On this week’s Tipping Point conversation. Paul and Wally discuss the fact that Bernalillo County WILL consider public campaign financing at August 11 meeting (a vote will be held that night although if adopted it will wind up on local ballots in November).

Football stadiums are good enough for the world cup, but not NM United and Lobos.

LNG exports are bringing trillions of dollars to US economy (as we predicted).

RGF has provided and encourages YOU to provide public comment against the current, arbitrary Chaco Canyon buffer.

Trump plans to impose 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods using tariff language from the Smoot-Hawley days.

Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima endorses Gregg Hull for Gov. Also, according to KOB 4, a televised debate between the two WILL happen.

Our friends at Reason just released an interesting report dealing with various school enrollment data. Long story short, New Mexico (not just Albuquerque Public Schools) is seeing declines in enrollment. Specifically, New Mexico’s school enrollment declined by 7.3% (the 5th steepest decline) between 2019 and 2014. Births in New Mexico dropped 11.9%, a worse decline than any state except Vermont, Wyoming, and Alaska.

Net domestic migration dropped as well, but international migration was significant.

What can New Mexico do to keep more young people? Several of the top performing states in terms of a growing youth population (Florida, South Dakota, and Texas) have a zero income tax. Economic growth drives population shifts.

On Saturday, July 18, OAK NM (a project of the Rio Grande Foundation) tabled at the Family Festival sponsored by the New Mexico Family Action Movement. The event was a big success with families stopping by all afternoon to play ping pong toss, receive school supplies, and learn about the work OAK is doing to bring school choice to New Mexico. Specifically, we shared the fact that Congress has created a $1,700 tax credit for school choice. Whether New Mexico will participate or not is up to Gov. Lujan Grisham.

Thanks to Jodi Hendricks and the NMFAM team for putting on a great event! If you want to send the Gov. a note in support of the federal school choice program, click here. 

As if New Mexico’s $850 million unforeseen revenue surplus weren’t enough, the Iran War is back “on” and gas prices are on the rise again having jumped from about $65 a barrel a few weeks ago to close to $85 a barrel. This means the pain at the pump (and for the economy) is not over, but it also means that the $850 million “extra” that New Mexico collected in oil and gas revenues due to that war is going to grow closer to $1 billion or even more when all is said and done.

While we support bipartisan calls for reducing/eliminating the personal income tax that is going to be a task for the 2027 Legislature and new Governor. NOW is the time for a special session to provide impactful rebates ($500 or more, not $250) to New Mexico families. New Mexico’s financial position continues to grow stronger at the expense of average New Mexicans who are facing higher costs.

The comment period is open from now until July 29, 2026. Submit your comment by clicking here today.

Acting arbitrarily, the Biden Administration, led by Deb Haaland (who is running for Governor) adopted a 10 mile moratorium AROUND Chaco Canyon in 2023. The moratorium would prevent any development in the 336,400 acres surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

While New Mexico’s leftist-dominated political establishment has repeatedly claimed that overturning the buffer would “destroy” Chaco Canyon, the reality is that this  buffer was imposed very recently and with no scientific justification. Also, contrary to what is often portrayed, the Native community in the area OPPOSES the buffer and protested Deb Haaland when she came to the region to celebrate it.  

The following is the Rio Grande Foundation’s comment:

As president of the Rio Grande Foundation, a non-partisan, free market public policy research think tank based in Albuquerque, I urge you to undo the 10 mile “buffer zone” around Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Simply put, there has never been a scientific justification for the 20 mile barrier. Rather, the buffer seems to be based on the preferences of radical environmental groups that want NO oil and gas (or mineral development) anywhere near Chaco Canyon or anywhere else.

Preventing development on the 336,404 acres near Chaco Culture National Historical Park would negatively impact Navajo leaseholders and New Mexico’s economy as a whole. Simply put, the moratorium is based on the political preferences of well heeled “environmentalist” advocacy groups, not the best interests of average New Mexicans or Native groups that have economic interests in the area.

The Bureau should make decisions based on science, not simple politics. If science shows that a 2 or 5 mile buffer zone is the best decision for protecting Chaco Culture National Historical Park then it would be simple to do that in the future, but any and all buffer zones should be based on science, not politics.

No one is “drilling” Chaco. New Mexico’s political leadership are quite simply lying about the situation. This is a buffer zone AROUND the Park. I strongly encourage the Bureau to eliminate the current 10 mile buffer zone.

