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

>> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, MAKING SHORT WORK OF A SHORT SESSION.

A JOURNALIST AND A FORMER STATE LAWMAKER WEIGHED INTO WHAT'S MOVING AND WHAT'S NOT AS THE LEGISLATURE ROLLS INTO ITS FINAL WEEK.

AND -- >> Dr. Katzman: I HAD BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN NEW MEXICO.

WHAT BETTER VENUE THAN PROJECT ECHO TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, SHARE THIS KNOWLEDGE.

>> Lou: A UNM NEUROLOGIST EXPLAINS HOW HER PROGRAM HELPS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS NAVIGATE THE MYRIAD OF WAYS CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS PATIENTS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

>> Lou: THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I'M SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO.

THE 30-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN SANTA FE IS ALMOST OVER.

AND WITH LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO, WE WANTED TO TAKE NOTE OF WHAT'S PASSED, WHAT HASN'T, AND WHAT STILL MIGHT GET THROUGH THE ROUNDHOUSE.

LATER IN TODAY'S SHOW I SIT DOWN FOR A TWO-PART DISCUSSION WITH SOURCE NEW MEXICO EDITOR SHAUN GRISWOLD AND REPUBLICAN FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTINE FOX-YOUNG TO DISCUSS THE FATE OF THE GOVERNOR'S FAVORED PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS.

ALSO, I'LL ASK OUR ROUNDTABLE WHY THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC EDUCATION GOALS ARE RECEIVING BIPARTISAN PUSHBACK FROM LAWMAKERS WHO REPRESENT SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THEN, PROJECT ECHO FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER HAS BEEN PROVIDING VIRTUAL LEARN OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN RURAL PARTS OF THIS STATE FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

THAT WORK HAS EXPANDED SINCE THEN TO ALL 50 STATES AND 193 COUNTRIES.

IN JUST UNDER 15 MINUTES, OUR LAURA PASKUS INTERVIEWS DR. JOANNA KATZMAN ON A NEW CLIMATE-BASED PROGRAM FOR PROJECT ECHO, ONE THAT CONNECTS THE DOTS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF THEIR PATIENTS.

BUT FIRST, WE HEAD TO SANTA FE FOR A QUICK TRIP THROUGH SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE STILL ALIVE IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND SPOKE WITH DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES ANDREA ROMERO, ANDRES ROMERO, AND SENATOR BENNY SHENDO ABOUT ALTERNATIVE ENERGY TAX CREDITS, A BIPARTISAN CHANGE TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, AND A BILL THAT WOULD CREATE A SEVEN-DAY WAITING PERIOD WHEN BUYING A GUN.

HERE'S GWYNETH.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.

>> Rep. A. Romero: THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS STORY.

>> Gwyneth: SO THE MAJORITY OF GUN OWNERS IN NEW MEXICO ARE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.

SO WOULDN'T A SEVEN-DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR THEM TO BUY GUNS BE AN INFRINGEMENT ON THEIR RIGHTS AND AN INCONVENIENCE TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM TO PREVENT A SMALL NUMBER OF BAD ACTORS FROM COMMITTING CRIMES?

>> Rep. A. Romero: WELL, I THINK FIRSTLY IT'S NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO HAVE A TEMPORARY WAITING PERIOD.

PARTICULARLY BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO DO A FEW CRITICAL THINGS.

ONE IS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T RECEIVE A VERIFIED BACKGROUND CHECK FROM OUR FEDERAL SYSTEM, AND MAKE SURE THOSE FOLKS DO.

AND HAVE THAT WAITING PERIOD IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT BACKGROUND CHECK IS DONE.

AND TWO, THIS IS A CRITICAL WAITING PERIOD FOR THOSE IN A CRISIS, FOR THOSE THAT MIGHT DO HARM TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

WE BELIEVE SEVEN DAYS IS A GOOD ENOUGH BUFFER TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT PERSON, SHOULD THEY BE PURCHASING A FIREARM TO HARM THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, CAN HAVE THE COOLING OFF PERIOD OR TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT.

YES, IT CAN BE INCONVENIENT, TO YOUR SECOND POINT.

WE BELIEVE IF IT CAN SAVE A LIFE, IF IT CAN ENSURE SOMEBODY MAKE A BETTER DECISION WITH THE WAITING TIME, THEN THIS INCONVENIENCE IS SOMETHING WE CAN LIVE WITH.

>> Gwyneth: LET ME ASK YOU THIS, WHY DO WE NEED A WEEK TO ACCOMPLISH A BACKGROUND CHECK?

>> Rep. A. Romero: SO PART OF THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS NOT ONLY WHAT WE LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE HAD A BACKLOG OF BACKGROUND CHECKS THAT HADN'T COME BACK.

THE THREE-DAY PERIOD, WHICH IS THE CURRENT WAITING PERIOD FOR AN ALLOWABLE TIME PERIOD TO GET A FIREARM, AFTER THREE DAYS YOU CAN JUST RECEIVE THAT, EVEN IF THE BACKGROUND CHECK HASN'T COME.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE KNOW IN NEW MEXICO, WE'RE THE MOST RURAL STATE IN AMERICA.

WE HAVE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY ISSUES.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS ARE TALKING TO EACH OTHER, AND WE'RE WANTING THIS SYSTEM TO REPORT BACK TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

THE MORE TIME WE HAVE TO CHECK AND BALANCE THAT ENTIRE PROCESS AND FLAG ANYONE THAT COULD BE PURCHASING FIREARM AFTER THE THREE-DAY PERIOD, THAT THEY DON'T SIMPLY RECEIVE IT.

THAT CRITICAL WAITING PERIOD ENSURES THAT THOSE CHECKS ARE IN PLACE.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

>> Rep. G. Romero: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE A HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER.

NEW MEXICO HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST DROPOUT RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT MOST OF THOSE WHO DO DROP OUT, TWO-THIRDS, DO IT BEFORE THEY HIT ALGEBRA TWO.

WHY DO WE WANT TO REMOVE ALGEBRA TWO AS A REQUIREMENT?

HOW WILL LOOSENING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS HELP US GET BETTER AT EDUCATION?

>> Rep. G. Romero: I DON'T THINK WE'RE NECESSARILY LOOSENING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.

WHAT WE'RE ADDING IS STUDENT FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE INTO EACH AND EVERY SUBJECT THAT OUR STUDENTS TAKE.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE A MORE RESTRICTIVE MODEL WHERE STUDENTS ARE TAKING CLASSES AND OUR GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS HAVEN'T BEEN CHANGED SINCE 2007.

IT'S A LONG TIME COMING.

IN EACH OF THE SUBJECT MATTERS, STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO PICK A CLASS THAT THEY ARE MOST INTERESTED.

IN THEIR MATH CLASSES, THEIR SCIENCE CLASSES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, THEY'RE ABLE TO PICK CLASSES THAT ARE SUPER-IMPORTANT TO THEM.

AND THAT THEY FEEL THEY HAVE THAT AUTONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY, AND TO MAKE SCHOOL MEANINGFUL FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Gwyneth: NOW, I'M GOING TO CONFESS A GRAVE BIAS HERE IN MY REPORTING.

I AM HUGELY BIASED AGAINST ALGEBRA TWO.

I BARELY, BARELY, BARELY PASSED.

I MEAN, SHOULDN'T WE BE PUSHING STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE -- IS THERE SOME VALUE IN LEARNING THOSE FORMULAS?

>> Rep. G. Romero: YEAH, SO I THINK WITHIN ALGEBRA TWO IT'S TYPICALLY TAKEN THEIR JUNIOR YEAR OR BEYOND, EVEN SENIOR YEAR.

A LOT OF THE TESTS IN THE STATE DON'T REQUIRE ALGEBRA TWO, AND STATS TEND TO TAKE THOSE TESTS EVEN BEFORE TAKING ALGEBRA TWO AS A CLASS, CURRENTLY.

WE'RE NOT GETTING RID OF ALGEBRA TWO ENTIRELY, SO IT WON'T BE A REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS ANYMORE.

BUT SCHOOLS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO HAVE ALGEBRA TWO AS PART OF THE CLASSES THAT STUDENTS CAN TAKE.

SO IF YOU'RE ON A PATHWAY TO GO TO COLLEGE AND YOU NEED TO HAVE AN ALGEBRA TWO CREDIT, IT WILL STILL BE OFFERED.

WE'RE ALSO ADDING CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND MORE APPLIED LEARNING FOR OUR STUDENTS, BECAUSE WHEN STUDENTS, ONE, SEE THE FLEXIBILITY AND SEE THEMSELVES IN THE CURRICULUM, AND TWO, MAKE IT RELEVANT FOR THEM SO IF THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY ON A COLLEGE PATHWAY BUT A CAREER PATHWAY, THEY CAN TAKE MATH THAT IS RELEVANT TO THE CAREER FIELD THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING INTO.

>> Gwyneth: WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL MATH, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> Rep. G. Romero: SO IN A LOT OF TRADES IT REQUIRES LOTS OF GEOMETRY, PHYSICS.

SO IT'S VERY INTENSIVE.

AND IT'S ALL APPLIED LEARNING.

