Newmexico Podcasts

On this week's podcast conversation Paul is joined by Alexis Martinez Johnson. Alexis is running for congress in New Mexico's 3rd congressional district. The District, currently occupied by "freshman" Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez used to be a "safe" Democrat seat, but with redistricting it is now a much more competitive seat. Paul talks to Alexi…

The first polling on New Mexico's Gov. race is out. No matter who you believe, the race is very close. Paul was recently in Southeast New Mexico for several events. He also sat down with the Current-Argus to discuss the SE NM economy which is booming. While New Mexico's economy is strong and plenty of jobs are available, the May state unemployment …

On this week's interview Paul talks to private space expert Doug Messier of the private space tracking site "Parabolic Arc." While the ongoing frustration of the failures at Spaceport America cast doubt on the future of Virgin Galactic, the private space launch "revolution" is moving forward quickly to step in for NASA. Unfortunately, Virgin Galact…

Ronchetti wins. Paul & Wally discuss that outcome and other races; Paul recently traveled to Florida for an event with anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist. He discusses the national scene; Common Cause supports New Mexico’s awful judicial election process. Paul and Wally discuss their issues with it. ABQ City Council embraces “safe spaces.” Progressi…

On this week's interview Paul talks to Jennifer Fielder and Paul Fielder of the American Lands Council. The topic is federal land management and the incredibly destructive, Forest Service-set fires now burning in New Mexico. Jennifer is the CEO and Paul a retired wildlife biologist and Montana State Legislator. The American Lands Council works to i…

APS budget passed. Superintendent Scott Elder claims there are “big cuts.” Paul and Wally unpack the situation. The NY Times throws in the towel on mask mandates while clinging to the supposed effectiveness of masks themselves. On the ballot this fall is “universal” pre-K, but the best study from Tennessee shows it harms kids. Unlike most studies o…

On this week's episode Paul is very excited to interview KKOB radio host Bob Clark. Bob has had a long and varied career in media throughout New Mexico. They detail that history, some of Bob's more interesting guests and events that he's covered, and discuss the ever-changing media landscape. You don't want to miss this conversation!…

APS budget continues to grow while the school board tentatively rejects a near $2 billion budget. CRT summer reading from PED. I wrote in National Review about MLG's clean car mandate. Gas prices rise to the highest level ever with the start of summer driving season. When does MLG's latest public health order expire? It is getting confusing? NM rem…

On this week's conversation Paul talks to Clif Horace owner of Horace Motors, a car dealer in Farmington. They discuss the Clean Fuel Standard that was recently imposed by Gov. Lujan Grisham's hand picked Environmental Improvement Board. The Board has imposed rules that will force New Mexico car dealerships to dramatically increase the number of el…

Full early voting is underway at convenience centers. Thoughts on the ABQ Journal polling and where things stand in the Gov.’s race. New Mexico's unemployment rate remains the nation’s highest in April. Nonetheless, New Mexico's budget continues to boom due to a combination of oil/gas and inflation. The unintended consequences of abandoning natural…

On this week's conversation Paul sits down with author and speaker Dr. Carol Swain. Swain is an academic, author, and writer who has taken on the issue of "critical race theory," what it means, its "intellectual" beginnings, and why it is harmful to Americans of all races and classes. Swain was recently in Albuquerque recently to give a talk and Pa…

As gas prices in the U.S. have reach new all-time highs, with the national average at $4.48 per gallon, the Biden Administration has canceled more oil and gas leases. New Mexico’s energy transition is already failing, Paul and Wally explain why. A solar trade dispute means less than half of PNM’s solar is ready for Summer 2023. A state representati…

Daniel Suhr is a Managing Attorney with the Liberty Justice Center, a conservative non-profit legal firm. Paul and Daniel discuss vaccine mandates, the judiciary's performance during COVID, and numerous other issues relating to COVID and the government's use of emergencies. They also discuss the Roe v. Wade leak (and apparent decision) and their im…

New Mexico's unelected Environmental Improvement Board has adopted a new "clean car rule" at the urging of Gov. Lujan Grisham. California’s (and New Mexico’s) standards will require roughly 7% of new cars sold to be zero emission in 2025. In the 3rd quarter of 2021 zero emission vehicles amounted to just 2.29% of new vehicle sales in New Mexico. So…

Greg Zanetti, GOP candidate for Governor: Zanetti was a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army and investment advisor. Paul and Greg discuss his background and the race to challenge Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in November.

