Errors of Enchantment

Our elected officials have a way of taking advantage of Americans' poor memories. As Robert Higgs points out, it seems like only yesterday that executives from the oil and gas industry were hauled before Congress and berated for supposedly "gouging" consumers. Fortunately for American motorists (and other energy users), prices continue to drop and, not surprisingly, Congress hasn't thanked the industry.

Perhaps Exxon and BP will get a bailout too if prices continue their recent declines?

Posted by Paul Gessing at 05:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'll be discussing the election results on Albuquerque's KUNM public radio station 89.9 FM and Artesia's KSVP 990AM. Tune in!

Posted by Paul Gessing at 06:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Albuquerque's weekly periodical The Alibi had an interesting (and balanced) story on the Nolan Chart. The Nolan Chart is a popular political quiz that allows those who take it to get a better feel for where they stand as far as the popular terms "liberal," conservative, libertarian, or even statist.

So, before you cast your vote, take this quick and fact-based political quiz. Figure out where you and your favorite candidate stand on the issues and whether or not you really agree.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Over at Town Hall, citizen activist Paul Jacob has compiled a list of the top 10 ballot measures on the ballot nationwide this November. Sure, we are voting on the Rail Runner (ex post facto) of course, but wouldn't it be great if citizens could put issues they want on the ballot?

Here in New Mexico we really don't have this capability as we lack the initiative and referendum process (in most cases at the state level). I realize that in a liberal state like New Mexico, this could be dangerous, but I'm willing to take my chances that allowing the people to have a greater say in the rules they live under will be a good thing. What do you think?

Posted by Paul Gessing at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you missed our breakfast with Jonah Goldberg, you missed a great event. Don't believe me? Just take a look at a few of the comments posted by local bloggers. Here are the thoughts of Gary Wolf over at AWOL Civilization. Harold Morgan over at Capitol Report had this to say on the Capitol Report blog.

Jim Scarantino also had some insightful thoughts over on the New Mexico Liberty.

If you want to find out what Goldberg thinks of the ongoing economic situation, check out his recent column here.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In case you have been completely out of the loop for the last few months, you are probably aware that we are hosting a breakfast event with prominent conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg tomorrow (Friday morning) in Albuquerque.

With someone as prominent as Goldberg in town, particularly during a heated election season, we have seen some interesting blog traffic from the left-wing blogosphere. Check out this post from FBIHOP. Somewhat more surprising was the snarky attitude taken towards Goldberg by the supposedly non-partisan New Mexico Independent. The good news is that hostile publicity is better than no publicity at all.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 01:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Keeping track of what is happening in Santa Fe during the legislative session can be a real chore. Special interests, media outlets, and those with highly paid lobbyists are often the only ones capable of keeping on top of what is going on. Worse, even if you can track how particular legislators are voting on the issues, you often need a law degree to figure out what bills actually mean.

In order to allow individual New Mexicans (and media outlets/bloggers that don't have the time or resources to send a dedicated staffer to Santa Fe) to keep track of what the Legislature is doing, the Rio Grande Foundation has created a new online resource called New Mexico Votes. The website, which can be accessed at www.NewMexicoVotes.org is being made public just in time for the special session which is set to begin on Friday. Read the Foundation's press release to find out more about more about how to take full advantage of New Mexico Votes during the special session and beyond.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 05:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Rio Grande Foundation and New Mexico Prosperity Project hosted a luncheon with John Stossel at the end of April. Needless to say, Stossel's visit was of interest to local media outlets. Gene Grant of KNME's Channel 5 and host of "In Focus" sat down with Stossel to discuss his evolution as a journalist and Stossel's perspective on some important issues facing New Mexico.

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Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As readers of this site are undoubtedly aware, the Rio Grande Foundation is one of New Mexico's leading voices on behalf of tax reform and reducing the burden of taxation on New Mexico citizens and businesses. While the Foundation does not involve itself in political campaigns, one useful tool in analyzing where candidates stand on taxes and a wide variety of other issues is the Project Vote Smart website.