AND WE'VE ALSO FOUND THROUGH OUR STUDIES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND LOOKING AT THE RESEARCH, APPLIED LEARNING IS MUCH MORE IMPACTFUL AT GARNERING STUDENT ATTENTION AND RETENTION RATES IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY'RE LEARNING.

THEY'RE BETTER ABLE TO RETAIN WHAT THEY'RE LEARNING.

>> Gwyneth: SENATOR SHENDO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US HERE TODAY.

>> Sen. Shendo: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Gwyneth: GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM HAS AN AMBITIOUS CLIMATE AGENDA THIS SESSION, AND YOU ARE CARRYING SOME PARTS OF THAT.

YOU HAVE ONE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD GIVE TAX CREDITS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND CHARGING STATIONS.

CRITICS CALL IT THE I-25 BILL, SAYING IT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP COMMUTERS BETWEEN ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE.

WHY SHOULD THE REST OF THIS STATE BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF TAX BREAKS THAT HELP ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE?

>> Sen. Shendo: WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE ALL OF NEW MEXICO, YOU KNOW -- ELECTRIFY ALL OF NEW MEXICO ALONG OUR CORRIDORS, BECAUSE WE'RE A TOURIST STATE AND I THINK MANY OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE OUT TO OR VISIT SOME OF RURAL AREAS NEED CHARGING STATIONS.

AND HOPEFULLY INCENTIVIZE SOME OF OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES INVESTING IN ELECTRIC CARS.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE.

I KNOW THERE'S AN EV STATION AT ZUNI PUEBLO AND THERE'S AN EV STATION AT JEMEZ PUEBLO.

AND I THINK MANY OF THESE AREAS, HOPEFULLY AS WE MAKE THAT INVESTMENT AS A STATE, WILL NOT ONLY SERVE THE CORRIDOR OF I-25 AND I-40, BUT ALSO THE RURAL AREAS.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> Gwyneth: ANOTHER PROPOSAL WOULD GIVE TAX CREDITS FOR MANUFACTURING COMPONENTS THAT GO INTO WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST, AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO GET FOR IT?

>> Sen. Shendo: ONE OF THE THINGS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE, AS YOU KNOW, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO ONSHORE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY IN SOLAR ENERGY AND WIND.

THIS TAX CREDIT WILL ALLOW, YOU KNOW, COMPANIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

WE'RE TRYING TO MIRROR THE FEDERAL LAW WITH OURS, AS WELL.

HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP BRING SOME OF THE MANUFACTURING TO NEW MEXICO.

RIGHT NOW, THE BILL HAS IT AT $25 MILLION OR 20%, WHATEVER IS LESS.

THAT'S THE INCENTIVE WE HAVE FOR THE COMPANIES.

>> Gwyneth: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US TODAY.

>> Sen. Shendo: THANK YOU.

>> Dr. Katzman: I HAD BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN NEW MEXICO BECAUSE OF OUR GROWING PROBLEMS WITH EXTREME DROUGHT AND EXTREME HEAT.

AFTER TAKING THE COURSE, I REALIZED WHAT BETTER VENUE THAN PROJECT ECHO TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, SHARE THIS KNOWLEDGE WITH CLINICIANS AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROVIDERS WHO REALLY DON'T GET THAT EDUCATION IN MEDICAL SCHOOL OR NURSING SCHOOL.

>> Lou: LAURA'S INTERVIEW WITH DR. JOANNA KATZMAN IS COMING UP IN ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES.

RIGHT NOW, I'M JOINED IN THE STUDIO BY JUSTINE FOX-YOUNG, AN ATTORNEY AND REPUBLICAN FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR, AND SHAUN GRISWOLD, EDITOR AT SOURCE NEW MEXICO.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING ME.

>> Fox-Young: THANK YOU.

>> Griswold: HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> Lou: GREAT.

ONE PIECE OF THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY PACKAGE HAS MADE IT THROUGH ONE CHAMBER.

NOT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT TWEAKS.

WE HEARD REPRESENTATIVE ANDREA ROMERO TALK ABOUT SOME BACKGROUND ON HOUSE BILL 129.

INITIALLY, THAT WOULD REQUIRED A 14-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO BUY A GUN.

THAT'S BEEN CUT TO SEVEN DAYS.

THE AMENDED BILL PASSED THE HOUSE LAST WEEK, 37-33.

ITS NEXT STOP IS THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

JUSTINE, WHY WOULD A SEVEN-DAY WAIT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE PALATABLE FOR ALL LAWMAKERS, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PARTY?

IS IT FOOLISH TO THINK REPUBLICANS WOULD BACK ANY WAITING PERIOD OF ANY AMOUNT OF TIME?

>> Fox-Young: WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW ALL THE INTERNAL POLITICS OF WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN THAT COMMITTEE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT JUST RECENTLY THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE DID TRY TO RUN AN AMENDMENT TO TAKE IT BACK TO 14 DAYS AND ONLY PULLED ONE OTHER VOTE.

I THINK THAT'S OFF THE TABLE.

AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT A SHORTER WAITING PERIOD.

THE COMPLEXITY OF THE WAY THE FEDERAL REGULATION ALREADY WORKS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE TECHNICAL DETAILS, I THINK REPUBLICANS WILL BE MOTIVATED TO WORK SOME OF THAT OUT SO THIS IS WORKABLE FOR THE FFLS, THE FOLKS SELLING THESE AND LICENSING.

ONE THING I THINK GETS LOST IN A LOT OF THIS, AND WHAT SOME OF THE ADVOCATES ARE TRYING TO PUSH, IS THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEBODY GOES IN FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK.

IMAGINE A JOSE MARTINEZ GOING IN NEW MEXICO.

VERY COMMON NAME.

MAYBE HE DIDN'T PUT A MIDDLE INITIAL OR FULL NAME.

THAT CAN GET STUCK, THE SAME WAY A LOT OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS GET STUCK, JUST BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A HOLD ON THAT PERSON, NECESSARILY, BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR.

MAYBE THERE IS A JOSE MARTINEZ FOR WHOM THERE IS A HOLD.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT IF ATF -- IF THE NCIC DOESN'T COME BACK WITH ANYTHING AND THREE DAYS HAVE PASSED, THAT PERSON ENDS UP IN, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, A HOLDING PATTERN AND THEY CAN'T PURCHASE.

THEY GOT A BACKGROUND CHECK THAT'S GOOD FOR 30 DAYS, AND IT WILL EXPIRE.

WHAT I THINK SOME OF THE ADVOCATES ARE TRYING TO GET LEGISLATORS TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN LAWFULLY PURCHASE GUNS WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE WHO ARE GOING TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS MESS AND NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE, WHICH IS A SECOND AMENDMENT INFRINGEMENT, IF SOME DETAILS AREN'T FIXED.

I THINK THE BILL HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF PASSING AND IT HAS STRONG SUPPORT, BUT THEY HAVE TO WORK THOSE DETAILS OUT, OR JUST REGULAR CITIZENS WHO SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUY GUNS ARE GOING TO GET CAUGHT UP IN IT.

AND THEY HAVE TO MAKE THOSE FIXES.

IT SOUNDS LIKE PEOPLE ARE WORKING HARD AT THE TABLE TO GET THAT DONE.

>> Lou: ALONG WITH THAT BILL, SENATE BILL 5 IS RUSHING THROUGH CHAMBERS, ALSO.

IT'S SPONSORED BY A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING MAJORITY LEADER PETER WIRTH.

THAT BILL WOULD BAN GUNS INSIDE AND AROUND POLLING PLACES ON VOTING DAYS.

NOW, THE LEGISLATION RECEIVED A NEAR PARTY LINE VOTE WITH ALL BUT ONE DEMOCRAT IN FAVOR.

SHAUN, LAST YEAR ON THE SHOW YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW NEW MEXICO IS A GUN STATE, REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL LINES.

WHY ARE GUN CONTROL BILLS FAIRING BETTER WITH DEMOCRATS, IN PARTICULAR, THIS SESSION?

>> Griswold: I BELIEVE, FIRST OFF, THERE'S A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

DEMOCRATS FEEL THIS IS THEIR PRIORITY TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES IN THE STATE.

LET'S REGULATE GUNS, LET'S FIGURE OUT WHERE THE ROOT PROBLEM IS.

A LOT OF IT IS GUN AND THE ACCESSIBILITY TOWARD GUNS.

>> Fox-Young: YOU THINK THE ROOT PROBLEM IS IN POLLING PLACES?

>> Griswold: THAT'S THE ISSUE ON THIS PART.

THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THOSE BILLS THAT IS JUST TARGETED TOWARD WE'RE DOING SOMETHING TO AN ISSUE THAT MAY NOT ACTUALLY EXIST.

HOWEVER, IF YOU'RE SIGNALING THAT WE HAVE PASSED A LAW THAT IS GOING TO ENACT SOME RESTRICTIONS IN PUBLIC SPACES, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN CAMPAIGN ON.

THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT IF THIS DOES ACTUALLY PASS AND BECOME LAW, REGARDLESS OF HOW EFFECTIVE OR IF IT'S ACTUALLY CAUSING ANY REAL PROBLEMS OR PREVENTING ANY TRUE PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN ATTACKS OF GUN VIOLENCE AT A POLLING PLACE.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANY INSTANCES IN NEW MEXICO OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Fox-Young: IT'S AN EASY BOGEYMAN TO ATTACK.

