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

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, NEW COMPETITION FOR CONGRESS.

THE LINE PANEL DEBATES WHICH CHALLENGERS HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF UNSEATING INCUMBENTS IN OUR THREE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

AND -- >> Tashjian: LIKE MANY WESTERN STATES, THERE ARE NO INHERENT RIGHTS OR CLAIMS THAT RIVERS HAVE ON THEIR WATER.

>> Gene: OUR LAND EXPLORES WATER RIGHTS LAWS FOR RIVERS ACROSS OUR STATE AND WHY THEY COULD LEAD TO MORE DRYING ON THE RIO GRANDE.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I'M YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

MONDAY MARKED THE FOURTH OFFICIAL CELEBRATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

IN THE SECOND HALF OF OUR SHOW, THE LINE PANEL AND I WILL EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF COLONIAL HEIR TRIBUTES IN SANTA FE AS ACTIVISTS CALL FOR THEIR REMOVAL.

OCTOBER ALSO MARKS NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH, AN EFFORT THAT GOT BOOST THIS YEAR WHEN CONGRESS REAUTHORIZED THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT.

LATER IN THE SHOW, SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVISIO TALKS WITH A FORMER FAMILY COURT JUDGE AND A MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT ABOUT THE CHANGES WE CAN MAKE AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A SOCIETY TO LIMIT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

OF COURSE, IT IS ALSO ELECTION SEASON AND WE ARE GETTING SOME NEW PERSPECTIVE ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD INCREASE ACCESSIBLE FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE WILL HEAR FROM A STATE SENATOR WHO ARGUES WITHDRAWING MORE MONEY ISN'T THE RESPONSIBLE STEP RIGHT NOW.

BUT FIRST, ZEROING IN ON THREE OTHER MAJOR VOTES COMING UP IN NOVEMBER.

OUR RACES FOR CONGRESS.

WILL OUR THREE INCUMBENTS HOLD ON TO THEIR SEATS AS NEW DISTRICT LINES MAKE THOSE CONTESTS MORE COMPETITIVE?

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

WELCOME TO OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE JULIA GOLDBERG.

SHE IS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT FOR THE SANTA FE REPORTER.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND HOUSE MINORITY WHIT, DANIEL FOLEY IS WITH IS.

GREAT TO HAVE GIOVANNA ROSSI, PRESIDENT OF COLLECTIVE ACTION STRATEGIES BACK WITH US AS WELL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

ALL THREE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS HAVE CHANGED AFTER THE STATE'S NEW REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

PROCESS IN QUOTES THERE, OF COURSE, AND THAT MEANS NEW CHALLENGES FOR INCUMBENTS AND THEIR OPPONENTS.

LET'S START IN DISTRICT 1, WHERE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT MELANIE STANSBURY HAS TAKEN ON REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER MICHELLE GARCIA HOLMES, AGAIN.

NOW THAT HER DISTRICT STRETCHED TO THE SOUTH AND EAST, DANIEL, MS. STANSBURY WILL HAVE TO REACH MORE CONSERVATIVE VOTERS WHICH WAS THE GOAL HERE, BUT LIKE MOST DEMOCRATS SHE IS LEANING HEAVILY ON HER ABORTION RIGHTS PLATFORM.

IS THIS THE ISSUE SHE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON GIVEN HOW THIS DISTRICT HAS MORPHED A LITTLE BIT FROM REDISTRICTING?

>> Dan: DEFINITELY NOT THE ISSUE SHE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON IN SOUTHEASTERN AND EASTERN NEW MEXICO.

I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT ANY MAP OF THE BIBLE BELT THAT GOES UP THROUGH KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA, IT STARTS RIGHT IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO.

SO, THE REAL QUESTION IS GOING TO BE, WILL THEY TURN OUT IN THE NUMBERS THEY NEED TO TURN OUT FOR A REPUBLICAN TO WIN.

THE SEATS, WHICH I THINK IS KUDOS TO THE LEGISLATURE, I AM SURPRISED THAT IT GOT SIGNED.

BUT ALL THOSE SEATS ARE A LOT MORE COMPETITIVE NOW.

YOU KNOW, WE USED TO HAVE -- YOU THINK ABOUT IT, FIRST WE REALLY HAD ONE HEAVY DEMOCRAT SEAT AND ONE HEAVY REPUBLICAN SEAT AND FOR A WHILE THERE, AS YOUR FORMER BOSS CAN ATTEST TO, WE HAD SORT OF A TOSS-UP SEAT.

RIGHT?

OVER THE COURSE OF TIME TWO OF THEM MOVED HEAVY DEMOCRAT AND ONE STAYED HEAVY REPUBLICAN AND NOW ALL THREE OF THEM ARE FAIRLY IN PLAY.

ALL THREE OF THEM THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT THERE.

I THINK IT IS A BAD MOVE.

I DO THINK IT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL'S ENDORSEMENT PLAYS OUT.

IT IS RARE THAT THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ENDORSES A CHALLENGER OVER AN INCUMBENT WITHOUT THERE BEING SOME EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES, LIKE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR SOMETHING BAD, JUST AN OUT AND OUT POLICY STANCE AGAINST FOLKS AT THE JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD.

BUT TO SEE THE JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD ENDORSE A REPUBLICAN OVER AN INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT WAS SORT OF AN INTERESTING DEAL.

THAT SHOULD PLAY WELL IN MEETING WITH THE LOCAL MEDIA, THE SMALLER NEWSPAPERS AND LOCAL MEDIA IN THOSE SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO TOWNS.

I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, SOME OF MY FRIENDS, A LOT OF MY FRIENDS IN SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO IN THAT DISTRICT STILL DON'T KNOW WHO EITHER CANDIDATE IS AND THAT IS NOT A GOOD SHOWING FOR A CHALLENGER.

>> Gene: THAT IS INTERESTING, THAT LAST POINT.

HOW THIS CAMPAIGNING IN THESE NEW DISTRICTS SHAPE UP AFTER ALL THE VOTES COME IN.

GIOVANNA, THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER IN CD 1, MICHELLE GARCIA HOLMES, HAS A STRONG BACKGROUND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, CONSISTENTLY TARGETING CRIME AS A TOP ISSUE, WHILE APPEALING TO MORE RURAL AND CONSERVATIVE AREAS OF THE DISTRICT.

IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO GAIN ENOUGH VOTES IN ALBUQUERQUE WITH THAT APPROACH.

KIND OF A FLIP OF THE QUESTION I ASKED DAN ABOUT RURAL STUFF.

HOW DOES SHE BALANCE THAT HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE?

>> Giovanna: CRIME IS A TOP ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGNS AND CERTAINLY IT IS RIGHT OUT OF THE PLAYBOOK FOR THE REPUBLICANS RIGHT NOW, ALL OF THE RACES.

SO, THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, HELP HER.

I THINK STILL, THOUGH, GOING BACK TO WHAT DAN SAID, I THINK THE REDISTRICTING IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING AND A LITTLE BIT OF A WILD CARD AS WE FIGURE OUT HOW IT IS GOING TO PLAY OUT.

SO, I THINK, YOU KNOW, SHE CAN TRY TO, YOU KNOW, TO DO THAT AND TALK ABOUT THAT BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THE MESSAGE IS REALLY GETTING OUT.

