>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS, ALL EYES ON THE GOVERNOR.

WE LOOK AT WHAT BILLS PASSED THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION  AND HOW THEY COULD CHANGE OUR STATE.

THE GOVERNOR DECIDES WHICH SHE'LL SIGN INTO LAW AND --  >> Griswold: NEW MEXICO HAS SOME OF THE WORST FACILITIES  IN THE COUNTRY.

THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR  GENERAL HAS TWICE CALLED FOR THE CLOSURE OF THE TORRANCE  COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY.

THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN  WATCHDOG.

>> Lou: AN IMMIGRATION  ATTORNEY TELLS US WHY ASYLUM SEEKERS WILL CONTINUE TO  SUFFER IN NEW MEXICO AFTER LAWMAKERS ONCE AGAIN VOTED  DOWN A DETENTION REFORM BILL.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS  NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM SENIOR PRODUCER LOU  DIVIZIO.

THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE  ENDED WITH A SWING OF THE GAVEL YESTERDAY AND THERE IS A  LOT TO GET INTO IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

IN JUST A MOMENT WE'LL HEAD BACK INSIDE THE ROUNDHOUSE  ONCE MORE WITH GWYNETH DOLAND WHO CATCHES UP WITH SEVERAL  LAWMAKERS AND POLICY ADVOCATES TO TALK ABOUT A WIDE RANGE OF  INFLUENTIAL ITEMS.

AN ATTORNEY FROM THE WESTERN  ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER DETAILS THE FAILURE OF A BILL  THAT WOULD HAVE STRENGTHENED CONTROL OVER THE OIL AND GAS  INDUSTRY.

THE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE  FROM CARLSBAD EXPLAINS WHY INCREASED ROAD FUNDING WILL  HELP DRIVERS IN HER DISTRICT.

AND A DEMOCRATIC  REPRESENTATIVE FROM RIO RANCHO TALKS THROUGH SOME OF THE  MONEY SET ASIDE FOR HEALTHCARE IN THIS YEARS RECORD-SETTING  BUDGET.

THAT IS ALL IN LESS THAN 15  MINUTES.

A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE  PROHIBITED NEW MEXICO CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM CONTRACTING  WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DETAIN ASYLUM SEEKERS DIED IN  THE SENATE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

IT WAS A MOVE THAT SURPRISED  ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM.

LATER IN THE SHOW, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEFF PROCTOR SPEAKS  WITH SOPHIA GENOVESE, AN ATTORNEY WITH THE NEW MEXICO  IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER.

THE TWO TALK ABOUT INHUMAN  CONDITIONS THAT DETAINED ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE  EXPERIENCING IN ICE PRISONS AND ASKS WHY STATE DEMOCRATS  HELPED KILL THE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD HAVE ENDED THOSE  CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS.

BUT FIRST, RECORDED JUST AN  HOUR AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CLOSED THURSDAY AT  NOON, GWYNETH DOLAND SPEAKS TO A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE OF  JOURNALISTS ABOUT WHAT PASSED AND WHAT DIDN'T AT THE  ROUNDHOUSE.

>> Gwyneth: THANKS LOU.

JOINING US TODAY AT OUR VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE, WE HAVE  SOURCE NEW MEXICO EDITOR SHAUN GRISWOLD AND TRIP JENNINGS,  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.

GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE GUYS.

FIRST I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE  BUDGET.

THIS WAS THEIR ONE JOB.

LAWMAKERS SENT A 10.2 BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET TO  THE GOVERNOR.

LET'S JUST HIT SOME OF THE  HIGHLIGHTS.

SHAUN, IT WAS A BIGGER BUDGET  THAN LAST YEAR, NOT HUGELY BIGGER, 6.8% BIGGER.

STILL THE RIO GRANDE FOUNDATION SAID IT WAS A FAIL  AND PADDED WITH GIVE-AWAYS.

SOURCE NEW MEXICO WAS THERE  FOR THE DEBATE OVER THE BUDGET IN THE SENATE.

WHAT WAS THAT DISCUSSION LIKE?

I WANT TO ASK YOU, DEMOCRATS  HUGELY OUTNUMBER REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND IN THE  SENATE.

DID DEMOCRATS STEAMROLL THIS  BUDGET OR WAS THERE GOP SUPPORT FOR IT.

>> Griswold: THE BUDGET DID HAVE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FROM  BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE MAJOR DEBATE REALLY  DOES COME OFF TO THE ISSUE OF RESERVE, YOU KNOW.

NEW MEXICO IS IN A SURPLUS.

THAT IS WHAT WHY ARE IN  ANOTHER RECORD BUDGET-SPENDING SESSION.

AND BUT THE CONCERN THAT WAS BROUGHT UP IN A LOT OF DEBATE  FROM BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WAS HOW MUCH ARE WE  GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THIS CASH FLOW.

OBVIOUSLY THAT IS DEPENDENT ON OIL AND GAS ACTIVITY AND THE  CONCERN IS THAT INDUSTRY CAN AT TIMES BE VOLATILE.

SO, BY SAVING MONEY AND PUTTING MONEY IN RESERVE THE  IDEA IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SET THIS BUDGET UP TO A POINT  WHERE WHEN AND IF THAT ACTUAL INDUSTRY STARTS TO FALTER AND  NEW MEXICO STARTS SEEING FEWER REVENUES FROM THAT, THAT THE  STATE WON'T HAVE TO DO DRASTIC CUTS WITH THE INVESTMENTS THAT  IT IS DOING.

BUT WHAT I THINK WAS  SUBSTANTIAL OUT OF THE DEBATE IS SENATOR GEORGE MUNOZ, WHO  WAS REALLY PROMINENT IN LEADING THE BUDGET  CONVERSATION, TELLING NEW MEXICANS, YOU'RE NOT A POOR  STATE.

STOP THINKING YOU'RE POOR.

AND THAT'S COMING FROM THE IDENTITY OF WE ARE SPENDING  MONEY ON NOT ONLY OUR GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO  INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

>> Gwyneth: YEAH, THERE WAS A BIG SURPLUS, THREE-AND-A-HALF  BILLION DOLLARS, MOSTLY EXTRA OIL AND GAS MONEY.

AND LIKE SQUIRRELS LAWMAKERS STASHED SOME OF THOSE ACORNS  AWAY LIKE A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ACORNS AWAY IN FUNDS  AND ENDOWMENTS AIMED AT CREATING WHAT THEY WERE ALL  CALLING FUTURE MONEY.

SO THERE WERE FUNDS CREATED  AND, YOU KNOW, PLUMPED UP FOR WATER, HOUSING,  TRANSPORTATION, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION,  CONSERVATION.

TRIP, YOU HAVE GOT THE LONG  VIEW HERE.

YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS  LEGISLATURE ALMOST 20 YEARS.

ARE WE LOOKING AT A MAJOR  CHANGE IN STRATEGY IN THE STATE BUDGET?

>> Trip: I MEAN, I THINK, YES, AS LAWMAKERS AND POLICYMAKERS  IN NEW MEXICO ARE LOCKING 20 TO 30 YEARS AHEAD AND SEEING  THIS, OR MAYBE EVEN 10 YEARS, LOOKING AT THIS MOMENT WHERE  THE PERMIAN BASIN ISN'T PRODUCING AS MUCH OIL AND GAS  THAT, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY HELPS WITH ALSO THE MASSIVE  TRUST.

THOSE REVENUES HELP PRODUCE,  WHAT IS IT, 40 TO 45% OF THE STATE BUDGET EVERY YEAR, OIL  AND GAS.

SO, TO SHAUN'S POINT WITH THE  OPERATIONAL RESERVE WHICH IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU HAVE  IN THE BUDGET, THAT IS YEAR END YEAR OUT, THEY ARE  THINKING ABOUT, YEAH, WE NEED TO CREATE THESE TRUST FUNDS  THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, TAKE IT DOWN TO A FAMILY, IF YOU'RE A  WEALTHY FAMILY, YOU HAVE GOT SAY 10 MILLION-DOLLARS, DO YOU  SPEND IT ALL RIGHT NOW?

OR SET IT IN INVESTMENTS AND  THEN LIVE OFF THE INTEREST WHICH CAN ACTUALLY BE PRETTY  SUBSTANTIAL.

AND THAT IS KIND OF THE  PRINCIPLE HERE.

THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE THINKING  ABOUT.

AND THAT WILL -- THEY ARE  THINKING IS, IN THE FUTURE THAT WILL REDUCE THE  VOLATILITY OF THE STATE BUDGET.

THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH.

BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE THESE  TRUST FUNDS THAT ARE FUNDING STATE AGENCIES, SORT OF LIKE  THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS BILLIONS  IN THEIR TRUST WHICH IS PRODUCING A LOT OF MONEY TO  FUND THE AGENCY.

SO, THIS IS, I THINK, YEAH,  THEY ARE THINKING AHEAD, NOT JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT  DECADES IN THERE WITH THESE TRUST FUNDS AND ENDOWMENTS.

THAT IS HOW I VIEW THIS.

>> Gwyneth: I WANT TO TALK  ABOUT TAXES.

THE HOUSE PUT TOGETHER A  200 MILLION-DOLLAR PACKAGE THAT INCLUDED INCOME TAXES FOR  EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE LEAST.

THEY ALSO CUT THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR THOSE  WHO ARE CONCERNING MONEY ON INVESTMENTS, REAL ESTATE, THEY  CAN ONLY DEDUCT ABOUT 2500 BUCKS.

THEY FLATTENED THE CORPORATE TAX RATE TO 5.9% WHICH WILL  RAISE IT BY ABOUT $500 A YEAR FOR BUSINESSES THAT BRING IN  LESS THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.

TRIP, HOW DOES THIS PACKAGE COMPARE TO LAST YEAR'S TAX  PACKAGE?

>> Trip: YEAH, THIS WAS -- IT  IS VERY INTERESTING.