The first 20-30 seconds of this video (which I have conveniently set up to start at the 7:20 mark) are taken along Route 66 which turns 100 years old this year. A foreign couple has come to visit and let’s just say they probably aren’t going to tell their friends to visit “Burque.” They specifically check out this mural with the silly “Burque” image, can’t quite seem to figure out how to pronounce the strange contraction, and then discover human feces all over the sign and area around the sign.

Fresh off of that misadventure they walk down the street (also Central) and hear screams which cause them to adopt the mantra “don’t make eye contact.”

Just another day in Tim Keller’s Albuquerque. Free buses, sure, hand out “free” money to some, and waste millions on a bike path, but heaven forbid you make the sign look nice and clean off the poo.

On this week’s Tipping Point interview Paul sits down with Erica Ramirez, New Mexico native and Independent Women’s Network spokeswoman. They discuss the crisis in New Mexico’s schools—especially the issue of pushing gender ideology on kids, why the organization is active in New Mexico, a recent Supreme Court decision on the issue, and more.

At the Rio Grande Foundation we have talked a fair amount over the years about the potential economic benefits of the US exporting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). While New Mexico’s booming production is a very big part of that equation and many economic benefits and a great deal of money has flowed to the Land of Enchantment, this is truly a boom for the entire nation.

A new S&P Global Energy study (as reported by Reuters) estimates that US liquefied natural gas exports could contribute $1.4 trillion to US GDP through 2040 and rank as the country’s second-largest net export industry within five years.

The industry is expected to attract more than $1 trillion in investment across the supply chain and generate $2.9 trillion in revenue, $206 billion in tax receipts and nearly $630 billion in labor income through 2040.

U.S. ​LNG can account ​for a ⁠third of the global market in five years, it added.

The US LNG export boom is beneficial to other nations as well. Prices in Europe ​and Asia could jump by 50% if ​the ⁠new U.S. export capacity is not realized, the study predicted.

It added that U.S. LNG exports could help ⁠stabilize ​domestic markets during peak demand, ​while infrastructure constraints remain the main driver of regional price volatility.
 

If you’ve watched any of the World Cup soccer tournament you may have noticed that all of the games being played on US territory are in NFL football stadiums. Some of these stadiums have turf while some of them don’t, but that’s not the point.

What IS the point is that due to a judge’s opinion the New Mexico United stadium MAY be built at Balloon Fiesta Park after it looked like the project would instead be built at the fairgrounds.  We don’t really care WHERE the stadium is to be built because we don’t think the team needs a NEW stadium at all. The same can be said for the UNM Lobos football team which have seen a lot of talk over a potential new stadium as well. Both stadiums will be costing predominantly state taxpayer dollars.

The Lobos play just 6 home games this year.  The United play a few dozen. Why not build or revamp ONE grass stadium for both teams? If the World Cup, the VERY highest level of soccer can be played in a stadium used by the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers, can’t the Lobos and United share one nice stadium?

It has received VERY little attention to date, but at their meeting on August 11 (Tuesday) the Bernalillo County Commission will vote to take a big step towards public financing of elections. We wrote about this recently, but having talked to one commissioner about the plan recently, the idea is to set out a broad framework first with the following statement: “The Board of County Commissioners may, by ordinance, enact an Open and Ethical Elections ordinance to provide voluntary public financing for candidates for Countywide Office and County Commission who agree to campaign spending limits and meet qualification requirements.”

Then, upon voter approval of a ballot measure this November, the Commission will formulate legislation that would allow candidates for each of the five commission seats as well as County assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff, and treasurer.

How much taxpayer funding would be available and what levels of public support would be required in order to receive taxpayer funding are open questions.

Albuquerque is the nearest governing body with taxpayer-funded elections. To say that public financing has failed to keep “big money” out of Albuquerque elections is an understatement underlined by left wing groups. In 2019 they attempted to pour more money into the failed system. 

During his successful 2025 campaign for a third term, incumbent Mayor Keller was the only mayoral candidate to qualify for public dollars, securing $755,946 in initial public funding in June 2025. He later received an additional $377,973 in public funds for the December 2025 general election runoff. But, Keller’s political machine was able to raise even MORE money from private sources.

Why would Bernalillo County even consider adopting such a failed system? Would they really be able to address the major shortcomings of Albuquerque’s public financing system?

