Category: RGF Events

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Energy and Environment Events Notable News RGF Events Top Issues

RGF luncheon event: Time to think small, April 5 at Marriott Pyramid

Event Information
Last day to buy tickets
03/31/2023, Midnight, (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

About the event:
Join the Rio Grande Foundation for a luncheon featuring speaker Todd Myers, Environmental Director at the Washington Policy Center, a market-oriented think tank in Seattle, and author of Time to Think Small: How Nimble Environmental Technologies Can Solve the Planet’s Biggest Problems.

April 5, 2023
11:45AM – 1:00PM
Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North
5151 San Francisco Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

About Todd Myers:
With nearly two decades in environmental policy, Todd Myers’ experience includes work on a range of environmental issues, including climate policy, spotted owl habitat, old-growth forests, and salmon recovery. Currently, he serves as a member of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council and was a member of the executive team at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Myers’ writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, National Review, Seattle Times, USA Today, and he has appeared on numerous news networks including CNBC, Fox News, and CNN. Recognized as a national leader on free-market environmental policy, Myers serves on the board of two national center-right environmental organizations, the American Conservation Coalition, an environmental advocacy organization that works to engage youth on conservation and environmental stewardship, and ConservAmerica, a group dedicated to habitat and wildlife conservation.

Cancellation policy:
The Rio Grande Foundation will honor cancellation requests until Friday, March 31, 2023, minus a $5 transaction fee.

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Economy Legislature Notable News RGF Events Top Issues

Op-ed: State must encourage people to work

The following appeared in the New Mexican on August 20, 2022.

One of the most important yet underreported issues in New Mexico is our state’s poor workforce participation rate.

Currently, New Mexico has plenty of jobs, yet too many New Mexicans remain outside the workforce. Workforce participation in New Mexico first dipped during the global recession of 2008-09, but it took another big dip during the coronavirus pandemic and unlike most of our neighboring states, it has not recovered.

Our governor’s strict COVID-19 lockdowns played a role in pushing New Mexico’s workforce participation rate downward. In January 2020, the workforce participation rate in New Mexico was 58.7 percent. That rate dropped to just 54.4 percent by April. Just over two years later, the workforce participation rate still sits nearly 2 percent below where it was before the pandemic at 56.9 percent.

According to one report, “The Department [of Workforce Solutions] has experienced an increase in the number of unemployed who are receiving benefits without following through on their job searching requirements.” The department was flooded with new accounts and hasn’t been able to properly enforce these requirements.

In addition to the overwhelming number of recipients, the additional funds meant to alleviate damage caused by the pandemic have created a reverse incentive for reluctant workers.

While many policymakers are focused on the fallout from the pandemic, our research shows this problem is decades in the making. Since 1999, the workforce participation rate has steadily been decreasing by an average of 0.37 percent per year. The decline for men has been more profound, declining at 0.44 percent per year.

To explore these trends further, I looked at each sex by age range and found the most alarming change in men ages 20 to 24. In this age range, the workforce participation was 87.3 percent in 1999. That has steadily decreased to just 74.8 percent in 2019. For women in the same age range, the workforce participation rate in 1999 was 67.6 percent and rose to 73.7 percent in 2019. All other age ranges had a slight decline over the same period for both sexes.

One factor that appears to be contributing to the rapid decline in workforce participation rate in New Mexico could be the increase in single-parent households. In the year 2000, the percentage of children in single-parent households was 33 percent. That rate has steadily increased at a rate of 0.45 percent per year to 44 percent in 2019. New Mexico’s single-parent household rate has been growing at a faster rate than the national average. There is a strong correlation between increasing single-parent households and dropping workforce participation rates from 2000 to 2019.

There is no single policy solution for our abysmal workforce participation rate. Reforms to state and federal welfare programs that currently incentivize single-parenthood and idleness would help. Workforce Solutions must, at minimum, properly enforce job-search requirements. Setting a time horizon on entitlements New Mexicans are receiving by phasing out benefits over the course of one to two years (unless there is a specific inability to work) is another worthwhile policy. Reducing dependence on entitlement programs should be a top priority for policymakers.

Also, the Legislature, working through the department, should consider a campaign that seeks to encourage young men to get to work and encourages parents, primarily fathers, to be present in their children’s lives.

Many of New Mexico’s biggest problems — drug use, violence, family breakdown and poor educational performance — are directly related to a growing cultural acceptance of idleness and a nonparticipation in society. Encouraging New Mexicans, especially young men, to get into the workforce is a necessary and significant step toward improving our state in a broad array of metrics. It is time to use innovative approaches to get New Mexicans back to work.