THEY REALLY HAD A STRATEGY  AROUND THIS THING BECAUSE LAST YEAR THE TAX PACKAGE, OR THE  OMNIBUS TAX PACKAGE WAS ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN COSTS,  AND A LOT OF THAT WAS THE TAX REBATES THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD  WANTED TO SEND TO NEW MEXICANS.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR IS THAT SHE USED, BECAUSE IT WAS  AN APPROPRIATION BILL, AND UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, STATE  CONSTITUTION, IF THERE IS AN APPROPRIATION BILL, THE  GOVERNOR HAS LINE ITEM VETO AUTHORITY.

SO, WHAT SHE DID BASICALLY WAS, YOU KNOW, LINE ITEM VETO  MOST OF THAT OMNIBUS TAX BILL LAST YEAR.

THIS YEAR, THEY MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO CREATE A  OMNIBUS TAX PACKAGE THAT, YOU KNOW, TAX AND REV HOUSE  CHAIRMAN DERRICK LENTE SAID IS "UNVETOABLE" DURING THE EARLY  PART OF THE SESSION.

WHAT HE MEANT WAS IT IS LIKE  UN-LINE ITEM VETOABLE.

SO, SHE CAN VETO THE BILL IF  SHE WANTS.

IT IS NOT GOING TO DO BECAUSE  IT RAISES REVENUE FOR, I THINK, YOU KNOW -- ANYWAY, IT  IS A TAX PACKAGE.

SORRY, I AM GETTING OFF ON  STUFF.

THERE IS A LOT OF PROVISIONS  HERE AND THEY DIDN'T WANT HER TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO THIS  LINE ITEM VETO AUTHORITY WITH THIS LINE ITEM VETO AUTHORITY  THAT IS WHY IT IS SMALLER THAN LAST YEAR, BECAUSE, BASICALLY  THE REBATES IS AN APPROPRIATION.

THAT IS THE STRATEGY.

>> Gwyneth: WE'LL TALK MORE IN  A MINUTE ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THERE BUT  SOMETHING I REMEMBERED FROM SOURCE NEW MEXICO'S REPORTING  IS YOU GUYS, SHAUN, DID A LOT OF WORK COVERING THE FIRES IN  NORTHERN NEW MEXICO.

THERE IS SOME RELIEF IN THE  TAX PACKAGE FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE FIRES, AM I  RIGHT?

>> Griswold: YES, AND THIS HAS  TO DO SPECIFICALLY WITH SOME OF THE REPRESENTATION THAT  FAMILIES OR RESIDENTS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE GOING  THROUGH THE FEDERAL FEMA PROCESS, TO REBUILD THEIR  HOMES AND THERE IS SOME THAT TAX REBATE THAT WILL DIRECTLY  TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EITHER HAD THEIR CLAIMS APPROVED OR  ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT, OR WHEN THEY FINALLY DO  GET IT, WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE SOME MONEY BACK IN  EXPENDITURES THEY HAVE SPENT AHEAD OF BEFORE THEY GOT THEIR  CLAIMS.

NOW, THAT OBVIOUSLY IS AN  ISSUE BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING A VERY SLOW ROLL-OUT WITH FEMA  DOLLARS THAT GOES TO PAY FOR PEOPLE REBUILDING THEIR HOMES,  TENDING THEIR PROPERTY.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE  ALREADY PUT UP MONEY TO GET THAT GOING JUST SO THEY HAVE A  PLACE TO LIVE.

SO THESE REBATES ARE, IN A  SENSE, A WAY TO HELP RECOVER SOME OF THAT MONEY, WHILE ALSO  POTENTIALLY SUPPORTING A BIT OF THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION  THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO UTILIZE IN NAVIGATING THE  FEDERAL SYSTEM.

THAT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING  THAT WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE NOW  YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY PROVIDING LAWYERS A LITTLE BIT OF A TAX  REBATE FOR SERVICES THAT WERE ALREADY PAID FOR.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT AS WE UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE  ABOUT WHAT THAT DOES.

>> Gwyneth: AND, TRIP, NEW  MEXICO IN DEPTH DID A LOT OF REPORTING, A MAJOR SERIES ON  ALCOHOL IN NEW MEXICO.

AND THE ALCOHOL TAX WAS --  THERE WAS ANOTHER BIG PUSH AGAIN THIS YEAR.

REAL BRIEFLY, WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Trip: BASICALLY, THAT WAS,  YOU KNOW, IT DIED IN COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE TAX AND REV  COMMITTEE LAST FRIDAY.

PARTLY IT IS BECAUSE NOW YOU  HAVE COMPETING BILLS THAT HAVE TOTALLY DIFFERENT RATIONALES  OR STRATEGIES FOR HOW TO HANDLE THE CRISIS.

WE LEAD THE NATION IN ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS, THE  RATES.

AND SO BASICALLY IN A SENSE IT  WAS DOOMED BY, YOU KNOW, COMPETING BILLS AMONG  DEMOCRATS.

>> Gwyneth: AND A POWERFUL  LOBBY ALSO.

>> Trip: YES, VERY TRUE, YES.

>> Gwyneth: BIG PICTURE HERE.

DO YOU GUYS THINK THIS TAX  PACKAGE REPRESENTS, IN TERMS OF SOME OF ITS PRIORITIES,  ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE GREEN ENERGY CREDITS AND THINGS LIKE  THAT, TAX CUTS FOR NEW MEXICANS, HIGHER CORPORATE TAX  RATE, CAPITAL GAINS.

DOES THIS REPRESENT THE  INCREASING LIBERAL BENT IN THE LEGISLATURE?

IS THAT WHAT WE ARE SEEING?

SHAUN, DO YOU THINK SO?

>> Griswold: I WOULD SAY THAT IT FALLS IN LINE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD CALL IT LIBERAL BENT BECAUSE THE  MAJORITY PARTY IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DEMOCRATS.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE KIND OF FALLING IN LINE WITH A  LOT OF FEDERAL POLICIES THAT ARE PROVIDING TAX CREDITS ON A  FEDERAL LEVEL AND CODIFYING THEM AT A STATE LEVEL TO MATCH  WHAT THE FEDS ARE DOING.

YOU BRING UP CLEAN ENERGY OR  EVEN ELECTRIFICATION.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE TAX  CREDITS THAT NEW MEXICO IS ALIGNING ITSELF WITH THE  FEDERAL POLICIES OF THE CURRENT FEDERAL  ADMINISTRATION.

SO, THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE IT  IS LESS LIBERAL, MORE STATUS QUO, AND KEEPING NEW MEXICO UP  WITH A LOT OF THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT ARE COMING INTO  THE STATE AND WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF THAT KIND OF PROCESS  BEING BUILT IN.

SO NEW MEXICO CAN ACTUALLY  RECEIVE A LOT OF THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY THAT IS  AVAILABLE FOR THE STATE.

>> Gwyneth: TRIP, LET ME COME  TO YOU ON THIS.

WE HAVE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE  LEFT.

YOU KNOW LOOKING BACK 20  YEARS, A BIG CHANGE IN THE LEGISLATURE'S MAKEUP SINCE  THEN.

DO YOU SEE SOME OF WHAT IS  HAPPENING NOW AS REFLECTING A YOUNGER, MORE LIBERAL, MORE  DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP?

>> Trip: I WOULD SAY SO  BECAUSE BACK IN THE RICHARDSON YEARS, BACK IN 2003, FIRST  YEAR, THEY BASICALLY HAD AN INCOME TAX THAT WAS HIGHEST  RATE WAS 8.2, LOWEST RATE WAS 4.9.

THEY STAGGERED IT OVER SEVERALS YEARS TO GET A FLAT  TAX .9%.

THIS ACTUALLY, THE TAX  BRACKET, THE LOWEST INCOME EARNERS ARE GOING TO BE PAYING  LESS THAN THEY WERE BEFORE, AS I UNDERSTAND THE TAX PACKAGE.

SO, WHILE I AGREE WITH SHAUN, I TOTALLY GET WHAT HE IS  SAYING, I DO THINK IN THE STATE IT DOES REFLECT THIS  YOUNGER MORE URBAN, MORE PROGRESSIVE KIND OF LIKE  LEADERSHIP THAT YOU ARE SEEING IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

IN THE HOUSE ESPECIALLY.

>> Gwyneth: THANK YOU, TRIP  AND SHAUN.

WE'LL BE BACK SOON TO TALK  ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER BILLS THE LAWMAKERS SENT TO THE  GOVERNOR BUT FIRST A FEW CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS  AND POLICY ADVOCATES FROM MY TIME IN THE ROUNDHOUSE DURING  THE FINAL WEEK OF THE SESSION.

TANNIS FOX, YOUR BIG ISSUE  THIS SESSION WAS REFORM OF THE STATE'S OIL AND GAS ACT.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Fox: THIS LAST SESSION  THERE WAS A GOVERNOR-INITIATED REFORM PACKAGE FOR OIL AND  GAS, REALLY, TO HOLD THE INDUSTRY BETTER ACCOUNTABLE.

THIS EFFORT BEGAN REALLY LAST YEAR WITH LEGISLATION THAT WE  WERE PUSHING THAT WOULD REPRESENT REAL REFORM OF THE  1935 ACT WHICH HASN'T BEEN REFORMED FULLY SINCE THEN.

THE GOVERNOR INITIATED A WORKING GROUP LAST SUMMER  COMPOSED OF INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES, NGO  REPRESENTATIVES, LIKE MYSELF, AND THE STATE.

AND WE WORKED ON VARIOUS ISSUES, REALLY HARD,  THROUGHOUT THE FALL AND WINTER.

THAT EFFORT PRODUCED A GOVERNOR LED BILL, HB131, THAT  WAS TO BE HEARD IN THE HOUSE ENERGY COMMITTEE AND ONCE THAT  BILL WAS FILED, THINGS FELL APART.