Mark Ronchetti, GOP candidate for Governor: Ronchetti is a former weatherman. Paul and Mark discuss his background and the race to challenge Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in November.

Rebecca Dow, GOP candidate for Governor: Dow is the only sitting legislator in the race for Gov. Paul and Rebecca discuss her legislative record and the race to challenge Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in November.

Jay Block, GOP candidate for Governor: Block is a Sandoval County Commissioner. Paul and Jay discuss his efforts as a county commissioner and the race to challenge Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in November.

Paul visits with Garrett Ballengee, Executive Director of the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. They discuss West Virginia's culture and politics, the current economic and social forces impacting the state and an outlook for the future.

This episode is a re-release of Paul Gessing’s appearance on the Forgotten America Podcast with host Garrett Ballengee, executive director of the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy. Forgotten America is a podcast about the many places that get flown over, driven past, or completely forgotten and the people who call these places home, and t…

On this week's conversation Paul and Wally discuss the Legislative Finance Committee's new report on Albuquerque Public Schools. The report has important information for state and school districts across New Mexico. Student loan forgiveness as Joe Biden has discussed doing would be highly regressive (AND bad policy). Albuquerque is considering sanc…

On this special podcast edition Paul sits down with New Mexico Congressman Yvette Herrell. She and Paul discuss redistricting and the changes made to her 2nd Congressional district. Rep. Herrell also discusses current economic, energy, and border security issues facing New Mexico that she is working on in Congress. You don't want to miss this speci…

Genesis Arizmendi is a speach language pathologist who talks with us about how environmental polution impacts border communities, especially children in those communities, as well as climate change and the global south.By Sandra West and Peter Heald

Brian Riedl is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, focusing on budget, tax, and economic policy. Paul and Brian have known each other and worked together since their days in Washington, DC. On this episode Brian and Paul discuss the sorry state of the federal budget and what the Biden budget proposal would do to worsen the situation. They c…

In the second of what will be a handful of “special” episodes of Tipping Point NM, Paul sits down with congressional candidate Michelle Garcia Holmes. Michelle is a Republican former Albuquerque Police Department officer running in New Mexico’s revised 1st District with a primary battle to be decided by voters on June 7. Based on recently redrawn m…

RGF is now hiring. Find out more. The media failed to include some important details on a recent CNM story. RGF Paul and Wally correct the record on CNM "cutting" programs. Speaking of the media getting things wrong, a Politico story gets numerous facts wrong in its attempt to praise New Mexico Democrats on energy. Friday was Earth Day. Paul and Wa…

On this week's interview Paul sits down with Rodney Scott, a retired chief of the US Border Patrol and Luna County rancher Russell Johnson. Although the Rio Grande Foundation does not work directly on border policy issues, there is no question that what happens at the border impacts New Mexicans and is also newsworthy nowadays. This conversation se…

In the first of what will be a handful of "special" episodes of Tipping Point NM, Paul sits down with congressional candidate Louie Sanchez. Louie is a Republican businessman and entrepreneur running in New Mexico's revised 1st District with a primary battle to be decided by voters on June 7. Based on recently redrawn maps, this district could be h…

On Tipping Point we regularly cover energy issues, but here and elsewhere the pipelines, power lines, and critical and complicated ways in which energy resources are shipped around the globe and to customers is ignored. On this week's interview Paul talks to Brydon Ross. He heads up the Consumer Energy Alliance's State Affairs Policy groups and man…

National report gives MLG poor marks on pandemic performance. You can find the report here. The Wall Street Journal also covered the report here. MLG extended the health order until April 15. Arizona and even Oregon have allowed their emergencies to expire. The recent special session of the New Mexico Legislature resulted in tax “rebates.” Taxpayer…