SO, SHE HAS A PLATFORM AND SHE IS SAYING ALL THIS STUFF BUT WHO IS ACTUALLY LISTENING AND WHO IS HEARING THE MESSAGE?

FOR CONGRESSWOMAN STANSBURY SHE, YOU KNOW, HAS A LITTLE BIT OF AN EDGE WITH BEING IN CONGRESS ALREADY BUT SHE HASN'T BEEN THERE THAT LONG.

AND, AGAIN, WITH THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ENDORSEMENT OF HER CHALLENGER, IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT.

ALSO YOU HAVE TO COME AT THAT CLASSIC ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL POLL THAT RUNS JUST BEFORE, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

JULIA, INTERESTING, MOVING ON TO CD2, INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN YVETTE HERRELL TAKING ON DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER DAVE VASQUEZ.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING TV YOU KNOW THIS RACE, YOU HAVE SEEN THE ADVERTISING BATTLE.

THIS RACE HAS GOTTEN PARTICULARLY UGLY.

AND AGAIN THE INCUMBENT WILL LIKELY HAVE A TOUGHER TIME AS DISTRICT 2 NOW INCLUDES PARTS OF ALBUQUERQUE INCLUDING THE SOUTH VALLEY.

SO, I AM WONDERING IN YOUR OPINION WILL MS. HERRELL'S RURAL BASE BE ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THAT CHANGE IN THE VOTERS THAT ARE UP HERE CLOSER TO THE EMERALD CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE.

>> Julia: I DON'T KNOW.

I KNOW THAT 538 HAS DISTRICT 2 IN ITS LIST OF 12 SEATS THAT ARE POSSIBLE TO FLIP DEMOCRAT.

IT WAS 43 TO 100 ODD SO I DO THINK IT IS IN PLAY, AS DAN PUT IT.

AND I ALSO THINK, YOU KNOW, THE INCUMBENT IS ONE OF THE MORE EXTREME CANDIDATES IN THIS ELECTION IN TERMS OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND CERTAINLY MORE EXTREME THAN IN THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN TERMS OF HER STANCES ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION AND SUCH.

SO, I THINK HE IS RIGHT TO BE ATTACKING HER ALONG THOSE LINES IN TERMS OF MAKING IT PUBLIC.

SO I THINK IT IS NOT OUTSIDE THE REALM AND CERTAINLY REDISTRICTING MAKES IT MORE POSSIBLE THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN.

>> Gene: DAN, INTERESTINGLY THAT DISTRICT VOTING AGE POPULATION WENT FROM 51% TO 56% HISPANIC.

I AM WONDERING IF THAT MIGHT BE SOMEWHAT INFLUENTIAL IN THE VOTING HERE BUT SAME QUESTION, CAN MS. HERRELL PULL OFF SOMETHING HERE IN THIS NEW AREA OF HER DISTRICT UP HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE?

SHE HAS BEEN CAMPAIGNING BUT IT SEEMS LIKE SHE HAS BEEN RELYING ON TELEVISION MUCH MORE THAN BEING UP HERE AND KNOCKING ON A WHOLE LOT OF DOORS.

>> Dan: A COUPLE THINGS, I THINK IT IS A COUPLE OF THINGS.

IT IS A LONG WAYS FROM CRUCES TO HERE AND THERE IS A COMPLETE STARK DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CONSTITUENCIES.

YOU CAN REALLY RUN AFOUL COMING UP HERE AND SAYING ONE THING AND THEN GOING BACK TO ROSWELL OR WHEREVER AND SAYING THE COMPLETE DIFFERENCE.

SO, I THINK IT IS A SMART MOVE TO KIND OF PICK YOUR PLACE AND SAY, LISTEN, I'LL STICK TO A MESSAGE.

CLEARLY HER MESSAGE IS BORDER SECURITY AND CRIME.

I THINK THE DEFUND THE POLICE STUFF SHE HAS TRIED TO ATTACH TO OPPONENT, SOME OF WHICH HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER IT IS TRUE OR NOT.

SOME OF IT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT THAT HE HAS MADE SOME COMMENTS.

I THINK IF SHE STICKS WITH THOSE THINGS, I THINK THAT IS GOING TO PLAY WELL IN THE SOUTH VALLEY OF ALBUQUERQUE BECAUSE CRIME, IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN NEW MEXICO AND IT IS AN UNBELIEVABLY MAJOR ISSUE IN ALBUQUERQUE.

AND CRIME, FROM WHAT I AM SEEING AND PEOPLE I TALK TO, IN MY SMALL CIRCLE, CRIME IS REALLY STARTING TO CROSS PARTISAN LINES.

EVEN SOME PRETTY LITERAL DEMOCRAT FRIENDS OF MINE ARE SAYING, THIS IS A ENOUGH, WE HAVE TO GOT TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT.

AS LONG AS CONTINUES TO PAINT HIM AS A DEFUND THE POLICE, FAR LEFT PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT, IN THAT DISTRICT I THINK IT PLAYS VERY WELL TO HER.

I ALSO THINK IT DOESN'T HURT HER WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT SHE IS AN EXTREMIST, VERY FAR RIGHT.

I THINK IN THAT DISTRICT THAT PLAYS BETTER TO THE BASE, RIGHT.

THAT DISTRICT, THE MORE RIGHT YOU ARE -- WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PLACE WHERE A GUY WHO LITERALLY STARTED COWBOYS FOR TRUMP IS STILL, YOU KNOW, STILL GETTING STANDING OVATIONS AT COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS AND PEOPLE STILL HEAVILY IN SUPPORT OF HIM.

AND WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH IT OR DISAGREE WITH IT, I THINK THAT MAKES UP A SOLID AMOUNT OF THE DISTRICT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK THAT IS THE BASE IN THAT DISTRICT AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO DRIVE PEOPLE.

IT IS THE SAME ABOUT CD3 THAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

THE LEFT IS GOING TO DRIVE THAT DISTRICT.

THE RIGHT WILL DRIVE CD2.

>> Gene: THANKS FOR THE HAND-OVER THERE FOR GIOVANNA.

CD3 ENCOMPASSES DEMOCRAT TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ IS TAKING ON REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER ALEXIS MARTINEZ JOHNSON, FOR THE SECOND TIME OF COURSE.

MS. LEGER FERNANDEZ IS RELYING ON HER RECORD IN CONGRESS WHICH SHE HELPED PASS THAT 2.5 BILLION DOLLARS IN WILDFIRE RELIEF.

MARTINEZ JOHNSON IS FOCUSING ON BROADER ISSUES LIKE INFLATION, THE ECONOMY AND THAT POSITION WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN A MAJOR RECENT AD WHERE MS. MARTINEZ JOHNSON SAYS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ABANDONED MY ABUELOS.

COULD THAT TYPE OF MESSAGE FLIP THIS DISTRICT, GIOVANNA?

IS IT ENOUGH?

>> Giovanna: IT IS INTERESTING.

I WAS LOOKING AT HER CAMPAIGN ADS AND SHE IS DEFINITELY HONING IN ON HER HERITAGE AND HER GRANDPARENTS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IS ENOUGH.