AND I GUESS, IN A WORD, INDUSTRY KILLED THE BILL.

AND IT GOT OUT OF TWO COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE, BUT  COULD NOT GET TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

SO, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SHORT SESSION, THE OIL AND GAS  REFORM ACT IS DEAD.

>> Gwyneth: BUT YOU DID GET  SOME WINS.

>> Fox: ABSOLUTELY, THERE ARE  SOME WINS THIS SESSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO FULLY FUND THE LAND OF  ENCHANTMENT LEGACY FUND.

THAT IS AN AMAZING FUND THAT  HELPS FUND STATE PARKS AND SOCCER FIELDS AND PROTECTS  LANDS ALL OVER NEW MEXICO.

THAT FUND IS NOW FULLY FUNDED  AND SUSTAINABLE, YOU KNOW, IN PERPETUITY.

WE GOT DEVELOPMENT MONEY FOR -- TO PROTECT NEW MEXICO  SURFACE WATERS, OUR STREAMS, OUR RIVERS, OUR WETLANDS THAT  ARE REALLY THREATENED RIGHT NOW IN LIGHT OF THE U.S.  SUPREME COURT'S DECISION LAST YEAR, SACKETT VS. EPA, WHICH  REALLY SHRUNK EPA'S AUTHORITY TO PROTECT NEW MEXICO WATER.

NEW MEXICO WATERS ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISK BECAUSE  OF THE NATURE OF THE DECISION AND THE NUMBERS OF WATERS UP  TO OVER 90% THAT ARE NOW NOT PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT.

SO THAT DEVELOPMENT MONEY,  THAT SEED MONEY IS GOING TO GO A LONG WAY TO HELP PROTECT NEW  MEXICO SURFACE WATERS.

>> Gwyneth: THERE IS SOME TAX  CREDITS, TOO, RIGHT?

>> Fox: THERE IS SEVEN TAX  CREDITS WERE PASSED, GREEN TAX CREDITS THAT GIVE TAX CREDITS  FOR EV'S, FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, AND THE LIKE, AND  THOSE TAX CREDITS ARE REALLY GOOD.

THEY WILL HELP LOW INCOME AND MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE PURCHASE  EV'S AND THEY ARE REALLY GOOD CLIMATE MEASURES.

>> Gwyneth: AND HEAT PUMPS FOR PEOPLES' HOMES.

>> Fox: EXACTLY.

EVERYBODY CAN RELATE TO A HEAT  PUMP, YES.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE  HEMBREE, YOU'RE FROM ROSWELL.

OIL AND GAS IS THE CORE OF THE  ECONOMIC DRIVER OF YOUR COMMUNITY.

WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT A BIG PUSH TO KIND OF REFORM  THE STATE'S OIL AND GAS LAW, RIGHT?

AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THIS SESSION.

WERE THERE SOME CHANGES THAT THE INDUSTRY SUPPORTED THAT  YOU THINK WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL?

>> Hembree: YES, I THINK SO.

YOU KNOW, THE ACT, AS IT WAS,  WAS REALLY DISPROPORTIONALLY HARMFUL TO SMALLER INDEPENDENT  PRODUCERS AND THAT IS A CORE IN ROSWELL AND CHAVES COUNTY  AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

THERE ARE THINGS, THOUGH, THAT  I THINK COULD BE DONE THAT INDUSTRY WOULD SUPPORT TO  ADDRESS SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS AS WHAT WAS IN THE  OIL AND GAS ACT.

>> Gwyneth: CAN YOU GIVE ME AN  EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT AS  UPDATES?

>> Hembree: SURE.

SO THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION TAX WAS  ORIGINATED IN THE 1950'S, I BELIEVE ABOUT 1959, AND  ORIGINALLY THAT OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION TAX, WHICH IS  STILL PAID BY EVERY PRODUCER  IN THE STATE, THAT TAX ORIGINALLY WENT TO THE  RECLAMATION FUND TO ADDRESS ABANDONED AND ORPHANED WELLS.

AND WE DO HAVE AN ABANDONED AND ORPHAN WELL PROBLEM HERE.

I THINK THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION UNDER SECRETARY  FUGE IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF ADDRESSING THAT WITH THE FUND  THEY HAVE.

>> Gwyneth: BUT THERE IS NOT  ENOUGH MONEY IN THE FUND.

>> Hembree: THAT IS RIGHT AND  PART OF THAT REASON WAS BECAUSE AROUND 20 YEARS AGO OR  SO, THIS LEGISLATURE CHANGED THE WAY THE OIL AND GAS  CONSERVATION TAX WAS DISTRIBUTED.

RATHER THAN 100% OF IT GOING TO THE RECLAMATION FUND, IT  FIRST WENT TO THE GENERAL AND NOW FIRST GOES TO THE GENERAL  FUND AND IS THEN APPROPRIATED TO THE RECLAMATION FUND.

AND CURRENTLY ONLY ABOUT LESS THAN 20% OF ALL THAT TAX GOES  TO THE RECLAMATION FUND.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME MOVEMENT  TO CHANGE THAT BACK OR MAYBE NOT TO 100%, BUT FOR A LOT  MORE OF THAT MONEY TO GO FOR ITS TRUE INTENDED PURPOSE,  WHICH IS THE RECLAMATION FUND.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE  BROWN, WHEN YOU GO HOME TO CARLSBAD AFTER THIS SESSION,  WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL  FOLKS THERE THAT YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF HAVING ACCOMPLISHED  THIS YEAR?

>> Brown: THERE IS SEVERAL  THINGS I THINK ARE REALLY VICTORIES, ASSUMING THE  GOVERNOR KEEPS THOSE INTACT.

ONE OF THEM FOR SURE IS  TRANSPORTATION MONEY FOR OUR ROADS IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW  MEXICO.

IT IS ACTUALLY A BIG WIN.

WE STARTED UP WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF THE EXTRA  REVENUE 3.5 BILLION DOLLARS.

ZERO WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE  LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR ROAD REPAIRS.

AND I THINK WE BOOSTED IT THE 220 MILLION.

I KEPT STANDING FIRM ON THAT, THAT WE NEEDED TO DO MORE.

AND WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS, WE ENDED UP WITH SOME  GOOD ROAD MONEY AND SOMETHING HAPPENING ON THE SENATE SIDE  THAT MAY ACTUALLY FUNNEL INTO ROAD PROJECTS THAT I  IDENTIFIED PARTICULARLY, AROUND LEGISLATION TO GET  FUNDING FOR ROAD WORK.

LOOKING AT HIGHWAY 308, 128,  285 AND 31.

SO, PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT WILL  KNOW THOSE NUMBERS.

>> Gwyneth: YOU WORKED ON SOME  EDUCATION ISSUES TOO.

>> Brown: I SURE DID.

SO I HAVE BEEN A PROPONENT FOR CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR  MANY YEARS AND LAST YEAR WE MADE SOME GAINS,  40 MILLION-DOLLARS STATE-WIDE, AND THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO  SEE ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT.

THE IDEA IS TO JUST PUT THE  CAREER TECH PROGRAMS IN EVERY SCHOOL IN NEW MEXICO, JUNIOR  HIGH AND UP, AND LET OUR STUDENTS CHOOSE WHERE TO GO  WITH THEIR TALENTS AND INTERESTS.

SO, WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF MOVEMENT NOW ON CTE.

AND I REALLY AM THANKFUL THAT OTHER LEGISLATORS ARE ON BOARD  WITH THAT NOW.

>> Gwyneth: WHAT ARE SOME OF  THE CAREERS THAT KIDS IN CARLSBAD COULD BE GOING INTO  THAT THEY COULD BE WORKING ON WHILE THEY ARE STILL IN JUNIOR  HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL?

>> Brown: AT CARLSBAD HIGH  SCHOOL IN PARTICULAR, THEY HAVE NOW THE ACADEMIES SET UP  AND SO STUDENTS PICK ONE TO WORK THROUGH AND WE DO HAVE  SOME CTE LAB RENOVATIONS GOING ON.

SO CONSTRUCTION, AUTO MECHANICS, THINGS IN  ENVIRONMENTAL PURSUITS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THERE IS QUITE A BIT THERE NOW BUT WE NEED TO EXPAND  THOSE PROGRAMS FOR SURE.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE  JONES, YOU'RE A NURSE.

WHEN YOU GO BACK TO DEMING,  WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL THEM THAT THIS LEGISLATURE  ACCOMPLISHED IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE FOR AREAS LIKE  DEMING?

>> Jones: YES, WELL, I AM  PARTICULARLY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PUSH  THROUGH THE RURAL HEALTHCARE TAX CREDIT THAT WOULD INCLUDE  NURSES AND SEVERAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN RURAL AREAS.

IT ALLOWS THEM TO SEE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THEIR  POCKET AND THAT IS A MEASURE THAT HAS BEEN OR A BILL THAT  HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD BY MIGUEL, REPRESENTATIVE MIGUEL  GARCIA, FOR MANY YEARS, NOW, I BELIEVE NINE YEARS, BUT HE HAS  ALLOWED ME TO PARTNER WITH HIM AND MAKE THAT A GOOD BILL AND  IT IS GETTING THROUGH THIS YEAR AND I AM REALLY PROUD OF  THAT.

>> Gwyneth: AND WE HAVE HAD  TROUBLE WITH RURAL HOSPITALS STRUGGLING TO STAY OPEN.

IS THERE SOME HELP FOR THEM HERE?

>> Jones: OH, YES, MA'AM.

WE HAVE PASSED SOME  LEGISLATION THIS YEAR THAT WILL HELP THOSE HOSPITALS KEEP  THEIR DOORS OPEN AND ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS  BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM ARE STRUGGLING, SOME OF THEM ARE  HAVING TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS FOR OBSTETRICS.

WOMEN HAVE TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES IN SOME AREAS OF NEW  MEXICO TO DELIVER THEIR BABY OR GET PROPER HEALTHCARE WHEN  THEY ARE PREGNANT.