>> Griswold: THERE YOU GO.

BUT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, TOO, WHEN YOU DO HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO, OVER THE PAST SEVERAL ELECTIONS, THE FEAR OF GUNS AT POLLING PLACES, OF PEOPLE BRINGING GUNS TO POLLING PLACES, WHETHER LOCALLY OR NATIONALLY, THE PRESENCE OUTSIDE THE ZONE IS ENOUGH, THAT COULD BE A BOGEYMAN, BUT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LOOK TO STOP THAT.

IS THAT EFFECTIVE?

I'M NOT QUITE SURE.

THIS APPEARS TO BE LESS CONTROVERSIAL THAN THE ACQUISITION OF GUNS.

BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO TARGET PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE WEAPONS IN A PLACE.

>> Fox-Young: I WILL SAY THE WHOLE PACKAGE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE DONE ANY COVERAGE ON THIS THROUGH SOURCE NEW MEXICO, WHICH DOES GREAT WORK, BUT THERE ARE SOME REAL-WORLD IMPACTS FROM THIS GUN LEGISLATION THAT ARE PRETTY SERIOUS.

THERE WAS TESTIMONY FROM CALIBERS.

WERE YOU PRESENT FOR THIS?

THEY SAID THEY'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY IN FARMINGTON.

THEY WENT TO THE BANK TO GET IT FUNDED AND THE BANK SAID NO BECAUSE OF THE ARRAY OF LEGISLATION AND BECAUSE OF THE TONE IN SANTA FE AND BECAUSE WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT LIABILITY, THERE'S A BILL THAT WOULD INSTITUTE LIABILITY FOR ANYBODY IN THE CHAIN OF SALE.

IF A GUN IS FIRED AND SHOOTS SOMEBODY AND WRONGFULLY KILLS SOMEBODY, GO AFTER THE MANUFACTURER, THE SELLER, AMAZON, WHO YOU BOUGHT A GRIP FROM, AND ON AND ON.

THEY WOULDN'T FUND THE THING.

I THINK THERE ARE REAL IMPACTS TO THE ECONOMY, TO PROJECTS, TO JOBS THAT MAYBE GET LOST IN ALL OF THIS WHEN WE PICK AN EASY BOGEYMAN.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU LOOKED AT THAT, BUT THERE WAS COMMITTEE TESTIMONY ABOUT THAT.

WE CAN'T PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT.

FARMINGTON WANTS A CALIBERS, WE CAN'T GET FUNDED BECAUSE OF THIS DEBATE AND THIS PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT MAINLY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS PUSHING.

>> Griswold: THAT'S INTERESTING TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNAL FROM BUSINESS OWNERS, GUN OWNERS, DEALERS, TO SAY THAT NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY THE ECONOMY.

WE'VE GONE FROM SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, DON'T TAKE MY GUNS, I NEED TO HAVE THIS, TO THE POINT NOW YOU'RE IMPACTING MY BUSINESS, MY LIVELIHOOD.

THAT SIGNALS A LOT.

NOT ONLY THAT THEY DO VIEW THIS PACKAGE OF GUN LEGISLATION AS BEING SOMETHING THAT'S LIKELY GOING TO PASS OR MOVE FORWARD, BUT IT'S ALSO SIGNALING THAT THEY'RE TRANSITIONING TO A PLACE MORE DESPERATE THAN YOU'RE VIOLATING MY SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

TO ME, THAT SHOWS THERE IS SOME FEAR FROM GUN MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS KNOWING THAT SANTA FE IS LIKELY TO PASS MANY OF THESE MEASURES.

>> Fox-Young: THE TONE IS CHANGING AND THE TONE WILL CHANGE WHEN THE GOVERNOR COMES OUT WITH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SAYING, I DON'T CARE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS.

I'M GOING TO CONCEDE RIGHT OFF THAT THIS PACKAGE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND MY EXECUTIVE ORDER IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT I WANT TO MOVE THE DEBATE ON THE ISSUE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING.

>> Griswold: OF COURSE.

AND ALL THAT IS HAPPENING SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE STATE AND ROUNDHOUSE ENACTING THEIR OWN STATE MEASURES.

THIS GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER IS STILL PLAYING OUT IN COURT.

>> Lou: PLENTY TO STILL TALK ABOUT ON GUNS.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT ALL PLAYS OUT.

NOW, I WANT TO SHIFT TO ANOTHER BILL WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT QUITE A BIT ON THIS SHOW AND SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR YEARS NOW.

SENATE BILL 122 WOULD HAVE CREATED THE SO-CALLED REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION AND PRE-TRIAL DETENTION.

THAT FAILED.

IT GOT TABLED LAST WEEK.

THE GOVERNOR NOW INTRODUCED THROUGH SENATOR DANIEL IVEY-SOTO SENATE BILL 271.

SHE SAYS IT REPRESENTS A COMPROMISE.

IT WOULD FORCE COURTS TO LOCK PEOPLE UP ACCUSED OF NEW FELONY CRIMES WHILE OUT ON JAIL AWAITING TRIAL ON A PREVIOUS FELONY CASE.

HAS NOT COME UP FOR A VOTE, YET.

AND JUST LIKE REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION, IT'S RAISING RED FLAGS ABOUT POTENTIAL CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS.

JUSTINE, DOES THAT BILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE IT, DO YOU THINK?

WHAT ABOUT THOSE QUESTIONS OVER CONSTITUTIONALITY?

>> Fox-Young: IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE BILL IS TABLED, AND HAS RIGHTFULLY DRAWN A LOT OF OPPOSITION BECAUSE I THINK IT IS PATENTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS IT'S WRITTEN.

FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS REALLY LOOKS LIKE, OR WOULD LOOK LIKE IF IT WERE IMPLEMENTED, THE BILL SAYS THAT ONCE SOMEBODY IS FLAGGED BY THE COURT AS HAVING PICKED UP A FELONY, THEY CAN SIT IN JAIL INDEFINITELY, REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, UNTIL THE COURT HAS A HEARING.

IT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION.

IT VIOLATES COMMON SENSE.

IT'S UNWORKABLE.

SO I THINK THERE'S GENERAL UNDERSTANDING FROM ALMOST EVERYBODY, EXCEPT PERHAPS THE FOURTH FLOOR, THAT IT'S NOT WORKABLE.

>> Lou: WHAT ABOUT THE CURRENT STANDARD OF SOMEONE WHO IS OUT ON BAIL OR BOND AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH A FELONY?

THEY HAVE CONDITIONS OF RELEASE, THEY GO AND ARE CHARGED WITH ANOTHER FELONY.

>> Fox-Young: UNDER CURRENT LAW AND THE CURRENT RULES, CERTAINLY THAT'S ADDRESSED.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE IN NEW MEXICO TO ADDRESS PRE-TRIAL DETENTION FOR SOMEBODY UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND WE HAVE A RULE IN PLACE THAT PROVIDES FOR IT.

SENATOR IVEY-SOTO KNOWS THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS IS BEING PUSHED, OTHER THAN YOU'VE GOT A GOVERNOR THAT WANTS TO RUN OUT AND SAY SHE'S DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE CRIME PROBLEM.

THERE'S NO CHANCE THIS BILL IS GOING TO PASS THE WAY IT'S DRAFTED.

AND IF IT WERE TO PASS, IT WOULD DRAW SUCH SIGNIFICANT LITIGATION AND COST THE STATE SO MUCH MONEY TO FIGHT IT BECAUSE IT'S PATENTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IT'S NONSENSE.

THAT'S THE DANGER OF HAVING A GOVERNOR WHO COMES OUT RIGHT OFF AND SAYS, I'M PUSHING FOR THIS AND I KNOW IT VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S THE POSITION THAT SHE'S TAKEN ON THE GUN LEGISLATION, THAT'S THE POSITION SHE'S TAKEN ON THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, THAT'S THE POSITION SHE'S TAKEN ON PRE-TRIAL DETENTION.

I'VE NEVER SEEN IT.

RICHARDSON PUSHED A LOT OF STUFF.

HE PUSHED A LOT OF LEGISLATION IN A 30-DAY SESSION.

I DON'T RECALL HIM EVER DOING THAT.

SHE'S A LAWYER.

THIS GOVERNOR IS A LAWYER.

SHE KNOWS BETTER.

NO, IT'S NOT GOING TO PASS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW TO JUSTINE'S POINT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR WANTING TO DO SOMETHING, IS THAT WHAT YOU SEE HERE?

IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS OF HER TRYING TO PUSH A PRE-TRIAL DETENTION CHANGE, AND IN HER MIND SHE'S LESSENED IT A LITTLE BIT MOVING AWAY FROM THE REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION.

WHY DIDN'T THIS IDEA SEEM TO DIE?

EVEN WITH THE LACK OF SUPPORT FROM PETER WIRTH.

>> Griswold: IT'S A MEASURE THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTIES, WHATEVER POLITICAL PARTY YOU ARE, PEOPLE FEEL AS IF THEY WANT TO KEEP SAFE FROM CRIMINALS, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I THINK HAS SOME POPULAR SUPPORT BROADLY FROM THE PUBLIC.

