Report: NM is the only state losing economic freedom since 1981

The Piñon Post ^ | March 17, 2025 | Piñon Post staff

[CedarDave]

The Rio Grande Foundation’s mission can be boiled down to one core principle: the advancement of economic freedom. In its most straightforward definition, economic freedom refers to the ability of individuals and businesses to make voluntary financial decisions and engage in free-market exchanges without undue government interference. Such interference can come in many forms—taxes, subsidies, wage mandates, excessive regulations, and other barriers that restrict free enterprise and personal choice.

The concept isn’t new. For decades, the Canada-based Fraser Institute has been a global leader in measuring and analyzing economic freedom through its flagship reports, Economic Freedom of the World and Economic Freedom of North America. These reports consistently show that countries, states, and provinces that rank higher in economic freedom outperform their peers in numerous ways. As the Rio Grande Foundation points out, jurisdictions that protect economic freedom tend to experience stronger economic and population growth, lower poverty rates, better environmental outcomes, and even improved gender equality.

A recent collaborative report by the Rio Grande Foundation and the Fraser Institute shines a concerning light on New Mexico. The study, which is the first of its kind, specifically focusing on the Land of Enchantment, reveals that New Mexico stands alone in an alarming trend. “New Mexico, unique among US states, has seen a decline in overall economic freedom since 1981,” the report states.

This gradual erosion of economic freedom has not been without consequence. According to the findings, New Mexico’s relative stagnation in both economic and population growth can be directly linked to its declining economic freedom. In comparison to neighboring states such as Texas, Arizona, and Colorado—which have generally moved in the opposite direction by reducing regulations, cutting taxes, and creating more business-friendly climates—New Mexico has lagged behind.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other economic indicators underscore this reality. While states that prioritize economic freedom tend to attract more residents and businesses, New Mexico has struggled to keep pace, both in terms of population influx and job creation. Between 2010 and 2020, for example, Texas grew by nearly four million people, while Arizona added over 700,000. Meanwhile, New Mexico saw only modest population growth, adding just over 58,000 residents during the same period.

The Rio Grande Foundation argues that this is no coincidence. They believe policies such as persistent tax hikes, heavy-handed regulations, and restrictive labor laws have created an environment that is less attractive to both entrepreneurs and workers. “Economic freedom is at the heart of prosperity,” they contend, and New Mexico’s continued decline in this area could spell further economic stagnation unless policymakers change course.

In summary, the Rio Grande Foundation’s report serves as a warning—and a call to action—for New Mexico’s leaders to embrace reforms that prioritize economic freedom. By doing so, they argue, the state could unlock its full economic potential and reverse decades of slow growth.

[CedarDave]

I usually excerpt Pinon Post news stories, but this one is so important for FR readers in New Mexico, that this is the entire article. I encourage readers to click the link for PP subscriber comments.

[CedarDave]

One comment summarizes the current situation in New Mexico:

So , what new Mexicans have been living finally is coming to light in report after report that cannot find any redeeming value in this state. its really simple, Marxist states and countries never prosper. The stranglehold the commies have over this state has paralyzed it and they allow no real progress, even though they laughably call themselves progressives. Liberalism , fake environmentalism , and narcissistic demented leadership have created the perfect storm for poverty ,despair and the downward spiral documented in report after report!

[CedarDave]

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[Ge0ffrey]

The most Democratic run state in the union.

[rfp1234]

Worse than Commiefornia, Ore-gone and Washingtoon State? I don’t believe it.

[linMcHlp]

bttt

[Thommas]

..the Rio Grande Foundation’s report serves as a warning—and a call to action—for New Mexico’s leaders..

As you, and others, have noted, the overarching problem with New Mexico [The most Democratic run state in the union.]
is governance by the Communist/Democratic machine.

Make no mistake, this decline is what the communist want for all of us.

[rktman]

SMDH CedarDave. If not for Santee fe and the politics, NM would be awesome.