Project Vote Smart surveys all candidates and publishes the information online in order to give voters the knowledge needed when they go to vote. Information on races taking place in New Mexico can be found here (find the candidate you want and click on the Issue Positions/Political Courage Test button).

Because few incumbents actually fill out the survey, direct comparisons between candidates can be difficult. The primary battle between challenger Dennis Kintigh and incumbent Dan Foley in the 57th House district is one interesting example. While making it clear that he favors limited government, Kintigh's survey indicates that he'd like to slightly decrease corporate and personal income taxes (with other taxes remaining the same) and "slightly increase" K-12 education spending. Why would a supposedly conservative Republican state publicly that they don't see any problems with current property and sales (actually gross receipts) tax rates? After all, the Rio Grande Foundation has called the gross receipts tax "New Mexico's most economically-harmful tax." Likewise, why would he increase spending on a K-12 system that is clearly broken (for example, the Quality Counts 2007 study by Education Week ranked the state 51st in the nation for giving children a chance at success)?

Kintigh's opponent, incumbent Representative Foley, while he didn't fill out his survey, has certainly been a leader in reducing New Mexico's onerous tax burden. He's also consistently worked to reduce out-of-control spending like the 11 percent increase of two years ago.

These surveys are a rich source of information. If candidates in your area have not filled theirs out, contact them and ask that they do so.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

David Freddoso, a columnist with National Review Online, wrote a column recently on the Wilson v. Pearce race for the Republican nomination for the open New Mexico Senate seat. Freddoso did his research, talking to several free market or Republican activists around the state. I offered my two-cents, arguing that Pearce is the better candidate from the perspective of taxpayers.

By way of backing that statement up, I encourage readers to take a look at annual ratings of Congress put out by the Washington-based National Taxpayers Union. Pearce's rating data can be found here. Wilson's rating data can be found here.

I'm certainly not alone in my analysis that Pearce is the more fiscally-conservative candidate. Check out this hard-hitting ad from the Club for Growth.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

America's largest taxpayer group, the National Taxpayers Union, publishes an annual rating of Congress. As a former employee of NTU, I am intimately familiar with the ratings process and am pleased to say that their ratings are the best of any tax and fiscal policy organization in Washington.

The difference between NTU's ratings and others is that NTU doesn't pick and choose votes based on a political agenda. Instead, all votes are included and weighted based on their importance to taxpayers. The full report is available here.

When it comes to New Mexico's delegation, Sen. Domenici received a mediocre "C," while Bingaman received an "F," coming in among the worst-rated Democrats in the entire Congress (on par with Barack Obama). In the House delegation, Pearce received a respectable "B+" while Wilson received a sub-par "C-" and Udall picked up a low "F."

While these numbers are quite revealing on their own terms, trends are also notable and can be studied with the use of the ratings database. Since entering Congress in 2003, Pearce has begun voting with the taxpayer more often, improving from lows of 53% to his current high point of 79%. Wilson, Domenici, and Udall's ratings have remained fairly consistent over the years but Bingaman has become less taxpayer-friendly over time.

This is certainly useful information in light of the myriad races voters will be faced with this fall.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When discussing New Mexico's economic position relative to other states, we at the Rio Grande Foundation often cite per capita personal income as a measuring stick. That's because this statistic is the single best way to rank the economic strength among the states.

With that said, there is some good news relative to New Mexico's economic standing in recent years. According to new federal data, since 2003 (not coincidentally the year New Mexico's personal income and capital gains tax rate cuts began), New Mexico's national ranking has improved to 43rd from 47th with New Mexico leaping over Kentucky, South Carolina, Utah, and Idaho.

