Tipping Point New Mexico

Paul talks with former New Mexican Congressman, Steve Pearce about his new book "You Had a Good Home, But you Left… " The book is the saga of Congressman Steve Pearce's solo flight around the world and how it became a pilgrimage to honor fallen service members, weaving together aviation adventure and reflections on sacrifice.

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss MLG's National Guard deployment in ABQ as they depart. MLG expresses disappointment while Paul's views are more nuanced.

Inflation is actually much better under President Trump than under Biden.

A graphic highlights much of what we say about New Mexico.

Paul and Wally review 2025

On this week's interview Paul sits down with businessman and former HHS Secretary during the Gary Johnson Administration, Duke Rodriguez. Duke recently announced that he's running for Governor of New Mexico as a Republican. Paul and Duke discuss his background, his involvement in the marijuana industry, and his views on a variety of important public policy issues. Don't miss this important conversation! 

Keller wins unprecedented 3rd term, city council moves left. What does it mean?

ABQ Journal editorializes in support of RGF in hoodie-gate. RGF will be working with local attorney Blair Dunn to fight Keller's ethics violation. 

MLG rips the GOP for expiring ACA subsidies while failing to address numerous issues here in NM.

Environmental groups take aim at MLG's data center driven economic development plans.

New Mexico revenue remains strong, tax cuts won't happen, but what does it mean for MLG's free childcare plans? 

According to the LFC the cost...

On this week's interview Paul sits down with New Mexico State Senator Steve Lanier. Lanier, a Republican from the Four Corners, is running for Governor of New Mexico in the GOP primary. He and Paul discuss Lanier's personal story which includes varied experiences in business and as a teacher. Who is Lanier? Why is he running for Gov.? Find out more: Check out this conversation! 

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss the latest on "hoodie gate" including an ethics complaint from Mayor Keller. 

New Mexico's political leadership is refusing to assist the Trump Administration in rooting out SNAP fraud. But a recent report from the LFC specifically calls out the need to "New Mexico needs to change program administration to address SNAP error rates and monitor food program outcomes." Paul and Wally further discuss the problems of these government welfare programs and how the Legislature and Gov. care more about the $1 billion annually spent by the federal government on SNA...

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with Sarah Hetemi, State Director of New Mexico's chapter of Americans for Prosperity. Paul and Sarah discuss her group's recent series of events as part of their Prosperity Tour. They also give an early preview of what might be on the table in the upcoming 30 day New Mexico legislative session. 

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss:

RGF's recent opinion piece which highlights issues w/ New Mexico's federal dependency. Why is NM so dependent on DC? What is the harm of this dependence and what can we do about it? 

RGF fights for donor privacy with amicus (friend of the court) brief: 

Early voting is underway in Albuquerque City elections. Paul and Wally urge city residents to get out and vote. 

Many of Albuquerque's homeless have been outfitted with new hoodies that say I heart Tim Keller. What's going...

On this week's interview Paul sits down with former Las Cruces mayor and Democrat for Gov. of New Mexico Ken Miyagishima. Paul and Ken discuss his leadership during COVID as well as the numerous issues facing New Mexico's next governor including the medical provider shortage, the 2nd amendment, and education reform, and the economy writ large. Ken shares how he would approach each of these issues and more. For more information on Ken's campaign for Gov. check out his website. 

Sam Bregman proposes term limits, pay for legislators.

Santa Fe New Mexican hits the road issue in a series over the weekend.

Virgin Galactic sets a launch goal of Q4 2026.

CEO and former ambassador: NM is not a poor state.

New Mexico's data center frenzy.

Rep. Leger Fernandez claims teachers have more work ethic in their pinky than Elon Musk. 

RGF luncheon on December 3 with Connor Boyack.

Happy Thanksgiving! Early voting begins Monday, December 1

Are you concerned that America has run out of big ideas and can't carry big projects (or even basic government programs) to fruition in a successful way? Philip K. Howard is a return guest on Tipping Point NM. Philip and Paul discuss his latest book "Saving Can-Do: How to Revive the Spirit of America." The book amounts to a critique of overregulation and red tape and outlines ideas for how we can get regulatory bodies and attorneys out of the way of essential government services and projects. 