BUT THEN YOU GET TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND AND THE NUANCES OF THIS THAT ULTIMATELY DOES KILL THESE BILLS.

I'M NOT REALLY QUITE SURE EXACTLY WHY IT CONTINUES TO BE PRESENTED IN ITS CURRENT FORM.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS.

ONE THING I WILL SIGNAL ON THAT IS BECAUSE WE'RE IN A BUDGET SESSION, WE HAVE SEEN VARIOUS AGENCIES, CYFD, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WITHIN SOME OF THE BUDGET REQUESTS ARE ALSO ASKING FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY THAT CAN HELP WHEN POTENTIAL LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS HAPPEN.

TO YOUR POINT, IF THIS BILL WERE TO PASS, THE STATE WOULD ANTICIPATE OBVIOUSLY SOME LAWSUITS COMING FORWARD FROM IT.

I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING WITH ANY BUDGET REQUEST THAT WOULD PREPARE THE STATE FOR ANY PENDING LITIGATION ON THIS CASE, WHICH TELLS ME THAT IS ALSO NOT GOING TO PASS.

REGARDLESS OF THE TIMELINESS AND CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS OF IT ALL, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY IN SIX DAYS.

EVEN THOUGH THAT'S A LIFETIME IN SANTA FE, I STILL DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THAT PART AND MAKE IT THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> Fox-Young: BUT NONE OF THAT SEEMS TO HAVE DETERRED THE GOVERNOR.

YOU SAW INCREDIBLE SKEPTICISM FROM OUR SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AS TO HER EXECUTIVE ORDER ON THE GUN BAN, AND YET IT HAS NOT SLOWED HER DOWN.

I DO THINK THERE ARE PRAGMATIC FOLKS IN THE AGENCY SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY THESE LITIGATION COSTS IF IT WERE TO PASS, AND THEY'RE RIGHT.

>> Lou: ANOTHER BILL WITH SOME CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED IS SENATE BILL 248 THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY BAN PANHANDLING.

PUNCHING BOTH THE PERSON ASKING FOR MONEY AND THE PERSON GIVING THE MONEY.

WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS ON THIS BILL?

AND DO YOU THINK THEY'RE VALID?

>> Fox-Young: A LONG LIST, YEAH.

CHIEF AMONG THEM IS THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S PROTECTED SPEECH.

A BILL OF THIS NATURE WOULD HAVE TO BE SO NARROWLY TAILORED AND WALKED CAREFULLY THROUGH THAT IN ORDER TO PASS IT.

THIS ONE ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE.

>> Lou: CAN YOU DESCRIBE EXACTLY HOW TO TAILOR THAT?

IT SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO POINT IN ON WHERE THESE INTERACTIONS ARE HAPPENING ON A PUBLIC STREET, ON A CORNER, IN AN AREA THAT MAYBE THE MEDIAN IS A LITTLE BIT MORE NARROW THAN SOMEWHERE ELSE.

IS THERE A VALID ROUTE THAT WAY?

>> Fox-Young: AS A POLICY MATTER, I DON'T THINK THERE'S A VALID ROAD.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD USE OF OUR TAXPAYER TIME AND MONEY.

BUT YES, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF LITIGATION IN THIS AREA.

THERE'S A RECENT OPINION I THINK BY JUDGE BROWNING IN FEDERAL COURT WITH REGARD TO CITY ORDINANCE, AND YES, IT HAS TO BE VERY NARROWLY TAILORED IN TERMS OF WHERE IT APPLIES AND HOW IT APPLIES.

THIS BILL DOESN'T DO THAT.

I THINK AS DRAFTED, IT WOULD PENALIZE ANYBODY WHO WANTED TO GIVE A DOLLAR TO SOMEBODY ON A STREET CORNER.

IS THAT REALLY WHAT OUR LEGISLATORS SHOULD BE DOING AND WHERE THEY SHOULD BE FOCUSING THEIR ATTENTION AS A POLICY MATTER?

>> Griswold: AGAIN, ANOTHER PROPOSAL THAT SEEKS TO APPEAL TO PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT TRADITIONALLY BE ON THE GOVERNOR'S SIDE, BUT THEY'RE SAYING WE'RE DOING SOMETHING TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS.

BUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO STALL THIS BILL.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY CHALLENGED IF IT WERE TO PASS.

WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT IT, TOO, IS IT'S SLID IN ANOTHER BILL.

IT'S HIDDEN, IN A LOT OF SENSES.

IF YOU'RE NOT READING ALL THE TEXT OF THE BILL, YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY MISS THIS ONE.

>> Lou: I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

WE'LL BE BACK HERE IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT EDUCATION AND MODERNIZATION IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IN THE MEANTIME, HERE'S INSIGHT FROM NEW MEXICO'S LONGEST SERVING STATE SENATOR ON THE CHANGES THAT HE'S SEEN AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES IN HIS MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN OFFICE.

>> Sen. Campos: POPULATIONS HAVE MOVED TO THE LARGER AREAS OF NEW MEXICO.

SO THAT MEANS THERE'S GOING TO GO AHEAD AND BE, IF YOU WILL, THE LARGER COMMUNITIES THAT REALLY HAVE, IF YOU WILL, A SAY-SO IN HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON MODERNIZATION.

MEMBERS ARE A LOT YOUNGER.

THEY'RE COMING IN WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS.

SO WHEN I FIRST STARTED WE HAD A LOT OF RURAL DISTRICTS AND THE LEGISLATORS THEN, OF COURSE, HAD A LITTLE DIFFERENT STYLE.

AND IT WAS MORE OF A MANUAL OPERATIONS VERSUS TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY.

>> Lou: WE'LL HEAR MORE FROM SENATOR PETE COMPOS IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES OR SO.

LONG BEFORE ZOOM BECAME A PART OF OUR LIVES, PROJECT ECHO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER USED VIRTUAL LEARNING TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE AND BEST PRACTICES AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AROUND OUR STATE AND THE WORLD.

IN 2021, THEY BEGAN A CLIMATE ECHO PROGRAM WITH WEB-BASED TRAININGS ON HEALTH CARE DECARBONIZING, CLIMATE JUSTICE, AND HEALTH EQUITY.

TO LEARN MORE, OUR LAND SENIOR PRODUCER LAURA PASKUS SAT DOWN WITH DR. JOANNA KATZMAN.

SHE'S THE DIRECTOR OF PROJECT ECHO'S PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES AND SHE TALKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO RECOGNIZE HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS PATIENT HEALTH, AND HOW TO FIND SOLACE AND COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH OUR OWN CLIMATE ANXIETY.

>> Laura: DR. JOANNA KATZMAN, WELCOME.

>> DR. KATZMAN: THANKS, LAURA, FOR HAVING ME.

>> Laura: THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

SO YOUR BACKGROUND IS IN CHRONIC PAIN AND OPIOID MANAGEMENT.

HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN CLIMATE CHANGE FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS?

>> DR. KATZMAN: RIGHT, LAURA, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ME.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN PUBLIC HEALTH, AND I ACTUALLY GOT MY MASTERS DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH BEFORE EVEN GOING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

AND THAT WAS MY PLAN, TO BE A PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTITIONER.

BUT I ALWAYS KNEW THAT I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING MORE IN MEDICINE, AND AFTER MEDICAL SCHOOL, I THEN BECAME INTERESTED IN NEUROLOGY AND PAIN MANAGEMENT.

BUT FOR MANY YEARS, FOR ABOUT A DECADE, MY GOAL WAS TO TIE-IN PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION INTO MEDICINE AND NEUROLOGY.

AND IT WAS IN THE EARLY 2000S WHEN I MET DR. ARORA AT PROJECT ECHO, AND HE SAID, JOIN ME IN HIS HEPATITIS C PROJECT ECHO AND LEARN WHAT I'M DOING.

I'M TRAINING PRIMARY CARE CLINICIANS ALL AROUND THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AND TEACHING THEM HOW THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS WITH HEPATITIS C IN THIS VIRTUAL PLATFORM.

AND I UNDERSTOOD THAT HE COULD TRAIN CLINICIANS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS WITHOUT NEEDING TO COME INTO THE UNIVERSITY, AND I THOUGHT, I COULD DO THIS FOR CHRONIC PAIN AND OPIOID MANAGEMENT.

AND THEN OVER THE YEARS, STAYING WITH PROJECT ECHO, IN ADDITION TO DIRECTING THE PAIN CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY, I REALIZED I COULD ALSO BRANCH OUT AND DO THIS FOR OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES, LIKE FIRST RESPONDER RESILIENCY AND BORDER HEALTH.

AND THEN IN 2020, I TOOK A PUBLIC HEALTH CERTIFICATE AT YALE UNIVERSITY, VIRTUALLY, AND AFTER I TOOK THE SIX-MONTH COURSE, I HAD BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN NEW MEXICO BECAUSE OF OUR GROWING PROBLEMS WITH EXTREME DROUGHT AND EXTREME HEAT, AND AFTER TAKING THE YALE COURSE, I REALIZED WHAT BETTER VENUE THAN PROJECT ECHO TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, SHARE THIS KNOWLEDGE WITH CLINICIANS AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROVIDERS WHO REALLY DON'T GET THAT EDUCATION IN MEDICAL SCHOOL OR NURSING SCHOOL, THAN TO TEACH THIS TO THEM.