Sure, strong growth in oil and gas prices played a big part in this improvement, but note that Alaska's ranking, another state with a major oil and gas industry, changed very little over the same time period and has certainly not seen New Mexico's consistent improvement in recent years.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Paul Gessing appeared recently on Las Cruces radio station, KSNM 570 with morning show host Alan Riehl. Among the topics discussed were Governor Richardson's health care plan, the Spaceport, and a host of political interests of interest to New Mexicans. Listen to the show here.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 09:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you read our blog more often than you check our website, you may not be aware that John Stossel, one of the nation’s most prominent consumer champions, advocate for free enterprise, and critic of bureaucratic foolishness, will speak at a luncheon in Albuquerque at the Marriott Pyramid on (note date change) Wednesday, April 30.

Stossel, author of several books and the host of ABC-TV’s 20-20 program, is being hosted by the Rio Grande Foundation and the New Mexico Prosperity Project.

RSVP’s can be made online via credit card here. The event is open to the public at a cost of $30 if RSVP-ing before April 15; and $40 if after April 15.

If you are not familiar with Stossel and his work, many of his latest stories are available here. Stossel's work also includes a column that he writes on a variety of topics, always with a free market, limited government bent. A list of his columns can be found here. His most recent comment on the inner workings of Washington, DC lobbying and "influence peddling" can be found here.

We eagerly await Stossel's upcoming visit and will continue to blog his columns in order to expose readers to his message of freedom and limited government.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Along with Michael Barone, Grover Norquist, and several other prominent conservatives, I recently participated in a symposium on what it means to be an urban conservative that was sponsored by the Minnesota-based Center of the American Experiment. You can read my thoughts and those of the others who took part here.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Newspaper readers throughout New Mexico are aware of the financial problems and the very real potential for closure at Albuquerque's afternoon newspaper, the Tribune. While I am certainly sympathetic with the plight of the Trib and hope that new ownership can be found, I take issue with a recent article in the paper which cited the Trib's potential demise as an example of "concentrated media ownership" and argued that "A huge majority of columnists in most daily newspapers are right-wing."

First and foremost, while the Tribune is indeed in trouble, that has little to do with media consolidation. Instead, it is the result of increased competition from other news sources (including blogs) and declining readership among newspapers -- especially afternoon papers -- nationwide.

The author cites a recent report from a group called Media Matters which found that a majority of newspaper columnists carried in major newspapers nationwide are "right-of-center," writers, this may be a response to reader demands. After all, liberal newspapers like the New York Times are losing readers faster than their more conservative counterparts.

Hopefully the Trib pulls through, but if it doesn't, it is market trends, not "conservative, corporate media ownership" that will have caused the loss of the paper.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Club for Growth is a free market political action group based in Washington, DC that attempts to elect or defeat candidates based strictly on their free market credentials -- taxes, spending, trade, regulation, school choice, and tort reform to name a few. The group has done write-ups for most of the presidential candidates at this point and recently released their white paper on the Democratic candidates including Bill Richardson.

Clearly, while the Club views Richardson in a clear-eyed manner with all of his very real flaws, when conservatives look at Richardson in the context of a Democratic primary with Clinton, Obama, and Edwards, he doesn't look quite as bad.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 09:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An organization called Blognet News is now ranking political blogs around New Mexico. Based on their criterion and given slight variations from week to week, Errors of Enchantment consistently ranks in the top 10 as far as influence is concerned. View the rankings here. Considering that in the most recent rankings we're ahead of two commonly read blogs, Joe Monahan and Heath Haussamen, I'd say that we're pretty influential and having an impact. Hopefully, with a little luck and continued hard work, we can work our way into the top five and eventually to number one.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

(Albuquerque) On Tuesday, December 4th at 7pm, the Rio Grande Foundation will host the New Mexico premier of the new film “The Call of the Entrepreneur.” This is a free event.

This short (approximately one hour long), dynamic documentary presented by Acton Media and the Rio Grande Foundation tells the story of free enterprise by following the lives of three very different entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs risk it all to make a better future for their families and fellow citizens. Why do their stories matter? Because how we view entrepreneurs—as greedy or altruistic, as virtuous or vicious—shapes the destinies of individuals and nations.

