

BONUS FREEBIE: New Mexico makes childcare free, RFK weighs blaming mass shootings on video games
Sep 13, 2025
New Mexico's bold move to provide free childcare is making waves, aiming to ease family financial burdens and encourage workforce participation. This initiative highlights the pushback it might face from Republicans, echoing Vermont’s healthcare challenges. The discussion dives into the contentious debate linking video games to mass shootings, emphasizing the need for rigorous research. Political shifts are also on the table, as changes in party dynamics and the Trump influence reshape the Republican landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
New Mexico Launches Universal Childcare Program
- New Mexico will offer up to $12,000 per child in childcare credits with no income eligibility starting soon.
- The program pairs subsidies with new facilities and an $18/hour minimum for childcare staff to expand capacity and quality.
Funding And Economic Effects Make It Feasible
- The state can fund universal programs differently due to revenue sources like an oil and gas fund, making New Mexico a plausible test case.
- Universal childcare also boosts workforce participation and child development, potentially increasing state revenue.
Population Size Isn’t A Simple Obstacle
- Debates over feasibility often misuse comparisons like population size or area to dismiss statewide programs.
- David warns these administrative and density differences don't automatically determine success or failure.