Spurring Discussion on New Mexico’s economy w/ Democratic candidate Alan Webber

Recently, I penned a column that ran in several papers around New Mexico. Democratic candidate Alan Webber penned a response to that column.

While I appreciate Webber’s willingness to engage in a much-needed discussion over New Mexico’s flailing economy, his article wasn’t exactly reassuring insofar as Webber’s understanding of economic policy in the Land of Enchantment is concerned. In fact, Webber fails to even note that it is the Legislature that sets economic policy in New Mexico. The PRC and Courts also have a great deal to do with policies that help or harm New Mexico’s economy.

Speaking directly to Webber’s points, he either makes inaccurate statements or fails to specify what he’d do to improve our economy. For starters, Webber claims that our state is offering “hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts trying to lure big-box stores to New Mexico.” He offers no details as to the specifics of the policy or its harms, nor does he offer viable alternatives for developing our economy.

Webber also writes about education reform, citing the need to “leave politics at the door.” He offers no other specific education reforms while failing to explain how politics can be eliminated from an education system that is funded by taxes and operated by a combination of elected officials and government bureaucrats.

New Mexico has followed left-liberal economic policies for most of its existence. Our economy has also underperformed the economies of our neighbors, most especially Texas which has followed a more free market approach. New Mexico’s elected and aspiring to be elected officials should carefully study what Texas has done and figure out what New Mexico can do to compete with them.