You can weigh in with the County Commission here. As we get closer to the meeting we will provide further details on the proposed taxpayer financing and details on the meeting.

The head of the Rio Grande Foundation and his family recently traveled to Florida on vacation. One of the absolute highlights was a trip to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. If you ever make it to Florida it is worth checking out. And, New Mexico’s own Harrison Schmitt looms large in the Apollo Mission exhibits. You can see some moon rocks collected by Schmitt below as well as the seal from Apollo 17 which Schmitt was on.

There is also a neat hologram tool that makes it seem like you are standing in front of Schmitt and talking to him.

Finally, we got to see a Space X launch at dawn from Cape Canaveral.

On this week’s Tipping Point conversation Paul and Wally discuss:

Paul’s  family vacation in Florida including a trip to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center where he “met” a famous New Mexican.

The Rail Runner turns 20 years old today.

What’s the latest on $250 refunds? Will MLG call a special session or not?

Sen. Munoz writes an article endorsing elimination of New Mexico’s personal income tax.

Paul applauds New Mexico politicians for speaking about the “abundance mindset” but explains why it shouldn’t just be about government.

NM’s next Gov. SHOULD address New Mexico’s permanent funds which are estimated to grow to $100 billion in just a few years.

According to a left wing group that supports “free” daycare New Mexico’s “learing” centers are staffed by “many” undocumented workers.

New York’s left wing Gov. Hochul JUST banned data centers from her state. The last thing NM needs is a moratorium on data centers.

It seems like only yesterday that Bill Richardson’s boondoggle train started running down the tracks (Belen to Rio Rancho at the beginning). Now, 20 years later and many arguments by the Rio Grande Foundation later, the Rail Runner is a confirmed boondoggle. It is hard to say exactly how much the train has cost New Mexicans over its 20 years. Original estimates were $400 million to build with $20 million in annual operating costs, but as with any amortized project the building costs were financed and then refinanced making them hard to pin down. Our estimate is about $1 billion to build.

Notably, the Legislative Finance Committee recently reported reported back in 2024 that the train needs to increase ridership by 23% to BREAK EVEN in terms of CO2 emissions. In other words, as it stands now and until ridership increases dramatically, the Rail Runner is bad for the environment. You can see all the gory details of Rail Runner ridership here which has plummeted from a peak of 1.2 million annually back in 2010 and 2011 down to just 600,000 annually.

The Santa Fe New Mexican (via the left leaning Searchlight New Mexico), did a story a few days ago “celebrating” the Rail Runner unquestioningly. The story was unintentionally amusing, however, because of the numerous empty seats to be found on the train. Having taken the train numerous times during session, we at the Rio Grande Foundation can testify to the fact that some early trains do get fairly crowded, but most other times ridership is quite low.

Naturally, we at the Rio Grande Foundation have opposed the Rail Runner since its inception and have been proven correct. Our idea was some kind of bus system to help commuters get from (say) the mall parking lots in Albuquerque to jobs and other activities in Santa Fe. This would have been far more convenient and cost-effective while also likely better for the environment as service could be shifted or reduced to fit demand. But, we were ignored. Will New Mexico’s “leadership” ever cut their losses on the train? It is hard to see at this time given New Mexico’s ridiculous levels of oil revenues, but you never know.

The following appeared in Las Cruces Sun News on July 11, 2026.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is to be applauded for calling for rebates for hard-pressed New Mexicans. With an additional $850 million available to the State due to elevated oil and gas prices because of the Iran War, New Mexicans should receive some help from a state that remains more than flush with cash.

Rebates are a temporary, one-time fix that are needed in part because the next governor won’t take office until January and the Legislature won’t be able to pass rebates until the 2027 session which means New Mexicans wouldn’t benefit until at least March of 2027.

The only problem is that Lujan Grisham’s $250 proposal is stingy. Rebates of at least $500 per tax filer would make a difference for families hit by higher costs and it wouldn’t even eat up the entire $850 million.

The Gov. should call a special session right away to get the process started.

What’s ironic is that usually levelheaded Democrat Sen. George Muñoz is so against the idea. The Chair of the Senate Finance Committee has called rebates, including a $600 rebate proposed by Republicans last session, “A waste of money.” Muñoz should really look at New Mexico’s government which has seen spending jump by 75% in the last eight years yet remains last in too many measures to count.