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT, ON  FUNDING THOSE HOSPITALS, MAKING SURE THEY CAN KEEP  THEIR DOORS OPEN.

>> Gwyneth: YOU SERVE ON THE  HUMAN HEALTH COMMITTEE AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE A FAIR  BIT IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE THIS SESSION.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT YOU ARE PROUD OF?

>> Cates: WELL, I AM PROUD THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOGNIZES  THAT THE HEALTH CONCERNS OF NEW MEXICANS ARE COMPLEX AND  WILL NOT BE REVOLVED IN ONE BILL.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT DRUG TRANSPARENCY PRICES, RURAL  HEALTHCARE, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF MEDICAL  PROVIDERS, DISABILITY ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY AND MANY, MANY  MORE TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

WE ARE WORKING ON IT YEAR ROUND TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS  THAT.

>> Gwyneth: HOW WILL THE NEW  HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY HELP?

>> Cates: WELL, WE WILL SEE.

SO, AS AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY THEY  SHOULD HAVE BUYING POWER TO BE ABLE TO LOWER SOME OF  INSURANCE AND DRUG PRICES AND THAT IS THE THEORY BEHIND  CREATING THIS NEW POSITION.

>> IN THE SITUATION OF  IMMIGRATION DETENTION, STATE LEGISLATION IS THE MOST  EFFECTIVE WAY TO HANDLE THESE  INJUSTICES.

THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE THE  STATE LEGISLATURE HAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POWER,  MORE POWER THAN THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION,  FRANKLY, TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, TO STEP IN AND  STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

>> Gwyneth: THAT INTERVIEW  WITH SOPHIA GENOVESE, AN ATTORNEY WITH NEW MEXICO  IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER WILL AIR IN JUST OVER 10 MINUTES.

BACK TO OUR PANELISTS.

GOVERNOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL  GROUPS EACH HAD AMBITIOUS AGENDAS THIS YEAR, DIFFERENT  BUT AMBITIOUS.

WE JUST HEARD ABOUT SOME OF  THAT.

BUT NEITHER GROUP GOT A LOT OF  WHAT THEY WANTED.

TRIP, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS  LACK OF MOVEMENT ON CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT ISSUES HAS TO  DO WITH THIS BEING A 30-DAY BUDGET SESSION OR IS IT OIL  AND GAS LOBBY FLEXING?

>> Trip: IT IS BOTH AND  INSTEAD OF EITHER OR.

IT IS A 30-DAY SESSION.

AS WE KNOW, THAT IS PRIMARILY THE BUDGET AS YOU SAID LEADING  OFF THE SHOW.

THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THEY HAD  ONE BIG JOB AND IT IS THE BUDGET.

AS WE ALL KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THE 30-DAY  SECTION, A LOT OF FLURRY OF ACTIVITY.

YOU DON'T HAVE -- THE MARGIN OF ERROR FOR GETTING SOMETHING  THROUGH IS LESSENED AND DIMINISHED DURING A 30-DAY  SESSION.

SO, THERE IS THAT, BUT OIL AND  GAS LOBBY, AGAIN, OIL AND GAS REVENUES, THROUGH ALL ITS  REVENUE STREAMS PAYS FOR 40 TO 45% OF THE BUDGET, IN THAT  RANGE, EVERY YEAR IN YEAR OUT, SO THEY HAVE A LOT OF  INFLUENCE UP AT THE STATE HOUSE, AS WE ALL KNOW.

SO, TO ME IT IS BOTH AND.

>> Gwyneth: LAWMAKERS DID  APPROVE SOME GREEN ENERGY TAX CREDITS IN THE PACKAGE FOR GO  THERMAL ELECTRICITY, GO THERMAL HEAT PUMPS FOR  CONSUMERS, SOLAR MARKET TAX  CREDIT, CLEAN CAR TAX CREDIT.

THAT INCLUDES USED EV'S AND  CHARGERS.

ADVANCED ENERGY EQUIPMENT.

THAT IS FOR SOLAR AND WIND EQUIPMENT USED IN THE BIGGER  PRODUCTION.

SHAUN, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE  GOVERNOR'S PLAN FOR A STRATEGIC WATER SUPPLY?

SOURCE HAS BEEN ALL OVER THIS.

>> Griswold: YES, AND I DO  HAVE TO, TO BEGUN WITH, DANIELLE PROKOP REPORTING HERE  EDUCATES ME EVERY SINGLE DAY ON WATER IN NEW MEXICO.

AND IT IS A COMPLEX THING.

SHE TALKS ABOUT WATER AS A  LANGUAGE IN NEW MEXICO.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE HEARD  ABOUT.

SO, IN SHORT THE STRATEGIC  WATER SUPPLY IS A CULMINATION OF MULTIPLE WATER EXPERTS AND  STAKEHOLDERS AND INDUSTRY PEOPLE TRYING TO DEVELOP HOW  NEW MEXICO CAN CREATE A COMMODITY MARKET FOR WATER  THAT IS COMING FROM OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

THIS IS USED WATER THAT IS USED TO PRODUCE AND FRACK.

ALL THAT MONEY WE ARE RECEIVING GOES -- A LOT OF OUR  WATER GOES TO CREATE THAT.

THE STATE WANTED TO CREATE A  COMMODITY MARKET WHERE IT CAN TREAT THAT WATER, TURN IT INTO  SOMETHING SALABLE AND SELL IT TO OTHER STATES.

NOW, WE DIDN'T HAVE DETAILS ABOUT THIS EVEN THOUGH THIS  WAS A PROMINENT INITIATIVE FOR THE GOVERNOR THAT STARTED IN  THE STATE OF THE STATE BUT EVEN MONTHS BEFORE THE SESSION  STARTED.

STILL HAD NO DETAILS.

GOT SOME SMALL MINOR DETAILS ABOUT IT THROUGH THE SESSION  WHERE THERE WAS A 500 MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT  IN THE NEW PROGRAM THAT ESTABLISHED THIS THING.

THAT COMPLETELY CHANGED.

AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE, THE  GOVERNOR WAS ABLE TO -- GOVERNOR AND HER  ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPPORTERS IN THE LEGISLATURE BROUGHT A  PROPOSAL UP ON THE LAST WEEK OF THE SESSION THAT WOULD HAVE  CUT THIS INVESTMENT TO 100 MILLION DOLLARS AND ALSO  IT WOULD HAVE CUT OUT THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY POTABLE WATER  THEY USE AND ONLY USE BRACKISH WATER.

AND FROM WHAT WE HEARD AND SORT OF THE PROCESS AS TO HOW  THIS HAPPENED, ADVOCATES WERE COMPLETELY OPPOSED TO THE  IDEA.

THEY CALLED IT A BIT OF A BAIL  OUT FOR INDUSTRY.

INDUSTRY NEVER EVEN SPOKE UP  IN SUPPORT FOR IT IN ANY COMMITTEE HEARINGS THAT IT WAS  SPOKEN ABOUT.

AND, SO IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF  A STUMBLE BY THE GOVERNOR.

WHILE IT WAS A MAJOR  INITIATIVE, THE CRITICISMS THAT WE HEARD FROM A LOT OF  PEOPLE ABOUT IT WAS HER POSITION ON MOVING IT AND  PUSHING IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE WAS A BIT SLOPPY  IN A LOT OF WAYS AND ULTIMATELY NOW THIS THING IS  GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN IN A POTENTIAL NEXT SESSION IF IT  ACTUALLY WILL.

>> Gwyneth: YEAH, THAT WAS A  BIG IDEA AND A BIG LIFT FOR A 30 DAY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT GOOD GOVERNMENT FOR A MINUTE.

LEGISLATORS PUT A LOT OF MONEY TOWARD CAPITAL OUTLAY THIS  YEAR.

THEY HAD THE MONEY AND THEY  THREW SOME AT OLD PROJECTS THAT NEEDED TO GET FINISHED  AND THERE IS A LOT OF NEW STUFF IN HERE FOR  INFRASTRUCTURE.

TRIP, YOU AND I HAVE SPENT A  LOT OF TIME OVER THE YEARS TALKING ABOUT THE LACK OF  TRANSPARENCY IN CAPITAL OUTLAY.

USED TO BE SORT OF A MEGA SLUSH FUNDING KIND OF A MESS.

HAVE THEY GOTTEN BETTER ABOUT IT?

>> Trip: IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, I MEAN, YES, THEY HAVE  GOTTEN BETTER BECAUSE IN COMING WEEKS YOU'LL SEE WITH  THE CAPITAL OUTLAY BILL THEY WILL ACTUALLY LIST ALL THE,  YOU KNOW, SPONSORS OF EVERY PROJECT.

THEY USED NOT TO DO THAT.

IT TOOK SIX OR SEVEN YEARS TO  ACTUALLY GET THAT REFORM AFTER WE REPORTED IN 2015 THAT, YOU  KNOW, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO WAS SPONSORING WHAT PROJECTS.

SO, THEY HAVE GOTTEN BETTER ABOUT THAT.

I WILL SAY WITH THE -- IF YOU GUYS WERE PAYING ATTENTION IN  THE LAST REMAINING DAYS OF THE SESSION, SENATOR GEORGE MUNOZ,  WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, SAID NEXT  YEAR HE IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO SIGN OFF ON REAUTHORIZATION  FOR CAPITAL FUNDING FOR OLD PROJECTS.

>> Gwyneth: AND THIS IS THE TROUBLE WE USED TO HAVE.

THEY WOULD THROW SOME MONEY AT IT BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GET IT  FINISHED, AND IT NEVER WENT ANYWHERE AND THAT MONEY KIND  OF LANGUISHED.

I NOTICE THEY HAVE ADDED THIS  TRANSPARENCY AND IN SEVERAL PLACES, THEY HAVE ADDED MORE  ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES.

