082 Boondoggles and Bills in New Mexico

On this week’s episode Wally and Paul discuss the two recent bills signed by Gov. Lujan-Grisham. The bills raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour and increase film subsidies from $50 million to $110 million annually.    The Albuquerque Rapid Transit boondoggle received more national attention, this time from the Wall Street Journal. Many of the same city councilors behind ART are behind the plan (coming back to City Council in Albuquerque) to ban plastic bags, straws, and other plastic containers.    An excellent article from the Albuquerque Journal lays out problems with NM’s Energy Transition Act. Gessing provides an update on the bet laid down to 350.org and anyone else who thinks the new 50% renewable mandate won’t have an impact in driving electricity prices up.    A provision in legislation passed by the NM Legislature proposes spending $7.5 million on STUDY of rail spur to balloon fiesta park: http://www.errorsofenchantment.com/save-the-7-5-million-heres-our-analysis-of-the-rail-runner-spur-to-balloon-fiesta-park/   Paul talks about his trip to Los Alamos to discuss the session and should talk about taxing the Los Alamos contractors.    Sen. Udall is retiring. What’s it mean?    Larry Schweikart is coming back and this time he’ll discuss his new book on Ronald Reagan: https://riograndefoundation.org/event-registration/?ee=106  

Podcast: Play in new window | Download