SO I VENTURED OUT AND STARTED THIS PROGRAM.

>> Laura: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS AFFECTING PEOPLE'S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE SOUTHWEST?

>> DR. KATZMAN: RIGHT.

SO THERE'S JUST SO MANY AREAS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS AFFECTING THEIR HEALTH.

A COUPLE THAT I CAN THINK OF RIGHT OFF THE TOP ARE, SO MANY HEAT-RELATED EFFECTS.

I CAN THINK A CASE THAT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH ECHO, AND WE PRESENTED THIS CASE A COUPLE OF TIMES.

YOU KNOW, NEW MEXICO HAS URBAN HEAT ISLANDS.

LAS CRUCES AND ALBUQUERQUE ARE FREQUENTLY FIVE AND SEVEN DEGREES WARMER FAHRENHEIT IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS COMPARED TO OUR SUBURBAN AND RURAL COUNTIES IN NEW MEXICO.

AND THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THESE URBAN AREAS ARE MORE AFFECTED BY EXTREME HEAT.

SO IF YOU'RE WORKING IN THESE CITIES, OR IF YOU'RE HOMELESS, OR IF YOU'RE A VULNERABLE PATIENT, SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HAVE A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, OR IF YOU DON'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING, OR IF YOU'RE IMPOVERISHED, YOU MIGHT BE MUCH MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXTREME HEAT.

SO A CASE I CAN THINK OF THAT COMES TO TOP OF MIND IS A POSTAL WORKER, FOR INSTANCE, WHO MIGHT BE OUT IN THE SUN ALL DAY, LET'S SAY IN LAS CRUCES, MAYBE FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.

THEY MIGHT BE WORKING, THEY MIGHT BE WALKING DURING THEIR SHIFT, THEY MIGHT BE WALKING SEVERAL MILES A DAY, MAYBE NOT HAVING ENOUGH WATER WITH THEM.

THEY MIGHT NOT BE WEARING A WIDE-BRIMMED HAT, SO NOT HAVING ENOUGH PROTECTIVE SHADE.

AND ONE CASE I REMEMBER IS THEM COMING HOME TO THEIR DAUGHTER, WHO THEY LIVED WITH, AND THEY'RE CONFUSED AND THEY'RE NOT REMEMBERING KIND OF THEIR DAY, WHERE THEY ARE.

THEIR DAUGHTER TAKES THEM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY HAVING HEAT EXHAUSTION AND ALMOST HEAT STROKE.

AND WHEN THEY GET TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, THE DOCTOR CHECKS THEM FOR THEIR LABS, WORRIED ABOUT RENAL FAILURE, PUTS THEM UP IMMEDIATELY TO INTRAVENOUS FLUID, AND ON OUR CLIMATE CHANGE ECHO, THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TEACH ABOUT, IS THAT EXTREME HEAT CAN REALLY PUT SOMEONE AT RISK FOR HEAT EXHAUSTION, HEAT STROKE.

AND SO WE EDUCATE ON THINGS LIKE THAT, LAURA.

>> Laura: I REMEMBER FROM PARTICIPATING IN ONE OF THE WEBINARS THE IMPACT THAT HEAT WAVES CAN HAVE ON PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OR ON CERTAIN TYPES OF MEDICATIONS.

WHAT SHOULD NEW MEXICO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS BE ALSO WATCHING OUT FOR WHEN WE HAVE THESE LONG DAYS AND DAYS AND WEEKS OF HOT TEMPERATURES?

>> DR. KATZMAN: RIGHT.

IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE IF NEW MEXICO COULD PUT OUT MORE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THE PROLONGED HEAT WAVES, PROLONGED IMPACTS.

MANY PATIENTS WHO HAVE DEPRESSION, WHO HAVE PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS LIKE SCHIZOPHRENIA, ARE ON DOPAMINERGIC MEDICATIONS THAT, ALONG WITH COMBINED EXTREME HEAT, THERE ARE INTERACTIONS THAT CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PATIENT AND CAUSE THEM TO HAVE INCREASED CONFUSION IT MIGHT CAUSE THEM TO HAVE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE MEDICATIONS.

ALSO ONE THING WE KNOW, LAURA, IS THAT WHEN THE HEAT AT NIGHT DOES NOT FALL BELOW A CERTAIN POINT -- FOR INSTANCE, IF IT REMAINS ABOVE 95 FOR A WEEK OR TWO AT A TIME AND THAT TEMPERATURE DOES NOT DROP, FOR INSTANCE, IF THE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT DROP BELOW 90, BUT IT STAYS HIGH, THERE'S INCREASE IRRITABILITY IN SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T NORMALLY GET ANXIOUS OR IRRITABLE OR KIND OF ARGUMENTATIVE.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY INCREASES IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, AND HEAT CERTAINLY EXACERBATES THIS.

THIS HAS BEEN STUDIED OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN MANY KIND OF PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS.

SO IT'S THE FALLING OF THE TEMPERATURE AT NIGHT THAT IS REALLY PROTECTIVE.

>> Laura: SO I'M CURIOUS IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE BEEN LEARNING THROUGH THIS TRAINING THAT MIGHT APPLY TO SOMEONE LIKE ME OR OUR AUDIENCE MEMBERS.

LIKE, HOW DO WE BATTLE THAT FEAR ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

HOW DO WE BATTLE THAT FEAR AND HOPELESSNESS?

>> DR. KATZMAN: RIGHT.

SO THIS IS -- I CONTINUALLY LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS THAT COME ON THE CLIMATE ECHO.

I FEEL, LAURA, LIKE A NOVICE MYSELF.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN.

BUT WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE EXPERTS THAT HAVE COME ON TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH ECHO IS THAT WE NEED TO BALANCE THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION, AND WHAT I THINK IS SO HARD FOR SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL NOT BOUGHT INTO THE DATA OF THE CLIMATE SITUATION IS THAT, YES, THE FACTS ARE TRUE, THE SCIENCE DOES HOLD UP, IS THAT THERE IS HOPE, THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF HOPE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND AS A COLLECTIVE.

AND AS A COMMUNITY, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE CAN DO TOGETHER.

THERE ARE SO MANY NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.

THE GROWING OF TREES HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN THE AMERICAS, FOR INSTANCE.

THERE ARE SO MANY NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS.

WHETHER IT IS GROWING FOOD LOCALLY, SOURCING YOUR FOOD LOCALLY, GROWING TREES.

THE WHITE HOUSE HAS PUT OUT MOST RECENTLY NEW INCENTIVES FOR HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCENTIVES TO DECREASE THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT.

FOR INSTANCE, OUT OF ALL THE CARBON EMISSIONS IN THE COUNTRY, HOSPITALS EMIT 7% TO 10% OF CARBON EMISSIONS.

SO AS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, WE CAN HELP TO PUSH ON OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND, YOU KNOW, CEOs TO WORK ON THINGS TO DECREASE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT.

JOINING ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE MEDICAL SOCIETY CONSORTIUM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND BECOMING A COMMUNITY AND FEELING LESS ISOLATED CAN PROVIDE US HOPE.

MAYBE BIKING TO WORK JUST ONE DAY A WEEK, OR TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Laura: WELL, I REALLY APPRECIATED KIND OF ZOOMING INTO THE PROJECT ECHO, AND IT REALLY WAS YET ANOTHER REMINDER FOR ME THAT WHETHER YOU BELIEVE THE DATA OR WHETHER YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, ACTIVELY PAYING ATTENTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE, LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAVING AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF IMPACTS ON OUR DAILY LIVES.

SO THANK YOU FOR A REALLY AMAZING SERIES, AND I HOPE THAT ALL THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING ARE REALLY APPRECIATING IT.

SO THANK YOU.

>> DR. KATZMAN: WELL, THANK YOU, LAURA, FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING TO REALLY SHOWCASE THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Lou: THANKS AGAIN TO LAURA AND DR. JOANNA KATZMAN FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

STARTING NEXT MONTH, PROJECT ECHO LAUNCHES ANOTHER NEW SERIES, THIS ONE ON GLOBAL NUCLEAR AND ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS CRITICAL TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH.

NOW I WANT TO WELCOME BACK OUR GUESTS, JUSTINE FOX-YOUNG AND SHAUN GRISWOLD, FOR ANOTHER LOOK AT THE ONGOING 30-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN SANTA FE.

REPRESENTATIVE DERRICK LENTE, SANDIA PUEBLO, HE INTRODUCED HOUSE BILL 134 THIS SESSION.

IT WOULD CREATE A TRIBAL EDUCATING TRUST FUND AND A TASK FORCE TO OVERSEE HOW MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE STATE'S 23 TRIBES, PUEBLOS AND NATIONS.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT'S GOING TO BE UP FOR A FLOOR VOTE LATER TODAY AS WE TAPE THIS ON THURSDAY MORNING.

SHAUN, HOW IS THIS BILL BEING RECEIVED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS, THE GOVERNOR, AND THE NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL?

>> Griswold: YES, IT CAME INTO THE SESSION WITH BROAD SUPPORT, IT'S PASSED EVERY COMMITTEE UP TO THIS POINT UNANIMOUSLY.

