Podcasts about rail runner

What's the carbon footprint for Rail-Runner and Bill Richardson Salsa on News Radio KKOBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flooding impacts Roswell New Mexico. Early voting is in full swing. Find out where you can vote. Sen. Heinrich expresses opposition to charter schools.   Details on AZ's successful ESA program. The Rail Runner is bad for the environment according to the LFC. Albuquerque Journal weighs in on retention ballots for judges. UNM volleyball plays. O'Neill's Nob Hill closes. MLG receives a D from Cato Institute.  WSJ article on New Mexico: “New Mexico Can't Afford California's Green Deal” Las Cruces Tax Hike on the ballot.

Paul was in the Roundhouse on Saturday testifying against HB 41 (Clean Fuel Standard). Another bill heard during that hearing (HB 48) would increase taxes on NM's oil and gas industry. Both passed out of the Committee. Another bill, HB 114 attempts to squash the entire oil and gas industry.  MLG's state of the state address was interrupted 3 times by pro-Palestine/anti fossil fuel protests. The Gov. called them "courageous."  NM's Film Office produced a study justifying film subsidies. Paul and Wally pick it apart. They are filming in downtown ABQ. We have thoughts. What's wrong with 4 Day School weeks?  NM's politicians are pushing for a "progressive" tax system. What does the term mean and how important is it?  Even with "free"buses, ABQ bus ridership is far below pre-pandemic numbers (even worse than the Rail Runner). MLG's mind-blowing Reagan Day proclamation.

The session begins today. For starters Paul sits down with Carol Wight of the NM Restaurant Association to discuss a proposal for paid leave as well as plans to increase taxes on alcohol. These are a few of the pre-filed bills that we are looking at with some additional links: HB 41: Clean fuel standard; https://sourcenm.com/2024/01/12/lawmakers-add-new-clean-fuel-standards-to-environmental-improvement-act/ HB 37: Limits on NM's capital gains deduction; HB 48: increase royalty rates on oil and gas; https://capitalandmain.com/new-mexico-governor-kickstarts-effort-to-overhaul-oil-and-gas-regulation NM to received $68 million to build an electric vehicle charging network. Details are scanty at this point, but the Gov. is very excited.  Hertz will sell off 20,000 EV's and purchase gas cars instead. Rail Runner ridership rebounded a bit in 2023, but it remains 22% below pre-pandemic levels. Will it ever achieve pre-pandemic levels or are we at the "new-normal." What about other environmental solutions?  Even with the push to renewables NM's Land Office gets a higher percentage of its revenues from oil and gas than before the current commissioner took over.

Kevin Merlo describes understanding the customer's needs and priorities. 

Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation takes a trip to the Model Train Museum in Belen but the finds the Rail Runner not useful plus NM's EV mandates on News Radio KKOBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul was shocked over the Holiday to receive a Thanksgiving card (taxpayer funded of course) from the Gov.   Over the Thanksgiving weekend I discovered (the hard way) the Rail Runner app has incorrect information on it.  VP Kamala Harris uses a gas stove posing with her husband on social media.  Job growth in the energy sector is NOT a win for the economy.   In the wake of the EIB's decision I wrote a piece outlining why their plan simply cannot work.   Conservative ABQ City councilor Dan Lewis and a majority of the Council recently voted to reform the City's unelected air board, sadly Mayor Keller vetoed their legislation.  New Mexico Supreme Court won't hear GOP appeal on district map.  

NM's legislative session begins at noon. We can talk broadly about what to look for in the upcoming session on a whole host of issues. MLG's "more of the same" budget is built on extraordinary growth in oil production. Sadly it doesn't seriously address tax reform. Paul and Wally briefly discuss the latest in the gas stove "wars." New Mexico population loss is a long-term problem. Left wing legislator introduces legislation to create high speed rail from Denver to Mexico (again). Paul has brand new Rail Runner data highlighting the taxpayer-financed train's costly failure. Albuquerque's "free" bus fare program hasn't moved the needle on bus ridership in the City either.  Finally, Paul notes that the City's community centers were closed not just for MLK Day, but also the Saturday and Sunday before. This highlights the City's lack of concern for youth who have no inexpensive entertainment options when school is out and these centers are closed. 