I THINK SHE IS SORT OF THROWING A LOT OUT AND SEEING WHAT IS STICKING AND I AM NOT SURE MUCH IS STICKING.

AND, SO, I SEE THE INCUMBENT DOING WELL THERE IN THAT DISTRICT.

>> Gene: A REMINDER, MS. LEGER FERNANDEZ RAN AWAY WITH IT 58.7% TO 41.3 LAST TIME AROUND.

JULIA, ABOUT A MINUTE AND A HALF, ALL THREE OF THESE NEWLY DRAWN DISTRICTS APPEAR TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE.

APPEAR.

WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL THE VOTES COME IN.

WHICH CHALLENGER IS THE BEST SHOT OF UNSEATING AN INCUMBENT HERE, GIVEN THIS NEW SORT OF LANDSCAPE WE ARE DEALING WITH?

>> Julia: I AM INCLINED TO SAY GABE VASQUEZ.

I AM INCLINED TO THINK THAT IS THE ONE WHERE WE ARE MOST LIKELY TO SEE AN UPSET.

I TEND TO WATCH -- MY ELECTION PREDICTIONS ON WHAT I WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN AND THEY ARE NOT OFTEN CORRECT.

SO -- >> Gene: I HEAR YOU.

YOU WOULDN'T BE ALONE ON THAT.

DAN, YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT REAL QUICK.

>> Dan: I THINK IT IS COMPETITIVE.

I THINK THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE WHICH IS GOING TO, I THINK, ENTICE BETTER CANDIDATES TO RUN IN THE FUTURE, I THINK YOU'LL SEE THESE RACES BE.

I WOULD SAY THE ONE THAT HAS THE BEST CHANCE OF CHANGING WOULD BE CD1, THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ENDORSEMENT AND THE FACT IT IS URBAN AND THERE IS A CONSTANT MESSAGE THAT RESONATES.

I THINK CD2 DEFINITELY IN PLAY.

CD3, THERE IS NO CHANCE.

IT IS GOING TO STAY DEMOCRAT.

I THINK CD2 WILL PROBABLY STAY REPUBLICAN BUT A VERY, VERY CLOSE RACE.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED TO SEE GABE RUNNING AGAIN IN TWO YEARS.

>> Gene: THANKS TO THE LINE OPINION PANEL ON THAT.

STARTING NEXT WEEK NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS WILL BRING EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH KEY CONTENDERS FOR GOVERNOR, NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT AND OUR THREE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS WE JUST DISCUSSED.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS' CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS BEGIN NEXT WEEK ON NMPBS.

AS YOU ALL GET READY FOR ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 8, A GROUP OF ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN NEW MEXICO AND NATIONALLY ARE WORKING TO GO RE-INCENTIVIZE CIVIL DISCOURSE AND BIPARTISAN COLLABORATION ACROSS GOVERNMENT.

NEW MEXICO FIRST AND THE ELECTION REFORMERS NETWORK ARE JUST TWO GROUPS WORKING TO PROMOTE A NEW INITIATIVE FROM THE CARTER CENTER, A SET OF CANDIDATE PRINCIPLES FOR TRUSTED ELECTIONS.

THE BIPARTISAN EFFORT IS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE CANDIDATES, POLITICAL PARTIES AND VOTERS TO UPHOLD FIVE CORE DOCTRINES OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS, INTEGRITY, NONVIOLENCE, SECURITY, OVERSIGHT AND THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO SPOKE WITH TWO PEOPLE ABOUT HOW THEY PLAN TO USE THIS INITIATIVE AND OTHERS TO DECREASE POLITICAL POLARIZATION IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Lou: IT IS ELECTION SEASON.

JOINING ME TODAY ARE TWO PEOPLE DEDICATED TO KEEPING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL VOTERS.

WE HAVE HEATHER BALAS.

SHE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS AT THE ELECTION REFORMERS NETWORK AND SHE IS ALSO THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW MEXICO FIRST.

DANIELLE GONZALES, CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW MEXICO FIRST.

IT IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS MEANT TO ENGAGE NEW MEXICANS IN POLICY IDEALLY PUSHING THEM TOWARDS DEMOCRATIC ACTION.

THANK YOU FOLKS FOR BEING HERE.

THE LEVEL OF POLARIZATION, UNDENIABLY GROWING NATIONALLY HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

ARE THERE PHILOSOPHIES THAT HAVE CHANGED WITHIN POLITICAL PARTIES OR SOCIETIES AS A WHOLE THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS?

>> Danielle: I THINK THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT OUR DEMOCRACY IS IN CRISIS AND NOT JUST THE DEMOCRACY OVERALL BUT IT IS THE FABRIC THAT HOLDS US TOGETHER AS A SOCIETY.

AND I THINK ONE KEY CHANGE THAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS IS IN POLITICS THERE USED TO BE AN INCENTIVE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

WHEN NEW MEXICO FIRST WAS FOUNDED IN 1986 IT WAS FOUNDED BY SENATOR DOMENICI AND SENATOR BINGAMAN, A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT, WHO HAD EXPERIENCE OF WORKING TOGETHER AND SAW THE TRUE BENEFITS OF WORKING TOGETHER.

NOW WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT WHO WORKS WITH REPUBLICANS FREQUENTLY OR YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN WHO WORKS WITH DEMOCRATS FREQUENTLY YOU GET CALLED BAD THINGS AND IT REALLY MAKES ME THINK ABOUT A COMIC I SAW, A FAR SIDE COMIC, AND IT IS TWO DOGS SITTING AT A BAR DRINKING A MARTINI.

AND ONE DOG TURNS TO THE OTHER AND SAYS, IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT US DOGS WIN, BUT CATS HAVE TO LOSE TOO.

AND THAT IS REALLY HOW THINGS ARE REFLECTED IN SOCIETY TODAY AND IT IS NOT JUST THE PARTISAN DIFFERENCES THAT ARE INCREASED, IT IS HARD FOR US AS AMERICANS, AS NEW MEXICANS, TO WORK ACROSS DIFFERENCE, TO WORK ACROSS URBAN VERSUS RURAL OR AGE, GENDER, RACE.

THERE HAS BECOME SO MUCH DIVISIVENESS IN OUR SOCIETY OVERALL WHICH HAS HUGE IMPLICATIONS NOT JUST FOR DEMOCRACY BUT IN TERMS OF EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE AND SO MANY OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES.

>> Heather: I THINK THE BIGGEST DRIVERS OF THE CHANGES ARE THE DRIVERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE RISE OF CABLE NEWS.

AT LEAST, I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE VERY SIGNIFICANT DRIVERS OF THE TYPE OF POLARIZATION THAT DANIELLE IS TALKING ABOUT.

BOTH OF THOSE TYPES OF ENTITIES, WHETHER FOR EASY RATINGS OR MULTIPLE CLICKS, TEND TO SAY THAT EVERY ISSUE IS DIVIDED UPON AN EXTREME RIGHT AND AN EXTREME LEFT.

EASY TO BOOK.

GUESTS TAKE THAT APPROACH AND IT IS EASY TO PUT THE EXTREMISTS ON THE SCREEN BECAUSE THEY SAY THE MOST OUTLANDISH THINGS AND THE THINGS THAT ARE QUICKEST AND EASIEST TO GO AND FORWARD.

