expected according to a new report. NM climbs ranking for preschool access, but does it really matter?. San Jon Schools $40 million new school for less than 120 students. This brings up numerous issues around New Mexico's declining student populations. Plans for an automotive kill switch generates debate online. Ben Ray Lujan has been a strong supporter of the "kill switch" technology.
Transcribe →804 Didi Okpareke - Candidate for New Mexico Congressional District 1
Apr 2300:36:45Tap to summarizeOn this week's interview Paul sits down with CD 1 Congressional candidate Didi Okpareke. Didi is running against incumbent Melanie Stansbury. Paul and Didi discuss some of the important issues currently facing Congress in terms of health care, immigration, and the role of Congress in foreign policy. Check out this important conversation with a rising star in New Mexico!
Transcribe →803 Declines in K-12 Enrollment, Dow Back on the Ballot, NM Supreme Court Allows ICE Contract to Proceed and more
Apr 2100:45:36Tap to summarizeOn this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss: New Mexico expected to see dramatic declines in K-12 enrollment. In a bit of breaking news Rep. Rebecca Dow has been restored to the ballot by New Mexico's Supreme Court. In other news relating to NM's Supreme Court the Court unanimously allowed Otero County ICE Contract to move forward. Bernalillo County Assessor Damian Lara seems to be selling himself w/ our tax dollars. New Mexico ranks 35th in Rich States Poor States. What does this ranking include? How does NM's current 35th ranking compare with past editions of this report? Virgin Galactic says they still plan to start flying later this year.
Transcribe →