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30 Dec

Posted at 14:07h in Education, Politics by
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Paul Gessing is the President of the Rio Grande Foundation. He reviews the politics of 2020 and the public policy decisions made during a most unusual year in New Mexico. The Rio Grande Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable, tax-exempt, non-profit economic policy think tank located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Paul and his team have built a website full of valuable information  https://riograndefoundation.org/. Here are a few of the topics Paul covers on today’s show with links to additional information:

  1. Trump signs the $900 billion stimulus bill and $1.4 federal funding legislation: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/27/congress-stimulus-deal-450380. Biden has called the legislation a “down payment” on what we can only imagine will be an even more significant “stimulus” soon. COVID dominated 2020 like no other issue has dominated a year since World War II or perhaps the Great Depression.
  2. 2020 NM Legislative Session: https://riograndefoundation.org/?s=Legislative+session
    1. 2020 started with a 30-day legislative session and a significant surplus thanks to the oil and gas industry. A budget was passed that pushed State spending to $7.6 billion, a 21% increase over two years.
    2. SB 5; -7 (worst of the session): Red Flag Bill infringes on gun rights, due process and creates new opportunities for costly lawsuits against local governments;
    3. HB 364; -6 Public Employee Give away
    4. HB 83; -6 Creates a new $320 million fund for early education
    5. RGF worked on PERA to reform one of NM’s underfunded public employee pension systems.
    6. No tax reform or Social Security tax relief.
    7. Free College failed.
  3. What are the conflicts of interest for Deb Haaland, Biden Nominee for Interior Secretary, and the Management of Tribal Lands in NM? https://riograndefoundation.org/?s=Deb+Haaland
  4. RGF wins ethics complaint against Mayor Tim Keller overuse of City website for Electoral Advocacy https://riograndefoundation.org/?s=Tim+Keller
    12. MARCH 11: COVID hits New Mexico. In-person school canceled for children in public schools. Begins one of the busiest times for the RGF in its history. https://riograndefoundation.org/covid-19-must-spur-long-overdue-reform-to-nm-education-system/
    13. RGF lawsuit asserts that Albuquerque city councilors violated open meeting laws https://riograndefoundation.org/rio-grande-foundation-sues-city-of-albuquerque-for-open-meetings-act-violations/.
    15. RGF pushes for and gets a waiver on Albuquerque’s ban on plastic bags at grocery stores. https://riograndefoundation.org/?s=Plastic+bags RGF’s efforts land it in NY Times.

29 Dec

Posted at 14:30h in Giving, Ministry by
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Steve Reimann is the Program Engineer for ABQ Connect. He has worked in Radio for over 30 years. During each broadcast of ABQ Connect, he monitors sound quality, answers phone calls from listeners, directs timing for commercial breaks, plays commercials, and coaches the host and guests throughout the show. Steve and Jim review the year on ABQ Connect in 2020. More information is available at Star-88 and KNKT Radio.

29 Dec

Posted at 14:04h in Giving, Missions Ministry, Nutrition by
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“The Critter Campaign has been a personalized way for families to get involved with the mission of Gospel for Asia, and we see the Campaign as a fun but serious lesson for kids to be givers as Christ commands us. It gets those kids outside of themselves and teaches invaluable lessons about giving and providing tangible help that then translates to opportunities for sharing the Gospel! Dr. K.P. Yohannan is the Founder and President of Gospel for Asia. For more information, go to http://www.knkt.com/ and click on the “Christmas Critter Campaign” Banner.

25 Dec

Posted at 14:08h in Music by
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Author Ace Collins characterizes himself as a storyteller. Today he takes us inside the nativity of over thirty favorite Christmas songs and carols, Ace Collins introduces you to people you’ve never met, stories you’ve never heard, and meanings you’d never have imagined. His book “Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas” is our focus today on ABQ Connect.   Ace has authored 99 books that have sold more than 2.5 million copies for 20 different publishers. For more information on Ace Collins and his books, go to  https://acecollins.com/.