On this week's conversation Paul talks to Evan Jones. Evan is on the board of the Foundation and is a realtor in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe markets for Keller Williams. Paul and Evan discuss the crazy housing market right now and the varying factors creating it. They discuss who is coming in and where they are going and why. They also discuss sol…

The New Mexico Legislature is in a special session today discussing "rebates" for New Mexicans. States are ending their COVID emergencies, but what about New Mexico? The Pandemic has delayed the social skills of young children. Where’s Deb Haaland hits the “big time” at National Review online. The article is behind a paywall so you can read it here…

On this week's interview Paul interviews Clarence Washington, Sr. A long-time resident of New Mexico, Clarence is the author of a four-part book series (which can be found and purchased here) "Hijacked, How Dr. King's Dream Became a Nightmare." In this conversation Clarence goes into detail about Dr. King's legacy, what went wrong and why, and what…

Paul visits with Robert McEntyre of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association (NMOGA) about the state of the industry. They discuss domestic oil and gas production issues against the backdrop of international energy price volatility. They address the impact gasoline prices are having in the United States and New Mexico and policy decisions that have hin…

Where's Interior Secretary Deb Haaland been hiding? New Mexico Legislature to convene for special session on April 5. Some kind of "relief" for taxpayers and reconsideration of the vetoed "junior" bill will be on the agenda for the session beginning April 5. Looks like the controversial election bill will not be on the agenda (thankfully). If the L…

On this week's interview Paul interviews Trent England of Save Our States. Trent spends most of his time working to save the Electoral College, but Paul and Trent have a wide-ranging conversation about the unique features of the American constitutional system that have prevented some of the worst overreaches of government in foreign countries, espe…

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…

On this week's podcast interview Paul sits down with John Block. John blogs and reports at the Piñon Post. At the Post Block reports and comments on New Mexico politics from the conservative perspective. John and Paul discuss the recent GOP pre-primary convention and highlight some of the candidates running in important races. They also discuss the…

On this week's podcast discussion Paul sits down with Rep. Stefani Lord to discuss the recently-completed New Mexico legislative session. Stefani, a Republican, represents the East Mountains outside Albuquerque. She was the top performer in the Foundation's Freedom Index vote tracking site during the 2022 session. Paul and Stefani discuss why she r…

At long last, New Mexico's mask mandate has finally been lifted. Most, but not all schools and school districts have also ended their mandates although UNM and CNM have not. Here are some things that STILL need to be done to restore freedom in New Mexico. The unions have also changed their position on masks while ALSO acknowledging that masking kid…

On this week's interview podcast Paul talks to Phil Ord of Americans for Nuclear Energy. With so many challenges facing New Mexico's power grid, why not nuclear? Paul and Phil discuss the current situation in nuclear power, why so many oppose it, and what can/should be done to keep the lights on in New Mexico.…

Dem. State Rep. Georgene Louis was arrested for DUI and also facing charges of speeding and failing to show her vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Super Bowl fans and celebrities attend the game (largely indoors) sans masks despite being in LA County. Kids in California (and New Mexico) continue to attend school in masks. Numerous (blue) …

On this week's podcast conversation Paul discusses New Mexico's election system with former Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones. During her tenure in the Legislature Arnold-Jones was known for her work on government transparency. She has been working hard to educate voters on SB 6 and SB 8, two election bills moving forward in the current legislative session.…

Is PNM looking for last-minute legislation to keep San Juan Generating Station open? Senator Ben Ray Lujan's stroke (at age 49, no less) creates issues for Washington Democrats. MLG extends New Mexico’s health order to March 4, by which time we’ll have been in a COVID “emergency” for 2 years (technically March 11). Unfortunately, bills limiting the…

On this week's podcast Paul interviews Fred Nathan. Fred is the founder of Think New Mexico which describes itself as a "results oriented think tank." Rio Grande Foundation and Think New Mexico are both working on Social Security tax elimination this session. Fred's organization is working on several other issues that the Rio Grande Foundation is g…