Podcast
Tipping Point New Mexico
Hosted by Paul Gessing · EN
Podcast of the Rio Grande Foundation that addresses public policy issues facing New Mexico.
52episodes
Episodes
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802 Jacob Smith - Candidate for Governor of New Mexico
Apr 1600:47:23Tap to summarizeOn this week's show Paul sits down with activist and independent candidate for Gov. Jacob Smith. Jacob was active in fighting anti-gun legislation (SB 17) in the 2026 legislative session. We discuss his activism, his plans for New Mexico, and why he's running as an independent. Check out this great conversation! Find Jacob's campaign website here. You can find his Twitter account here.
Transcribe →801 New Report Finds New Mexico Disaster for Families, UNM Offers Bad Bunny Class, ABQ Budget and more
Apr 1400:48:03Tap to summarizeThe worst article you'll see today was written by a New Mexico state Rep. A new report finds that New Mexico is a disaster for families. UNM offering a class on the fashion of singer "Bad Bunny." Paul and Wally take a "deep dive" look at 10 realities on taxes. New Mexico ranked 4th heaviest in a Wallethub Tax burden report. The Mayor of Albuquqerque says his proposed budget is being cut. Here are further details along with comments from Councilor Dan Lewis.
Transcribe →800 Neeraja Deshpande - The Education Crisis in New Mexico
Apr 900:33:14Tap to summarizeOn this week's interview Paul talks to Neeraja Deshpande, policy analyst at Independent Women. Among other things they discuss her latest op-ed on the New Mexico education crisis in The Daily Wire. The piece comes on the heels of Independent Women's Features documentary: Give Teachers a Break: The Hidden Crisis Inside New Mexico's Classrooms. In the documentary, a veteran school teacher gives a breakdown on just how bad it has gotten: chronic absenteeism, affirming gender ideology to kids as young as five, and deep-seated behavioral issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Neeraja Deshpande is: Former middle and high school math, English, and financial literacy teacher Author of Independent Women's latest report: "Give Teachers a Break", which was featured in an article in American Family News Featured in RealClear Education, The Daily Wire, The Federalist, The Hill, and other national publications for her work on education reform Don't miss this important conversation about what is taking place in New Mexico classrooms.
Transcribe →799 Ranked Choice Voting Defeated at Albuquerque City Council, Javier Martinez and Deb Haaland Push for Single Payer Health Care
Apr 700:49:14Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discussed the defeat of ranked choice voting at Albuquerque City Council the evening before and the role RGF played in the victory. Recently we discussed the fact that Javier Martinez is planning to push single payer health care, not surprisingly he's working with Deb Haaland to push it as well.
Transcribe →798 Ramona Goolsby - Candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State
Apr 200:45:12Tap to summarizeIn this week's Tipping Point interview Paul talks to Ramona Goolsby who is running as a Republican to be New Mexico's next Secretary of State (SoS). What is the job of the SoS? How does she plan to use the role to address election issues in New Mexico like voter ID and the State's voter rolls? Are New Mexico elections really "corrupt" as President Trump says? What is the economic role of the Secretary in regulating New Mexico businesses? How does Ramona believe that can be improved? Find out more about Ramona and her campaign here.
Transcribe →797 New Mexico's Taxpayer Return on Investment is the Worst in the Nation and more
Mar 3100:43:36Tap to summarizeThe idea of SE NM counties leaving New Mexico has continued to make waves in the media. Here's the latest. The editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican wants El Paso to come to NM. Would that be an even switch? New Mexico's taxpayer ROI is the worst in the nation. Why? MLG (in office for over 7 years) says: The Status Quo isn't working for New Mexico Families. Plummeting student populations in Albuquerque Public Schools and statewide should be a warning to NM policymakers. A recently-passed Albuquerque immigration bill contains some unfunded liabilities on local business. Otero County votes (again) to contract with ICE. Community Solar is yet another taxpayer-subsidized boondoggle.
Transcribe →796 Kerry Baldwin - Vita Nova Academy of Albuquerque
Mar 2600:41:24Tap to summarizeOn this week's interview Paul sits down with Kerry Baldwin, the principal educator at "Vita Nova" a micro high school based in Albuquerque. Vita Nova Academy works to spark curiosity and build real-world skills in a small, supportive community. As an alternative high school in Albuquerque, we provide mastery-based education for teens in small cohorts, blending Socratic discussions with project-based learning to foster independent thinkers. As a member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, we focus on what you truly master, not just grades.
Transcribe →795 Latest on the State Fairgrounds, Blackstone and TXNM (PNM) merger, the Curley Effect and more
Mar 2400:45:40Tap to summarizeOn this week's Tipping Point NM conversation Paul and Wally discuss the latest on the State Fairgrounds. A heavily watched video by a left wing group makes several claims about the Blackstone merger with PNM and data Centers. Paul and Wally correct the record. Is New Mexico suffering from the "Curley Effect?" This isn't about Larry and Moe, but sometimes it seems our elected officials are related to them. Two of MLG's big economic development "wins" have been abandoned. Community Solar is yet another subsidized boondoggle. Is NM an "Obamacare" Success story as the New York Times claims?
Transcribe →794 Jose Orozco - Candidate for New Mexico Congressional District 2
Mar 1900:33:21Tap to summarizeOn this week's interview Paul sits down with Jose Orozco. Jose is running for Congressional District 2 which is currently occupied by Rep. Gabe Vazquez. Paul and Jose discuss Jose's background and why he is running. They also spend a good deal of time talking about issues including immigration and the "affordability issues" facing everyday New Mexicans. Orozco has a primary in June. This is a critical race for a toss-up Congressional seat. Don't miss this conversation! Check out Orozco's website here.
Transcribe →793 Albuquerque City Council Rejects Gross Receipts Tax increase, Free Childcare Running a Deficit and more
Mar 1700:46:18Tap to summarizeLast night the City Council in Albuquerque rejected a massive gross receipts tax proposal that RGF worked very hard to stop. Paul and Wally discuss that, the latest on ranked choice voting, and the passage of a bill to make ABQ a sanctuary city. Does a UNM branch campus really make sense downtown? Here's one California policy we can get behind. MLG's free childcare is already running a big deficit. Washington State went ahead and passed an income tax. Guess what happened next? Should Medicaid cover obesity treatments? Some advocates want it to.
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