Episode 474: Administration Departures, School Choice Week/Bills, Tax Hike Proposed, NM Wealth Gap

Several members of the Lujan Grisham Administration have departed recently in the midst of the legislative session. Paul and Wally discuss some of the more notable departures.

RGF recently released a study about the medical provider shortage. 

Last week was School Choice week. Bills have been introduced on both the Democrat and Republican sides of the aisle to create choice. These bills will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, February 1.

Despite a massive surplus some powerful Democrats are pushing to raise taxes. One bill, HB 119 would add a 6.5% and 6.9% top rate on top of the 5.9% rate and the 6.5% rate would kick in at $200,000 annual income for married couples.

Under Bill Richardson NM’s top income tax rate was dropped to 4.9%.

Some bills reining in the Gov.’s emergency powers have passed out of their first committees and are on their way to House Judiciary Committee.

The Foundation’s Freedom Index bill tracking site is a tool people can use to find out how the bills they support/oppose are faring and how their legislators are voting on them.

A new Wallethub report says New Mexico has one of the smallest wealth gaps by race/ethnicity. This undermines a lot of left-wing talking points, but notably New Mexico is poor AND even the wealthiest in New Mexico don’t register relative to other states.