A short trailer and some additional information on the movie is available here: http://www.calloftheentrepreneur.com/

With premieres from Houston to Kenya, this film has been met with enthusiastic responses as its message of liberty spreads across the globe. The Washington Times recently called the premiere “an emotionally powerful film experience.”

The film will be shown in Albuquerque in the main auditorium of the New Mexico Bar Association which is located at 5121 Masthead NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (near Jefferson and I-25). Admission is free, but in order to best accommodate our guests, please RSVP to: info@riograndefoundation.org or simply call us at 505-264-6090.

The schedule is as follows:

6:30 p.m. Light Snacks
7:00 p.m. The Call of the Entrepreneur Film Premiere
8:00 p.m. Brief Discussion (optional)

So come out after work and don’t miss this opportunity to see the message of liberty portrayed in such a compelling format. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce your friends and colleagues to these ideas and to renew your passion for liberty!

Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On Monday, Rio Grande Foundation President Paul Gessing appeared on KKOB radio host Bob Clark's radio show to discuss New Mexico's outrageous laws, the Foundation's work, and the post-Domenici political environment in New Mexico. Audio of the appearance is available here (after a few introductory commercials).

Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For those who attended and would like to listen to it again or for those who missed John Fund's talk in Albuquerque on the 27th of September, the Rio Grande Foundation has made a recording of the event available online.

A direct link to the audio can be found here. Photos are also available.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Rio Grande Foundation is hosting John Fund of the Wall Street Journal for a lunch talk in Albuquerque at noon on September 27.

Mr. Fund is one of the most insightful commentators on today’s political scene. In addition to writing for the Journal itself, he is a regular contributor to the Journal’s web site OpinionJournal.com. He has just been hired as a contributor to the Fox News Channel. His articles have appeared in Esquire, Reader’s Digest, Reason, The New Republic, and National Review.

Fund’s recent book, Stealing Elections: How Voter Fraud Threatens Our Democracy described the U.S. system of elections as “a haphazard, fraud-prone election system befitting an emerging Third World country rather than the world’s leading democracy.” He has written on New Mexico’s experience with voter irregularities.

The event will be held in the auditorium of the Albuquerque Museum which is located at 2000 Mountain Road NW, adjacent to Old Town Albuquerque. Cost per attendee is $25 and reservations may be purchased ahead of time through the Rio Grande Foundation (www.riograndefoundation.org) by check or with a credit card through our secure website. Boxed lunches will be available to all who reserve ahead of time. Pending availability, admission is $30 at the door.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 02:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On occasion, we at the Rio Grande Foundation are asked by our friends in Washington (yes, we have some!) to weigh in on issues of national importance. Two issues that I'd like to share are a proposed tax hike in the 15 percent tax rate on capital gains for individuals or for partnerships. We joined dozens of other groups that believe in limited government to send letters to both the House and Senate outlining just how harmful a capital gains tax hike could be.

Also, given the lack of transparency in Washington these days, there is broad, bi-partisan concern that future administrations pledge to be more open with those who pay their salaries (taxpayers). A second letter from the Rio Grande Foundation and dozens of other organizations expressed our desire for greater transparency in the federal government.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last year, Congress passed legislation to make the ultimate recipients of your tax money public information. In other words, people would be able to "google" their tax dollars.

One excellent example of this powerful new tool is being run by the group OMB Watch and can be found here.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Did you know that nealy 42 percent of New Mexico is owned by the federal government? A greater percentage of New Mexico is owned by the feds than even Washington, DC.

While there is certainly a justification for some of this land -- military bases for example -- it is hard to believe that absent any market forces acting on the federal government, that much of this land could not be put to more productive uses by someone who had an economic incentive to do so.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 06:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

At this point it is anybody's guess as to whether or not Governor Richardson will succeed in convincing the Senate of the need for a special session. But, the Rio Grande Foundation made its views on the successes and shortcomings of the 2007 session clear in an opinion piece in the Las Cruces Sun-News.