JUNIOR BILL MONEY USED TO BE A  PILE OF EARMARKS AND NOW THEY HAVE TURNED THAT INTO THE GRO  PROJECTS THAT NOT ONLY HAVE SOME TRANSPARENCY TO THEM,  MORE TRANSPARENCY, BUT ALSO SOME ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHICH IS INTERESTING.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION  HERE FOR A MINUTE.

WE UP AT THE CAPITOL TALKED  ABOUT CHANGES TO GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, MAKING THEM MORE  FLEXIBLE.

AND THROUGHOUT THE SESSION WE  HEARD MORE ABOUT INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CTE, CAREER  TECHNICAL EDUCATION, INTERNSHIPS, TRAINING, HELPING  STUDENTS MOVE STRAIGHT FROM HIGH SCHOOL INTO HIGH PAYING  TRADES.

LAWMAKERS GAVE RAISES TO  TEACHERS, 3%, PUT MORE MONEY TOWARD THE LOTTERY AND  OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

ONE THING THAT PASSED LATE IN  THE SESSION WAS A BILL REQUIRING AFFIRMATIVE CONSENT.

SHAUN, SOURCE NEW MEXICO HAD A STORY ABOUT AFFIRMATIVE  CONSENT.

CAN YOU JUST GIVE US SOME  INSIGHT THERE?

>> Griswold: YEAH.

THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS IN THE  MAKING.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD  PROVIDE A LOT OF THE IDEAS OF HOW YOU TALK ABOUT SEXUAL  RELATIONSHIPS IN K THROUGH 12 IS HOW IT ORIGINALLY STARTED.

THIS YEAR'S VERSION WAS FOCUSED PREDOMINANTLY ON  HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE SUPPORTERS FOR THE BILL  CUT OUT K THROUGH 12 ELEMENTS, MADE IT TO HIGHER ED.

A LOT OF IT WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE HAZING LAWSUIT THAT  HAPPENED AT NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY WITH THEIR  BASKETBALL TEAM.

IT PASSED THROUGH THE SENATE  AND WHAT IT DOES, IT ACTUALLY REALLY JUST ALIGNS WITH SOME  OF THE FEDERAL STANDARDS WE HAVE IN TITLE IX IN PROVIDING  RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND  HARASSMENT AND PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AT THE  VERY BEGINNING WHEN THEY GET TO COLLEGE ABOUT THIS IS HOW  YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH INTERACTIONS.

TRAINING IN A WAY, WHEN IT COMES TO NAVIGATING THE  ELEMENTS OF JUST GENERALLY WORKING WITH BEING AROUND  PEOPLE.

>> Gwyneth: AND I SHOULD SAY  THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE COVERED THAT HERE AT NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS, UNM HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

SO, THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE BECAUSE IT  ONLY APPLIES TO HIGHER ED, LIKE YOU SAID.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SIGNIFICANT IF IT HAD APPLIED  TO K-12.

TRIP, YOUR COLLEAGUE, BELLA  DAVIS, COVERED THE EFFORT TO PASS TRIBAL EDUCATION TRUST  FUND.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS IN THE  BUDGET.

I SAW MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR  THAT.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Trip: YOU DID SEE MONEY IN THE BUDGET.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS AND, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS THE SECOND YEAR  IT WAS PROPOSED.

THIS YEAR THEY HAD A YEAR TO  KIND OF PREPARE AND WHAT HAPPENED IS IT LOOKED LIKE IT  WAS GOING TO PASS, 50 MILLION-DOLLARS IN THE  BUDGET.

AGAIN, THIS IS THE MODEL OF  LIKE 50 MILLION.

THEN IT PRODUCES INTEREST THAT  THE TRIBES COULD THEN USE TO ACTUALLY HELP WITH THEIR OWN  EDUCATIONAL, LIKE, THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITHIN  THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ALSO IN OTHER AREAS OFF THE  COMMUNITIES.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS IN THE END,  IN THE LAST DAYS, IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO PASS, 66  TO ZERO, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, 68 TO ZERO MAYBE IN THE  HOUSE.

THEY PASSED IT OUT, LOOKED  LIKE IT HAD MOMENTUM.

AND THEN IT KIND OF LIKE JUST  BASICALLY STALLED IN THE SENATE AND IN THE LAST COUPLE  OF DAYS WE STARTED HEARING WORD THAT MAYBE THERE WAS  SOME -- MAYBE SOME PEOPLE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT AND  YESTERDAY THE HOUSE TAX CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN,  DERRICK LENTE TO US, TOLD BELLA, THAT HE WAS GOING TO  PULL THE BILL.

IT WAS SITTING ON THE FLOOR,  SENATE FLOOR, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF AMENDMENTS AND HE JUST  DIDN'T THINK HE COULD GET IT THROUGH IN TIME AND ASKED NOT  TO RUN IT.

>> Gwyneth: SHAUN, WE HAVE  ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT HERE.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR  EDUCATION FOR TRIBES AND PUEBLOS AND HOW DO YOU THINK  THE LEGISLATURE DID OVERALL IN RESPONDING TO THEIR LEGAL  OBLIGATION RESULTING FROM THE YAZZIE MARTINEZ LAWSUIT.

>> Griswold: WELL, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, YOU SEE MY  BUDDY HERE ROBERT, JUST SHOWED UP.

HE WANTED TO SIGN IN.

BUT ULTIMATELY WHAT THIS MEANS  IS THAT NEW MEXICO IS GOING TO BE IN THE YAZZIE MARTINEZ FOR  PROBABLY DECADES.

I IMAGINE WE ARE GOING TO BE  COVERING THIS MANDATED EDUCATION REFORM PROBABLY FOR  THE REST OF OUR CAREERS IN JOURNALISM AND FOR THE NEXT  CREW THAT IS COMING UP.

>> Gwyneth: THANKS AGAIN TO  YOU TWO.

WE WILL RETURN TO THIS GROUP  IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES AND I'LL ASK WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY  BILLS DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS AT THE  ROUNDHOUSE.

>> Lou: GOING INTO THIS YEAR'S  SESSION WITH THE SUPPORT OF HOUSE SPEAKER, JAVIER  MARTINEZ, ADVOCATES WERE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT  IMMIGRATION DETENTION REFORM PROPOSAL.

THE DIGNITY NOT DETENTION BILL WOULD HAVE BARRED NEW MEXICO  CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS WITH  U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT TO DETAIN ASYLUM  SEEKERS.

THAT BILL MET AN EARLY END IN  THE SENATE THIS MONTH.

AS SIX DEMOCRATS JOINED  REPUBLICANS AND ANOTHER THREE VANISHED BEFORE THE VOTE TO  KILL THE BILL BY JUST THREE MOST.

SOPHIA GENOVESE, AN ATTORNEY WITH NEW MEXICO IMMIGRANT LAW  CENTER, STOPPED BUT OUR STUDIO AND TOLD EXECUTIVE PRODUCER  JEFF PROCTOR WHEN SHE KNEW THE BILLS LIFE WOULD BE CUT SHORT.

>> Jeff: SOPHIA, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND WELCOME BACK TO NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Genovese: THANK YOU FOR  HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: WE JUST HEARD FROM  YOU THAT SENATE BILL 145, WHICH HAS COMMONLY BEEN KNOWN  AS THE DIGNITY NOT DETENTION BILL, DIED ON THE SENATE FLOOR  IN AN INCREDIBLY NARROW VOTE FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

I WANT TO GET YOUR REACTION AND SORT OF A DESCRIPTION OF  HOW THAT HAPPENED.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH  HAVING YOU TELL MY VIEWERS HOW MANY OF THESE IMMIGRATION  DETENTION FACILITIES THERE ARE IN NEW MEXICO AND WHERE THEY  ARE LOCATED.

>> Genovese: ABSOLUTELY.

SO, NEW MEXICO HAS THREE IMMIGRATION AND DETENTION  FACILITIES.

THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE  OPERATED BY ICE, BUT INSTEAD WHAT WE DO SEE IS ICE  SUBCONTRACTING THESE RESPONSIBILITIES OUT TO  COUNTIES WHO THEN SUBCONTRACT THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES OUT TO  PRIVATE PRISON COMPANIES.

SO NEW MEXICO HAS THREE OF  THESE FACILITIES.

WE HAVE TORRANCE COUNTY  DETENTION FACILITY, CIBOLA COUNTY CORRECTIONAL CENTER AND  OTERO COUNTY PROCESSING CENTER.

IN THE CASE OF TORRANCE AND CIBOLA, THESE ARE BOTH OWNED  AND OPERATED BY CORECIVIC WHICH IS A TENNESSEE-BASED  PRIVATE PRISON COMPANY.

AND IT IS REALLY INTERESTING  THE CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP.

ICE CONTRACTS WITH THE  COUNTIES WHO THEN CONTRACT WITH THESE COMPANIES.

AND THAT ALLOWS ICE TO CIRCUMVENT ORDINARY  PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS THAT YOU TYPICALLY SEE IN FEDERAL  CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.

BY CONTRACTING WITH THE COUNTIES, ICE GETS TO SIDE  STEP THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.

AND THAT GOES ALONG WITH, YOU  KNOW, NOT HAVING TO LOOK INTO THE PERFORMANCE HISTORY OF  THESE COMPANIES.

SO THE COUNTIES REALLY ARE  OPERATING AS SHIELDS TO ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND IN THE CASE OF OTERO COUNTY, OTERO COUNTY ACTUALLY  OWNS THAT FACILITY BUT CONTRACTS OUT WITH A PRIVATE  PRISON COMPANY.

ALL THREE OF THESE FACILITIES  DETAIN ASYLUM SEEKERS RECENTLY ARRIVED FROM THE SOUTHERN  BORDER.

TORRANCE AND CIBOLA, THEY HOLD  ASYLUM SEEKING MEN AND THEN IN OTERO WE SEE MEN AND WOMEN.

AGAIN, THESE ARE RECENTLY ARRIVED ASYLUM SEEKERS.

