Tipping Point New Mexico

On this week's show Paul interviews Fred Nathan, the founder and leader of Think New Mexico. Fred and his organization played a lead role in achieving medical malpractice reform in the 2026 session along with some other significant victories. Paul and Fred discuss the path of HB 99 (med mal reform) through the legislative process and address what his group (and RGF) have planned next in the area of attracting medical providers to New Mexico. Check this important discussion out! 

With the session over here's what happened and didn't in the recently completed legislative session.   Specifically, Paul believes that the tax hikes this session are an underreported issue. He breaks down the biggest tax hike bill here.   Our Freedom Index site is complete and can be found here.   The Supreme Court overturned Trump's tariffs.Paul provides a detailed breakdown of the organization's reasons for signing on to an amicus brief against the tariffs, why the process is so critical, and why RGF ultimately opposes these tariffs.  

Larry Behrens handles communications for the energy advocacy group Power the Future. He is a return guest to the show. Paul and Larry discuss the Trump Administration's repeal of the "Endangerment finding" at the EPA. They also discuss the net zero bill SB 18 which was narrowly defeated in the New Mexico Legislature, the latest on EV's now that state mandates are no longer in effect, and the plans by radical environmentalists to shift attention to EV buses. Check out this informative conversation! 

On the latest Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss  the latest from the Roundhouse with just a few days to go.    Paul and Wally discuss the gun bill, medical malpractice, the budget, and "free" childcare, the tax bill, and the prospects for each including the fact that pay raises for state government employees have been eliminated in the push for universal "free childcare"    SB 18 the Clear Horizons bill died in a bipartisan Senate vote last week.     NM's House Speaker endorses Cuban health care during hearing over medical malpractice:   Stepping outside Santa Fe Paul and Wally discuss the unveiling of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller's ridiculous tumbleweed sculpture on the new and costly "rail trail."  

On this week's Tipping Point NM interview Paul talks to Rep. Rebecca Dow about issues in the 2026 legislative session. Rebecca and Paul discuss issues in both houses that could have profound impacts on New Mexico's economy and constitutional liberties. You don't want to miss this "insider" perspective on the 2026 session. 

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss numerous important issues in the New Mexico Legislature: SB 17 the anti-gun bill passes New Mexico's Senate SB 18 (the attack on energy and New Mexico's economy) awaits a vote on the Senate floor though Sen. Sharer has used a parliamentary procedure to slow debate.    SB 131 by Sen. Moe Maestas would reform numerous zoning and other housing restrictions. Sadly it was killed in its first committee Anti-ICE bill HB 9 passes and is signed by MLG. The Gov.'s free child care plan has been revised to include copays for wealthier beneficiaries.  SB 2 road bill signed by MLG including new taxes (bad) and a new fee on EV's. $1.5 billion in new road funding.  HB 99 medical malpractice changes are up in the House Judiciary today. Can it be made effective by stripping out an unfortunate amendment? Democrats, superintendents, and other defenders of NM's status quo have produced a report claiming that NM is better in education than believed. 

Paul visits with Albuquerque business owner Doug Turner who is a GOP candidate for Governor of New Mexico.  Doug believes New Mexico is being held back by big government, one-party control, and leaders who have lost sight of who government is supposed to serve.  Learn more about where Doug stands on the issues facing New Mexico in this informative interview.

Medical Malpractice bill altered destroying its purpose . Climate Change bill to be heard in committee with possible amendment. HB 9 which will eliminate involvement in ICE facilities passes house NM is one of 5 states to have lost population last year. Albuquerque bus ridership rebounds slowly in 2025 but remains depressed . Clean Fuel Standard finalized and will take effect on April 1 . Last week was School Choice Week: While we don't expect much to happen on education here are a few items . RGF also helped to get a memorial introduced in support of the Legislature involving NM in Trump tax credit program .  

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Dr. Deane Waldman and Vance Ginn, PhD. They are authors of the new book "Empower Patients: Two Doctors' Cure for Health Care." They discuss the issues facing American health care and then discuss specific issues in New Mexico (Dr. Deane once lived in Albuquerque and served at UNMH). Ultimately, their book and this interview attempts to provide an answer to the question, "How can policymakers at both the state and federal levels solve our crisis in health care?" 

