COVID-19 rules change. Gov. continues mask mandate. No end in sight for Gov. emergency orders. Gov. says she’d veto any restrictions on her authority. HJR 6 is the path forward. A new website is tracking school reopening. A conversation with Steve Dodson about little league. UNM fires ANOTHER basketball coach, Paul Weir. Update on legislation. Virgin Galactic delays test flight to May to take care of technical issues. Deb Haaland is likely to be confirmed. Whatever happened to the RailRunner?

On this week's podcast, Paul interviews Jerry Walker, President & CEO of the Independent Community Bankers Association of New Mexico.

After chatting about the importance of independent and community banks in New Mexico, Paul and Jerry spend most of the podcast discussing bills before the New Mexico Legislature that would create a new, state-owned bank. The twin NM bills, SB 313 and HB 236 are moving through the Legislature now.

Deb Haaland's hearing process to become Secretary of Interior. The Lujan Grisham Administration recently said that oil/gas drilling companies are moving out of NM to Texas thanks to Biden ban. Oil prices up. RGF will be co-hosting an event w/ National Review Institute. Let them Play! And, let them go to school!  RGF has been tracking district reopening. Facebook asks for an IRB to expand its data center in Los Lunas. New Mexico “virtual” session halfway home.

Paul talks with Christian Robey, Vice President of External Affairs at the Media Research Center. The Center focuses on anti-conservative media bias and the Rio Grande Foundation is part of their Free Speech Alliance, an organized conservative response to media and tech bias. Topics include Rush Limbaugh's legacy in alternative media, the genesis of MRC, ways in which media and tech firms influence elections, and how citizens can push back. This episode covers an especially informative and timely issue.

Counties move to "Yellow." CDC director had said schools should reopen. Will school open “normally” this fall? The State has asked the federal government to skip standardized testing. UNM athletic department budget devastated. The good, bad, and ugly of New Mexico's 2021 “virtual” legislative session. Anti-fracking bill SB 149 passed its first Committee.  Anti-energy policies will harm the US economy w/o helping the environment. Texas windmills have frozen due to cold weather.  Law and order

Zachary Fort of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association on gun rights in the 2021 legislative session. Bills discussed: 1) HB 102 Creates a committee under the Department of Health to study gun violence, 2) HB 193 amends 2020's "red flag" bill; original bill allows police to execute search warrants for any reason (purely civil), allows police to directly ask for a warrant to search for guns, 3) HB 166 Ban on homemade firearms

4) SB 224 “Safe storage” of guns, and could prohibit youth gun training.

Paul discusses his recent IN PERSON talk to Santa Fe Republican Women group! Superbowl halftime dancers wear bizarre and de-personalizing “diapers” on their heads. Top Golf is open while other similar businesses remain shuttered. Lujan Grisham raises pay for her top staffers. Responding to Sen. Mimi Stewart who wants New Mexicans to just move to Texas if they don't like New Mexico public policies. Bill Richardson’s tax cuts were a success. Nearly half of school districts offer in-person learning.

John Boyd is a site selector who splits his time between Florida and New Jersey. He is familiar with New Mexico and its economy.

On this episode, John shares updates on what is happening in site selection and where business and human capital investment is moving as we move through and beyond COVID. Paul and John then discuss what New Mexico's elected leaders can and should do to build on the existing assets of New Mexico.

Not everyone was consulted by MLG on her back to school order. More counties are moving from red to yellow. Top Golf can open, but not Cliffs or Hinkle Family Fun Center? Biden' energy crackdown. Western Energy Alliance has filed a lawsuit. New Mexico is #1 in Medicaid recipients. Rep. Deborah Armstrong wants to levy a tax on insurance policies. Good and bad bills in the legislative session. Mandatory sick leave vs. tax incentives.

Check www.ErrorsofEnchantment.com as bills move through the process.

Paul talks with Fred Nathan of Think New Mexico. Think New Mexico describes themselves as "A results-oriented think tank whose mission is to improve the lives of all New Mexicans." Fred and Paul discuss the organization's past successes often working in tandem with the Rio Grande Foundation. Topics include: security issues at NM Capitol, challenges of the unique 60-day "virtual" session, grocery taxes issues since the onset of COVID 19, Social Security taxation, and a lower cap on various lending services.