The lack of education reform and spending restraint were both disappointing.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last night's fascinating report by KRQE's Larry Barker on the trends (or lack thereof) behind DWI arrests in Bernalillo County should be required viewing for New Mexico politicians. Barker's DWI timeline displays monthly arrests since 1991, highlighting key events in our ongoing battle against drunk driving. Barker's conclusion? Tighter enforcement and stricter penalties are not reducing the number of drunk drivers arrested.

Continue reading "The Numbers Behind DWI Arrests" »

Posted by Justin Smith at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The United Health Foundation ranks us 40th among states in overall health. Details may be found here. The overall rankings:

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 08:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here are the latest probablilites from tradesport.com (notice who does not make the list????):

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Many of New Mexico's leading fiscal conservatives were quite upset when, in the 2004 Report Card, the Cato Institute gave Bill Richardson a "B" and called him “an aggressive tax cutter, the best Democratic Governor in the nation bar none,” and “one of the best new governors in the nation.”

Recently, Cato released its 2006 study of governors and, while Richardson only receives a "C," Cato still lists him as the 9th-best Governor in the nation. What gives? For starters, despite all his shortcomings, Richardson is a net tax cutter based on his income and capital gains tax reductions. With all of the other governors out there raising taxes, Richardson is going to be seen in a favorable light on tax policy.

Spending is something of a different story. According to Cato: "Richardson's budget proposals have grown faster each year, and the general fund budgets he signed into law between fiscal 2004 and 2006 have grown in total by a whopping 23 percent—almost five percentage points faster than population and inflation."

We at the Rio Grande Foundation have been saying very much the same thing about Richardson's spending record. If nothing else, hopefully his desire to play the part of a fiscal conservative and the reduction in oil and gas tax revenues will force Richardson to exert some fiscal restraint rather than raising taxes and further tarnishing his credibility as a "fiscal conservative."

Posted by Paul Gessing at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With apologies in advance for being a bit self-serving, I suggest you check out this new definition.

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It really shouldn't be such a radical, nor should it be such an uphill push in Congress, but it is good to see the Albuquerque Journal throwing its considerable weight behind more transparency in government.

Speaking of "transparency," although I can't say for sure whether the Republican Party's lawsuit on biased location of early voting stations has merit, it seems pretty obvious that locating an early polling station in the Albuquerque Public Schools headquarters for the September 19 school tax hike is a transparently political move. I'm not sure how this problem can be solved, but ways to improve neutrality in voting sites should be considered.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Check out the current probablilities here. Note that these probabilities are derived from the behavior of real traders exchanging real money in a political market. If you think you have better information, then you can profit from your knowledge.

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Out enjoying the gross receipts tax holiday this weekend, but confused about which items are exempt? Be sure to bring a shopping list--in this case, the state's 7-page list of taxable and nontaxable items.

You're going to need it...

Belts aren't taxed, but the buckles are if sold separately. Bowling shirts aren't taxed, but bowling shoes are. Sweat suiits and sweatpants are tax free, but forget about the sweatbands. Golf clothing isn't taxed, and neither are most gloves, except for golf gloves which are still taxed. If you're cold, ear muffs aren't taxed but hand muffs are. Neckware such as ties and scarves are tax free, but you'll pay taxes to tie a new bandana or handkerchief around your neck. Antique clothing will be taxed if you don't wear it, but won't be if you do. I could go on like this forever.

This would all be so much simpler if the tax holiday was applied across the board to all goods and services.

Posted by Justin Smith at 05:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There is a debate going on within the Republican Party that makes me want to hold my nose. Unfortunately, I may soon have to hold my tongue.

Kudos to George Allen for standing up for free speech.

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A few weeks ago, the Rio Grande Foundation questioned some signs posted at stations that are now being constructed for the new commuter rail system known as RailRunner. The signs stated in part that the project was “Funded by Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Legislature.” After calling the Governor’s office, talking to a few legislators, and raising the issue with the Mid-Region Council of Governments (the entity managing the project), I am pleased to announce that the signs have been changed and taxpayers are now being duly credited.