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss  MLG's claim in her "State of the State" address that NM is "best state in the union to start a family": It's pretty hard to believe anything else in her speech when she makes such an easily disprovable whopper of a claim.  Why are physicians leaving NM? A new LFC report highlights why 2/3rds of New Mexico doctors are considering leaving. MLG has taken a firm stance in favor of Medical Malpractice reform.  In a bit of good news the physician compact has passed the Senate (SB1). Unfortunately, improvements to New Mexico's roads (SB 2) will wind up costing motorists more despite record state revenues. Plus, I JUST learned that New Mexico is only one of 4 states to even have a weight and distance tax! SB 18: Clear skies bill would destroy NM economy  The Foundation's Freedom Index vote tracking site is live. Last week Paul and Wally discussed Deb Haaland's education plans. This week they discuss the rest of Deb Haaland's policy proposals. Doug Turner joins the race for Governor of New Mexico. We hope to speak to him soon on the show.  

On this week's interview Paul talks to David Abbey the long time director of New Mexico's Legislative Finance Committee. Abbey has a new book "Forty Years in the New Mexico Roundhouse" in which he provides details on his time providing the Legislature's most important economic policy analyses. Paul and David discuss numerous economic issues, David's favorite people he's worked with over the years, and some of the policies and issues that he's both most proud of and frustrated by over the years. Don't miss this important conversation with insights into the current 30-day session and the inner workings of New Mexico's Legislature!   

On this week's show Paul and Wally discuss Paul's recent travels to Tucson, AZ for his daughter's volleyball tournament and the condition of roads/construction on the trip. Roads are a top priority for the Rio Grande Foundation in the upcoming legislative session.  The City of ABQ ethics board dismissed the Keller campaign's frivolous ethics complaint last week. What does the future hold?   New Mexico was ranked dead last as a place for raising families by Wallethub. We look at why that was the case and why RGF's economic ideas hold the key to improving family outcomes.  . RGF weighs in on ABQ spending $100K for police chief search. Deb Haaland recently came out with her policy priorities. Paul and Wally discuss her education agenda and implications of having been endorsed by the teachers union.  Both Trump and some in Congress (both parties) are talking about capping credit card interest rates. This is a bad idea. 

On this week's interview Paul talks to House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong about the upcoming legislative session. The two discuss a number of important issues facing New Mexico's Legislature in the upcoming session including: free childcare, the medical provider shortage, and more.  We discuss a lot of important issues in this episode!  

The Legislature put out their own budget. It is better than MLG's (including not funding universal free childcare): https://errorsofenchantment.com/a-few-positives-relative-to-mlgs-in-the-lfc-budget/ More detail on plans for free child care scandal in MN (Biden rule change allowed reimbursement based on "enrollment" as opposed to actual attendance): https://errorsofenchantment.com/mlgs-plans-for-free-childcare-plus-a-biden-era-rule-allowed-child-care-centers-to-be-paid-on-enrollment-not-attendance/ MLG and the Legislature are spending $30 million on a "literacy center" in ABQ: https://errorsofenchantment.com/mlg-when-in-doubt-spend-more-money/ New Mexico was named the worst state in the nation to raise a family by Wallethub: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-raise-a-family/31065 Rail Runner ridership remains at its depressed "new normal" level while emitting more CO2 than cars being driven to Santa Fe: https://errorsofenchantment.com/the-new-normal-railrunner-ridership-has-leveled-off-at-a-new-lower-level-than-before-covid/ Sen. Jeff Steinborn has introduced an anti-data center bill.

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with Republican Commissioner of Public Lands candidate Michael Perry. You can find out more about Michael and his candidacy here.  Paul asks Michael about his background in land management and what qualifies him for the position, the role of the Land Commissioner and how he would handle that responsibility, and what the current occupant of the office has gotten wrong (and right). Land Commissioner is one of the most powerful and important offices in New Mexico. You definitely want to hear this important conversation! 