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss President Biden's dark and disturbing speech against Trump and his supporters Gov. MLG spends $10 million capital outlay dollars for a new abortion clinic in Southern NM:  Also, while Paul reiterates that RGF takes no position on abortion in New Mexico, he frames this move within the context of a new ABQ Journal poll on abortion. Less than a week after banning gas powered cars California tells Californians NOT to charge their cars due to electricity shortages. As Wally and Paul have recently discussed, 2% of all vehicles on the road in CA are electric. Notably, New Mexico is following these policies, but California recently decided to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant open. To date New Mexico appears to have no inclination to keep power flowing from the Palo Verde nuclear plant.  Dismal education news this week came from two sources.   Lawmakers discuss NM Spaceport and the pipe dream of financial “self-sufficiency” at the facility while Las Cruces area Cervantes contrasts Spaceport w/ Rail Runner and asks the state of New Mexico to pick up the tab.   A new ABQ Journal poll highlights support for a pre-K amendment on the ballot this November, but this is hardly a surprise given the choices. RGF is participating in an “open house” for the new Moms for Liberty chapter in Bernalillo County.   

Paul Gessing talks with Bob about his vacation and gas prices, Mark Ronchetti and his desire to emulate Alaska with yearly rebates, Rail Runner and high speed rail proposal and other vanity state projects like the Spaceport, Education, TV and Film in the state, why Governor Grisham will not explain the continued renewal of the emergency health order from 2020 and the states miserable GDP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric tries to find a use for the Rail Runner on News Radio KKOBSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's show is filled ith adventure! First off a moment of tribute to the late great Taffy Jaffy. Rail Runner to Santa Fe with Mama El's spirit chatting the entire time. How do YOU deal with Turbulence? Fun & Funny Guesting with the hilarious and smart @ iamJohhnyJames go check out his podcast 'Respect the Connect' Subscribe & Share xoxoxoxo Jess

Augusta Meyers details what happened with stabbing on the Rail Runner over the weekend and how the Rail Runner is bouncing back with people going back to work on News Radio KKOB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BV discusses the lack of security on the Rail Runner, as a suspect stabbed multiple people over the weekend on News Radio KKOB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Albuquerque City Council eliminated the plastic bag ban on a 6-3 vote. That's veto-proof. Will the majority hold and override a mayoral veto?  Biden hasn't held an onshore lease sale and is the only President in at least two decades not to have done so in a given year. Approvals for new liquefied natural gas terminals and expansions are also sitting at the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, according to the American Petroleum Institute. The Wall Street Journal reports on the numerous ways in which the Biden Administration is hindering oil and gas. Biden is considering getting oil from Venezuela????? Defenders of the Biden Administration's policies fall short. APS spent $18,594 in FY 2020. By 2022 that number is $22,877.  New Mexico has the highest unemployment rate of ANY state in the nation as of December 2021. Rail Runner ridership fell off a cliff during COVID. What's the latest?   

On this week's podcast, Paul and Wally discuss the fact that more NM counties continue to improve on COVID. Cliffs Amusement Park is set to reopen on May 8. Hinkle Family Fun Center is still not open but is hiring. How easy will it be for these businesses to find employees with all the "free" money floating around?   Arizona and Utah remove nearly all COVID restrictions Two weeks after opening Texas continued to see a decline in COVID cases In Texas when the State dropped its mask mandate on March 10 there were 5,350 new cases and a rolling 7 day average of 4,909. By March 28 there were 3,293 new cases and a rolling 7 day of 4,005.  In New Mexico which remains relatively locked down and with a mask mandate in place, on March 10 there were 249 new cases and a rolling 7 day of 227. By March 28 in NM there were 161 new cases with 7 day rolling average of 188. New Mexico's Special Session begins Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Thankfully only two issues on agenda, but the timing is awkward and politically-motivated. Who did well or poorly on the Freedom Index?  State Sen. Mark Moores gets GOP nod for GOP in CD1 Paul and Wally discuss several issues left undiscussed during the 2021 session: Right to Work; Reduction of or elimination of New Mexico's income tax; Reforming the GRT; Occupational licensing reform; Eliminate film subsidies; Consider new approaches to Rail Runner and Spaceport; Ambitious school choice/efforts to empower parents to choose education that makes sense for their child; Higher education reform; Repeal ETA or institute rate caps to make sure utilities don’t increase rates rapidly; 14 states are suing Biden on oil/gas moratorium, but not New Mexico even though we are the State most impacted. Finally, we discuss teacher bashing. 