UNDER FEDERAL LAW, THEIR DETENTION IS COMPLETELY  DISCRETIONARY.

IT IS TRULY RANDOM WHO GETS  SUPPORTED WHO GETS DETAINED AND WHO GETS RELEASED AT THE  BORDER IS UP TO THE DISCRETION OF BORDER PATROL AGENTS, BUT  THIS DECISION IMPACTS LIVES SO SIGNIFICANTLY.

WE SEE PEOPLE IN DETENTION LOSE THEIR CASES AT FAR  GREATER RATES THAN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT DETAINED AND ABLE TO  SEEK ASYLUM FROM THE COMFORTS OF THEIR HOMES AND HAVE ACCESS  TO HOLISTIC SERVICES.

IN NEW MEXICO, THERE IS SIX OF  US DOING THIS WORK, SIX ATTORNEYS, PROVIDING  REPRESENTATION TO DETAINED ASYLUM SEEKERS, TO A  POPULATION OF ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE.

THAT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE TO ENSURE DUE PROCESS, TO  ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE ASYLUM SYSTEM.

SO, AS A RESULT WE SEE TREMENDOUS DUE PROCESS  VIOLATIONS ON TOP OF WHAT WE THINK ARE ORDINARY SYSTEMIC  PRISON CONDITIONS, POOR CONDITIONS, INHUMANE  CONDITIONS THAT PEOPLE ARE SUBJECTED TO.

>> Jeff: THAT WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION.

IN NEW MEXICO WHAT ARE THESE PLACES LIKE?

>> Genovese: ALL THREE FACILITIES ARE HORRIFICALLY  UNDERSTAFFED.

I THINK THAT IS A PROBLEM  ACROSS PRISONS IN NEW MEXICO, GENERALLY, AND IT IS CERTAINLY  THE CASE IN THESE THREE FACILITIES.

AND THAT LEADS TO A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS.

PEOPLE ARE SUBJECTED TO PROLONGED PERIODS OF SOLITARY  CONFINEMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE SIMPLY FORGOTTEN ABOUT.

WE HEAR ALL THE TIME PEOPLE ARE PUT IN MEDICAL QUARANTINE  FOR TWO WEEKS AND NOT GIVEN ENOUGH FOOD IN THOSE TIME  PERIODS.

THE FACILITIES THEMSELVES ARE  STRUGGLING.

THERE IS CRUMBLING  INFRASTRUCTURE.

THERE IS REGULAR SEWAGE LEAKS.

PEOPLE IN TORRANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, WERE SLEEPING IN  SEWAGE IN THEIR DORMS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET STAFF OUT  THERE TO FIX IT QUICKLY ENOUGH.

THERE IS MEDICAL DEFICIENCIES AND LANGUAGE PLAYS PART OF  THAT BARRIER IN ACCESSING SERVICES.

WE RECENTLY HAD SOMEONE WHO WAS DEAF WHO COULDN'T  COMMUNICATE HIS NEEDS BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A SPANISH SIGN  LANGUAGE INTERPRETER.

SO THERE IS A MYRIAD OF  ISSUES, REALLY, BUT IT COMES DOWN TO UNDERSTAFFING.

AND A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Jeff: SO LET'S TALK A  LITTLE BIT ABOUT SENATE BILL 145, THE PARADE OF HORRIBLES  THAT YOU JUST LAID OUT.

WHAT WOULD THAT BILL  SPECIFICALLY HAVE DONE TO ADDRESS THAT AND THIS QUESTION  MORE BROADLY.

>> Genovese: SB145 BUILT ON A  MOVEMENT OF STATES SAYING THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE COMPLICIT  IN HUMAN SUFFERING THAT IS SYSTEMIC IN ICE DETENTION.

AND WHAT IT SPECIFICALLY DOES  IS PROHIBIT CONTRACTS BETWEEN LOCAL STATE ENTITIES AND ICE,  FOR THE PURPOSES OF CIVIL IMMIGRATION DETENTION.

THESE CONTRACTS ARE DISCRETIONARY FOR PUBLIC  ENTITIES TO ENTER INTO.

NOTHING UNDER FEDERAL LAW  REQUIRES PUBLIC ENTITIES TO BE INVOLVED IN CIVIL IMMIGRATION  ENFORCEMENT.

SO, SB145 REALLY WENT AFTER  THOSE CONTRACTS TO PROHIBIT THESE TYPES OF AGREEMENTS TO  INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT REALLY TO TRY AND GET NEW  MEXICO OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF DETAINING PEOPLE FOR CIVIL  IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS.

>> Jeff: ONE MORE QUESTION  BEFORE WE GET TO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BILL.

JUST SO THAT MY VIEWERS ARE CRYSTAL CLEAR HERE, WHEN YOU  TALK ABOUT ASYLUM SEEKERS, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN LEGALLY.

ARE THESE FOLKS WHO ARE ACCUSED OF COMMITTING A CRIME?

>> Genovese: NO.

PEOPLE WHO ARE CROSSING THE  BORDER AND SEEKING ASYLUM ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT COMMITTING ANY  CRIMES.

IN FACT, ONE MUST BE WITHIN  THE UNITED STATES JURISDICTION WITHIN OUR TERRITORIES TO SEEK  ASYLUM.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SIMPLY  APPLY FROM MEXICO AND WAIT YOUR TURN IN LINE.

THAT IS NOT HOW THE LAW WORKS.

IT REQUIRES ONE TO ACTUALLY BE  HERE.

SO, WHEN ONE SEEKS ASYLUM,  SAYS THEY WANT TO FILE AN ASYLUM APPLICATION, THEY ARE  NOT COMMITTING A CRIME.

>> Jeff: LET'S GET TO THE BILL  AND SORT OF WHAT HAPPENED TO IT.

IT REALLY SEEMED, AT LEAST FROM WHERE I WAS SITING EARLY  IN THE SESSION, LIKE THE BILL HAD SOME MOMENTUM THIS TIME.

WERE YOU OPTIMISTIC IN A WAY THAT YOU WEREN'T LAST YEAR?

WHAT WAS THE MESSAGES FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND FROM THE  GOVERNOR AROUND THE BILL HEADING INTO THE SESSION THIS  YEAR?

>> Genovese: WE CAME INTO THE  SESSION WITH SO MUCH COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

THERE ARE SO MANY FAITH GROUPS ACROSS THE STATE, COMMUNITY  GROUPS ACROSS THE STATE WHO GALVANIZED AND ORGANIZED OVER  THE PAST YEAR TO SUPPORT THIS BILL.

RECOGNIZING THE HORRORS THAT ARE OCCURRING IN THESE  FACILITIES AND SO WE WENT INTO THE SESSION VERY CONFIDENT,  CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC, BECAUSE IT IS 30 DAYS, BUT WE WERE  OPTIMISTIC.

AND WE HAD THE SUPPORT OF  LEADERSHIP.

WE HAD THE SUPPORT OF SPEAKER  JAVIER MARTINEZ WHO HAS MADE THIS A PRIORITY AND WE FELT  CONFIDENT.

WE FELT CONFIDENT AFTER THE  FIRST SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING AND AFTER OUR SECOND COMMITTEE  HEARING, WE THOUGHT WE WERE REALLY GOING TO GET THIS  PASSED.

>> Jeff: TELL ME A LITTLE BIT  ABOUT WHAT YOU HEARD DURING THE DEBATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR  AND HOW DID THAT CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE PROSPECTS OF  THE BILL.

WAS IT CRYSTAL CLEAR TO YOU  THAT THIS WAS GOING SIDEWAYS AGAIN ONCE IT GOT TO THE  FLOOR?

>> Genovese: WE RECEIVED  INDICATIONS SHORTLY BEFORE THE FLOOR DEBATE THAT SOME DEALS  HAD BEEN MADE AND WHAT THOSE DEALS WERE, WE'RE NOT ENTIRELY  CLEAR, BUT BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THE FLOOR WE KNEW THAT WE  HAD LOST SOME VOTES, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

THE FLOOR DEBATE REALLY WASN'T MUCH OF A DEBATE.

IT WAS SEVERAL LEGISLATORS MAKING STATEMENTS THAT WERE  QUITE OFFENSIVE AND NOT BASED IN FACT.

AND, SO, IT WAS MORE PERFORMATIVE THAN ACTUAL  LEGISLATIVE WORK HAPPENING ON THE FLOOR.

>> Jeff: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN IT CAME TIME TO VOTE?

>> Genovese: WE KNEW AGAIN THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES.

WHAT WE HEARD INSTEAD WERE PEOPLE JUSTIFYING NO VOTES.

PEOPLE WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SUPPORTIVE TRYING TO SAY,  WELL, IT WOULD BE BETTER IF PEOPLE WERE DETAINED IN NEW  MEXICO BECAUSE WE ARE A WELCOMING STATE.

WE ARE MUCH BETTER THAN TEXAS.

OR THESE FOLKS NEED TO BE  DETAINED BECAUSE THEY ARE MILITARY AGED MEN WHO ARE  GOING TO, WHO KNOWS, INVADE THE COUNTRY IS WHAT  ESSENTIALLY WE WERE HEARING ON THE FLOOR.

WE HEARD A LOT OF RACIST AND XENOPHOBIC REMARKS AND THINGS  THAT JUST WEREN'T BASED IN REALITY.

>> Jeff: SO THE NEW SLOGAN FOR NEW MEXICO SHOULD BE BETTER  THAN TEXAS?

>> Genovese: THAT IS WHAT THE  JUSTIFICATION WAS ON THE FLOOR AND AGAIN IT IS JUST NOT BASED  IN REALITY.

NEW MEXICO HAS SOME OF THE  WORST FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS TWICE CALLED FOR  THE CLOSURE OF TORRANCE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY.

THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN WATCHDOG CALLING FOR A CLOSURE  OF A FACILITY.

THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED  BEFORE.