On the plus side, Muñoz told the Albuquerque Journal recently that he “favors paring back the state’s personal income tax code as a way of easing the burden on New Mexico taxpayers.” That certainly makes sense although it is worth noting that this is the first time Muñoz has spoken out in favor of significant tax cuts.

New Mexico has had significant budget surpluses on top of massive budget surpluses for much of Lujan Grisham’s eight years in office and yet we haven’t seen a single bill or even an op-ed or public statement from the Senator to the effect of wanting to cut New Mexico’s income tax.

We welcome Muñoz to the “club” of those advocating for significant tax reduction and reform in New Mexico and are eager to work with him in the 2027 session to make tax reduction a reality for New Mexicans struggling to make ends meet and find good paying jobs in our State.

Of course, we have a little thing called an election between now and the next legislative session. Muñoz and his senate colleagues will remain largely the same albeit without “progressive” stalwart Peter Wirth as Majority Leader. The House is up for election as is the office of governor.

Republican Gregg Hull has made clear that he shares Sen. Muñoz’s interest in tax reduction. He wants to eliminate New Mexico’s personal income tax which would be both doable AND a huge shot in the arm for New Mexico families and businesses.

Neither gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland nor speaker Javier Martinez, both of whom come from the “progressive” wing of the Democratic Party have said anything about tax reform or tax reduction of any kind. Haaland has also expressed skepticism of the Governor’s push for rebates while Speaker Martinez has been quite on both matters. Given their far-left leanings, neither Haaland or Martinez seem inclined toward rebates OR tax cuts next session.

New Mexico government tends to suck up money like a vacuum while leaving scraps for the private sector economy (including you and me). Will Lujan Grisham be able to call a special session and convince fellow Democrats to provide needed rebates for New Mexicans? Will Sen. George Muñoz be able to persuade more “progressive” members of his Party to embrace long-overdue tax reform? Only time will tell.

Paul Gessing is president of the Rio Grande Foundation, an Albuquerque-based think tank focused on the importance of individual freedom, limited government and economic opportunity

Recently, the leadership of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce wrote an opinion piece advocating for Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s concept of an “abundance mentality.” They specifically point to the Mayor’s vastly overpriced rail trail, a new stadium for the Lobos Football team, and even the North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center which has experienced massive cost overruns (from $17 million to $70 million).

It is noteworthy that these are ALL government projects (two of which are unreasonably expensive). Sadly, the ABQ Chamber has NOT taken a position on the gross receipts tax hike plans that have been discussed and rejected at City Council. How any pro-business organization can take a pass on a massive, unnecessary tax hike is beyond us. Check their website.

Even worse and more telling is the abject lack of an “abundance mentality” at the Chamber (or Mayor, but we expect nothing less from him) around eliminating New Mexico’s personal income tax. New Mexico is sitting on $75 billion in its sovereign wealth fund. That is projected to grow to $100 billion in a few short years. Sadly, neither the Mayor of its largest city nor one of its supposed “pro business” organizations has said a peep in support of “abundance” for the private sector. Heck, neither the Chamber nor the Mayor has even weighed in on MLG’s plan for tax rebates.

So, when it comes to “abundance” in New Mexico, it is reserved only for government. That lack of an “abundance” mentality when it comes to growing the private sector is how you get to dead last even in the midst of a massive oil and gas boom.

New Mexico’s ongoing experiment with “free” universal childcare (funded by taxpayers of course) is now in the midst of a debate over wage mandates and data collection, but what is most interesting to us is the following statement by one of the program’s biggest supporters:

Jacob Vigil of child welfare nonprofit New Mexico Voices for Children said that while the organization supported collecting the data, it urged the state Early Childhood Education and Care Department to put privacy safeguards in place, since many childcare workers are undocumented.

This statement raises numerous questions, such as:

What kind of background checks (if any) are being carried out on these people? It seems like none.

Are they being paid under the table or via fraudulent Social Security numbers? What accountability or enforcement will there be on how these people are being paid?

What accountability (legal or otherwise) is there in the case of abuse of the children in the program?

It’s crazy that New Mexico taxpayers are being forced to pay for a universal child care program for the benefit of the wealthiest people in New Mexico (if they choose to take advantage of it) as well as illegal immigrant parents and run by people whose documentation won’t be verified is just wild. It opens the system to not only Minnesota-style abuse, but more profound cases of abuse involving the children.