Brendyn Toersbijns is a policy analyst with New Mexico’s Rio Grande Foundation. The Rio Grande Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan, tax-exempt research and educational organization dedicated to promoting prosperity for New Mexico based on principles of limited government, economic freedom and individual responsibility.

 

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Economy Energy and Environment Notable News Oil & Gas RGF Events Tax and Budget Top Issues Videos

Video of discussion: Kevin Hassett and Paul Gessing Evaluate the Impact of President Biden’s Energy Policy

On Wednesday Feb. 24, the Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation and Kevin Hassett of the National Review Institute discussed the impact of the Biden Administration’s energy policies on New Mexico. You can watch the discussion which lasts about an hour below:

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Constitution and Criminal Justice Legislature Notable News RGF Events Videos

Christina Sandefur’s Albuquerque presentation: “The Importance of Private Property Rights”

Christina Sandefur was in Albuquerque recently to share the importance of private property rights. She touched on a number of interesting topics including New Mexico’s successful reform of civil asset forfeiture and eminent domain.

Thanks to Danny Seymour for recording this video!

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Constitution and Criminal Justice Notable News RGF Events Top Issues

Speaker Series: Christina Sandefur, Goldwater Institute

Cornerstone of Liberty: the state of private property rights in America today

In coordination with the New Mexico Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society and Chapter President Emil J. Kiehne, the Rio Grande Foundation is proud to host Christina Sandefur of the Goldwater Institute as our latest guest speaker for the Rio Grande Foundation’s Speaker Series.

Christina Sandefur is Executive Vice President at the Goldwater Institute. She also develops policies and litigates cases advancing healthcare freedom, free enterprise, private property rights, free speech, and taxpayer rights. Christina has won important victories for property rights in Arizona and works nationally to promote the Institute’s Private Property Rights Protection Act, a state-level reform that requires government to pay owners when regulations destroy property rights and reduce property values. She is also a co-drafter of the 41-state Right to Try initiative, now federal law, which protects terminally ill patients’ right to try safe investigational treatments that have been prescribed by their physician but are not yet FDA approved for market.

Christina is the co-author of the book Cornerstone of Liberty: Private Property Rights in 21st Century America (2016). She is a frequent guest on national television and radio programs, has provided expert legal testimony to various legislative committees, and is a frequent speaker at conferences. She is the recipient of the 2018 Buckley Award in recognition of her leadership in the freedom movement. Christina is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Law and Hillsdale College.

Join the Rio Grande Foundation, the New Mexico Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society, and the Goldwater Institute of Arizona for Christina Sandefur’s discussion: “Cornerstone of Liberty: the state of private property rights in America today.”

The event is free, although we kindly request an RSVP. Light snacks will be provided.

Event Details

Categories
Constitution and Criminal Justice Notable News RGF Events Top Issues

KrisAnne Hall: Attorney, Former Prosecutor, and Constitutional Scholar to Highlight “The 10th Admendment and State Sovereignty” at Rio Grande Foundation Luncheon

Click here for registration form.

KrisAnne Hall is an attorney and former prosecutor who travels the country teaching the Constitution and the history that gave us our founding documents and will highlight “The 10th Amendment and State Sovereignty.”

The main point in State Sovereignty is that the states created the Federal Government and the states delegated certain authority to the Feds. The states are sovereign over the Feds. Anything beyond what the states delegated is NOT Constitutional and the states have every right to refuse to comply. This relationship has been completely reversed in modern thinking.

  • Location: Marriott Pyramid located at: 5151 San Francisco Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
  • When: Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm.
  • Cost: Seating is limited and can be purchased at the discounted price of $30 until Wednesday, July 3, 2019; $40 after that. Price includes plated lunch.

KrisAnne is a disabled Army veteran, a Russian linguist, a mother, a pastor’s wife and a patriot. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, she received her undergraduate degree in Bio-Chemistry from Blackburn College in 1991 and her J.D. from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law and is a former Russian Linguist for the U.S. Army. KrisAnne worked as a state prosecutor and with a prominent law firm defending religious liberty and First Amendment rights. KrisAnne lives in North Florida with her husband JC, a pastor and former Russian instructor for the U.S. Navy, and their adopted son Colton.

KrisAnne has been awarded the Freedom Fighter award by Americans for Prosperity, the Certificate of Achievement from the Sons of the Revolution for her defense of Liberty, and Congressman James Blair Award for Defending the Constitution.

KrisAnne is an incredibly passionate speaker – a true Patrick Henry of our time. She speaks to audiences all across the country on Constitutional History, American Exceptionalism, and the Fight for Liberty. Her passion and enthusiasm is contagious and she is able to inspire any group. She is a steadfast warrior in the Tea Party battle.