IT'S A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE YAZZI-MARTINEZ LAWSUIT MANDATING EDUCATION REFORM.

IT LOOKS TO BUILD AND PROVIDE INVESTMENTS FOR TRIBAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS, SPECIFICALLY, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT MANY TRIBES HERE RUN THEIR OWN TRIBAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS HERE.

SO THE MODEL IS DESIGNED TO PUT $50 MILLION INTO A TRUST, AND THEN YOU TAKE 5% OF THAT ANNUALLY AND THEN DISTRIBUTE THAT TO THE TRIBES.

WHERE IT STALLED LAST YEAR -- THIS IS THE FOURTH YEAR THAT IT'S BEEN PRESENTED.

WHERE IT STALLED LAST YEAR WAS CONCERNS FROM THE NAVAJO NATION ABOUT EQUITY.

THERE WAS NO DIRECTION AS TO HOW MUCH MONEY EACH TRIBE WOULD RECEIVE.

THE CONCERN FROM THE NAVAJO NATION COMES FROM THE FACT THAT THEY DO HAVE A HIGHER POPULATION OF NATIVE STUDENTS IN NEW MEXICO, MORE THAN ANY OTHER TRIBE IN THE STATE.

SO OF COURSE THEIR IDEA IS, WE DESERVE MORE FUNDING FROM THIS MODEL.

NOW, THAT HAS SOMEWHAT BEEN ADDRESSED IN THIS CURRENT VERSION OF THIS BILL.

THERE'S A CURRENT AMENDMENT THAT WOULD DESIGN A TASK FORCE THAT HAS CONSIDERED EQUITABLE REPRESENTATION FROM THE NAVAJO NATION, PUEBLOS AND APACHE TRIBES.

THAT WOULD THEN DESIGN THE FUNDING MODEL THAT WOULD PROVIDE AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF DISTRIBUTION TO ALL THESE TRIBAL SCHOOLS.

WHEN THE SESSION STARTED AGAIN, IT HAD UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM EVERYBODY.

IN ITS SECOND COMMITTEE, NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT, BUU NYGREN HAD A REPRESENTATIVE GIVE A PRESENTATION TO THE COMMITTEE AND TESTIFY THAT HE HAS WITHDRAWN HIS SUPPORT.

SO THE NAVAJO NATION GOVERNMENT CURRENTLY NO LONGER SUPPORTS THE MEASURE AS IS.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE AND THIS IS THE COUNCIL'S OFFICE.

NOW, THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE NAVAJO NATION WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE MEASURE.

IT DOES HAVE SUPPORT FROM NAVAJO PEOPLE.

BUT AS OF THIS MOMENT, THE BILL IS SITTING IN LIMBO WITH THE NAVAJO NATION GOVERNMENT NOT IN SUPPORT.

>> Lou: IS IT STILL OVER THE EQUITY CONCERNS?

>> Griswold: IT'S OVER THE EQUITY CONCERNS AS TO HOW MUCH MONEY THE NAVAJO STUDENTS WOULD RECEIVE.

>> Lou: IN A LETTER TO THE ALL PUEBLOS COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS, GOV.

MICHELLE LUJAN-GRISHAM ASKED WHETHER MEMBERS APPOINTED PRIORITIZED THE $50 MILLION TRIBAL CAPITAL PACKAGE OR THE $50 MILLION TRIBAL EDUCATION TRUST FUND THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, OR BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

THAT COUNCIL RESPONDED, FRUSTRATED THAT THEY WERE ASKED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT HAVE YOU GLEANED FROM YOUR REPORTING, AND IS IT POSSIBLE FOR BOTH TO BE FULLY FUNDED AND APPROVED, OR IS THE GOVERNOR SHOWING HER HAND HERE THAT SHE WOULD ONLY SUPPORT ONE OF THOSE TWO?

>> Griswold: THE TRIBAL EDUCATION TRUST FUND THAT LENTE PROPOSED IS PART OF THE HOUSE BUDGET THAT HAS PASSED.

SO THERE'S $50 MILLION CURRENTLY IN THE BUDGET THAT IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THAT WOULD FUND THE TRUST FUND.

THERE'S ANOTHER $50 MILLION FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS ON IT FOR STRUCTURES NEEDED FOR TRIBAL SCHOOLS.

THOSE ARE BOTH THERE IN THE BUDGET.

SO WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SUPPORT THAT A LINE ITEM VETO, THAT'S ULTIMATELY GOING TO BE HER DECISION.

BUT IN HER REQUEST TO THE ALL PUEBLOS COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS, ASKING THEM PLEASE PICK OR CHOOSE ONE OF THESE, THEY BASICALLY TOLD HER, NO.

WHY ARE WE GOING TO DETERMINE BETWEEN OUR KIDS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THAT WE ALSO NEED?

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE BOTH?

SO THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T HAVE SUPPORT FROM TRIBES ON THAT MEASURE, AND IF SHE WERE TO DO THAT, IT WOULD JUST ULTIMATELY CREATE MORE DISTRESS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS THAT EXIST IN NEW MEXICO.

>> Lou: NOW, AS LEGISLATORS SCRAMBLE IN THIS LAST WEEK TO DEBATE HUNDREDS OF BILLS, THE GOVERNOR'S AMBITIOUS AGENDA THAT SHE PUT FORWARD, JUSTINE, WE HAVE TO ASK, WILL THIS WORKLOAD, 700 PIECES OF LEGISLATION PUT FORWARD, CLOSE TO IT, IS THAT SUSTAINABLE FOR A 30-DAY SESSION?

>> Fox-Young: I DON'T THINK IT'S SUSTAINABLE.

I DON'T THINK IT BENEFITS ANYBODY.

I MEAN, TRADITIONALLY THE GOVERNOR IS THE AGENDA SETTER IN TERMS OF DETERMINING WHAT IS GERMANE, AND THAT'S HOW THE LAW WORKS.

BUT THAT REQUIRES THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SOME DISCIPLINE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAVE SOME DISCIPLINE, AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY AREAS THAT NEED ATTENTION AND SO MANY LEGISLATORS THAT WANT TO INTRODUCE BILLS ON BEHALF OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

SO I DON'T THINK IT HELPS HER, BECAUSE THE AGENDA IS SO FAR FLUNG THAT IT'S HARD TO FOCUS ON ANYTHING.

AND I THINK IT DOES BECOME UNMANAGEABLE.

IT IS THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, YOU KNOW.

A LOT OF MEASURES ARE DOOMED TO BE TABLED OR DIE EARLY ON IN THAT KIND OF SETTING.

SO IT WORKS ITSELF OUT.

BUT IT BECOMES PRETTY CHAOTIC AND DISORGANIZED IF YOU'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS TOO MUCH IN A BUDGET SESSION.

>> Lou: NOW, IT'S NOT JUST THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BILLS BEING INTRODUCED DURING SHORT SESSIONS, IT'S ALSO THEIR COMPLEXITY, AND THE TREND, OF COURSE, RESURRECTS THE ONGOING CONVERSATION ABOUT PAYING LAWMAKERS, GIVING THEM STAFFERS, SOMETHING THAT WE'VE REFERRED TO AND OTHERS HAVE REFERRED TO AS MODERNIZATION QUITE A BIT.

NOW, GWYNETH DOLAND ASKED SENATOR PETE CAMPOS ABOUT THAT THIS WEEK.

WE'LL PLAY IT FOR YOU NOW AND GET YOUR REACTION.

>> Gwyneth: IT SEEMS LIKE THE LEGISLATION HAS GOTTEN MORE COMPLICATED, TOO.

ESPECIALLY THIS SESSION, WE'VE JUST BEEN TALKING ABOUT SOME GREEN ENERGY BILLS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE PROPOSALS UP HERE TO PAY LAWMAKERS, TO PAY STAFF, AND TO LENGTHEN THE SESSIONS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS NECESSARY?

WHAT DO YOU NEED IN ORDER TO DO THE JOB OF TODAY?

>> Sen. Campos: SO VERY QUICKLY, I REPRESENT ALL THE PARTS OF SEVEN COUNTIES, 36 INCORPORATED/UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES, ALL OR PARTS OF 26 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, 14,500 SQUARE MILES.

BUT THAT'S THE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE, AND THAT'S THE WAY I WAS BROUGHT UP IN THIS PROCESS.

SO AS I DEAL WITH IT, MY FOCUS IS TO CONTINUE THAT ONE-ON-ONE RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO A PAID LEGISLATURE, RIGHT NOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T SUPPORT.

BUT I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE TODAY'S LEGISLATORS REALLY WANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN DELIVER THE SERVICES THAT ARE NECESSARY, WHICH HAVE BECOME MORE ENORMOUS.

AND THE REASON THEY'VE BECOME THAT IS BECAUSE OUR LEGISLATION, OUR LIVES, ARE SO MUCH MORE COMPLEX.

ANY TIME YOU GO INTO MODERNIZATION, ANY TIME YOU SEE LARGER POOLS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DEALING WITH ISSUES, WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS FROM HOMELESS ALL THE WAY TO ADDICTION, THOSE KIND OF THINGS NECESSARILY DO HAVE TO BE COVERED.

