On this week's conversation Paul sits down with Scott Appelman, founder and president of the Rainbow Ryders ballooning company which began in Albuquerque and works in several nearby cities. They discuss the economic impact of the industry on Albuquerque and New Mexico, challenges the industry faces, and why his company has been growing so quickly in other cities including the Phoenix area. We specifically address the potential for a New Mexico United Soccer stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park. 

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the Gov.'s use of the line-item veto in the latest tax bill. While Paul believes very strongly that the Gov. had the legal authority to use the line-item veto he and Wally find it amusing that NM Democrats suddenly care about process and separation of powers.  You can look at the New Mexico budget & find how film subsidies are accounted for (they reduce corporate income taxes) and how they are likely to grow for years to come.   "Budget cuts" hit Santa Fe schools. The reality is Santa Fe's school spending continues to grow.  Paul offers an update on gas stoves including public comments.  In an effort to address the federal debt situation Speaker McCarthy has unveiled a common sense plan.  Biden rule on mortgages punishes responsible borrowers and is the kind of policy that created the housing crisis of 2008.  Paul was briefly blocked by Rep. Stansbury on Twitter. That situation has been resolved. 

On this week's conversation Paul talks to Mark Abramson the owner of Los Ranchos Gun Store. They discuss gun issues in New Mexico from the past session as well as the Gov.'s plans to attack gun rights in the 2024 session. Also, Mark and Paul discuss the efforts by gun sellers to organize under one organizational umbrella and fight back.  

On this Tipping Point discussion Wally and Paul take on a number of fiscal issues: Contrary to the views of NM politicians, lower taxes CAN result in higher revenues. According to the latest Rich States Poor States report New Mexico sticks out relative to its neighbors (in a bad way). New Mexico's economy isn't in great shape, but according to a report from Pew the government has seen more tax revenues than any other state since January of 2020. Based on the recently passed budget in Santa Fe Paul put together a chart to illustrate just how quickly spending has grown. New Mexico's capital outlay process has always been corrupt, but the $10 million for an abortion clinic added to this year's bill only highlighted the corruption. Insanely Germany has shuttered its last 3 power plants (resulting in more coal and wood being burnt). Meanwhile the Biden Administration is planning to force EV's on Americans whether they want them or not. Paul had a chance to talk to KOAT Channel 7 about the ongoing cost of the DOJ consent decree.  Folks in ABQ’s “International District” want a grocery store now that Wal Mart has closed but they vote for people who won't get serious about crime

On this week's conversation Paul talks with the top performing legislator in the Foundation's Freedom Index John Block. Rep. Block is a freshman lawmaker out of Alamogordo and has been active in politics for several years. We discuss his conservative track record and how he approached the session among numerous other things. Check it out! 

On this week's Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss Gov. Lujan Grisham's vetoes of the "tax omnibus" bill in great detail. You can read our analysis here. Not only do the policy moves not make sense, neither the Gov.'s decisions nor the original bill have any political coherence. What do the vetoes mean for New Mexico's economic situation? Martin Heinrich had some thoughts on the vetoes as did numerous left-wing interest groups, but Wally and Paul have their own nuanced takes on the pros of the vetoed tax hikes and the cons of the lost tax cuts.  The capital Outlay bill includes $10 million for a new abortion clinic. This is emblematic of New Mexico's failed capital outlay process and politicians who care more about catering to national interest groups than their own constituents. 

On this week's interview Paul sits down with the Foundation's luncheon speaker Todd Myers. Todd was in Albuquerque discussing his new book, "Time to Think Small: How Nimble Environmental Technologies Can Solve the Planet's Biggest Problems" in which he outlined ways in which the free market and individuals can actually do a much better job of environmental stewardship than big government. Check out this informative conversation! 

Another Wallethub report, this one says New Mexicans bear relatively heavy tax burdens (despite massive oil/gas revenues). New Mexico, land of unlimited film subsidies. The New Mexico United and their push for a new stadium are in the news. Policy debate: energy issues in the wake of the war in Ukraine.  New PED secretary give details on new social studies standards. These are the senators with the best scores on the Freedom index.  The Gov. has until April 7 to sign bills. She has not acted on the big tax bill yet. 

In this interview Paul talks to Glen Lyons. Glen was a finalist for New Mexico's new, governor-appointed Public Regulation Commission. He also worked for ERCOT in Texas and ExxonMobil. Gessing and Lyons also discuss the PRC process, some of the questions he was asked, and whether it was fair or not.   Finally, Glen has some thoughts for how New Mexico should use its massive budget surplus. 

Alamogordo's own Rep. John Block took home the top prize in our Freedom Index this year. Paul and Wally discuss some of the other results and trends. Paul and Wally also discuss the departure of David Abbey from the LFC and the hole that he leaves.  According to a new Wallethub report New Mexico taxpayers get a terrible return on investment.  Yes, the Biden Administration really was trying to ban gas stoves. Sen. Martin Heinrich claims to oppose "dark money," but he is also a leading supporter of the "dark money" group "Rewiring America."   A hidden video captures school board trainer Andrew Sanchez pushing against "parental rights" and instead arguing that "parental rights end when you decide to send your kid to public school."  Paul and Wally have talked about this anti-donation clause issue. Now, it is clear that the turf was ONLY to be used by the Gladiators football team. The indoor soccer team playing in the same arena is NOT allowed to use the turf.