On this week's conversation, Paul and Wally discuss the fact that New Mexico's COVID situation continues to improve. More counties are moving into turquoise, green, etc. When will the Gov. relinquish her powers? There's no indication of that. Paul works out with a mask on for the first time. The mainstream media is starting to acknowledge that lockdowns haven't done anything to improve COVID outcomes.  NM unemployment rate is 8.7%, 48th in the nation. There is a clear pattern among the lowest and highest unemployment states.  The New Mexico Legislature is coming down the stretch with its conclusion on Saturday, here are some bills/issues to watch: HB 291 is an economically-harmful tax hike. Recent changes make it even worse. Plus, why is the Legislature considering raising taxes with a surplus AND federal money flowing into NM? The mandatory paid sick leave bill, HB 20 is likely to pass. It is headed to the Senate. The bill makes no exceptions for small businesses. According to the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, it would apply to babysitters, a leaf-raker hired for a single day’s work or a mom-and-pop shop with one part-time employee. All employees would accrue at least one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, capping at 64 hours annually. It wouldn't apply to government workers. SB 42 pension bailout for the Education Retirement Board is unhelpful.  HB 4 Civil Rights Act ready for final passage in Senate.  The Legislature still hasn't passed a budget although initial appearances are that the Senate will go with pay hikes for state employees. Could there be a special session? SB 130 which would have mandated that 75% of New Mexico's fleet vehicles be electric failed in committee over the weekend: No action will be taken this session on constraining Gov.'s powers. No bills OR the constitutional amendment are moving. Trouble for HJR 1 pre-K amendment and pot legalization? Rail Runner took a year off but you'd never know from looking at their budget.  What energy sources REALLY failed a few weeks ago in Texas?

Covid 19 vaccines are now being administered at long term and assisted living facilities in NM. Positive train control has come to the Rail Runner. And one-time payments are now being sent to New Mexicans who did not qualify for the initial $1200 federal covid relief money.

One Anakeesta visitor had the ride of a lifetime on the attraction’s Rail Runner Mountain Coaster. As he was coming over the hill, a family of black bears came out of the woods, crossing the tracks as he started toward them! The whole thing was caught on video and shared on TikTok for everyone to […] The post Family of Black Bears at Anakeesta Cross Rail Runner Mountain Coaster appeared first on Visit My Smokies.

On this week's podcast discussion Paul and Wally discuss the latest COVID 19 issues. The latest data indicate that NM has hit all COVID 19 guideposts laid out by MLG and yet, here we are. The Gov. wrote an op-ed that is very disturbing. Meanwhile in Wuhan, China there are big, non-socially-distanced pool parties with no vaccine in place. NM’s unemployment rate is now among the nation’s highest.  APS school board (Peggy Mueller Aragon dissented) decides to go virtual through the end of 2020 California is struggling with power issues, but PNM is already struggling with similar problems. Paul writes about "renewable" reliability and cost issues in Las Cruces Sun-News. New Mexican government employees are opting out of forced unionism and the Rio Grande Foundation is helping to educate them. Paul appears on Cato podcast to discuss Roswell Air Center and Walker AFB: just last week American Airlines canceled flights and Sceye received positive attention. Is ABQ’s Civic Plaza a school? New Mexico's Rail Runner still hasn't complied with the federal government's $60 million PTC mandate? 

Anakeesta is one of the newest attractions in the Smokies. Located in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this 70+ acre, mountain village is not going to disappoint. The Chondola takes you to the top of Anakeesta Mountain where you will experience Firefly Village with its gifts shops, the Cliff Top Grill & Bar, Aunt Pearl's Pie in the Sky (ice cream and fried pies), and several other shops.For those of you with an aversion to heights, like Marc, you can take the Ridge Rambler to Firefly Village. The Ridge Rambler is a 42 passenger monster truck that takes you through the forest on the ground, rather than high above on a cable!But the real draw to Anakeesta is that it is an outdoor adventure park with zip-lines, a mountain coaster ride (the Rail Runner), and the world's longest tree canopy walk, with more than 16 bridges hanging 40 to 60 feet above the ground below.Recently, Anakeesta opened AnaVista Tower, a 60 feet tall tower with amazing views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains. Vista Gardens, where the tower is located, is a beautifully landscaped area with manicured gardens and pathway. The views are perfect for selfies overlooking the mountains.Seth Mulder & Midnight Run entertained the crowds on the Saturday we were there and they did a great job of playing bluegrass music on the Plaza stage. FYI, they are misidentified as The Tennessee Travelers in the podcast.Coming in the Fall of 2020 is a new restaurant, more fire pits, a family water play area, and updates to many of the adventure features. Mentioned in this EpisodeMy Smoky Mountain GuideAnakeestaSeth Mulder & Midnight Run (misidentified as The Tennessee Travelers)Ripley Entertainment