While we at the Rio Grande Foundation and at this blog frequently criticize governments at all levels, it is nice to see the Mid-Region Council of Governments clarify this issue by crediting the hard-working New Mexicans who provide the resources used by our elected officials for RailRunner and hundreds of other government activities.

Posted by Paul Gessing at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you have not done so already, check out our new website -- nice work by Paul and Ovation Solutions (Pat Riley and Barry Epstein).

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 07:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There is a reason for my lack of posts recently; I got caught. Sorry, ladies, if you want to snuggle up under a radical right wing you'll have to look elsewhere.

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here is good reporting that you will want to check regularly.

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The House has voted 218-209 for more restrictions on our freedom of speech. National Review editorializes:

We’re old enough to remember when the Republican mainstream was against restricting campaign finance. That was about four years ago. Way back then, House leaders were decrying McCain-Feingold as damaging to the GOP’s electoral fortunes and probably unconstitutional. How times change. The current crop of House leaders, acting with the White House’s blessing, is set to introduce legislation this week that would restrict the ability of so-called 527s — nonprofit groups named for the section of the tax code under which they operate — to raise money for political causes. Quite apart from the unseemliness of this about-face, the legislation deserves to be defeated. It is both politically unwise and, more important, an objectionable restriction on speech.

Tom Udall was the only New Mexico representative to stand tall against these restrictions. Jeff Flake and John Shadegg of Arizona and Ron Paul of Texas were among the 18 Republicans who are not shamed.

Posted by Harry Messenheimer at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My name is Paul Gessing and I am the new President of the Rio Grande Foundation. I have been in New Mexico working for the Foundation for three full weeks now and am finally getting around to introducing myself on this blog. I moved here from Washington, DC, where I headed up the lobbying efforts of the nation's largest and oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, the National Taxpayers Union.

Although I spent more than eight years in Washington and am not a "native" of New Mexico, I am not a stranger to the "Land of Enchantment." Most of my mom's side of my family is from either Albuquerque or Santa Fe. I spent a great deal of time here over the years visiting my extended family. Although I have traveled around the state during many of these trips to visit Taos, the Very Large Array, and Farmington to name just a few, I look forward to getting to know the rest of the state.

As I work to move both the Rio Grande Foundation and the state of New Mexico forward, I will consistently look to our neighbors for guidance -- specifically Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. Each of these states have uniquely positive political dynamics that are worth emulating ( they also happen to have healthy and well-run state level free market think tanks). Colorado, for example, is home of the Independence Institute, and the most effective spending limit in the country, the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. Texas is home to Texas Public Policy Institute, and the state has no income tax to chase productive citizens away. Lastly, Arizona is home to the Goldwater Institute. That state it is also the home of the greatest amount of educational freedom in the nation according to researcher Jay Greene.

In the months and years ahead, I will make it my life's work to put New Mexico on a more free market path, thus raising the standards of living for all of the state's citizens. The Rio Grande Foundation, and the state free market think tank movement are amazing and effective vehicles for these ideas and I look forward to coming up with new ideas for New Mexico-specific problems and bringing existing ideas that have proven effective elsewhere, to the state. I am looking forward to this unique and challenging opportunity!

Posted by Paul Gessing at 08:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As I informed you the other day free speech is under assault. Now you can respond to something specific:

Basic Message from: FreeCongress.org – (edited by Land Rights Network)

Grassroots Lobbying In Danger

You must call the Senators listed below immediately and insist that they vote against any section or amendment that hurts grassroots lobbying. Section 105 of S. 2128 is a bad section. There will likely be an amendment that also would threaten grassroots lobbying. No language should be added that has the intent of section 105.

Thursday, March 2nd the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is expected to mark up S.2128, a lobbying reform measure introduced by Sen. John McCain. The time for the markup is 10 AM and it will be in Room 342 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Your calls and faxes will be good through 12:00 Noon Eastern Time Thursday.

Action Items:

-----1.