Among Paul's numerous questions for Philip is to compare his book...

Santa Fe recently raised its minimum wage from an already high $15 an hour to $17.50, but the calculation for future increases cause even more concerns.  

The Tax Foundation recently released its Tax Competitiveness Index. Despite ample oil and gas revenues New Mexico has dropped from 20th to 28th since 2020. While taxes are not the ONLY important factor in driving economic decisions, they are key. We discuss why New Mexico has lost ground in recent years.  

According to The Economist magazine "free universal child care harms children." We discuss the issues.

New Mexico's workforce participation rate is...

On this week's interview Paul sits down with New Mexico Senator Antonio "Moe" Maestas. Moe is a Democrat representing Albuquerque's West Side. He and Paul discuss road funding issues in New Mexico. Specifically, they address whether the gas tax should be increased and other approaches to increasing road funding. Paul and Sen. Maestas then move on to discuss the housing crisis facing New Mexico and some specific policy ideas he plans to introduce in the upcoming 30 day session. You don't want to miss this conversation!  

RGF holds successful 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday with Grover Norquist keynoting. Wally provided the welcome. They discuss the event. 

Government shutdown will finally end soon. Thankfully the filibuster remains intact. Paul and Wally discuss.

New Mexico's Legislature convened on Monday for a special session. What happened?

What happened in the recent elections? Paul and Wally made some predictions last week.

EV sales plummet in the wake of expiring federal subsidies.

New Mexico's population has grown stagnant under MLG.

On this week's episode Paul sits down with Joe DiGangi. Joe is the guy behind the billboards that went up during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta which called out leadership of the state and city for New Mexico's poor education outcomes and high crime. 

What's Joe's story? What caused him to spend the money to put up these signs? What does he think our political leadership should do? Does Joe have plans for more billboards? 

Tune in to find out more about the man behind the billboards! 

It's election day. Be sure to vote if you are able to! Paul and Wally discuss and make predictions about some of the important national races including NYC's and Albuquerque's races for mayor. 

Socialist Mamdani would love New Mexico's policies.

RGF in National Review on MLG's "free child care."

A recent KOAT story includes an interview with a seemingly healthy woman who has been on food stamps for 30 years. 

MLG is right: Poverty IS a Policy choice and for too long she and other New Mexico politicians have chosen poverty.

...

On this week's interview Paul talks to Jonathan Lesser, PhD. Jonathan is President of Continental Economics, Inc. and Senior Fellow, National Center for Energy Analytics.

They discuss the proposed purchase of PNM by a private equity firm. They discuss the so-called "Energy Transition" in New Mexico, especially the SunZia power lines and rising demand for electricity in NM and nationwide. 

Paul and Wally begin their conversation with numerous current topics including the World Series, the hurricane hitting Jamaica, and a reminder of the Foundation's upcoming 25th anniversary gala. 

Health care costs continue to skyrocket. The problem transcends New Mexico's medical provider shortage, but can't be solved by socialist "single payer" plans. :

MLG is right about exporting LNG to Japan, We applaud that, but will anything happen?

MLG and the Legislature provide a loophole for major Southern NM data center.

A left wing group is suing to stop the facility. 

A ne...

On this week's interview Paul talks to Pete Dinelli. Dinelli has run for mayor of Albuquerque and has a long track record of service in city government. He currently runs a blog that covers city government and elections. Dinelli and Gessing discuss the ongoing city elections, the candidates involved, and issues in play. With early voting in full swing you don't want to miss this conversation!

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss a recent Wallethub report that places New Mexico as the 2nd most impacted state by the federal shutdown: SNAP benefits, on which New Mexicans are disproportionately reliant, could be discontinued as soon as November 1.

Another fantastic Trever cartoon highlights the manifest failure of New Mexico government. 

MLG has announced that she'll opt New Mexico out of the Big Beautiful Bill school choice tax credit program despite the fact that New Mexico is dead-last in education.

RGF provided public comment on treating and using "pr...