SO AS WE GO FORWARD, THE WHOLE ISSUE IS, HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO CREATE THE BALANCE SO THAT RURAL AND FRONTIER NEW MEXICO CONTINUES TO RECEIVE SERVICES JUST AS WELL AS THE URBAN AREAS IN OUR STATE.

>> Gwyneth: WOULD A PAID STAFF MEMBER ASSIGNED TO YOUR DISTRICT HELP YOU DO THAT?

>> Sen. Campos: I BELIEVE SO.

HOWEVER, I HAVE GOTTEN ACCUSTOMED TO DOING THE TRAVELING FROM ONE COMMUNITY TO ANOTHER, FROM LAS VEGAS TO RATON OR TO AMALIA, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO VAUGHN, SANTA ROSA.

AND SO THIS IS WHAT I'M ACCUSTOMED TO, THIS IS MY SERVICE TO PEOPLE, AND THIS IS WHAT I LOVE.

SO RIGHT NOW, I WOULD SAY I CONTINUE TO GO AHEAD AND DO THAT ON MY OWN, AND I ENJOY IT.

>> Lou: NOW, JUSTINE, WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO SENATOR CAMPOS'S POSITION ON MODERNIZATION, AND IS THERE SOMETHING TO WHAT HE SAID ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE AROUND, SPEAK WITH HIS CONSTITUENTS, AND THE RISK OF MAKING THINGS A LITTLE BIT MORE IMPERSONAL IN A PAID SETTINGS?

OR IS THAT A FLAWED PREMISE?

>> Fox-Young: WELL, I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A CERTAIN CHARM AND EFFICACY TO A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE AND THE IDEA BEHIND THAT.

AND IT'S SOMETHING NEW MEXICO HAS HUNG ON TO FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO HAVE MEMBERSHIP, YOU WANT TO HAVE LEGISLATORS WHO ACTUALLY RUN A PAYROLL, WHO ACTUALLY WORK IN THE COMMUNITY, WHO ARE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE TIME HAS COME FOR A CHANGE.

IT'S A HARD EVOLUTION TO MAKE.

I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONCERNS, INCLUDING SENATOR CAMPOS'S, ABOUT HOW DISCONNECTED PEOPLE MAY BECOME.

THERE'S A CONCERN THAT LEGISLATORS ARE EFFECTIVELY GOING TO HAVE PAID CAMPAIGN STAFF YEAR ROUND WORKING ON THE PUBLIC DIME AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

IN A BIG GEOGRAPHICALLY LARGE STATE LIKE THIS, IF WE HAVE EVERYBODY CONGREGATED IN SANTA FE, I THINK THERE IS A RISK THAT YOU LOSE THAT CONNECTION.

SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO WHAT HE'S SAYING.

AND SENATOR CAMPOS HAS WITNESSED THIS TRANSITION.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHETHER OR NOT THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO BUY MODERNIZATION, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF A EUPHEMISM FOR PAYING THE LEGISLATURE, I DOUBT IT.

>> Lou: NOW, MODERNIZATION WOULD INCLUDE, OR THE IDEA INCLUDES SEVERAL THINGS, AND THERE COULD BE INDIVIDUAL STEPS TAKEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES, LIKE LENGTHENING TO 60-DAY SESSIONS EACH YEAR AS OPPOSED TO HAVING A 30-DAY AND THEN A 60-DAY, PAYING STAFF AS OPPOSED TO PAYING LAWMAKERS FIRST.

THERE HAVE BEEN TALKS ABOUT A GRADUAL PROGRESSION OF THESE THINGS.

HOW DO YOU SEE THIS, SHAUN?

>> Griswold: THERE WOULD BE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ROUNDHOUSE.

I MEAN, COVERING THERE FOR 30 DAYS IS LIKE DRINKING OUT OF A FIRE HOSE.

SO FOR US, AS JOURNALISTS, WHO WILL SPEND UP TO 14 HOURS A DAY IN THE BUILDING, YOU STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON ALL THE TIME AND YOU'RE STILL SORT OF IN THIS CONTROLLED METHOD OF JUST GRABBING ONTO THE CHAOS.

SO FOR A GENERAL PERSON WHO DOESN'T TRACK OR ISN'T A LOBBYIST OR A LAWMAKER, HAS NO INTEREST, IS JUST A NEW MEXICO TAXPAYER, I THINK IT WOULD MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BIT MORE UNDERSTANDABLE AS WE SEE A SLOWER PROCESS.

BECAUSE IF IT WERE TO EVOLVE INTO A LONGER SESSION, INTO MORE COMPETENT STAFF, PERHAPS EVEN PROVIDING A BETTER PROFESSIONAL CLASS OF EITHER POLICY INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN WORK ON THESE SERIES TOPICS, AS THEY DO DURING THE INTERIM, BUT HAVING A FULL-TIME POSITION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR I THINK WOULD BENEFIT ULTIMATELY.

BUT AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO SELL THIS TO VOTERS.

YOU HAVE TO SELL THIS TO THE NEW MEXICO PUBLIC.

AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IDEA OF MODERNIZATION.

I DON'T NECESSARILY SEE A VOTER WHO HAS KNOWN THIS LAWMAKER MORE THAN -- YOU KNOW, MOST LAWMAKERS ARE RETIRED PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR COMMUNITY, SOME OF THE MORE WEALTHIEST OR LEGACY INDIVIDUALS IN THAT SPACE, AND NOW YOU'RE ASKING THEIR NEIGHBOR, WHO DOESN'T MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEM, WHO MAY NEVER MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS THEM, YOU'RE ASKING THEM TO PAY ME MORE MONEY TO GO DO THIS JOB.

WHILE THEY COULD HAVE ALL BEEN GREAT PLACES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS OR THE RETIREMENT OR THE WEALTH TO BE ABLE TO GO VOLUNTEER AS A LAWMAKER EVERY YEAR, I THINK THAT THE ISSUE IS STILL, YOU'RE NOT PITCHING THIS TO NEW MEXICANS IN THE WAY THAT IS ULTIMATELY GOING TO COME DOWN TO WALLETS IN THE POCKETS.

WHY AM I GIVING THEM MORE MONEY WHEN I ALREADY FEEL AS IF THEY MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF ME ALREADY.

>> Lou: WE'LL WAIT AND SEE ON THAT ONE.

NOW BACK TO EDUCATION BRIEFLY.

THE ORIGINAL HOUSE BUDGET INCLUDES A PROPOSAL TO WITHHOLD FUNDING FROM SCHOOLS THAT DID NOT MEET THE NEW 180-DAY SCHOOL YEAR REQUIREMENT SET BY THE GOVERNOR, OR IF THAT SCHOOL OPERATED ON A FOUR-DAY WEEK.

A REPUBLICAN BACKED AMENDMENT WOULD COUNTER THAT PROPOSAL, ALLOWING FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEKS FOR SMALLER SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WANT THEM.

SEVENTEEN DEMOCRATS SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT, AND IT WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE LAST WEEK.

WHY ARE REPUBLICANS PUSHING FOR FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEKS TO REMAIN IN SMALLER DISTRICTS, AND WHY IS IT RECEIVING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT?

>> Griswold: THIS IS ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THIS IS ABOUT YOU CAN EITHER TRACK IT BY A CALENDAR YEAR, BY DAYS, WHICH IS 180 DAYS, WHICH IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS, OR BY HOURS, AND THAT'S THE CURRENT MODEL THAT WE HAVE SET UP, AND THAT'S THE STATUS QUO THAT THESE LOCAL DISTRICTS WANT TO MAINTAIN.

FOR THEM, A FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK WORKS IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

THE ARGUMENTS WE HEAR FOR IT FROM RURAL DISTRICTS, AND THIS IS WHERE YOU BRING IN RURAL DEMOCRATS AND SUPPORT FOR IT, IS SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE BIG AND WIDE AND IT TAKES THREE HOURS ROUND-TRIP TO GET A KID TO GO TO SCHOOL.

WE HAVE COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, ON A FRIDAY THAT ALLOWS US TO -- THAT ENGAGE STUDENTS IN STUFF THEY'RE LEARNING IN SCHOOL, BUT WE DO IT IN OUR OWN WAY, EITHER WHETHER IT'S FARMING OR MAYBE SOME TRADITIONAL CEREMONIAL ELEMENTS YOU SEE WITH SOME LOCAL TRIBAL SCHOOLS.

BUT THAT'S WHERE IT IS, IS THAT YOU'RE CONNECTING NOW RURAL DISTRICTS IN A WAY THAT SAYS, WE WANT TO DIRECT HOW WE EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS IN A WAY THAT IS MEETING OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND HOPEFULLY GIVING THEM MORE SUCCESS.

THAT'S ALSO SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN PROVEN WITH EDUCATION REFORM.

THE MORE YOU LOCALIZE YOUR SCHOOLING, THE MORE SUCCESSFUL YOUR KIDS ARE GOING TO BE.

AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR IT.

>> Fox-Young: THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HIGHLIGHTS HOW INEFFECTIVE THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS, I THINK, IN ADMINISTERING SERVICES STATEWIDE, MEETING THE NEEDS OF THESE SMALL RURAL DISTRICTS, AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE DEMOCRATS COMING ON, REPUBLICANS.

