Tipping Point New Mexico
Public policy podcast of the Rio Grande Foundation
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Episodes
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796 Kerry Baldwin – Vita Nova Academy of Albuquerque
Thursday, March 26, 2026
On this week’s interview Paul sits down with Kerry Baldwin, the principal educator at “Vita Nova” a micro high school based in Albuquerque. Vita Nova Academy works to spark curiosity and build real-world skills in a small, supportive community. As an alternative high school in Albuquerque, we provide mastery-based education for teens in small cohorts, blending Socratic discussions with project-based learning to foster independent thinkers. As a member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, we focus on what you truly master, not just grades. The post 796 Kerry Baldwin – Vita Nova Academy of A...
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795 Latest on the State Fairgrounds, Blackstone and TXNM (PNM) merger, the Curley Effect and more
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
On this week’s Tipping Point NM conversation Paul and Wally discuss the latest on the State Fairgrounds. A heavily watched video by a left wing group makes several claims about the Blackstone merger with PNM and data centers. Paul and Wally correct the record. Is New Mexico suffering from the “Curley Effect?” This isn’t about Larry and Moe, but sometimes it seems our elected officials are related to them. Two of MLG’s big economic development “wins” have been abandoned. Community Solar is yet another subsidized boondoggle. Is NM an “Obamacare” Success story as the New York Times claims? The...
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794 Jose Orozco – Candidate for New Mexico Congressional District 2
Thursday, March 19, 2026
On this week’s interview Paul sits down with Jose Orozco. Jose is running for Congressional District 2 which is currently occupied by Rep. Gabe Vazquez. Paul and Jose discuss Jose’s background and why he is running. They also spend a good deal of time talking about issues including immigration and the “affordability issues” facing everyday New Mexicans. Orozco has a primary in June. This is a critical race for a toss-up Congressional seat. Don’t miss this conversation! Check out Orozco’s website here. The post 794 Jose Orozco – Candidate for New Mexico Congressional District 2 appeared fir...
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793 Albuquerque City Council Rejects Gross Receipts Tax increase, Free Childcare Running a Deficit and more
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Last night the City Council in Albuquerque rejected a massive gross receipts tax proposal that RGF worked very hard to stop. Paul and Wally discuss that, the latest on ranked choice voting, and the passage of a bill to make ABQ a sanctuary city. Does a UNM branch campus really make sense downtown? Here’s one California policy we can get behind. MLG’s free childcare is already running a big deficit. Washington State went ahead and passed an income tax. Guess what happened next? Should Medicaid cover obesity treatments? Some advocates want it to. The post 793 Albuquerque City Council Rejects ...
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792 Greg Cunningham – Candidate for New Mexico Congressional District 2
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
On this week’s interview Paul sits down with Greg Cunningam. Greg is running for Congressional District 2 which is currently occupied by Rep. Gabe Vazquez. Paul and Greg discuss Greg’s background and why he is running. They also spend a good deal of time talking about issues including immigration and the “affordability issues” facing everyday New Mexicans. Cunningham has a primary in June. This is a critical race for a toss-up Congressional seat. Don’t miss this conversation! Check out Cunningham’s website here. The post 792 Greg Cunningham – Candidate for New Mexico Congressional District...
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791 ABQ City Council Considering Tax Hike, Ranked Choice Voting, MLG Signs Medical Malpractice Bill, $70 Billion in NM Permanent Funds and more
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Albuquerque City Council considering a big tax hike. Act now to stop it! Also, a plan to institute “ranked choice voting” is making its way through Council. MLG signs medical malpractice bill. Worth noting is the fact that SHE and legislative Democrats created the problem in the first place. New Mexico is now sitting on $70 billion in its permanent fund. Paul will be speaking at an Americans For Prosperity event about the recent legislative session alongside Sen. Jay Block. Paul and Wally discuss the impact of Iran War on NM economy/oil and gas. The post 791 ABQ City Council Considering Tax...
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790 Johnny Johnson of the New Mexico Trucking Association – Taxes, Roads and Safety
Thursday, March 5, 2026
On this week’s interview Paul talks to Johnny Johnson of the New Mexico Trucking Association. The organization represents the interests of the trucking industry in New Mexico. They discuss the Legislature’s tax increase aimed at truckers and the broader impacts of the road funding bill (SB 2). They also discuss the situation with illegal immigrants/non-English speakers on the roads and broader safety issues in the wake of the death of a sheriff’s deputy near Albuquerque. Finally, they discuss federal regulations and their impact on trucking safety. You don’t want to miss this important disc...
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789 Money to Burn, Single-Payer Healthcare Proposal, Child Welfare Agency Misspending and more
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Ben Ray’s big dumb idea. Did you know: NM has money to burn? Deb Haaland touts left wing policies but makes an admission on the minimum wage. In the wake of the 2026 legislative session House speaker Javier Martinez says he wants to push for a Universal single-payer healthcare system. Medical malpractice bill was a major victory, but more is needed. An audit found New Mexico’s child welfare agency did not properly spend $4.2 million from an appropriation intended for behavioral health services. ICE could sign a contract with Hobbs detention facility circumventing a recently passed New Mexic...
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788 Fred Nathan of Think New Mexico – Medical Malpractice Reform and More
Thursday, February 26, 2026
On this week’s show Paul interviews Fred Nathan, the founder and leader of Think New Mexico. Fred and his organization played a lead role in achieving medical malpractice reform in the 2026 session along with some other significant victories. Paul and Fred discuss the path of HB 99 (med mal reform) through the legislative process and address what his group (and RGF) have planned next in the area of attracting medical providers to New Mexico. Check this important discussion out! The post 788 Fred Nathan of Think New Mexico – Medical Malpractice Reform and More appeared first on Tipping Point...
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787 What Happened (and Didn’t) in The New Mexico Legislative Session
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
With the session over here’s what happened and didn’t in the recently completed legislative session. Specifically, Paul believes that the tax hikes this session are an underreported issue. He breaks down the biggest tax hike bill here. Our Freedom Index site is complete and can be found here. The Supreme Court overturned Trump’s tariffs.Paul provides a detailed breakdown of the organization’s reasons for signing on to an amicus brief against the tariffs, why the process is so critical, and why RGF ultimately opposes these tariffs. The post 787 What Happened (and Didn’t) in The New Mexico Le...