On this week's interview Paul talks to Dr. Jason Lucas an orthopedic surgeon from Farmington, NM. Dr. Lucas is a self-described fan of Tipping Point NM and we welcome his unique perspective on New Mexico's medical provider shortage, especially his attempts to recruit other doctors to Farmington and the proximity of his practice to the Navajo Nation. Don't miss this unique perspective on New Mexico's medical provider shortage! 

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the Foundation's recent media relating to the Albuquerque Public Schools $350 million bond. You can see the ABQ Journal article here and the KOAT 7 story here. 

An update on the billboard campaign and state's response.

Among the topics EDD has posted on is NM's growth in manufacturing.

Another data point being touted by MLG's administration is on the drop in child poverty. There is indeed good news albeit it is also a tacit admission that MLG's prior statements have been misleading. 

A pumpkin patch located...

On this week's interview Paul talks to Jennifer Bradfute and Matthias Sayer about the Water Access Treatment and Reuse (WATR) Alliance and ways they are working to increase the supply of water in New Mexico. Ironically, the effort is being opposed by well-funded radical environmentalists.  

Agua es vida and this effort will bring more needed water to New Mexico. Find out more and how you can help on this episode. 

On this week's Tipping Point NM Paul and Wally discuss: 

What happened during the special session?

The federal budget shutdown and NM's recent special session are connected in some pretty profound ways. 

APS is asking for a $350 million bond.

New Mexico resident puts up billboards discussing New Mexico's problems.

Fusion company plans to invest $1 billion in New Mexico research and manufacturing facility.

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul talks housing policy with Salim Furth, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. His research focuses on housing production and land use regulation. They discuss New Mexico's housing shortage and what can be done about it. What policies can be enacted at New Mexico's state and local government levels to increase the housing stock and housing affordability? Check out this critical conversation. 

Paul's been on jury duty.

Mayoral polling: https://errorsofenchantment.com/albuquerque-mayoral-poll-is-actually-good-news/

MLG and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox talk "bipartisanship" on 60 Minutes.

61,000 jobs could be lost if NM doesn't start improving its roads (but the Gov. couldn't get her own party to support road issues on Special Session agenda).

MLG: trial attorneys would kill any compacts or medical malpractice reform (won't put it on to special session).

NM's Medicaid Malfeasance.

I have a word for NYC Mayor candidate via Albuquerque.

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Professor Chris Erickson. Chris is an economics professor at New Mexico State University. Paul and Chris discuss (and debate) two big issues: 1) Chris' economic impact study of Spaceport America which found that the Spaceport generated an impact of $240 million in 2024. 2) We discuss recent statements made by Erickson that Gov. Lujan Grisham's "free" universal child care will have positive impacts on New Mexico's economy.      We do conclude the conversation with a brief discussion of the Project Jupiter project which was recently approved for Southern New Mexico. You don't want to miss this important conversation

On this week's Tipping Point NM conversation Paul and Wally discuss the Charlie Kirk memorial and Jimmy Kimmel's suspension/restoration.

John Trever had a great cartoon in Sunday paper outlining concerns about MLG's universal day care proposal.

New Mexico's medical provider shortage is so bad that one in five airmen assigned to a base in New Mexico must turn down the post.

Sam Bregman outlines his policy agenda. So far Deb Haaland has no agenda. We'll look at Ken Miagishima's soon.

Two Democrat senators express concerns about NM's Clean Fuel Standard...

On this week's "interview" Paul sits down with co-host Wally Drangmeister to wade into a Facebook post shared by Democrat House Speaker Javier Martinez. The post is essentially a defense of New Mexico's poor rankings on a variety of issues that RGF works on. Martinez and the post's author (former news reporter Jeremy Jojola) wish to ignore comparisons between our state and others due to our culture which we believe is a cop-out and an attempt to justify New Mexico's poor education, crime, economic, health care, and numerous other conditions.  

You can find a screenshot and full po...

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss the events of last week and what they mean. Specifically, the murder of a young Ukrainian girl and Charlie Kirk shooting (and what it means for the future of political discourse). 

Paul believes that MLG's "Free" Child Care scheme is a diversionary tactic. Also, fewer New Mexicans are taking advantage of the existing subsidy.

RGF is fighting for your freedom in court!

RGF had an opinion piece relating to what ails Albuquerque.

Federal $$ shouldn't be used for bike trails in the firs...