THAT IS PRETTY CLEAR  INDICATION THAT WE HAVE SOME OF THE WORST FACILITIES HERE.

>> Jeff: WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?

WHY DO THESE BILLS CONTINUE TO BE PROPOSED SEEM LIKE THEY ARE  CRUISING AND THEN MEET THESE INCREDIBLY RAZOR THIN MARGINS  WHEN IT GETS TO A FLOOR VOTE?

>> Genovese: IT IS A GOOD  QUESTION AND I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE THE PERFECT ANSWER BUT I  THINK THERE IS FEAR IN COMMUNITIES.

IT IS NOT ACCURATE FEAR BUT THERE IS A FEAR THAT, OKAY, WE  ARE GOING TO TAKE AWAY JOBS IF WE CANCEL THESE CONTRACTS WHEN  IN REALITY THESE PRISONS WOULD STAY OPEN IF THIS BILL WERE TO  PASS AND THESE FACILITIES ARE ALL UNDERSTAFFED.

IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO RESULT IN JOB LOSS, NOT GOING  TO RESULT IN LESS MONEY COMING TO THE COUNTIES WHEN THERE IS  A VARIETY OF INITIATIVES TO SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN  THE LOCATIONS WHERE THESE FACILITIES ARE, SUCH AS THE  GEOTHERMAL BILL OR SUN ZIA AND LOTS OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY  JOBS THAT ARE MAKING THEIR WAY TO THESE LOCATIONS.

SO, I THINK IT IS A MISPLACED FEAR THAT IS NOT BASED IN  REALITY.

>> Jeff: I THINK A LOT OF  VIEWERS WILL BE GOOD AND WELL FAMILIAR WITH CONGRESSIONAL  AND EXECUTIVE FAILURES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO DEAL WITH  MIGRATION.

NOW THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE  HAS REFUSED, DECLINED, FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS TO ADDRESS  THESE PARTICULAR DETENTION FACILITIES.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO PEOPLE WHO LAND IN OUR STATE AND ARE  SEEKING ASYLUM?

>> Genovese: I THINK IN THE  SITUATION OF IMMIGRATION DETENTION, STATE LEGISLATION  IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO HANDLE THESE INJUSTICES.

THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS A  TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POWER, MORE POWER THAN THE  CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, FRANKLY, TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT  THIS.

STEP IN AND STAND UP FOR HUMAN  RIGHTS.

AND NOW WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO  THE DRAWING BOARD BECAUSE WE KNOW OUR FEDERAL ADVOCACY IS  NOT GOING TO WORK IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO CONVINCE THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY  MAYORKAS TO CANCEL THESE CONTRACTS.

WE HAVE TRIED AND THEY HAVE TOLD US ABSOLUTELY NOT.

SO, WE WILL BE REGROUPING OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO REALLY  DEMONSTRATE TO LEGISLATORS WHO VOTED NO OR WALKED AWAY FROM  VOTING THAT THIS BILL IS CRITICAL TO PRESERVING HUMAN  RIGHTS AND ENSURING THAT NO MORE DEATHS OCCUR IN NEW  MEXICO'S ICE FACILITIES.

>> Jeff: WHERE ARE ASYLUM  SEEKERS TO TURN FOR EITHER REDRESS OF GRIEVANCE OR FOR  HELP?

>> Genovese: THERE ARE THREE  ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE IN  DETENTION AND WE DO OUR BEST TO MONITOR HUMAN RIGHTS  ABUSES.

MY ORGANIZATION, WE ARE IN  THESE FACILITIES WEEKLY.

AND WE SUBMIT COMPLAINT AFTER  COMPLAINT TO THE OVERSIGHT AGENCIES IN THE FEDERAL  GOVERNMENT.

AND THE OVERSIGHT AGENCIES, I  THINK, ARE SYMPATHETIC.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE  OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS CALLED FOR THE CLOSURE OF  ATTORNEYS TWICE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY DON'T HAVE  ANY ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.

THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN CANCEL  THESE CONTRACTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL ARE SECRETARY MAYORKAS  AND PRESIDENT BIDEN.

SO WE WILL TO CONTINUE TO  UPLIFT THESE COMPLAINT BUT WE NEED THE NEW MEXICO  LEGISLATURE TO STEP IN BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THE EXECUTIVE WILL  NOT.

>> Jeff: I ASSUME WE'LL SEE  THIS BILL AGAIN NEXT YEAR, SOPHIA.

>> Genovese: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Jeff: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR  COMING TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS TODAY.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> Gwyneth: THANKS TO SOPHIA  GENOVESE FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

WE RETURN ONE LAST TIME TO THE  VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN  GRISHAM MADE PUBLIC SAFETY A PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

SHE ANNOUNCED MORE THAT 20 INITIATIVES.

AND SHE TALKED ABOUT IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE THAT COULD  PREVENT CRIME BUT, SHAUN, WHAT DID LAWMAKERS SEND HER ON  GUNS?

SHE HAD A LOT OF IDEAS.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Griswold: WELL, SHE HAD TWO  IDEAS THAT ENDED UP ON HER DESK AND EVEN THOSE IDEAS WERE  AMENDED AND DILUTED IN A WAY FROM ORIGINAL PROPOSALS.

NO.

1, YOU HAVE NOW A SEVEN-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO  PURCHASE A GUN THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED AS A  14-DAY WAITING PERIOD.

SECOND BILL ON HER DESK IS THE  BANNING OF WEAPONS AT POLLING PLACES AND THAT WAS ALSO  AMENDED TO WHERE IF YOU HAVE A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT, YOU  CAN ACTUALLY TAKE YOUR GUN AND VOTE IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED  TO.

SO, EVEN WITH THOSE GUN BILLS  ON HER DESK THAT SHE IS EXPECTED TO SIGN, THEY WERE  ALSO AMENDED AND DILUTED IN A WAY THAT DIDN'T GET EXACTLY  WHAT SHE WANTED.

>> Genovese: IN TERMS OF OTHER  KIND OF TOUGH ON CRIME IDEAS, SHE DID GET AN INCREASED  PENALTY FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER.

SHE DID NOT GET INCREASED FLEXIBILITY FOR PROSECUTORS  WHO WANT TO HOLD PEOPLE BEHIND BARS WHEN THEY ARE ACCUSED OF  SERIOUS CRIMES.

NOW, TRIP, IT IS AN ELECTION  YEAR.

DO YOU THINK LAWMAKERS ARE  GOING TO LEAVE SANTA FE WITH SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT WITH  WHAT THEY HAVE DONE ON CRIME AND ALSO HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT  OUTSIDE OF THIS CITY, REALLY?

>> Trip: IT REALLY DEPENDS ON  WHO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AS FAR AS A LAWMAKER GOES.

IF YOU'RE IN A RURAL DISTRICT AND YOU'RE BASICALLY YOU HAVE  GOT A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE LIKE, HEY, WE NEED OUR  GUNS, WE ARE IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE, THE SEVEN-DAY  WAITING PERIOD, WHICH SOME PEOPLE IN THE URBAN -- SOME  PROGRESSIVES OR PEOPLE IN THE URBAN AREAS WILL GO, THAT IS A  GREAT BIG WIN.

THEY MIGHT SAY, WE DON'T NEED THAT IN RURAL PARTS OF THE  STATE.

ELSEWHERE, LIKE I SAID, MAYBE  IN URBAN AREAS, MORE PROGRESSIVE LEANING AREAS,  THAT IS A BIG WIN FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT  STUFF.

SIMILAR TO THE GUNS IN PUBLIC  PLACE.

LET'S FACE IT, GUN VIOLENCE IS  A BIG ISSUE HERE IN NEW MEXICO, AS IT IS ACROSS THE  STATE.

EVERY WEEK, WE JUST HAD  SOMETHING HAPPEN IN KANSAS CITY, YOU KNOW, THIS WEEK.

WHERE THERE WAS A SHOOTING, EVERY WEEK WE HEAR ABOUT NEWS  AROUND GUN VIOLENCE.

SO, I THINK IT REALLY DEPENDS  ON WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO ON ELECTION YEAR AND HOW THEY CAN  USE IT IN THEIR PLATFORMS.

>> Gwyneth: NOT A MASSIVE  LIBERAL WIN BUT NOT A MASSIVE CONSERVATIVE DEFEAT EITHER.

SHAUN, THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THE GOVERNOR FRAMED  IF HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN TERMS OF THE ROOT  CAUSES OF CRIME, YOU KNOW, SHE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE'S  HOUSING CRISIS.

AND THEY DID GET A LITTLE  MOVEMENT THERE, DIDN'T THEY?

>> Griswold: YES.

SO THE GOVERNOR WAS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER HALF A MILLION OR  HALF A BILLION IN INVESTMENTS TO CREATE MORE AGENCIES WITHIN  THE STATE TO DEVELOP MONEY TO INVEST IN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

NOW, THAT DIDN'T GO.

THAT WAS ALSO CUT A LITTLE BIT  BUT WHAT SHE DOES HAVE RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT 175 MILLION TO GO  INTO AN AGENCY THAT WILL NOW LOOK TO DEVELOP WAYS TO INVEST  IN DEVELOPMENT OF HOMES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LOW INCOME,  MOSTLY THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE, DON'T MAKE ENOUGH  MONEY TO PURCHASE A HOME, DON'T MAKE ENOUGH OR MAKE MORE  THAN TO RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF SUBSIDIES.

AND SO SHE IS REALLY TRYING TO MAKE THIS AS AN INVESTMENT FOR  DEVELOPERS TO PROVIDE THOSE HOMES AND OPTIONS FOR HOME  BUYERS.

THAT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING  WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FOLLOW.

THIS IS GOING TO BECOME ANOTHER ISSUE INTO NEXT YEAR  AS WELL.

>> Gwyneth: YES, IT IS A REAL  CHALLENGE FOR FOLKS WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT THEIR  CAREERS NOW.

