Better living through better policy.

Tag: Economic Development

Construction Halted: Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Infrastructure Projects

Post author By Lucas J. Parker
Post date March 6, 2026
2 Comments on Construction Halted: Trump’s Tariffs Threaten Infrastructure Projects

Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper are driving up costs, delaying infrastructure projects, and threatening growth across key sectors of the American economy.

Tags Aluminum Tariffs, American Businesses, Construction Costs, Consumer Prices, Copper Tariffs, Corporate Investment, Economic Development, Economic Policy Debate, Economic Slowdown, Global 10 Percent Tariff, Global Trade, Government Spending, Grocery Inflation, Home Building Costs, Housing Construction, Hyundai Louisiana Plant, Import Taxes, Industrial Expansion, Industrial Investment, Industrial Policy, Inflation, Infrastructure Costs, Infrastructure Investment, Infrastructure Spending, Job Growth, Local Economies, Manufacturing Costs, Metal Imports, Plant Expansion, Rail Transportation, Railroad Infrastructure, Steel Tariffs, Supply Chains, Supreme Court Ruling On Tariffs, Tariffs, Taxpayer Costs, Trade Barriers, Trade Negotiations, Trade Policy

Agriculture Alaska Arizona California Coal, Oil, Natural Gas Colorado Conservatism Culture Domestic Policy Energy & Environment Energy Economics Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Life New Mexico Oklahoma Political Thought Progressivism Public Opinion Renewable Energy Texas Top Issues Updates Utah

The Washington Post: New Mexico knows Trump’s BLM nominee. Back away.

Post author By Patrick M. Brenner
Post date November 22, 2025
No Comments on The Washington Post: New Mexico knows Trump’s BLM nominee. Back away.

Former New Mexico Republican chairman Steve Pearce is the opposite of what the complex agency needs.

Tags Administrative Leadership, American West, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Climate Policy, Conservation Policy, Donald Trump, Economic Development, Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Environmental Protection, Executive Branch Appointments, Federal Agency Leadership, Federal Appointments, Federal Land Oversight, Federal Land Use, GOP Infighting, Government Competence, Government Reform, Grazing Permits, Land Management Policy, Mineral Rights, Natural Resources Management, New Mexico Legislature, New Mexico Politics, Oil And Gas Industry, Opinion Editorial, Otero Mesa, Partisan Politics, Patrick M. Brenner, Political Accountability, Political Analysis, Political Appointments, Political Polarization, Public Land Stewardship, Public Lands, Public Policy, Public Trust, Republican Leadership, Republican Party, Rural Policy, Southwest Public Policy Institute (SPPI), State Politics, Stevan Pearce, Susana Martinez, Tribal Nations, Trump Administration, Trump Second Term, Washington Post Opinion, Western Communities, Western Conservation, Western States Politics

Arizona California Colorado Data Economy Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Top Issues Utah

A 3-Letter Word: J-O-B-S

Our region’s employment boom continues.

Tags Economic Development, Employment, Jobs, Unemployment

Arizona Budget and Spending California Colorado Data Domestic Policy Economy Government Regulation Government Spending Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Taxes Texas Top Issues Utah

We’re No. 17.5! We’re No. 17.5!

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date April 17, 2023
1 Comment on We’re No. 17.5! We’re No. 17.5!

The latest research from the American Legislative Exchange Council offers more cause for optimism.

Tags Economic Development

Arizona Budget and Spending California Colorado Economy Education Government Regulation Government Spending Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Taxes Texas Top Issues Utah

Boomtown U.S.A.

The American Southwest’s population growth is en fuego — well, with two exceptions.

Tags Demographics, Economic Development, Population Growth

Arizona California Colorado Data Economy Government Spending Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Poverty and Inequality Texas Top Issues Utah

Diversity, Economics, and Income

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date March 8, 2023
No Comments on Diversity, Economics, and Income

What states are best-positioned to face the challenges to come?

Tags Economic Development

Arizona Budget and Spending Data Economy Education Government Spending New Mexico Taxes

No. 47 Stumbled — No. 48 Soared

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date February 17, 2023
4 Comments on No. 47 Stumbled — No. 48 Soared

Why New Mexico has languished and Arizona has thrived

Tags Arizona, Economic Development, Economic Growth, New Mexico

Arizona California Colorado Data Economy Government Spending Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Taxes Texas Top Issues Utah

It’s Time to Ditch the Double Tax

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date January 27, 2023
No Comments on It’s Time to Ditch the Double Tax

Taxing corporate income is counterproductive — more states should learn from Texas and Nevada

Tags Corporate Tax, Economic Development, Taxes

Arizona California Colorado Data Economy Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Top Issues Utah

A Tale of Two Policy Models

Post author By D. Dowd Muska
Post date January 25, 2023
No Comments on A Tale of Two Policy Models

Job-creation in the region is surging again — excluding California and New Mexico, of course.

Tags Economic Development, Employment, Jobs