Discussion Topic: Economy
RGF president comments on “free college” for KOAT TV story
There are any number of reasons to be concerned about Gov. Lujan-Grisham's plans to make higher education "free" for New Mexico students. I shared some reasons in my recent interview with KOAT TV. This interview was conducted via Skype from Roswell, NM!
Fire “Fee” Increases Just Another Hidden Tax
Another day, another tax on small businesses passed by the City of Albuquerque. Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of this one- the tax increase came disguised as something called a “Fire and Life Safety Fee.” With such a dramatic name, you would think this Fee...
An open letter to the Bernalillo County Commission Regarding Proposed Paid Time Off Mandate
The Rio Grande Foundation has sent the following letter (linked here in pdf format) to the Bernalillo County Commission. The letter details numerous, specific, substantive issues with the proposed sick leave proposal. August 14, 2019 Dear Commissioners, As a free...
What’s wrong with the ETA?
The following appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican on August 3, 2019. More details on Mr. Costello can be found here. I have written and studied electricity markets and regulations for almost 40 years. As a New Mexico resident, I have some deep concerns about the...
Time is Right to Reform New Mexico’s Tax Code
New Mexico has a golden opportunity right now. The discovery of incredible oil riches in the Southeastern part of our State is not just a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Rather, it is the kind of thing that happens only rarely in the history of any state or nation....
New RGF video explainer illustrates failure of New Mexico’s biggest corporate welfare program
The Rio Grande Foundation is constantly on the lookout for ways to educate New Mexicans about what their tax dollars are being used for and what state and local government could or should be doing better. To that end the Foundation has developed a short video,...
Rio Grande Foundation questions APS Superintendent’s massive pay raise in KOB TV story
Teachers at Albuquerque Public Schools are getting raises totaling 6 percent or more. Already highly-paid Superintendent Raquel Reedy will get an 11% raise with her salary going from $248,000 a year to $276,000 a year. See the full story below:
Talking mandatory paid sick leave on panel w/ Ernie C’ de Baca of NM Hispano Chamber & Carla Kugler of NM Associated Builders & Contractors
Alongside some other local business leaders I shared some of the Foundation's concerns about the paid sick leave mandate being considered by Bernalillo County Commission and expected to be voted on by Tuesday, June 25. A brief description of concerns from opponents...
RGF provides US Census data showing NM spends more than neighbors on K-12 for story
The Rio Grande Foundation recently published a story noting that the latest Census data show New Mexico outspending all of our neighboring states per-student in the area of K-12 education. You can find that post which includes a link to the original Census data here....
Rio Grande Foundation provides counterpoint on NBC/Universal subsidy deals counterpoint on NBC/Universal subsidy deal
The Rio Grande Foundation had an opportunity to explain (again) why New Mexico's film subsidy program is not the economic winner it is so often touted as in a number of media outlets. Click on the 1st story below for the KOAT story: Also talked to KOB Channel 4:...
NM should fully embrace its energy renaissance
New Mexico's energy workers have almost single-handedly reshaped global oil markets. Oil field workers have pumped so much petroleum and natural gas from the Permian Basin, which runs through southeast New Mexico and southwest Texas, that America recently became a net...
RGF report on UNM/NMSU sports teams generates coverage
The Rio Grande Foundation earned some serious news coverage recently in its critique of the "major" college sports programs at UNM and NMSU. In taking the position that student fees and taxpayer dollars should not be diverted to prop up sports programs we put fort the...