[CedarDave]

I’m not sure I believe it either. But we’re #50 in education and #1 in poverty. We stay above water only because oil and natural gas revenues pay 35+% of all state income. And the nutters in Santa Fe spend each session trying to shut the industry down in the name of climate change prevention. They adopt California rules (net zero emissions by 2050, 43% of new vehicles sold next year must be electric, 83% by 2032).

The trial lawyers control the legislature with large political donations to the Democratic Reps and Senators. We have a shortage of medical providers because there is essentially no cap on punitive damages for medical malpractice insurance - if available at all, costs are 2-3 times higher than across the state line in Texas. A 2024 judgement awarded $412 million in a malpractice case.

However, by the skin of our voter teeth, the legislature last week narrowly defeated a bill to require employers to provide six-weeks of paid employee leave “for circumstances such as serious health conditions, acting as a family caregiver, bereavement, military exigencies, or situations involving domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or abuse.” It’s a bill that has been introduced each year with variations and each year the votes to defeat it become less.

And each year there is massive holding of one’s breath when the 60 day session ends, this year this coming Saturday at noon. Both good and bad bills die that Saturday morning and the hope is that those impacting citizens, like gun bans and new regulations (each new home be EV charger capable) die not to reappear until next year.

[anton]

One third native Americans, one third CA liberals, and one third white people.

[CedarDave]

I posted this in Chat as a local story and am pleasantly surprised and appreciate that the mods decided it was important enough to move it to the News forum. Over the years more than one thread posted by me has gone the other direction and I believe this is only the first time one has been moved up to News. Thank you.

[lovingliberty1965]

“CA liberals”

AKA leftists from other states who invaded red california and are now moving on to other states or going back home

[wjcsux]

The gross receipts tax has killed many business opportunities.

[ansel12]

It was immigration that killed California, not Americans from out of state, remember that California was never conservative but it did have a large socially liberal GOP population which fell easily to the immigrants.

[wjcsux]

When my X was diagnosed with breast cancer, I took her to the University of Arizona hospital in Tucson for treatment. Her doctor in Albuquerque immediately wanted to do radical surgery. The doctor in Tucson cared for her and she made a complete recovery with minor surgery and radiation treatment. We made the drive from Albuquerque to Tucson every two weeks for her treatment. Fortunately, we were able to stay with my mom.

[lovingliberty1965]

“remember that California was never conservative”

Voted for a republican president in 1980
Voted for a republican president in 1984
Voted for a republican president in 1988
Voted for a republican Governor in the 90’s
Voted for a republican Governor in the 2000’s recall

Just stop it with your historical revisionism, I know you Democrats love your re-writing history but that ain’t gonna work here

[ansel12]

Learn to read a post and learn something about politics and learn something about California.

To quote my post—”California was never conservative but it did have a large socially liberal GOP population”.

[lovingliberty1965]

https://www.breitbart.com/border/2017/01/23/poll-74-percent-californians-want-end-sanctuary-cities/
Roughly 74 percent of California residents want to see an end to sanctuary city policies, according to a poll by UC Berkeley.

https://www.breitbart.com/border/2017/01/23/poll-74-percent-californians-want-end-sanctuary-cities/
The poll, conducted by SPRY Strategies and sponsored by the Women’s Liberation Front, found 74 percent of likely California voters oppose policies that allow children who claim to be transgender to receive hormone and surgical treatments that could render them sterile.

So California is not conservative yet 3/4 of voters oppose illegals and the trans agenda

Look man, just stop it, you have dug your hole deep enough already

[ansel12]

If they were conservative they would not be so liberal would they.

To get back to why they are liberal, it is because of foreign immigration, not as you thought, Americans from other states.

The white Protestants of California still vote pretty much as they always have, but the Catholic vote and immigration is what took over, and since the California GOP was moderate and social liberal it fell pretty easy, unlike social conservative Texas which actually changed parties and has survived mass immigration.

[lovingliberty1965]

So ansel12 is saying that liberals vote for Ronald Reagan and oppose the LGBTQ agenda and oppose illegal immigration, correct?