People unfamiliar with New Mexico politics often ask me “how does New Mexico wind up in last place so often?” Truly, it is hard to believe that a state as beautiful as New Mexico that also benefits from an incredible oil and gas industry and is the site of so many federal installations could perform so poorly. But, here we are.

Among the many ways New Mexico fails is that it is hostile to private business. And, while it will take a sea change to New Mexico’s elected officials (starting with the Legislature and Gov.) to make New Mexico more business friendly and economically diversified (not to mention prosperous) there are opportunities available now that, if embraced, could have profoundly positive economic impacts. Consider the data center boom which is sweeping the nation and generating widespread opposition. Recently, four hard-left New Mexico legislators announced that they’ll file legislation next session to completely ban data centers in New Mexico. Such a ban would eliminate needed jobs and economic development throughout New Mexico.

Yes, there are challenges posed by data centers, but thanks to its “microgrid” law data centers won’t take electricity off the grid or impose additional costs on New Mexicans. While some water is needed for these centers, treating and using “produced” water that comes out of the ground in the oil/gas extraction process. Sadly, well-funded environmental groups not only hate oil and gas, but hate anything that helps make the case for continued oil and gas or even broader economic development, so they oppose using produced water.

New Mexico is already seen (justifiably) as anti-business. This is why it is poor. A moratorium on data centers would be yet another self-inflicted economic blow.

New Mexico’s permanent funds (money set aside constitutionally from its oil and gas industry) just hit $75 billion and, according to analysts, will hit $100 billion in less than four years (by 2030).

This MAY seem like a good problem to have, but the money itself isn’t really the problem, it’s the fact that while the State of New Mexico is sitting on massive piles of cash, the State continues to flail. We won’t go through all the data here, but New Mexico’s poverty rate, lack of economic diversity, poor education, and crime are all serious challenges. Not all of these problems can be easily solvable with money, but they can be improved upon. Besides, no one has put forth a plan to actually use that money to improve on New Mexico’s dismal statistics.

In fact, it would seem to us that New Mexico’s Democrats (who have held power for decades in this state) don’t have a plan for using the fund or improving upon New Mexico’s awful outcomes, because they DON’T KNOW HOW TO IMPROVE things. All we’ve seen from them for the duration of the oil and gas boom is more spending and new government programs. Each one was supposed to have magical, positive impacts on New Mexicans’ lives, but they have not.

We’d recommend some form of broad based tax cuts and/or possible new broad-based business incentives or even tax cuts. It is hard to know exactly what can and cannot be done with this money under its constitutional requirements which also require congressional approval for revenues to be used. Regardless of limitations, it is time for the next Gov. to carefully consider using some of this money to make needed economic changes to New Mexico. A lot can be done with even a tiny fraction of $75 or $100 billion. The entire concept of the permanent fund is based on economic fallacy. Sadly, New Mexico has a poor track record of using its oil and gas wealth to improve outcomes for its citizens.

On this week’s interview and in honor of America’s 250th birthday, Paul sat down with Tim Sandefur. Tim is Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Goldwater Institute, the free market think tank based in Arizona. Tim is also author of the new book, Proclaiming Liberty: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence. Tim was recently in Albuquerque for a book event put on by the Rio Grande Foundation and New Mexico Federalist Society. Don’t miss this important and inspirational discussion of the importance and creation of America’s founding document.

On this week’s conversation Paul and Wally discuss MLG’s sudden call for $250 taxpayer rebates. Paul welcomes the news since RGF is the ONLY organization in New Mexico to have argued in favor of them. $250 is on the low side. Sen. Munoz says he wants to reduce income taxes, but where’s he been?

Another story (this one from KRQE) details the decline of NM’s film industry.

NM government: spend more money, fail, wash, rinse, repeat.

MLG’s emergencies are expensive in many ways, not just her COVID destruction.

Voices for Children (as usual) gets it completely wrong on NM’s economic incentives, specifically the LFC’s report on them.

Paul provides a brief recap of the Foundation’s event with Tim Sandefur.

As RGF has repeatedly noted, back in May of 2025 Congress repealed California’s exemption from the Clean Air Act which allowed them to set their own vehicle emissions standards. The vote (included numerous Democrats including New Mexico’s own Gabe Vasquez) and was signed by President Trump. End of story for New Mexico’s 43% EV mandate which, by the way, was adopted without the vote of a single New Mexico elected official (and has still not had a vote).

