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Mission Statement

We are New Mexico’s think tank.

Think New Mexico is a results-oriented think tank whose mission is to improve the lives of all New Mexicans, especially those who lack a strong voice in the political process. We fulfill this mission by educating the public, the media, and policymakers about some of the most serious challenges facing New Mexico and by developing and advocating for enduring, effective, evidence-based solutions.

Our approach is to perform and publish sound, nonpartisan, independent research. Unlike many think tanks, Think New Mexico does not subscribe to any particular ideology. Instead, because New Mexico is at or near the bottom of so many national rankings, our focus is on promoting workable solutions that will lift all New Mexicans up.

Consistent with our nonpartisan approach, Think New Mexico’s board is composed of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. They are statesmen and stateswomen, who have no agenda other than to see New Mexico succeed. They are also the brain trust of this think tank.

Think New Mexico began its operations on January 1, 1999. It is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to maintain its independence, Think New Mexico does not accept state government funding. However, contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations are welcomed, encouraged and tax-deductible.

Visit our Transparency page to view Think New Mexico’s most recent audit, IRS Form 990, 501(c)(3) certification, and other important information.

Results

As an independent, statewide, results-oriented think tank, Think New Mexico measures its success based on changes in law or policy that we help to achieve. Our results include:

making full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico
repealing the state’s regressive tax on food and successfully defeating efforts to reimpose it
creating a Strategic Water Reserve to protect and restore New Mexico’s rivers
establishing New Mexico’s first state-supported Individual Development Accounts to alleviate the state’s persistent poverty
redirecting millions of dollars a year out of the state lottery’s excessive operating costs and into college scholarships
reforming title insurance to lower closing costs for homebuyers and homeowners who refinance their mortgages
winning passage of three constitutional amendments to professionalize and streamline New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission, one of which received more votes in favor than any constitutional amendment has ever received in the history of the state
modernizing the state’s regulation of taxis, limos, shuttles, and moving companies
creating a one-stop online portal to facilitate business fees and filings
establishing a user-friendly health care transparency website where New Mexicans will be able to find the cost and quality of common medical procedures at any of the state’s hospitals
enacting the New Mexico Work and Save Act to make voluntary state-sponsored Individual Retirement Accounts accessible to New Mexicans who lack access to retirement savings through their jobs

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I wish the USDA would expand SNAP delivery options beyond this store in NM. Many stores and other options exist for delivery, but we are being kept to this one, unfortunate, option.

I am cautiously optimistic that, as reported in the press, Walmart through its brick-and-mortar stores will offer certain financial products and services to its low income, 'under-banked' customers which may complement Think New Mexico's well-researched agenda to limit predatory lending practices in this state; i.e. limit personal loan interest rates to 36%.

Good news/bad news: We understand the problem and might have a solution ~ but ~ New Mexico's public policy agenda is so hopelessly failed that we fear we may never achieve success in executing water/wastewater industry standard best management practices to improve the state's infrastructure woes. I'm a retired water utility supervisor with 27 years experience working at an investor-owned tap water company in a different state. During my working career, I used to advocate for the investor-owned utility business model juxtaposed with the public water utility business model arguing that 'privatized' water systems operated with greater efficiencies, yada, yada, yada. But the truth is, in my opinion, that investor-owned utilities are designed to make executives and shareholders wealthy; er excuse me, maximize reasonable returns on invested capital into 'plant'. One may draw one's own conclusion about the debate , but consider Pacific Gas & Electric, El Paso Electric and other investor-owned utilities business models and it is apparent that those businesses are constantly applying for ratepayer increases to invest into infrastructure but once those rate increases are approved, the money often disappears into executive salaries and perks. Maintenance is deferred, capital investment projects are delayed, employee salaries and benefits increase and soon, the regulated utility is applying for more ratepayer increases. During prolonged droughts, consumers are encouraged to conserve water. But conservation decreases revenue to cover the fixed costs of utility operations, so the utility returns to the state regulators asking for...more rate increases to cover the decreased revenue caused by consumer conservation. It's a wicked 'Catch 22' game, but the executives and investor shareholders always seem to win. I don't have a solution and I'm happy I don't have to play the game anymore, but there are resources that local and state governments can follow to help advance President Biden's 'Build Back Better' infrastructure improvement agenda in New Mexico. www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/effective-water-utility-management-practices, www.energy.gov/eere/femp/best-management-practice-1-water-management-planning, www.awwa.org, www.arup.com/expertise/industry/water. PS: I have no financial or business interest in posting this opinion.