THE HOME PRICES HAVE CHANGED A  LOT.

SHAUN, STICKING WITH YOU FOR A  MINUTE, THERE WAS A BID TO REQUIRE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL  LEAVE AND THAT FAILED AT THE END BUT IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS  GOING TO PASS.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Griswold: WELL, LOOKS AND APPEARANCES IS VERY IMPORTANT  BECAUSE THIS HAD A VERY STRONG SUPPORT FROM NOT ONLY SENATE  LEADERSHIP BUT ADVOCACY AND LOBBYIST GROUPS HAVE BEEN  HIGHLY PROMINENT IN IT.

THEY BRING IN DOZENS, IF NOT  HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO LOBBY ON BEHALF OF  THIS.

WORKERS, PEOPLE WHO ARE  GENERAL NEW MEXICANS.

AND IT FAILED ON A VERY SHORT  VOTE.

AND SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SAW  WITH SOME OF THE GUN LEGISLATION YOU HAVE  CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE WHO ARE ALIGNING  THEMSELVES WITH REPUBLICANS IN WAYS THAT THEY FEEL LIKE NOT  ONLY WILL IT SUPPORT THEIR RURAL IDEALS BUT ALSO THEIR  BUSINESS INTERESTS.

AND YOU HAD SEVERAL DEMOCRATS  VOTE AGAINST THE BILL THAT DID ULTIMATELY KILL PAID FAMILY  MEDICAL LEAVE.

>> Gwyneth: YEAH, AND I SAW  LAWMAKERS SAY, NOW, I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS DEMOCRAT OR  REPUBLICAN, SAYING WHAT MY CHAMBER IS AGAINST THIS, THE  BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS REALLY AGAINST THIS, HOW AM I  SUPPOSED TO GO HOME FROM SANTA FE AND SAID THAT I DID THIS TO  HURT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THAT IS A TOUGH CALL.

AGAIN, THIS WAS A 30-DAY SECTION PACKED WITH NON-BUDGET  RELATED ITEMS.

ADVOCATES FOR MODERNIZING THE  LEGISLATURE, HELPING THEM DO MORE, WANTED LONGER SESSIONS,  THEY DIDN'T GET IT.

THEY WANTED PAY FOR STATE  LAWMAKERS, DIDN'T GET IT.

WHAT THEY DID GET WAS SIX  MILLION DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET  FOR PAID STAFF.

TRIP, WHAT KIND OF DIFFERENCE  DO YOU THINK THAT WILL MAKE?

>> Trip: I MEAN, I THINK IT  WILL HELP LAWMAKERS.

AS WE KNOW, THEY ARE  VOLUNTEER, THEY ARE NOT PAID A SALARY.

BASICALLY, THE HOPE IS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE PROFESSIONAL  YEAR-ROUND STAFF, THAT THEY CAN DO CONSTITUENT WORK,  MAYBE, HELP LAWMAKERS DO THAT, AND THEY CAN DO RESEARCH FOR  LAWMAKERS.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Gwyneth: ESPECIALLY WITH THE COMPLEXITIES OF SOME OF  THE BILLS WE SAW THIS SESSION.

>> Trip: THAT IS RIGHT AND  WHAT YOU HAVE IS WITH EVERY LEGISLATIVE BODY, CONGRESS,  OTHER STATE LEGISLATURES, SORRY, LOBBYIST HAVE A LOT OF  INFLUENCE, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A VOLUNTEER LEGISLATURE,  LOBBYISTS HAVE EVEN MORE, YOU KNOW, INFLUENCE ON WRITING  BILLS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

POSSIBLY THESE PROFESSIONAL  STAFF MIGHT BE ABLE TO, MAYBE PUSH UP AGAINST THAT.

NOT SAYING THAT LOBBYISTS ARE BAD.

THEY ARE PART OF THE SYSTEM.

THEY HAVE BEEN PART OF THE  SYSTEM SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE COUNTRY.

>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE RIGHT, AND, YOU KNOW, TRIP, BOTH OF YOU  HELPED ME.

I HAD 14 UNM JOURNALISM  STUDENTS WITH ME UP AT THE SESSION THIS YEAR AND THEY  LEARNED A TON ABOUT THE VALUE OF LOBBYISTS AND ABOUT THE  EXPERTISE THEY HAVE.

SO THAT IS A STRONG POINT.

A LOT OF LOBBYISTS ARE FORMER LAWMAKERS.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN THERE DECADES LONGER THAN ANY OF THE  ELECTED OFFICIALS SO PAID STAFF DOES HAVE THE POTENTIAL  TO COUNTERACT SOME OF THAT.

SPEAKING OF THESE LAWMAKERS, A  LOT OF STATE SENATORS ANNOUNCED THEY ARE RETIRING.

AT LEAST EIGHT.

THAT US TALLMAN, PIRTLE,  SCHMEDES, MCKENNA, GRIGGS, NEVILLE, MOORES AND JERRY  ORTIZ Y PINO.

THAT IS 20%, JUST ABOUT 20% OF  THE STATE SENATE THAT WILL BE NEW NEXT SESSION.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN A SEA CHANGE IN THE  MAKE UP OF THIS STATE HOUSE.

RIGHT.

NOW, MAJORITY WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, MANY YOUNGER PEOPLE.

IS THIS IS WHAT IS COMING NEXT FOR THE STATE SENATE AND WHAT  WOULD THAT MEAN?

SHAUN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> GRISHAM: YES, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE A WHOLE NEW BLEND OF MAKEUP OF WHAT  NEW MEXICO IS.

NEW MEXICO IS COMPLETELY  DIFFERENT THAN SO MANY OTHER STATES AND WE ALL KNOW THAT  THROUGHOUT DIVERSITY OF WHO WE ARE AS A PEOPLE AND OUR  CULTURE AND EVERYTHING AND THAT IS THAT GOING TO BE  REFLECTED IN A LOT OF THESE FACES.

NOW WE WILL STILL SEE, BECAUSE THEY ARE A VOLUNTEER  LEGISLATURE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN PROMINENT SPOTS,  WHO ARE LAWYERS WHO CAN TAKE THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR A  MONTH OR TWO MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR TO DO THIS ROLE.

BUT, THEY WILL COME WITH A VALUE THAT ARE GOING TO BE  PART OF WHAT NEW MEXICO IS.

NOW, SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE YOU  MENTIONED ARE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES WHO REPRESENT  VERY CONSERVATIVE DISTRICTS THAT ARE FLUSH WITH CASH IN  THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

SO, WE MAY START SEEING EVEN  MORE PROMINENT OIL AND GAS ADVOCATES WHO MAY HAVE SOME  SORT OF LIBERAL SOCIAL VIEWPOINTS ON SOCIAL POLICIES  BUT ARE ULTIMATELY THERE TO PROTECT THE INDUSTRY THAT IS  FUNDING ALL OF THIS.

>> Gwyneth: TRIP JENNINGS, ONE  WORD.

REDISTRICTING.

HOW MUCH CHANGE ARE WE GOING TO SEE IN THIS SENATE WITH  THESE EIGHT SEATS?

>> Trip: I MEAN, THAT IS A  REALLY INTERESTING QUESTION BECAUSE I JUST LEARNED THAT MY  SENATOR IS NO LONGER MY SENATOR BECAUSE OF THE  REDISTRICTING.

I JUST LEARNED THIS DURING THE  SESSION.

>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE IN RIO  RANCHO, SO THAT IS A POTENTIAL  SWING BUT THE REST OF THESE SEATS ARE PRETTY SOLID, AREN'T  THEY?

>> Trip: YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT,  BECAUSE IT HAS GOT -- RIO RANCHO, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON  HOW THAT DISTRICT IS FASHIONED IT WILL BE A SWING DISTRICT,  YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> Gwyneth: LAST QUESTION  HERE.

PREVIEWING THE NEXT SESSION,  WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BUNCH OF CHANGES.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE NEW BUTTS IN SEATS BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK  ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT,  MAYBE THINGS THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND ARE GOING TO COME  BACK NEXT SESSION.

SHAUN, WHAT IS IN YOUR  NOTEBOOK FOR NEXT SESSION?

>> Genovese: I THINK WE ARE  GOING TO SEE PAID MEDICAL FAMILY LEAVE MAKE ANOTHER  RETURN.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO END.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF BILLS THAT WERE  STRUCTURED THIS YEAR LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT HOUSING WITH THE  TRUST FUND.

YOU KNOW, THAT BILL IS  ESTABLISHING ESSENTIALLY AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TO  DEVELOP HOW TO INVEST THAT MONEY AND BUILD IT OUT.

NOW NEXT YEAR THEY ARE GOING TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR MORE  MONEY BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE SET UP.

WE'LL SEE A LOT OF THESE TRUST FUNDS, THAT HAVE BEEN  DISCUSSED RECENTLY, NOW TURNING INTO ASKING FOR MORE  MONEY TO KEEP IT GOING OR EVEN ADOPT SOME OF THE PROGRAMMING  THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO, AND THEN GET THOSE FUNDED IN  OTHER WAYS.

SO, WHILE IT IS BUDGET AND WE  ARE SPENDING THE MONEY, WE ARE GOING TO NOW SEE NEXT SESSION  HOW YOU TURN MONEY INTO SOMETHING REAL.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE NEXT YEAR.

>> Gwyneth: GUYS, I AM GOING TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THIS TIME WITH US AND FOR  BREAKING IT DOWN.

AND FOR YOUR WORK OVER THE  LAST 30 DAYS.

BOTH YOU, TRIP AND SHAUN, AND  YOUR TEAMS, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> Lou: THANKS FOR FOLLOWING ALONG WITH US THROUGH THIS  YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU CAN FIND EVEN MORE  INTERVIEWS WITH LAWMAKERS AND POLICY ADVOCATES ON THE SOCIAL  MEDIA PAGES.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>>Funding for NMiF provided by Viewers Like you.