Click here for registration form.

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Notable News RGF Events Top Issues Videos

Larry Schweikart presentation: Reagan, the American President

Dr. Schweikart spoke at a Rio Grande Foundation luncheon on May 8, 2019. To be notified of future events please https://www.riograndefoundation.org/rio-grande-foundation-newsletter-subscription/

The powerpoint slides from his presentation are available here.

Anyone, whether they attended the luncheon or not, can receive a special link to Dr. Schweikart’s webinar on Reagan by emailing larry@wildworldofhistory.com

 

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Notable News RGF Events Top Issues

Reagan, the American President: Albuquerque Luncheon With Dr. Larry Schweikart on May 8th

Albuquerque Luncheon With
Dr. Larry Schweikart on May 8th

Click here for registration form.

Larry Schweikart is the best selling author of several books including: Seven Events that Made America America, 48 Liberal Lies About American History, and his #1 NYTimes bestseller, with Mike Allen, A Patriot’s History of the United States. Recently he completed a history of the modern world with Dave Dougherty, A Patriot’s History of the Modern World in two volumes. He has been on almost all media, from Al-Jazeera to Glenn Beck, from Tavis Smiley to Rush Limbaugh.

By popular demand, the Rio Grande Foundation is bringing Schweikart back to Albuquerque for a return engagement to discuss his new book Reagan, the American President.

In Reagan, New York Times #1 bestseller Larry Schweikart examines Reagan’s life through the lens of a conservative scholar who understands Reagan’s goals, intentions, and motivations. Through previously unseen administration documents, Schweikart reveals Reagan’s revolutionary initiative to create a North American energy zone (the forerunner to NAFTA), his role in crafting the Simpson-Mazzoli Act years before it passed, and the internal battles in his administration to press his economic recovery act through.

  • Location: Marriott Pyramid, 5151 San Francisco Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
  • When: May 8, 2019, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm.
  • Cost: Seating is limited and can be purchased at the discounted price of $30 until Wednesday, May 1, 2019; $40 after the 1st.
  • Books: Copies of Schweikart’s book will be available for purchase and signing.

Larry Schweikart, a native Arizonian, went to Arizona State University and received a BA in Political Science, then went on the road with several different rock bands, opening for such 60s/70s acts as Steppenwolf and the James Gang. He abruptly decided he wanted to be a history professor, and received an MA from ASU in history, then a Ph.D. from University of California, Santa Barbara.

Click here for registration form.

 

Categories
Notable News RGF Events Top Issues

Pics from Rio Grande Foundation luncheon event with Ken Starr

Ken Starr and former colleague RGF Board member Barbara BruinThe lunch crowd at Rio Grande Foundation’s Ken Starr luncheon

Paul Gessing and Wally Drangmeister with Ken Starr

Paul and Ken at the Rock of Talk AM 1600

Ken Starr makes a point at the Rio Grande Foundation luncheon.

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Notable News RGF Events Top Issues

Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation: Albuquerque Luncheon With Former Independent Counsel Ken Starr on January 23

Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation:
Albuquerque Luncheon With Former
Independent Counsel Ken Starr on January 23

Click here for registration form.

Kenneth W. Starr is a former United States Federal Court of Appeals Judge, U.S. Solicitor General, and Independent Counsel. He is the former President and Chancellor of Baylor University where he also held the Louise L. Morrison Chair of Constitutional Law at Baylor Law School. He previously served for six years as Dean of the Pepperdine Law School.

Most famously, Starr served as Independent Counsel while Bill Clinton was U.S. President. He was appointed by a three judge panel to investigate five investigations and achieved 14 convictions of those who were associated with Bill and Hillary Clinton in Little Rock.

After several years of investigation, Starr filed a report with the House of Representatives. He testified before the House Judiciary Committee concerning perjury and obstruction of justice in the Paula Jones litigation which led to the impeachment of President Clinton.

The Monica Lewinsky scandal twenty years ago provides lessons that are relevant today in the age of #MeToo as well as the Congressional confirmation hearings involving Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The investigation of President Clinton also has several parallels with Robert Mueller’s current investigation of President Trump. Starr recently published a book entitled Contempt: A Memoir of the Clinton Investigation which tells the inside story of the investigation.

The Rio Grande Foundation is pleased to host a luncheon and book signing with Judge Starr. The event:

  • Will be held on: Wednesday, January 23, 2018 from 12:00 pm to 1:30pm.
  • At the Embassy Suites located at: 1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque, NM  87102.
  • Price: $45 prior to Wednesday, January 17 and $55 after that date.

Click here for registration form.