So often, when we find ourselves wrapped up in a hobby, we don't know what to do next. We want professional advice in a relatable community of people, but we're just not sure where to turn. Well, listen up photographers and writers of all stripes, because this week we're talking with the director of Santa Fe Workshops. They're an internationally-acclaimed place where world-class photographers and authors teach quality classes (online these days, too!) and they're only a short drive or a Rail Runner jaunt away. Come listen to how this 30-year-old organization is helping creatives both here in New Mexico and all over the world up their professional game. Who knows? You might just learn something! To find out more about Santa Fe Workshops' current digital offerings, head on over HERE (https://santafeworkshops.com/) In the meantime, stay safe, keep it local, and look on the brighter side of life ;) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whats-up-abq/message

On this week's podcast discussion Paul and Wally discuss the Governor's signing of SB 5 the Red Flag Bill. They also note the conflict inherent in her "Enforce it or resign" rhetoric relative to her plans to legalize marijuana.  A recent social media exchange with a left-wing activist group highlights the fact that the left has dominated New Mexico for decades, but they disavow the results of liberal policies. The rising cost of Bernalillo County’s new headquarters shows why voters are and should be skeptical any time government embarks upon big capital construction efforts. The Rail Runner and Spaceport are additional examples.  Some New Mexico tribes are being forced to burn "household items" now that a coal mine has closed cutting off their primary source of home heating. And, in a separate case in the same geographical area Paul and Wally note that Navajo Nation tribal representatives recently voted to shrink a barrier prohibiting oil and gas development around Chaco Canyon. This is contrary to the desires of environmental groups and NM's congressional delegation.  Finally, an environmental group funded "think tank" recently called Enchant Energy's plan to save San Juan Generating Station and use carbon sequestration technology a "boondoggle." Wally and Paul explain why the assertion that Enchant's plan is a "boondoggle" is simply irrelevant.

On this week's podcast, Paul discusses a recent meeting with Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform in New Orleans. In addition to sharing information on the problem of transit projects like the Rail Runner and ART, Paul took the opportunity to remind New Mexico's political leadership, especially Republicans  who are out of power these days that taking the ATR pledge not to raise taxes is a good starting point if the Party is serious about ever taking power in New Mexico. New data from Albuquerque's bus system shows just how bad our existing bus system is. New Mexico'spersonal incomes still lag behind neighbors. United soccer team is looking for $30 million in capital outlay money from the State for $100 million facility. But how much MORE from other taxpayers? Finally, an op-ed from the Albuquerque Journal makes some solid points against Social Security tax elimination. Paul offers a few thoughts on the issue that was previously discussed on the podcast with Fred Nathan. 

Paul recently spent some time in Farmington for a few talks. He also attended another PNM meeting on Energy Transition Act. Rail Runner and transit ridership are declining.  Sen. Udall reintroduces a bill to overturn Citizens United. What has the ACLU said about this issue? William Perry Pendley who spoke at an RGF luncheon in 2017 has been picked to head up BLM. ABQ needs to address issues with its transparency site and Paul sat down with KRQE Channel 13 to discuss. Finally, lawsuits have been filed by Patriot groups on efforts to get referendums on the ballot. 

The wait is officially over! The newest addition to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg is now open — the Rail Runner. This one-of-a-kind mountain coaster is a must-do when you visit the Smoky Mountains! We’ve got all the details on the new ride at Anakeesta: Rail Runner at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg The Rail Runner is a single […] The post Rail Runner Mountain Coaster Now Open at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg appeared first on Visit My Smokies.

This week we’re coming to you from the Rail Runner train on our way to the New Mexico State Capitol building. It was a fun train ride and the artwork and how the legislature works was very interesting.Honor Roll: Nickelback - LullabyBox of Random: We the Kings - Say you Like MeRising Star: Sammi Hanratty - Finally a TeenBe sure to vote for your favorites each week at JENNi20.comPodcast provided by KKGT 91.9 FM - archive covered by BMI / ASCAP station license.