New Mexico remains a slow growth state when it comes to population.

Tax changes took effect at the New Year. Here's what they mean.

New Mexico's Environment Department releases a draft "clean fuel standard."

New Mexico's RailRunner ridership rises slightly in 2024.

The Administration of ABQ Mayor Tim Keller was found to have misused federal COVID $$ to give raises to top officials.

Bills are being introduced in the 2025 legislative session. 

In a win for freedom Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned as Canada's prime minister. 

Biden is locking up large tracts of offshore resources in his waning days in office. 

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with regular guest Carol Wight Executive Director of the NM Restaurant Association. Paul and Carol begin by discussing issues with the City of Albuquerque over the City's incorrect (by admission) calculation of its minimum wage law. Carol explains why this is not "restaurant greed," but actually an issue of fairness between front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house workers. 

They discuss issues in the upcoming 2025 legislative session, most especially paid family leave. They address other issues in the upcoming legislative session as well including New Mexico's generally anti-business political climate. Check out this interview, the last of 2024!   

The APS school board takes one tiny (yet controversial) step towards reality. The challenge of embracing a population decline for the government education system.

More MLG misdirection on child poverty. RGF continues to call out the Gov.'s lies. 

A bill on the verge of being signed by President Biden will accelerate Social Security's demise.

Paul and Wally then review some of the top events of 2024 in terms of their impact on public policy both nationally and in the State of New Mexico. Merry Christmas and Happy and Prosperous New Year! 

On this week's Tipping Point interview Paul sits down w/ Carla Kugler head of the NM chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. They discuss New Mexico's performance in the organization's Merit Shop Scorecard. They talk about New Mexico's massive $6 billion in unspent capital outlay dollars and the State's deteriorating roads. Finally, they discuss New Mexico's construction workforce and how the state can find and train new workers in the trades and what ABC is doing about it. You don't want to miss this important discussion! 

MLG's budget is out and it offers taxpayers nothing. Paul and Wally do a bit of a deep dive into the budget process and why it is so confusing and lacking in transparency. 

Not all legislators want to address New Mexico's medical provider shortage.

A $10B program to buy EVs for the U.S. Postal Service is far behind schedule, with defense contractor Oshkosh not disclosing significant manufacturing difficulties for more than a year. The USPS has received only 93 trucks - far fewer than the 3,000 expected by now. Cost is $167K per truck 

New Mexico sticks out (badly) in the brand new "Merit Shop Index" put out by Associated Builders and Contractors which ranks state construction environments in all 50 states.

On the latest Tipping Point interview Paul talks to Dean Stansel, lead author of the 2024 Economic Freedom of North America report. What is economic freedom and why is it so important? Why does New Mexico lag in it and why is it getting worse? 

New Mexico drops two spots to 47th in latest Economic Freedom of North America.

UNM football loses head coach. Why does this have economic importance?

"Free" college drives up attendance at New Mexico colleges and universities, but to what end? 

Bernalillo County is voting on Tuesday to potentially raise County Commissioner salaries under the recently-passed constitutional amendment. Is YOUR county voting to increase commissioner salaries soon? 

MLG wants to potentially move the New Mexico's State Fair. Paul and Wally take a closer look. .

We took a look at Maxeson Solar's financials and they are UGLY.

6% of federal workers are in the office full time while one-third are fully remote.

On this week's interview Paul talks to Fred Nathan of Think New Mexico. The organization has a new policy report about the State's ongoing medical provider shortage. Paul and Fred discuss the organization's findings, whether the Legislature will be open to them, and areas of agreement/disagreement they have. Fred and his organization hope to make this a top priority in the upcoming session. Check out this timely and important conversation! 

Joe Biden pardons his son for ANY federal crime dating back to 2014. This is a major about face and further highlights Biden's family corruption. 

Maxeon Solar moves forward in NM with a dramatically scaled back plant. Will their subsidies be scaled back as well? 

Has MLG put New Mexico on a path to banning RV sales? 

A proposal to put MORE New Mexicans on Medicaid will be introduced this session. 

Also, a proposal to weaken New Mexico's anti-donation clause will be introduced this session.

Finally, Paul has a brief conversation with small-time mine operator Lori Coleman about the situation regarding a potential Biden Administration monument designation before he leaves office. 

Tom Clifford has an extensive background in taxation and fiscal matters for New Mexico. He was Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration in the Martinez Administration, Tax Policy Director at Taxation and Revenue Department, and Economist at Taxation and Revenue Department, Department of Finance and Administration, and the Legislative Finance Committee.

Paul and Tom discuss the issues affecting taxation in New Mexico, discuss some strategies to improve the economy of the state through tax policy as well management of the large permanent funds that exist in New Mexico.