Environmental groups, Governor Lujan-Grisham, and even Public Service Company of New Mexico want us to believe that their plans to rapidly increase renewable energy are cost-competitive. New Mexicans voted for change in 2018 and, as a result, there are legislative initiatives to raise the State’s “renewable portfolio standard,” or RPS, from 20 percent to 80 […]
Recently, four members of the Albuquerque City Council proposed an ordinance, O-19-48, to ban the use of many common plastic items including bags, straws and to-go containers. Customers who request a paper bag will be charged 10 cents each. By introducing this measure, city council members are following in the footsteps of states like California […]
The Rio Grande Foundation fought hard against a big property tax hike. As it turned out, voters who turned out in record numbers, agreed with us that the 19% increase was too much. Gessing offers his reaction and the APS leadership offers theirs in the story below:
Paul and Wally give a short update on the results and the Albuquerque Public School mil levy and bond election and what it may mean for future policy and elections. Paul then talks with Edward Timmons, PhD of the Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation about his published research that addresses how occupational […]
Proving once again that no matter who voters elect to office, they don’t necessarily support higher taxes and vast increases in the size and scope of government, Albuquerque Public Schools district voters overwhelmingly turned down two tax hikes and a bond measure last night. The Rio Grande Foundation was among the small group of organizations […]
On episode 66 of Tipping Point New Mexico Paul and Wally discuss the APS tax vote which will be concluded on Tuesday. If people still haven’t voted, they can do so by dropping their ballot off at the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office. One notable special interest group looking to cash in on the vote is […]
According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis, New Mexico’s per-capita personal incomes are the lowest in the Southwest region and 3rd-lowest in the nation (beating out only Mississippi and West Virginia). In fact, the AVERAGE New Mexican earns 37% less than the average Coloradoan, an astonishing difference between neighboring states. While […]
Ballots in the the mail-in Albuquerque Public Schools election must be returned to the County Clerk’s office by tomorrow (February 5). If you haven’t mailed your ballot in you can head down to the Clerk’s office downtown in person. RGF president Paul Gessing had one final chance to discuss the tax hike in a KOB […]
Kenneth Starr, independent council during the Clinton Administration, was in town recently for a speech to the Rio Grande Foundation on January 23rd. Prior to his talk, Paul Gessing and Wally Drangmeister sat down with Mr. Starr to discuss a number of issues that he didn’t cover in his presentation or other interviews. Check it […]
Efforts are once again under way in Santa Fe to raise the gas tax. It is not clear at this time exactly what the proposal will look like, but Speaker Brian Egolf assures us that a proposal to raise New Mexico’s gas tax from 17 cents/gallon to 27 cents (a 59 percent rate increase) will […]