IN MY VIEW, THE TAKING OF ANY ISSUE AND BOILING IT DOWN TO EXTREME RIGHT AND EXTREME LEFT IS UNCONSCIONABLE REDUCTIVE.

>> Lou: THIS STANDARD OF PRINCIPLE, CAN YOU DESCRIBE EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE ASKING CANDIDATES TO DO?

>> Heather: THEY ARE SORT OF PREDICATED ON THE SAME NOTION WE ALL PROBABLY GOT IN 7TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES, THE ONE THAT SAYS DEMOCRACY IS PREDICATED ON THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED, RIGHT?

THAT MEANS THAT WE AS PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO BE GOVERNED, SAY, YEAH, OKAY, I AM ON BOARD.

WE ARE ON BOARD IF WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR LEADERS AND WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE PROCESS BY WHICH THOSE LEADERS WERE SELECTED.

SO THERE IS A WHOLE HOST OF WAYS WE CAN STRENGTHEN THOSE THINGS.

ONE OF THEM WOULD BE THESE CANDIDATE PRINCIPLES FOR TRUSTED ELECTIONS THAT DO ASK OUR CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE TO AGREE TO FIVE BASELINE PRINCIPLES FOR PRACTICAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AS IT COMES TO HOW THEY ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

AND THAT INCLUDES BEING HONEST ABOUT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

THAT INCLUDES DENOUNCING THREATS OR ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THEIR OPPONENT OR THEIR OPPONENT'S FAMILY OR ELECTION WORKERS.

THAT INCLUDES RESPECTING PEOPLES' RIGHT TO VOTE FREE OF INTIMIDATION AND THAT INCLUDES ENSURING THAT POLL WORKERS THEMSELVES THAT ARE REPRESENTING CANDIDATES BEHAVE RESPECTFULLY WHEN DOING THAT POLL WATCHING JOB.

AND LASTLY, AND PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, IS ADHERING TO THE RULE OF LAW.

THAT MEANS RECOGNIZING AT THE END OF THE DAY WHO WON OR LOST THE ELECTION AND THAT IS NOT SAYING THAT IF SOMEBODY WHO IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE CAN'T CALL FOR RECOUNTS AND CAN'T TAKE CONCERNS TO THE COURTS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, ONCE ALL OF THOSE LEGAL CONTESTATIONS ARE DECIDED, WE ARE ASKING CANDIDATES TO SAY, WE'LL FOLLOW THE RULE OF LAW AND ACCEPT THE RESULTS AS ARE ULTIMATELY DECIDED EITHER BY ELECTION OFFICIALS OR THE COURTS.

>> Lou: ARE YOU AWARE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEW MEXICAN VOTERS WANTED TO SEE, TO KNOW THAT THIS IS WHERE THEIR CANDIDATES ARE COMING FROM?

>> Danielle: YEAH, WHICH IS FASCINATING AND KIND OF COUNTER TO THE WHOLE CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING BUT, YES, THERE HAS BEEN POLLING ABOUT THIS.

WHEN YOU ASK PEOPLE, WOULD YOU VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WHO WOULD STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, WHO WOULD FOLLOW THE HONEST POLICIES, WHO WOULD SUPPORT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION, PEOPLE ACTUALLY SAY YES AND IT IS PRETTY COMPELLING.

SO, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND EXCITED TO BE ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN NEW MEXICO LEADING THE CANDIDATES PRINCIPLES PROJECT, BUT IT IS NOT JUST NEW MEXICO FIRST.

IT IS THE NEW MEXICO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NEW MEXICO OPEN ELECTIONS, NEW MEXICO LOCAL NEWS FUND, NEW MEXICO PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE.

IT IS EXCITING THAT THERE IS SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT JUST REPRESENT A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES HERE IN NEW MEXICO COMING TOGETHER TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY REACHING OUT TO CANDIDATES ACROSS THE STATE AND ASKING, WILL YOU SIGN ON TO THESE PRINCIPLES, AND THEN A WHOLE SECOND PART IS PROMOTING THAT TO THE VOTERS.

AND AS WE JUST DISCUSSED, IT IS EXCITING THAT VOTERS ARE ACTUALLY SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT GUIDE AND INFORM MY VOTE.

>> Lou: YOU MENTIONED TO ME IN OUR PRE-CONVERSATION ABOUT SOME REFORMS THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ALSO PUSH THIS ALONG.

>> Heather: IT IS NOT DIRECTLY TIED TO THE CANDIDATE PRINCIPLES.

IT IS A STAND-ALONE BILL THAT WE HOPE WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND IT IS FOCUSED ON THE ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND OUR COUNTY CLERK.

AND JUST THIS WEEK THE ELECTION REFORMERS NETWORK HAS RELEASED NEW NATIONAL POLLING DATA THAT ASKS VOTERS HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS THAT THEIR ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS BEHAVE IN AN IMPARTIAL MANNER.

IT WON'T SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW THAT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE, THEY WANT THIS BADLY.

THEY THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE TUNE OF 95% OF THEM THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND THEN WHEN YOU TAKE THAT GROUP, THOUGH, AND YOU PULL IT DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER, 66, 68% OF THEM, 2/3 ROUGHLY, OF THE FOLKS POLLED ALSO SAID THAT THEY HAVE A HARD TIME TRUSTING THE IMPARTIALITY OF THEIR ELECTION OFFICIALS WHEN THOSE FOLKS ARE ELECTED WITH THE BACKING OF A MAJOR PARTY.

SO THIS IS AMERICA.

THAT IS HOW WE DO IT, RIGHT?

WE ELECT PEOPLE IN A PARTISAN ELECTION.

BUT THE THING IS THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DONE THAT WAY.

AND SO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, HOW DO WE SORT OF DEPOLITICIZE THOSE ROLES ALSO HAS A PROFOUND EFFECT ON THE CONFIDENCE THAT VOTERS HAVE THAT THE ELECTION IS BEING ADMINISTERED FAIRLY.

SO THE BILL THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO INTRODUCE WOULD DO THREE THINGS.

AND THEY ARE JUST COMMON SENSE SIMPLE THINGS.

ONE IS THAT ELECTION OFFICIALS WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM ENDORSING CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTIONS THAT THEY ARE OVERSEEING, WHICH MOST PEOPLE GO, AREN'T THEY PROHIBITED FROM DOING THAT ALREADY?

AND THE ANSWER IS THEY ARE NOT PROHIBITED BUT MOST OF THEM DON'T DO IT.

IT WOULD PROHIBIT THEM FROM FUNDRAISING FOR CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTIONS THEY ARE OVERSEEING.

AND IT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO RECUSE THEMSELVES IF THERE WAS AN ELECTION DISPUTE OVER THEIR OWN RACE.

SO, THREE SIMPLE COMMON SENSE THINGS.

IN DOING THAT THE SUGGESTION IS NOT BEING MADE BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO BE ACCUSATORY OR IMPLY THAT THOSE FOLKS ARE DOING THEIR JOBS BADLY RIGHT NOW.

QUITE THE CONTRARY.

THEY ARE DOING HEROIC WORK, A JOB THAT IS REALLY HARD AND IN THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT WE ARE IN, IT IS GETTING HARDER EVERYDAY.