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul talks to Reilly Stephens. Reilly is Senior Counsel at the Liberty Justice Center which is representing Paul and the Rio Grande Foundation in court against the City of Albuquerque in a case (that was recently heard in Court) related to what RGF believes is a clear violation of the State's anti-donation clause. Between the "leak" of the Dobbs decision of the US Supreme Court (on abortion) and its actual issuance the Albuquerque City Council saw fit to donate $250,000 to Planned Parenthood, a pro-abortion group.

We believe this is a clear violati...

There is a lot to discuss on this week's conversation and both Wally and Paul are perplexed by the approach Gov. Lujan Grisham (and others) are taking to myriad policy issues in New Mexico

NM politicians plead poverty on roads.

Why can't Albuquerque be nice, clean, and safe all year round?

What's new with Maxeon solar? Not a whole lot.

MLG awards her friends in government (again).

MLG calls a special session of the Legislature for October 1. She has added and removed several items from the agenda. Here's what...

On this week's show Paul talks to Jeff Apodaca. Jeff ran for governor in the Democratic Party primary in 2018 and comes from a political New Mexico family. Jeff is also a businessman and political activist. Paul and Jeff discuss the latest political issues in New Mexico and some of the forces shaping the 2026 elections, but they also talk about the accumulation of massive amounts of money in New Mexico's permanent funds and what should be done with that money (and in tax policy more generally) to get New Mexico out of last place in so many metrics. 

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss Paul's recent work trip to New Orleans. The trip coincided with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Paul also bumped into former NM PED secretary Hanna Skaandera.

Santa Fe looks to raise its already high minimum wage due to cost increases in the City Different. What could go wrong?  

The athletic directors of UNM/NMSU look for additional funding from the Legislature for student athletes. Paul and Wally discuss potential issues. 

New Mexico has the highest percentage of people on welfare of any state:

On this week's interview Paul talks to Dr. Deane Waldman. Deane was a pediatric cardiologist at University of New Mexico Hospital. He also served on the board of Rio Grande Foundation before moving to Texas. He now works to advance the "Empower Patients Initiative" with economist Vance Ginn. You can read more about that here.

Deane and Paul discuss the health care situation in the US as a whole and New Mexico's acute medical shortage. Deane has some important ideas for reforming health care at the national and state levels here in New Mexico as well as ad...

New Mexico $485 million in new money next session.

RGF in National Review.

PNM merger details revealed.

There is a new executive building on tap for Santa Fe to add even more office space for government.

On this week's show Paul sits down with Albuquerque mayoral candidate Darren White. Darren has had a long track record in New Mexico politics and law enforcement and they discuss some of that history as well as Darren's plans to address public safety, homelessness, and the local economy. You don't want to miss this important conversation! 

On this week's Tipping Point NM Paul and Wally discuss the fact that New Mexico is now sitting on $64 billion while the NY Times calls New Mexico "poor." 

Further details on New Mexico's massive sovereign wealth fund and the inability to use it effectively can be found here.

EV market share plunged in Q1 of 2025 including here in NM despite the continuation of state and federal subsidies. Paul and Wally discuss what may be happening.

A national housing expert says New Mexico has done nothing to address the housing shortage.

What's the...

On this week's Tipping Point NM interview Paul interviewed rancher and president of NM Cattle Growers, Bronson Corn. They primarily discussed a proposed power line through Eastern New Mexico that could wind up involving use of eminent domain and taking land up to 15 miles wide. Why does this project require so much land? Where is this electricity going? 

Also, Paul and Bronson discuss New Mexico's proposed "heat rule." The rule which is still being considered would have massive negative impacts on ranchers and would be completely unrealistic for many rural employers. Check out this conversation now!  

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss how New Mexico's health care crisis and education crisis (along with other problems facing the state) share similar patterns and how/why the politicians have failed to address things for their own self-interest. 

Environmental groups say New Mexico's clean fuel standard could worsen environmental issues.

Paul and Wally discuss how the situation in Santa Fe highlights problems with NM's capital outlay process.

Deb Haaland (or her campaign) had another interesting tweet this week in which she seemingly called out Gov. Lujan Grisham.

Channel 7 KOA...