Patrick M. Brenner is founder, president and CEO of the Southwest Public Policy Institute, a New Mexico-based public policy think tank with a stated mission to deliver data-driven research, advance government transparency and safeguard consumer choice across the Southwest.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Brenner joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to talk about a range of topics including what his think tank does, how it is funded and some of the policies the institute is currently focused on.

Brenner also discusses what led him to depart the Rio Grand Foundation, an Albuquerque-based think tank, and eventually create his own.

Brenner touches on issues including opioid settlement transparency, New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act, banking deserts, housing affordability and more.

A former Republican, Brenner also speaks about what led him to leave the party and offers some thoughts on New Mexico’s gubernatorial race.

Patrick M. Brenner is founder, president and CEO of the Southwest Public Policy Institute, a New Mexico-based public policy think tank with a stated mission to deliver data-driven research, advance government transparency and safeguard consumer choice across the Southwest.
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Brenner joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to talk about a range of topics including what his think tank does, how it is funded and some of the policies the institute is currently focused on.
Brenner also discusses what led him to depart the Rio Grand Foundation, an Albuquerque-based think tank, and eventually create his own.
Brenner touches on issues including opioid settlement transparency, New Mexico&rsquo;s Inspection of Public Records Act, banking deserts, housing affordability and more.
A former Republican, Brenner also speaks about what led him to leave the party and offers some thoughts on New Mexico&rsquo;s gubernatorial race.

The Santa Fe New Mexican’s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

Around the Roundhouse

The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

From opioid settlement transparency to banking deserts, think tank CEO talks policy issues in N.M.

Michael Perry grew up in Roswell with an interesting aspiration for a child — he wanted to be a game warden.

One of his grandfathers was a director with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and took Perry quail hunting all over the state. After studying wildlife science at New Mexico State University, Perry followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and served as a game warden for the department for more than two decades.

Perry now has a new goal — to become the New Mexico state land commissioner.

Formerly an assistant commissioner over state lands at the State Land Office, Perry is the Republican nominee for state land commissioner. He is running against Democrat Juan de Jesus Sanchez III to succeed outgoing State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Perry joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to share his positions on policy issues facing the State Land Office and to discuss the path that led him to this point.

Chacón begins the episode by asking Perry about his stance on the withdrawal of state lands from mining leases around Chaco Culture National Historical Park initiated by Garcia Richard. He also asks Perry about his thoughts on Garcia Richard’s denial of an application to run a portion of a natural gas pipeline for Project Jupiter through state trust land.

Perry then responds to a question about a proposal to increase oil and gas bonding on state lands.

Questions then turn to Perry’s campaign and how he plans to break a long drought of Republicans in statewide races. Perry says his decades of experience with the state Department of Game and Fish and the State Land Office give him an edge over his younger opponent.

The interview ends with questions about Perry’s roots in New Mexico, his professional background and his passion for the state.

Michael Perry grew up in Roswell with an interesting aspiration for a child &mdash; he wanted to be a game warden.
One of his grandfathers was a director with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and took Perry quail hunting all over the state. After studying wildlife science at New Mexico State University, Perry followed in his grandfather&rsquo;s footsteps and served as a game warden for the department for more than two decades.
Perry now has a new goal &mdash; to become the New Mexico state land commissioner.
Formerly an assistant commissioner over state lands at the State Land Office, Perry is the Republican nominee for state land commissioner. He is running against Democrat Juan de Jesus Sanchez III to succeed outgoing State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard.
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Perry joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to share his positions on policy issues facing the State Land Office and to discuss the path that led him to this point.
Chac&oacute;n begins the episode by asking Perry about his stance on the withdrawal of state lands from mining leases around Chaco Culture National Historical Park initiated by Garcia Richard. He also asks Perry about his thoughts on Garcia Richard&rsquo;s denial of an application to run a portion of a natural gas pipeline for Project Jupiter through state trust land.
Perry then responds to a question about a proposal to increase oil and gas bonding on state lands.
Questions then turn to Perry&rsquo;s campaign and how he plans to break a long drought of Republicans in statewide races. Perry says his decades of experience with the state Department of Game and Fish and the State Land Office give him an edge over his younger opponent.
The interview ends with questions about Perry&rsquo;s roots in New Mexico, his professional background and his passion for the state.

Former game warden Michael Perry touts decades of experience in campaign for state land commissioner

New Mexico is the only state in the country with an unpaid Legislature, but that could change come November.

Voters in the upcoming general election will consider a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for state lawmakers to receive a salary for the first time in New Mexico’s history.

Retired state government attorney Clifford Rees served House Democrats as a technical expert on the proposed amendment during the 30-day legislative session earlier this year and is a proponent of efforts to modernize the Legislature. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Rees joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to share his insight on the amendment, discuss the potential amount legislators would receive and talk about what he thinks may have held up past efforts to pay legislators.

Rees worked for four different state agencies as an attorney, spending the bulk of his career at the New Mexico Department of Health before retiring as general counsel of the state Department of Finance and Administration in 2005. He has volunteered his time and expertise over the last four years to research and speak on the process to modernize the New Mexico Legislature.