>> Lou: LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER 8, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT EITHER OF YOU WOULD BE LOOKING FOR SOME SORT OF A BAROMETER THROUGH VOTERS, THROUGH PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS, THAT WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, MOVING AWAY FROM THE ULTRA-POLARIZATION AND TOWARDS STRENGTHENING AND REINVIGORATING OUR DEMOCRACY?

>> Danielle: I THINK I WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT MENTION THE CANDIDATES PRINCIPLES.

SO THE DEGREE TO WHICH CANDIDATES ARE WILLING TO SIGN ON TO THOSE PRINCIPLES AND WHICH VOTERS ARE SAYING THESE MATTER TO ME, I THINK THAT IS A HUGE INDICATOR AND BAROMETER THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT.

AND THE OTHER IS OBVIOUSLY VOTER TURNOUT RATES.

THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AND ONCE THE ELECTION COMES AND GOES, WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE FOLKS ACCEPT RESULTS WHEN IT IS CLEAR.

AND SO TO HEATHER'S POINT EARLIER, IT IS ENTIRELY ACCEPTABLE TO ISSUE CHALLENGES AND TO ASK FOR RECOUNT, BUT THERE IS A POINT AT WHICH CANDIDATES AND THEIR PARTIES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS MUST ACCEPT THOSE RESULTS.

SO I THINK IF ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAPPEN, I THINK THAT IS THE BEST INDICATOR THAT WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE.

BUT I WON'T PRETEND THAT IT IS ALL GOING TO END ON NOVEMBER 10, RIGHT?

LIKE THIS IS A MIDTERM ELECTION, WE HAVE ANOTHER COMING IN TWO YEARS AND SO THIS IS JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO BUILD.

I AM EXCITED TO THINK ABOUT THIS AS SORT OF A FIRST STEP OR ALL OF THESE INITIATIVES TOGETHER AS A FIRST STEP TO HELP REBUILD WHAT HAS BEGUN TO BREAK AND TO HAVE SOME CRACKS AS WE TALKED ABOUT SORT OF AT THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERVIEW.

>> Lou: HEATHER, SOMETHING YOU'LL BE LOOKING FOR IN THIS ELECTION MOVING INTO 2024 ALSO?

>> Heather: SOMETHING THAT I AM LOOKING FOR RIGHT NOW ON THE CANDIDATE PRINCIPLES FRONT, IS NOT JUST FOR THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES TO SIGN ON TO THOSE, BUT ALSO FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND VOTERS.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SHARE WITH YOUR VIEWERS IS THAT WHETHER THEY ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE OR WHETHER THEY SIMPLY LIKE THE CONCEPT, THAT PEOPLE WOULD SAY, YEAH, I WANT MY CANDIDATE TO TAKE THIS KIND OF APPROACH.

THEY CAN VOICE THEIR SUPPORT SIGNING ON TO THE PRINCIPLES THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AT ANY TIME AT THE WEBSITE PRINCIPLESCANDIDATES.ORG.

>> Lou: HEATHER BALAS AND DANIELLE GONZALES, THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> Tashjian: WATER IN NEW MEXICO IS MANAGED ON WHAT IS CALLED THE PRIORITY ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM AND THIS IS LIKE MOST OTHER WESTERN STATES MANAGED ON A SIMILAR SYSTEM.

AND IT IS A SYSTEM OF EXTRACTION.

IT IS A WINNER-TAKE-ALL KIND OF SYSTEM.

AND HOW IT WORKS IS THAT PERMITS ARE ISSUED TO WATER RIGHT USERS UNTIL THERE IS NO WATER LEFT.

>> Gene: ANOTHER ITEM UP FOR A VOTE NEXT MONTH COULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF ACCESSIBLE FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1, LOCATED ON THE BACK OF YOUR BALLOT, WOULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TAKEN OUT OF THE PERMANENT EDUCATION FUND ALSO KNOWN AS THE LAND GRANT PERMANENT FUND.

TWO WEEKS AGO, WE BROUGHT YOU A PERSPECTIVE FROM EDUCATORS AND PARENTS ON THIS ISSUE.

THEY ALL SAY A YES VOTE IS A VOTE FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE BUT SOME LAWMAKERS QUESTION WHETHER TAKING OUT EXTRA MONEY RIGHT NOW IS PRUDENT OR EVEN NECESSARY.

THIS WEEK, SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO CATCHES UP WITH STATE SENATOR BILL SHARER TO UNDERSTAND WHY HE THINKS KEEPING THE MONEY WHERE IT IS MAKES THE MOST SENSE RIGHT NOW.

>> Lou: SENATOR, YOU ARE PUBLICLY OPPOSED TO THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION?

>> Sharer: SO, THE BASIC PROBLEM IS WE ALREADY PUT THE MONEY INTO AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TRUST FUND.

THE WAY WE BUILT THIS AS LEGISLATURE A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WE TOOK THE EXCESS OIL AND GAS REVENUE, ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WE NORMALLY GET, AND WE FUNNELED IT INTO THIS EARLY CHILDHOOD TRUST FUND.

SO, IT STARTED OUT WITH ABOUT 300 MILLION-DOLLARS.

NEXT YEAR IT IS GOING TO BE TWO BILLION DOLLARS.

YEAR AFTER THAT IT IS GOING TO BE 4.8 BILLION-DOLLARS BASED ON THE ESTIMATED REVENUE THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET FROM OIL AND GAS.

ULTIMATELY IT ENDS UP CLOSE TO NINE BILLION DOLLARS.

SO IF YOU SIMPLY TAKE THE INTEREST OFF OF THAT, YOU MORE THAN GET THE 250 MILLION-DOLLARS THAT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD TAKE OUT OF THE LAND GRANT PERMANENT FUND.

SO, THERE IS NO POINT IN TAKING IT OUT.

THE MONEY IS ALREADY THERE, IT IS ALREADY IN A TRUST FUND THAT WAS BUILT.

IT IS GROWING.

IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW UNTIL IT GETS TO ABOUT NINE BILLION DOLLARS SO THERE IS NO POINT IN DOING HARM TO THE TRUST FUND, I MEAN TO THE PERMANENT FUND.

THE PERMANENT FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1910 BUT THE REAL REASON FOR IT WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD MONEY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THEY CALLED THEM COMMON SCHOOLS IN 1910, TO FUND THE SCHOOLS FOREVER AFTER THE FUND GOT BIG ENOUGH.

PRUDENT INVESTMENT SAYS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE OUT MORE THAN 5%.

WE ARE AT 5%.

SO WHEN YOU ADD THAT OTHER ONE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT, ONE-AND-A-QUARTER PERCENT, YOU ARE NOW RISKING DEPLETING THE CORE OF THAT FUND.

PEOPLE WILL SAY, OH, NO, IT GROWS AT 11%.

WELL, IT GREW AT 11% WHEN THE STOCK MARKET WAS STRONG.

IT IS LOSING MONEY TODAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE WILL BE UPS AND DOWNS.

BUT, THE POINT IS THAT THIS SHOULD GROW.

WE SHOULD USE THE POWER OF COMPOUND INTEREST TO MAKE THIS FUND BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER UNTIL IT COMPLETELY FUNDS EDUCATION.