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally reconvene after the New Year and discuss some of their own activities over the break. They then discuss some of the biggest news items over the last two weeks: Trump takes out Venezuela's Maduro. What does it mean for New Mexico? A federally-funded child care scandal has been exposed in Minnesota. With MLG pushing for "free" universal child care this scandal has significant implications for New Mexico:  Also, Tim Walz drops out of Minnesota Gov.'s race. The ABQ Journal has gotten into fundraising for investigative journalism. Zohran Mamdani makes explosive comments in his inaugural address. Meanwhile, the media compares his plans to policies already in place in NM. An article in ABQ Journal claims Farmington is "moving on" from oil and gas, but the reality is much different. NM legislative Democrats claim to have made steps toward solving NM's medical provider shortage. It's a minimal gain at best.

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 of Childcare Assistance to taxpayers would almost double to $849.7 million annually, an almost $400 million increase, or an 88.8 percent increase over FY26 spending.

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 SNAP in New Mexico than really improving the lives of New Mexicans.  New Mexico has fallen to dead last in economic freedom. Why? What needs to be done? Paul and Wally discuss the latest findings and also the new budget data from LFC which show somewhat slower revenue growth from oil and gas but which remain extremely strong.   

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? Two "progressive" council candidates have some interesting parts of their backgrounds (including one of them being arrested) that they've covered up. We don't like runoffs but they are better than ranked choice voting. The experience with ranked choice voting in Santa Fe is a perfect example of the problems with "ranked choice."  

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 with the popular book "Abundance" which addresses several similar issues albeit from an explicitly "Democrat" or liberal angle. You don't want to miss this conversation! 

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 still lower than it was at the start of COVID.  Former State Sen. Bill Tallman, a Democrat, recently wrote an article highlighting the fact that the Keller Administration is diverting funds for studying a downtown arena to United Soccer stadium.  New Mexico House GOP secured a full audit of SNAP in the recent special session. KRQE reported recently that SNAP benefits are being traded for fentanyl. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that lifted tariffs on a wide range of imported food products, including beef, coffee and tea, bananas, oranges, tropical fruits and fruit juice, cocoa, spices, and tomatoes, as well as certain fertilizers. 

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. New Mexico's SNAP embarrassment.

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 new article discusses Maxeon Solar so we can discuss that, but what about Ebon? A previously overturned Santa Fe mansion tax has been reinstated by an appeals court. Unfortunately a judge has ruled against us in our court fight over the City of ABQ's "donation" of our tax dollars to Planned Parenthood.

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 "produced" water. New Mexico's sovereign wealth fund has now hit $66 billion in value. A new lawsuit targets MLG's line-item-vetoes of a recent appropriations bill.

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 near Albuquerque was attacked recently. Here's more on the McCall's attack by a local teacher union. MLG is supporting a planned nuclear fusion facility and offering big subsidies for it. That contrasts sharply with her reaction to a nuclear waste storage facility's decision to abandon New Mexico.   RGF releases Freedom Index scores for the recent special session.

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. A look at Ken Miyagishima's plans if elected Gov. Guest column: 100 years of Democrat rule have killed New Mexico. 

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 being "subverted" by industry. Republican Greg Cunningham declares for CD2 race. RGF's Laissez Faire Soiree is coming up soon in early November. Join us as we celebrate 25 years! 

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 post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CpfuPAYow/

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 first place. Trump cut $11.5 million from the project. MLG pledges to use NM tax dollars to make up for Planned Parenthood funding elimination? The Santa Fe New Mexican and some RGF research highlights the massive generosity of recent MLG pay hikes for close staff.

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 violation of the anti-donation clause. Finally, Reilly's organization is ALSO leading legal opposition to President Trump's unilateral tariffs and will soon be arguing against those unilateral tariffs at the Supreme Court. Paul and Reilly discuss that as well. Rio Grande Foundation is an amicus in that case. 

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 we know.  MLG announced a new "free" childcare program (funded by taxpayers). Here's what we know so far. MLG fires her CYFD secretary.

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: Expanding broadband is REALLY expensive and affordable alternatives exist, but federal, state, and local governments have poured hundreds of millions into it in New Mexico alone.  ABQ spending $80 million to get $1,000 homeless off the streets?

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 addressing the medical provider shortage. Don't miss this conversation!