Paul has a serious conversation about homeschooling in New Mexico with his wife Krista and 10-year-old (5th-grade) daughter Grace. With the onset of COVID-19, the Gessing family had some very serious questions to answer about educating their children. Krista outlines some of the important decisions the family made along with any requirements from the State of New Mexico. Grace shares her perspective on suddenly moving into a homeschool environment including her likes and dislikes.

Gov. MLG is NOT heading to DC after all. A new red, yellow, green COVID system. It appears New Mexicans will be severely restricted until a vaccine is widely-deployed. An ordinance was introduced at Albuquerque's City Council that would have added jail time and fines to the local health orders. Paul's family recently traveled to Scottsdale. RGF recently appeared in National Review to discuss Joe Biden's energy policies. McKinsey Consulting: poor/minority students are suffering most from remote learning

In this interview, Paul talks with Carol Wight, Executive Director of the New Mexico Restaurant Association about another sick leave ordinance being considered by the Albuquerque City Council as well as the challenges and struggles restaurants are facing with the ever-changing COVID-19 health orders.

Paul and Wally discuss the fact that New Mexico made national news for its grocery lines. Netflix gets an amazing sweetheart deal to come to New Mexico. New Mexico’s special session disperses money, but not without controversy. Wallethub report shows just how bad New Mexico’s economy is. Bernalillo County recently passed a Community Workforce Agreement (aka project labor agreement). On the first major such project, the County is NOT implementing the CWA...because it might increase costs.

Paul talks to the Rio Grande Foundation's own Patrick Brenner. Among Patrick's many duties with the Foundation is fundraising, graphic design, maintaining and increasing our presence on the Internet, and public records. With Giving Tuesday right around the corner and 2020 (blessedly) coming to a close, Patrick and Paul appraise the Foundation's efforts during the past year and discuss some of the highlights and challenges for both the Foundation and New Mexico

Paul and Wally discuss numerous problematic issues with the Gov.'s latest lockdown orders. New Mexico's Legislature is about to go into a special session. What will happen? Leftists: get rid of oil and gas and replace it with? CO2 emissions dropped this year by 9.2% Debating corporate taxes with Bill Jordan of Voices. The Fraser Institute's Freedom Index report for 2020 has been released. NM is 42nd. New Mexico's Educational Retirement Board has divested from private prisons and corrections companies.

Paul talks with Grover Norquist, president and founder of Americans for Tax Reform. Grover is one of the most prominent voices for free markets and lower taxes in Washington.  The dust is still settling in the presidential election and there are two runoff elections underway in Georgia that could determine control of the US Senate. How did conservative issues and policies fare in the 2020 election? Grover is optimistic both about the future of freedom and lower taxes around the nation.

Gov. Lujan Grisham places New Mexico on full lockdown again. Paul and Wally discuss the implications. Notably, New Mexico's booming real estate sector (residential is especially strong) is NOT considered an essential business this time around. How long will this two weeks REALLY last? Wally and Paul believe it will be quite a bit longer. There is a lot to discuss on this important issue.  Albuquerque City Council pushed the vote on mandatory sick leave back by a week.

On this week's podcast interview Paul talks to Katharine Stevens, an early childhood expert with the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC.  Paul and Katharine discuss the tragic impact of COVID 19 and the abandonment of in-person learning on children. Also, Katharine shares details on her recent report Still left behind: How America’s schools keep failing our children.

How did Paul and Wally do in their predictions? Runoff elections in Georgia could determine partisan control of the Senate. Speaker Egolf says he’ll redistrict CD 2. Will Gov. Lujan Grisham leave New Mexico? A look at the upcoming 2021 NM legislative session. UNM and NMSU athletics are heading toward conflict w/Gov. Albuquerque City Council will be taking up yet another mandatory paid sick leave proposal. RGF attempts to get ahold of 40-day enrollment numbers from the Public Education Department.