23 Dec

Posted at 14:07h in Relationships by
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Matt and Toni Moffett have been happily married for over 33 years. Matt shares how he was attracted to Toni when she was his banker. Toni has some fun sharing with us how Jesus became the center of their relationship from the time Matt ask her, “Would you like a ride in my boat?” Wow, what an opening line!  This couple has an increasing love for each other every day. Pastor Matt is the Community Liason for Calvary Church, and Toni serves with the Bible Island children’s ministry at the church.

22 Dec

Posted at 14:37h in Bible by
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Archeologists Dr. Steven Collins, and Dr. Gary Byers, join Larissa Lusko on ABQ Connect to tell us “the real Christmas story.” For more information and resources on Bible Education, Theology, Archeology, and more contact Trinity Southwest University at 505-332-4253 or visit their campus located at Trinity Southwest University, 7600 Jefferson NE, Suite 28, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109, USA.

21 Dec

Posted at 13:40h in Encouragement, Health by
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“Being human, we are made for connection,” said Sam Newmon, Director of Cornerstone Lifeworks  Christian Counseling Services. “Our goal is to help people through their pain, so they don’t move into suffering.” The Cornerstone Lifeworks website says, “We have a mission s to help guide individuals, couples, and families into cultivating the quality of life and relationships that they were first intended to have. Sam said, “We want to bring people back to the identity focus of who they are from the Father’s perspective.”

Click on the links to review the backgrounds and qualifications of the counselors at Cornerstone Lifeworks. Their phone number is 505-345-2778.

18 Dec

Posted at 14:14h in Giving, Investing by
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Brian Cochran answers investment and money management questions from our listeners. Brian is a Certified Financial Planner with John Moore Associates. Click on the links for more information. Brian said, “A financial advisor is most valuable in times of large transition; buying a home; selling a home; loss of a spouse; a new job; retiring; new marriage. All these things that happen in life, it’s these turning points where a good advisor can step in and help you avoid some pitfalls.” Go to https://www.johnmoore.com/ for insights on money management and investing.

17 Dec

Posted at 14:15h in Espanol, Ministry by
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Spanish-speaking people worldwide connect with the Bible teaching from Calvary Church and Skip Heitzig through the translation ministry of Meliton Zapien. For over nine years, he has prayerfully and thoughtfully translated English to Spanish for the church. Meliton believes sharing God’s Word in Spanish is his “privilege.” Access the Spanish language teachings from Calvary Church with Meliton Zapien through Calvario Albuquerque Podcast en Español https://calvarynm.church/teachings/#/.

Meliton is an immigrant to the United States from Mexico. He says about America, “This is the country of opportunity.”

Las personas de habla hispana en todo el mundo se conectan con la enseñanza bíblica de Calvary Church y Skip Heitzig a través del ministerio de traducción de Meliton Zapien. Durante más de nueve años, ha traducido del inglés al español para la iglesia, en oración y con cuidado. Meliton cree que compartir la Palabra de Dios en español es su “privilegio”. Acceda a las enseñanzas en español de Calvary Church con Meliton Zapien a través de Calvario Albuquerque Podcast en Español https://calvarynm.church/teachings/#/.

Meliton es un inmigrante a los Estados Unidos de México. Dice sobre Estados Unidos: “Este es el país de las oportunidades”.

17 Dec

Posted at 14:07h in Community, Veterans by
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“We educate the legacy of our military fighting members that don’t come home or come home wounded,” Colonel James Quick (USAF retired) said. New Mexico Folds Of Honor is part of the National Folds of Honor Foundation. The organization provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. Money raised in New Mexico is used to help New Mexico military families.  James (Jim) Quick is the Director of New Mexico Folds of Honor. For more information, reach him directly at 505-350-3996 or on the web at https://newmexico.foldsofhonor.org/.