IT IS A URBAN-RURAL ISSUE.

IT IS MAYBE A NATIVE ISSUE IN SOME RESPECTS, AS YOU ALLUDE TO.

BUT IT IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

AND THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING, PED IS TRYING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THIS, AND MAINTAIN A VERY BUREAUCRATIC REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT AND SORT OF IMPOSE THIS ON THESE SMALLER DISTRICTS, AND IT'S REALLY NOT WORKABLE.

>> Lou: IS THERE A WAY THAT THE CURRENT SYSTEM COULD EXIST CURRENTLY, WHILE GIVING A LITTLE BIT MORE LOCAL CONTROL?

JUST KIND OF LOOSENING THE GRIP ON SOME OF THESE REQUIREMENTS?

IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> Fox-Young: I'M CERTAIN THAT IT IS, YEAH, AND IT'S A GIVE AND TAKE.

BUT THE ADMINISTRATION, I THINK, SHOULD LISTEN CLOSELY TO THESE VERY GOOD ARGUMENTS.

WE CAN'T PAY FOR CUSTODIANS FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

WE CAN'T PAY BUS DRIVERS FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

KIDS ARE SITTING ON BUSES FOR FOUR EXTRA HOURS UNDER THIS SCHEME.

AND REALLY GIVE CREDENCE TO THOSE ARGUMENTS AND TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT THAT WORKS AS WELL IN JAL AS IT WORKS IN ALBUQUERQUE.

BUT THAT'S WHY LOCAL CONTROL IS REALLY PREFERRED HERE, AND THAT'S WHY IT'S NOT PARTISAN.

>> Griswold: AND TO THAT LOCAL URBAN AND RURAL ISSUE, LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN POINT TO THEIR STUDENTS ACHIEVING AT A GREATER RATE, HIGHER GRADUATION RATES, SOME HIGHER READING LEVELS, BETTER AT MATH, THAN CAN SOME OF THE URBAN SCHOOLS.

SO THEY'RE LIKE, OUR MODELS ARE WORKING FOR US, THEY'RE WORKING FOR OUR STUDENTS, WHY ARE YOU MAKING US SHIFT INTO THIS THING THAT MIGHT WORK FOR ALBUQUERQUE OR FARMINGTON SCHOOLS, BUT IS NOT GOING TO APPLY FOR US.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER ARGUMENT THAT I THINK YOU'RE ALSO SEEING WITH A LOT OF RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> Lou: SHAUN, STICKING WITH YOU, WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOURCE NEW MEXICO'S COVERAGE, SPECIFICALLY HOW YOU'VE COVERED EXACTLY WHAT'S UP IN THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE RECENTLY CALLED, GERMANE IN THE MEMBRANE.

NICE WORK.

THAT TRACKS THE STATUS OF EVERY BILL INTRODUCED AT THE ROUNDHOUSE, AND AS MENTIONED IN THE HIGHLIGHT AND AS MENTIONED BY JUSTINE, GERMANE APPLYING TO WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNOR HAS CALLED FOR THIS TOPIC TO COME UP.

YOU'RE CLEARLY TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THIS.

WHAT'S BEHIND THAT?

>> Griswold: YEAH.

SO, THE MAJOR ELEMENT BEHIND THIS, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WHEN WE'RE COVERING THIS, IT'S TRYING TO DRINK OUT OF A FIRE HYDRANT.

THERE'S SO MANY DISTRACTIONS, THERE'S SO MANY THAT GET PITCHED ON SO MANY DIFFERENT PROPOSALS, WE REALLY WANTED TO DESIGN OUR COVERAGE AROUND WHAT IS WORKING, WHAT'S MOVING, WHAT HAS SUPPORT, AND TRY TO ESTIMATE WHAT THAT IS.

NOW, WHEN YOU SPEND THE ENTIRE INTERIM SESSION, WHICH IS AN ENTIRE YEAR, YOU SEE A LOT OF THESE LEGISLATURE PROPOSALS DEVELOP OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

YOU SEE THE BROAD SUPPORT THAT HAPPENS DURING THE INTERIM.

SO THAT WAS NUMBER ONE.

WE'RE LIKE, OKAY, WHAT WAS PRESENTED IN THE INTERIM, WHAT'S WORKING, AND SINCE IT'S THE BUDGET SESSION, NOW WE CAN UNDERSTAND BUDGET REQUESTS FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES THAT WERE PRESENTED LAST YEAR, WHAT'S GOING TO COME BACK, AND HOW'S IT GOING TO MATCH WITH THE GOVERNOR'S, THE LFC'S, AND THEN THE LEGISLATURE'S BUDGET.

ULTIMATELY, OUR GOAL AS A NEWS ORGANIZATION IS TO PROVIDE AS MUCH ACCURATE AND CLEAR NEWS ON POLICY WONKY TOPICS THAT ARE REALLY HARD TO UNDERSTAND, EVEN FOR US.

BEING IN THAT BUILDING 14 HOURS A DAY, WE STILL COME OUT OF IT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE CONFUSION.

SO FOR A READER WHO DOESN'T HAVE THAT TIME OR IS JUST LOOKING AT A NEWS STORY, OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THEM, HERE'S WHERE IT IS, HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND THIS IS WHAT'S LIKELY MOVING.

SO WE'RE NOT WASTING OUR TIME AND RESOURCES ON STORIES AND BILLS THAT MIGHT GARNER A HEADLINE, MIGHT BE BIG NEWS, MIGHT EVEN GET SOME NATIONAL ATTENTION, BUT ULTIMATELY ONCE THEY'RE INTRODUCED, THEY JUST FALL FLAT.

SO THAT WAS THE GOAL, PRIORITIZE OUR RESOURCES SO WE'RE COVERING WHAT MATTERS, AND ALSO JUST TRYING TO KEEP SANITY IN THE CHAOS.

I THINK THAT HAVING FUN WITH THE PUNS THERE CAME DIRECTLY FROM OUR REPORTERS DANIELLE PROKOP, PATRICK LOHMANN, WHO WHEN WE'RE LIKE, PLEASE GO UNDERSTAND WHAT GERMANE MEANS, FELL THEMSELVES INTO THIS DEEP RABBIT HOLE OF, WELL, NOBODY REALLY QUITE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT MEANS, OTHER THAN THAT THIS CAN BE A PRIORITY PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

I'VE REALLY GOT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THOSE TWO REPORTERS.

AUSTIN FISHER, ANOTHER GREAT REPORTER, MEGAN TAROS, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FOLLOWING THESE, LIKE, MAJOR COMPLEX TOPICS, SOME OF THEM FOR OVER A YEAR, AND TRYING TO RELATE THEM IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE.

SO THAT'S ULTIMATELY OUR GOAL, IS WE WANT OUR REPORTING AND THE POLICY DECISIONS HAPPENING THERE TO MAKE SENSE TO EVERYBODY, AND THAT'S OUR EFFORT WITH THAT.

AND WITHIN THAT GERMANE ARTICLE, WE HAVE A SEARCHABLE DATABASE OF ALL LEGISLATION THAT'S GERMANE, TELLING YOU WHERE IT'S AT, WHERE IT'S GOING.

THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T HAVE A SEARCHABLE LIST, SO WE BUILT THAT OUT TO PROVIDE AN EASIER ACCESS TO READERS TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ROUNDHOUSE.

>> Lou: YEAH, THAT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL.

HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY FEEDBACK?

HAS IT BEEN WORKING?

HAVE YOU BEEN ENGAGING DIFFERENT POPULATIONS THAT NORMALLY DON'T HAVE DEEP INVOLVEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> Griswold: THIS YEAR IN PARTICULAR WAS VERY SURPRISING TO SEE THE REACH THAT SOURCE NEW MEXICO HAS.

THIS IS OUR THIRD LEGISLATURE THAT WE'VE COVERED.

SO WE'RE FAIRLY NEW, AGAIN.

STARTED IN 2021.

BUT THE VERY FIRST DAY, THERE'S A MEDIA BREAKFAST AND YOU SEE ALL THE MEDIA SCRUM THERE, AND EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT WORKING FOR US, THERE'S SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT -- LIKE, WE WERE THE MAJORITY IN THE ROOM.

THEN YOU GET OUTSIDE AND YOU START TALKING TO EITHER LAWMAKERS OR TO PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC VISITING, THEY READ OUR PUBLICATION, THEY READ SOURCE NEW MEXICO, THEY KNOW WHAT WE'RE ABOUT, SO THAT TO ME TELLS ME THAT WE'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT IF PEOPLE ARE READING US AND RECOGNIZING OUR WORK.

>> Fox-Young: WELL, YOU'RE KEEPING LONG-FORM JOURNALISM ALIVE AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE GO ON THE NEWS FOR THE THREE-SECOND CLIPS.

AND IT'S INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> Griswold: AND IT'S LOCAL.

>> Lou: AND STILL DIGESTIBLE, SO I COMMEND YOU ON ALL THAT.

>> Griswold: THANK YOU.

>> Lou: AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTINE FOX-YOUNG, AND SOURCE NEW MEXICO EDITOR SHAUN GRISWOLD.

THANK YOU.

>> Fox-Young: THANK YOU.

>> Griswold: THANK YOU.

>> Lou: THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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