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE DON'T, YOU KNOW, DEPLETE THAT FUND AND THE INTEREST OFF OF THAT FUND THAT TAKES CARE OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDING THAT WE AGREE WE NEED.

I AM NOT ARGUING THAT POINT.

I AM ARGUING THAT THE MONEY IS ALREADY THERE.

>> Lou: THE MONEY IS ALREADY THERE.

WHY NOT MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE?

YOU WANT TO SAVE IT OVER THE LONG HAUL SO THAT IN FIVE TO 10 YEARS, WE ARE SAFE WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE HAVE; IS THAT CORRECT?

>> Sharer: IF WE GO BACK TO 2003, WE MOVED WHAT WE TAKE OUT OF THAT LAND GRANT PERMANENT FUND FROM 4.7% TO 5.8.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THAT WAS TO FUND EDUCATION BECAUSE WE WERE 48TH OR 49TH IN EDUCATION AND WE NEEDED TO FIX IT NOW AND WE HAVE THE MONEY NOW AND WE BETTER DO IT NOW, AND IT IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME THING, NOW.

AND SO WE TOOK OUT THAT MONEY AND WHAT DID IT DO FOR US?

WELL, IT DID TWO THINGS.

ONE IT LEFT US AT 48 OR 49TH IN EDUCATION.

IT DID NOTHING BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN.

THE WHOLE PLAN WAS MORE MONEY.

NOT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE MONEY.

THE SECOND THING THAT IT DID IS TODAY WE WOULD HAVE ABOUT 200 MILLION EXTRA DOLLARS A YEAR COMING OUT OF THAT BASED ON THE GROWTH OF THE FUND, WHICH WOULD HAVE FUNDED EARLY CHILDHOOD.

SO, WE ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING ON ONE END AND WE HARMED OURSELF ON THE OTHER BY ELIMINATING THAT 200 MILLION-DOLLARS AND THAT IS ALL BECAUSE OF THE POWER OF COMPOUND INTEREST.

SO, ONCE YOU TAKE THAT MONEY OUT, THERE IS NO COMPOUNDING.

SO IT HAS TO BE THERE TO COMPOUND.

AND ONCE YOU COMPOUND IT, YOU HAVE MORE.

IT IS JUST THAT SIMPLE.

>> Lou: TWO WEEKS AGO ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, I SPOKE WITH WILHELMINA YAZZIE.

SHE IS THE LEAD PLAINTIFF IN THE YAZZI MARTINEZ LAWSUIT AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

WE SAID THE EXTRA MONEY IS KEY IN REACHING THE GOALS SET IN THAT RULING.

HOW WOULD YOU PROPOSE REACHING THOSE GOALS, NOT JUST THE FINANCIAL ONES BUT THE INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES WITHOUT USING THE EXTRA MONEY THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS AMENDMENT?

>> Sharer: AGAIN, WE HAVE BEEN 48TH OR 49TH OR 50TH, NOW, IN EDUCATION FOR A LONG TIME.

AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS POURED MORE AND MORE MONEY INTO EDUCATION WITH ZERO RESULTS.

I DON'T SEE A PLAN, A SOLID PLAN FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD MONEY THAT WE HAVE TODAY.

WE ALREADY ARE SPENDING MONEY ON THAT, ABOUT 40 MILLION RIGHT NOW.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO ANYMORE THAN THAT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

WE DON'T HAVE THE SYSTEM.

WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF BUT 40 MILLION-DOLLARS IS A START.

NEXT YEAR IT WILL BE ABOUT 120 MILLION THAT WILL BE USABLE, WITHOUT THE LAND GRANT PERMANENT FUND MONEY, BASED ON THE OIL AND GAS MONEY THAT WE PUT INTO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD TRUST FUND.

SO, WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE ANYMORE OUT OF THERE.

IT IS GOING TO GROW.

THE TRUST FUND IS GOING TO GROW.

AND SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT GIVES US TIME TO BUILD THE PLAN, TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE, TO BUILD THE CAPACITY BECAUSE THE WAY THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME IN AND WITHOUT HARMING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

>> Lou: WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A BRIEFING FROM PED WITH MORE SPECIFICS?

YOU MENTIONED THEY MENTIONED GOALS BUT NOT AN ACTUAL PLAN TO REACH THOSE GOALS.

IS THAT ALL SOMETHING THAT IS ON PED TO PROVIDE TO LEGISLATORS, TO PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC SO THAT WE KNOW HOW THIS MONEY WOULD BE USED?

>> Sharer: ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

SO WE GET BRIEFINGS FROM PED ALL THE TIME.

AND I DO THINK THAT DR. STEINHAUS IS DOING A GOOD JOB.

HE IS TRYING.

HE IS REALLY INVOLVED.

I THINK WE HAVE HAD A SERIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS THAT AREN'T DOING THIS, CABINET SECRETARIES THAT ARE ALL ABOUT THE GOALS AND IN SAYING REALLY COOL THINGS, BUT IT IS NOT ABOUT SAYING ANYTHING, IT IS ABOUT DOING SOMETHING.

SO, YOU KNOW, AN INTENTION IS NOT A RESULT, AS SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

SO, WE NEED TO SEE RESULTS.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

>> Gene: THANK YOU TO SENATOR SHARER FOR HIS TIME.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE DEPARTMENT HAS A FOUR YEAR FINANCE PLAN THAT ESTIMATES SPECIFIC FUNDING NEEDS THROUGH 2026.

YOU CAN FIND THAT LINK TO THAT INFORMATION ONLINE AT OUR 2022 ELECTION PAGE.

JUST GO TO NMPBS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE ELECTION BANNER.

AND YOU CAN WATCH LOU'S INTERVIEW WITH EDUCATORS AND ADVOCATES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1 INCLUDING WILHELMINA YAZZIE.

THAT IS ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE.

TIME TO BRING IN THE LINE OPINION PANEL ONCE MORE TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MULTIPLE MONUMENTS IN THE CITY OF SANTA FE.

PROTESTORS DEMONSTRATED IN FRONT OF THE MEMORIAL TO KIT CARSON MONDAY WHILE HONORING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.

IN THE PLAZA DANCERS AND OTHER NATIVE GROUPS GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE REMNANTS OF THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT TOPPLED IN 2020.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO CONSENSUS HOW WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH EITHER OF THE MONUMENTS.

LET'S START WITH KIT CARSON.

NATIVE ACTIVISTS AND OTHERS WANT IT TAKEN DOWN BECAUSE OF KIT CARSON'S ROLE IN COLONIZING THE WEST, SPECIFICALLY THE LONG WALK OF 1864, WHICH FORCED NAVAJO FAMILIES FROM THEIR LAND WITH MANY DEATHS THAT HAPPENED.

IS THAT STEP ONE HERE?

IS THAT THE FOCUS OF THIS ARGUMENT IS KIT CARSON, THAT STATUE?

IS THAT WHERE WE START OR IS IT JUST PART OF A BIGGER CONVERSATION HERE?

>> Julia: I THINK IT IS PART OF A MUCH BIGGER CONVERSATION.

IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE TOPPLING OF THE PLAZA OBELISK, THE CITY HIRED A CONTRACTOR AND HAD A YEAR'S LONG PROCESS OF CONVERSATIONS AND SURVEYS.