Yet, as the Albuquerque Journal reported recently, New Mexico politicians are still pushing the EV mandate. Drew Goretzka, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department told the Journal the following:

There are numerous legal cases underway challenging Congress’s illegal action that promoted the interest of auto manufacturers to force the purchase of more outdated, expensive technology that leaves New Mexicans vulnerable to Trump-led fossil fuel shocks. None of these cases ordered stopping or delaying New Mexico’s new motor vehicle emissions standards — New Mexico’s adoption of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II Program.

I’ve got news for Mr. Goretzka, Congress on a bipartisan basis passed the law overturning his precious EV mandate. It is true that New Mexico and other states have filed lawsuits challenging this law, but THEY bear the burden of proof and THEY will have to win (likely at the US Supreme Court and demanding they overturn Congressional action) in order to maintain the mandate. Good luck with that!

It of course is worth noting that Goretzka works for Gov. Lujan Grisham and derives his haughty attitude from her. MLG continues to show complete disregard for the rule of law.

This ABQ Journal article has a number of important news items (Kudos to Dan Boyd). While MLG considers whether to give New Mexicans a tiny fraction of just the unexpected Iran War Surplus (somewhere around $800 million) the article notes that the value of New Mexico’s permanent funds has risen to an eye-popping $74.8 billion.

Back in March (of 2026) we reported that New Mexico’s permanent funds had hit $70 billion, so that’s a 6.7% increase in JUST a few months. So, while MLG contemplates whether to return a few crumbs to New Mexicans the fact is that the oil and gas industry (and SIC investments) have contributed to massive gains in a very short time. While we’re not upset to see the State’s investments doing so well, the fact remains that 100% of the permanent fund is currently dedicated to further government spending.

Shifting a portion of that revenue to New Mexicans in order to reduce or eliminate various taxes would do more to bring prosperity and improved lives to New Mexicans today than the current plan to allow the State to continue building a war chest of future spending while the population remains poor.

So, the next time some politician says “we can’t afford to cut taxes” you have plenty of evidence to say “you’re wrong.”

I recently received an email from a group calling itself New Mexico Voters First. The email included the headline “Speak out for Public Financing this Week!” To date there has been very little published on the issue elsewhere although the barest of legislative language can be found here. 

The email continued, “If passed, Item 3A would include races for County Commissioners, Assessor, Clerk, District Attorney, Probate Judge, Sheriff, Treasurer could become more accessible to a wider range of candidates with this change.”

The details provided in the proposal are minimal. See Section F here. But, based on the experience with public financing in Albuquerque, taxpayer funding of elections does absolutely nothing to keep “private or corporate” money out of elections. Rather, it allows incumbent and well-funded campaigns to augment their private funding war chests with “public” financing provided by taxpayers.

We know nearly nothing at this point about the details. How much money per candidate and office? How much will this cost the County? Where will the money come from? Will voters have a final say in whether this system is created or will the incumbents (who will primarily benefit) simply enact the program?

At the Rio Grande Foundation we have consistently documented the rise and subsequent fall of New Mexico’s heavily taxpayer-funded film industry. Up to 40% of the cost of filming is paid for by New Mexico’s taxpayers and yet, as Channel 13 KRQE reports, “What was once a robust industry bringing in millions of dollars, is now a shell of its former self, with a drastic drop-off in work for both on-screen and behind the scenes New Mexicans.”

This is hardly new considering that New Mexico has a long track record of subsidizing specific industries rather than reforming its anti-business gross receipts tax or reducing/eliminating taxes like the personal or corporate income taxes. So, we are left with the following from film advocates who will likely push for “added incentives from Santa Fe that bolster production for locally-based filmmakers.” It’s unclear just how much New Mexico would be willing to subsidize.

As a quick reminder, Santa Fe Studios which not only receives the 40% rebate, but ALSO was built with a heavy infusion of taxpayer money, has been for sale for a full year. 

Also, San Juan County received $1 million in state capital outlay funds back in 2019 to build a studio to attract independent and major filmmakers to northwest New Mexico, but according to the County they haven’t had a single paying customer. 

Rather than picking winners and losers with our tax dollars, the Legislature (and future governor) should focus on making New Mexico more business friendly. As Sen. Finance Committee Chair George Munoz recently said, it is time to reduce New Mexico’s personal income tax.