On this week’s interview, Paul interviews Jonathan Williams Chief Economist and Vice President for the Center for State Fiscal Reform at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is America’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.
Paul and Jonathan discuss the new Rich States, Poor States index that he puts together for ALEC and what it means for New Mexico and its neighbors. They also discuss Art Laffer and Steve Moore, both of whom are involved in the project and have generated headlines recently. The Index examines historical policies and their impact on state economies as well as expected future economic performance. How does New Mexico rank on each?
Finally, they address the issue of pensions and government liabilities and a second report Jonathan is involved in called “Unaccountable and Unaffordable.”
I believe the basic reason New Mexico is poor belong to the years of “tax and spend” Democratic rule. Even with Republican leadership, the legislature was controlled by Democrats. The real losers are the people who keep electing liberals who play loose with our money.
Thanks Paul for this great discussion and for the tip on RichStatesPoorStates.org
I am negotiating to purchase a company in Houston, but I will not keep it there. Been looking for a new home and this will help a lot.
No reason to expect fundamental change in NM until there is fundamental political change, for which the voters have shown no interest. The last time Republicans held a majority in the State House and Senate at the same time was 1930. As the state’s death spiral quickens, young people are leaving the state in droves. If current trends continue, eventually the only people left in the state will be government workers , illegal aliens and people who receive direct aid and payments from the government.