While legislators don’t receive a salary, they do receive per diem for meeting attendance, mileage reimbursements and pensions. Rees discusses how their pensions work and says that the constitutional amendment to pay legislators a salary would have no impact on their pensions.

Rees argues that paying lawmakers would expand the pool of people who are able to serve and says proponents of the amendment need to make the case that constituents as well as legislators would benefit by its passage.

New Mexico is the only state in the country with an unpaid Legislature, but that could change come November.
Voters in the upcoming general election will consider a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for state lawmakers to receive a salary for the first time in New Mexico&rsquo;s history.
Retired state government attorney Clifford Rees served House Democrats as a technical expert on the proposed amendment during the 30-day legislative session earlier this year and is a proponent of efforts to modernize the Legislature. In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Rees joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to share his insight on the amendment, discuss the potential amount legislators would receive and talk about what he thinks may have held up past efforts to pay legislators.
Rees worked for four different state agencies as an attorney, spending the bulk of his career at the New Mexico Department of Health before retiring as general counsel of the state Department of Finance and Administration in 2005. He has volunteered his time and expertise over the last four years to research and speak on the process to modernize the New Mexico Legislature.
While legislators don&rsquo;t receive a salary, they do receive per diem for meeting attendance, mileage reimbursements and pensions. Rees discusses how their pensions work and says that the constitutional amendment to pay legislators a salary would have no impact on their pensions.
Rees argues that paying lawmakers would expand the pool of people who are able to serve and says proponents of the amendment need to make the case that constituents as well as legislators would benefit by its passage.

New Mexicans to decide if state legislators will receive salary; proponent says ‘now is the time’

In the same interview where he discussed his friendly interactions with current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Republican state Sen. Jay Block’s words regarding the Democratic candidate running to replace her weren’t quite as cordial.

A strong backer of GOP candidate Gregg Hull, Block said “my dog would make a better governor than Deb Haaland, by far,” while speaking with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón in the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast.

The senator from District 12, which represents Rio Rancho and northwest Albuquerque, Block touted Hull’s tenure as mayor of Rio Rancho and said he would “bring a lot of common sense to the office of governor.”

Block was critical of Haaland’s policy positions and how she has handled her campaign. He said he was optimistic about Hull’s chances despite Haaland's large lead in campaign contributions.

Block’s tune wasn’t all negative when opining about New Mexico Democrats.

Addressing the state of leadership in the Senate, Block said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth did a “phenomenal job” in his position. He said Wirth, who recently announced he is relinquishing the role of majority leader, was willing to work with Republicans and was able to calm the chamber when dealing with contentious issues.

Block also praised Democratic Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, who he said has “been incredible for the Senate for eight years” and “has really gained the respect of both sides.” He shared his thoughts on the upcoming meeting of the Democratic Party of New Mexico’s State Central Committee, which will choose a new candidate for lieutenant governor after New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who won the nomination in the June primary, dropped out due to unspecified health concerns.

Later in the episode, Block speaks about his current level of support for President Donald Trump. He also shares what legislation he plans to bring forth for the 2027 60-day session, including a renewed push for a New Mexico version of DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency.

In the same interview where he discussed his friendly interactions with current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Republican state Sen. Jay Block&rsquo;s words regarding the Democratic candidate running to replace her weren&rsquo;t quite as cordial.
A strong backer of GOP candidate Gregg Hull, Block said &ldquo;my dog would make a better governor than Deb Haaland, by far,&rdquo; while speaking with&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n in the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast.
The senator from District 12, which represents Rio Rancho and northwest Albuquerque, Block touted Hull&rsquo;s tenure as mayor of Rio Rancho and said he would &ldquo;bring a lot of common sense to the office of governor.&rdquo;
Block was critical of Haaland&rsquo;s policy positions and how she has handled her campaign. He said he was optimistic about Hull&rsquo;s chances despite Haaland's large lead in campaign contributions.
Block&rsquo;s tune wasn&rsquo;t all negative when opining about New Mexico Democrats.
Addressing the state of leadership in the Senate, Block said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth did a &ldquo;phenomenal job&rdquo; in his position. He said Wirth, who recently announced he is relinquishing the role of majority leader, was willing to work with Republicans and was able to calm the chamber when dealing with contentious issues.
Block also praised Democratic Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, who he said has &ldquo;been incredible for the Senate for eight years&rdquo; and &ldquo;has really gained the respect of both sides.&rdquo; He shared his thoughts on the upcoming meeting of the Democratic Party of New Mexico&rsquo;s State Central Committee, which will choose a new candidate for lieutenant governor after New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who won the nomination in the June primary, dropped out due to unspecified health concerns.
Later in the episode, Block speaks about his current level of support for President Donald Trump. He also shares what legislation he plans to bring forth for the 2027 60-day session, including a renewed push for a New Mexico version of DOGE &mdash; the Department of Government Efficiency.

From opioid settlement transparency to banking deserts, think tank CEO talks policy issues in N.M.

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