THAT GROUP SUBMITTED A REPORT IN AUGUST TO -- A FINAL REPORT.

IT IS 145 PAGES LONG.

IT HAS AN ADDITIONAL 100-PAGE APPENDIX.

IT IS VERY LONG, IN OTHER WORDS.

IT WAS BASED ON THEY DID A LOT OF PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS, AGAIN, SURVEYS AND I CALLED THE CITY YESTERDAY TO FIND OUT WHERE THINGS WERE AT.

THE CITY COUNCIL IS HAVING A STUDY SESSION ON THAT REPORT AT THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER AND NOT VOTING ON ANYTHING, BUT STARTING TO UNPACK WHAT IS A VERY ROBUST REPORT AND ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT TO ME IN THAT REPORT WAS THAT THE CONTRACTORS SPENT THE FIRST THREE MONTHS MEETING WITH PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE ENTERING A PROCESS LIKE ALBUQUERQUE HAD WHEN IT DEALT WITH THE ONATE STATUE AS TO EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED AND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING.

YOU HAVE 200 PAGES OF PEOPLE WEIGHING IN ABOUT RACISM, ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH RACISM, ABOUT HOW SANTA FE HAS DEALT WITH CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, HOW IT SHOULD DEAL WITH CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, AND THEY DID NOT MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OTHER THAN THEY SAID, YOU NEED TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT BECAUSE EVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE IN COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THESE EQUATIONS AGREE ON ONE THINK WHICH IS THAT THE CITY HAS NOT DONE A GOOD JOB AT HANDLING THAT AND PART OF THAT IS THAT THEY ARE NOT COMMUNICATING WHAT IS GOING ON.

I HAD TO CALL THE CITY AND SAY, WHAT IS GOING ON AT THIS POINT?

SO, THEY ARE RECOMMENDING THAT SIGNAGE BE PUT UP RIGHT NOW WHERE THERE IS A BOX THAT SAYS, HERE IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND HERE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING NEXT, HERE IS OUR PROCESS, AND THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO DECIDE, ARE YOU GOING TO RESTORE THE OBELISK AND PUT IT UP.

THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS THEY SAID WAS RESTORE IT, PUT IT UP AND HAVE NEW LANGUAGE THAT EXPLAINS -- PUTS IT IN CONTEXT OR PUT SOMETHING NEW UP.

TO END CREATIVE PROCESS TO DECIDE WHICH OF THOSE YOU DO AND HOW YOU DO IT.

THAT IS KIND OF WHERE IT STANDS.

I THINK BY THE TIME CLIMATE CHANGE DESTROYS THE PLANET SOMETHING WILL HAVE BEEN DECIDED.

THAT IS MY PREDICTION ON THAT.

>> Gene: JUST ONE MORE QUESTION JULIA, REAL QUICK.

THE BOARD CHAIRWOMAN FOR SANTA FE INDIGENOUS CENTER SAYS SHE HEARD IDEAS OR ALTERNATIVES LIKE THE FOUNTAIN OR TWO STATUES TO HONOR A PRESTIGIOUS NATIVE AMERICAN AND A PRESTIGIOUS HISPANIC PERSON.

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT WHAT THE ALT PLANS MIGHT BE IF THE CARSON STATUE ACTUALLY COMES DOWN.

>> Julia: I DON'T THINK THERE HAS BEEN ANY SPECIFIC SOLICITATION ABOUT REPLACING SPECIFIC THINGS.

THERE HAS BEEN CONVERSATIONS IN GENERAL ABOUT PUBLIC ART AND I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TALK BOTH ABOUT WANTING SOMETHING THAT IS MORE MULTICULTURAL REPRESENTING OF MULTI-CULTURE RATHER THAN TRI-CULTURE OR RACE SPECIFIC CULTURE, AND A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT FOUNTAINS AND WATER.

>> Gene: A FOUNTAIN WITH WATER.

WHO HATES WATER?

>> Julia: THE ONE THING WE ALL AGREE WE LIKE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Gene: BACK TO THE PLAZA HERE FOR A QUICK SECOND.

BASE OF THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT STILL STANDING, AS JULIE JUST MENTIONED, ALTHOUGH IT IS COVERED WITH PANELING.

BUT ALSO, AS JULIE MENTIONED, IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE PROTESTERS BROUGHT THE TOP OF IT DOWN.

CITY HAS DONE ASSESSMENTS BUT STILL NO ACTION.

AT WHAT POINT MUST THEY MAKE A DECISION ON THE FUTURE OF THAT LANDMARK?

IS THERE SOMETHING POLITICALLY THAT HAS TO HAPPEN HERE QUICKLY OR JUST PROBABLY BETTER SAID FOR THE SOUL OF THE COMMUNITY?

I MEAN THIS CAN'T BE DRAGGING OUT AND HAVING PEOPLE AT LOGGERHEADS LOOK THIS.

>> Giovanna: AS JULIA POINTED OUT, THE CITY HAS GONE THROUGH THIS LONG PROCESS, NOT APPARENTLY COMMUNICATING WHERE THEY ARE.

AND I THINK WITH THIS AND OTHER SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, THE PROCESS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, HONOR THAT AND FACILITATE A SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO BE HEARD AND I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

SO, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PROCESS AND THEN THERE IS PRODUCT, RIGHT?

LIKE AFTER THE PROCESS, WHAT IS THE PRODUCT?

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE A RESOLUTION?

AND, IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE A RESOLUTION IS NEEDED WITH THAT SPECIFICALLY, AND, YOU KNOW, GENERALLY, BECAUSE NOW WE ARE SEEING IT AT OTHER MONUMENTS BUT I DO THINK THAT THE PROCESS IS IMPORTANT AND THERE NEEDS TO BE TIME AND SPACE AND CAPACITY TO HEAR FROM THE FOLKS WHO ARE PROTESTING.

WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF PROTESTING IN THIS STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY.

SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE ARE NOW PROTESTING ON THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, HOWEVER, YEAH, LIKE, HOW ARE THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS RESPONDING?

HOW ARE WE CREATING SPACE FOR ALL VOICES TO BE HEARD AND THEN LET'S GET TO A RESOLUTION.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

DANIELLE, INTERESTING, ANOTHER GESTURE THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM ON MONDAY VOIDED FOUR PRE-STATEHOOD PROCLAMATIONS THAT TARGETED NATIVE AMERICANS DURING THE 19TH CENTURY.

WE FIND THESE THINGS WRITTEN INTO OUR HISTORY AND THE LANGUAGE IS HORRIFIC, EVEN GIVEN THE TIMES, ABOUT HUNTING NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE DOWN AND KILLING THEM.

SHOULD WE COMMIT TO A FULL AUDIT OF EVERYTHING.

PUT IT ON THE TABLE AND SAY THIS STAYS, THIS GOES, THIS STAYS, THIS GOES.

ARE WE AT THAT POINT NOW?

>> Dan: I MEAN, LISTEN, THIS IS GOING TO RILE EVERYBODY UP AND EVERYBODY IS GOING TO GET THERE JAWS GOING WITH WHAT I AM GOING TO SAY.

AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO REALIZE OUR HISTORY ISN'T ALWAYS PLEASANT.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS WE HAVE DONE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE NOT GOOD AND WERE BAD.

I THINK TRYING TO WIPE IT AWAY AND SAY, LISTEN, WE ARE GOING TO REMOVE THIS AND GET RID OF THAT, I THINK, I PERSONALLY THINK IS A BAD MOVE.

I THINK FUTURE GENERATIONS NEED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT PEOPLE FELT THIS WAY, THOUGHT THIS WAY, ACTED THIS WAY.

I THINK THAT IS THE GUARDRAIL THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM DOING BAD THINGS IN THE FUTURE WHEN YOU REALIZE, NOT ONLY DO WE HEAR PEOPLE DO BAD THINGS, THERE IT IS IN WRITING.

THEY ACTUALLY FELT THIS WAY.

I AM REMINDED OF MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE WE CHANGED THE -- CLEANED UP LEGISLATION AND MY WIFE IS HALF JAPANESE.

WHEN I WAS IN, THERE WAS A LAW IN THE BOOKS IN NEW MEXICO THAT SAID PEOPLE OF ASIAN DESCENT COULD NOT OWN PROPERTY IN NEW MEXICO.

IT WAS A LAW.

NOBODY HAD BEEN PROSECUTED STILL WHEN WHAT IS LENGTHS YOUR, NOW, NOBODY HAS BEEN PROSECUTED ON THAT.

MY WIFE IS ON THE MORTGAGE.

SHE OWNS EVERYTHING APRIL I AM ON HER MORTGAGE SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, IN THIS DESIRE FOR US TO WANT TO QUOTE UNQUOTE FEEL GOOD WE RUN THE RISK OF FOR GETTING THE BAD THINGS THAT MADE US WHO WE ARE, GOOD AND BAD.

>> Gene: IS IT A QUESTION OF FOR GETTING OR IGNORING OR A QUESTION OF SORT OF REFRAMING AND RE-PRESENTING THESE THINGS.

>> Dan: THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK WHEN YOU WIPE IT AWAY, GENE USER YOU'RE GOING TO FORGET IT.

WHEN IT GOES AWAY IT IS GOING TO BE FORGOTTEN.

I THINK IT IS A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION ABOUT STATUES AND MONUMENTS, I THINK SOME OF THESE MONUMENTS THAT HAVE NO REAL -- THEY HAVE A MEANING BASED ON -- DIFFERENT THAN TEARING DOWN A MONUMENT OF THE PERSON.

SOME OF THESE PEOPLE YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT THEY REPRESENT IN HISTORY BUT THEY REPRESENT HISTORY.

SO, I THINK THAT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE LOSING FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT NOT ALL OF OUR HISTORY IS GREAT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO TEACH OUR KIDS THIS BAD PART OF THE HISTORY THAT HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE IF WE DON'T UNDERSTAND OUR HISTORY, WE ARE DESTINED TO REPEAT THAT HISTORY.

>> Giovanna: I DON'T THINK WE ARE TEACHING OUR KIDS THAT, SO I THINK YOU'RE ASSUMING -- I THINK THAT YOU ARE ASSUMING THAT THESE QUOTE UNQUOTE BAD THINGS ARE IN THE PAST WHERE ACTUALLY THEY ARE STILL HAPPENING, I MEAN, NOT EXACTLY THE SAME, BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING.

SO IT IS NOT LIKE, OH, THAT IS ALL OVER NOW, LET'S JUST LEAVE IT.

I THINK WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT WHAT PART OF OUR HISTORY IS STILL OUR CURRENT REALITY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND ADDRESS IT THAT WAY.

AND THIS WHOLE PERSPECTIVE OF, YOU KNOW, PUTTING IT IN THE BOOKS AND LEAVING IT IS A VERY DOMINANT-CULTURE CENTERED PERSPECTIVE AND IF WE ARE GOING TO INCLUDE THE PERSPECTIVE OF OTHER CULTURES THAT AREN'T IN THE DOMINANT CULTURE, WE NEED TO BE LISTENING AND WE NEED TO HAVE A PROCESS FOR LISTENING AND FOR MOVING FORWARD AND FOR NOT JUST SAYING THAT IT IS ALL IN THE PAST.

>> Gene: THE PROCESS IS TOUGH.

SOUTH AFRICA WENT THROUGH THIS WITH APARTHEID A FEW YEARS AGO.

THERE IS A MODEL ABOUT HOW TO GET COMMUNITIES TO, AS JULIA MENTIONED EARLIER, YOU HAVE GOT TO GET A LOT OF VOICES IN.

I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT REPORT IS AS BIG AS IT IS.

>> Julia: I MEAN IT IS A REALLY INTERESTING REPORT AND IT HAS -- IT DOESN'T MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON THE OBELISK BUT IT HAS A LOT OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF OTHER WAYS TO KEEP HAVING THE CONVERSATION.

MY CONCERN WOULD BE I THINK BUILDING A PROCESS AROUND EXPECTING PEOPLE TO MAYBE READ 145-PAGE REPORT MIGHT BE OPTIMISTIC, BUT MAYBE I AM WRONG.

>> Gene: THAT IS THE GOVERNMENT WAY, THOUGH.

THAT IS HOW WE GET OUT INFORMATION.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR LINE PANEL.

AS ALWAYS, NOW, BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ANY TOPICS THE LINE COVERED ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM PAGES AND CATCH ANY EPISODES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED ON THE PBS VIDEO APP ON YOUR ROKU OR SMART TV.

NOW OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH AND THE REINSTATEMENT OF A DECADES OLD BILL IN WASHINGTON COULD PLAY A BIG ROLE IN CURBING THAT TYPE ABUSE.

SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT AND SOME OF THE MENTAL HEALTH FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THIS WEEK ON THE SHOW HE SPEAKS WITH LARRY JONES, A RETIRED FAMILY COURT JUDGE AND ALSO JONI JONES, A MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT AND ADVOCATE WHO IS HAS BEEN INVITED TO JOIN SENATOR BEN RAY LUJAN'S CONSORTIUM ON MENTAL HEALTH.

>> Lou: MANY OF US HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT WE THINK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS.

BUT, YOU CAN GET CAUGHT IN THAT MINDSET OF, YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME, SO, DON'T NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT SO MUCH, BUT THAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

IN YOUR WORK IN FAMILY COURT, WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND ARE SOME OF THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

>> Jones: WELL, PROBABLY THE GREATEST MISCONCEPTIONS IS THAT IT HAS TO BE PHYSICAL.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE HEAR THE TERM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ASSUME IT MEANS A HUSBAND HITTING A WIFE OR A DATING PARTNER, ASSAULTING, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER PARTNER.

BUT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN GET A LOT MORE INVOLVED THAN THAT.

IT CAN INVOLVE NONPHYSICAL FORMS OF ABUSE.

HARASSMENT, CYBER HARASSMENT, STALKING.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP AND THEY DON'T EVEN RECOGNIZE THAT THEY WERE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP FOR SOME PORED OF TIME.

SO THAT IS ONE MISCONCEPTION AND ANOTHER HUGE MISCONCEPTION THAT MANY IN THE PUBLIC HAVE IS THE QUESTION THEY ASK, WHY DOESN'T THE PERSON BEING ABUSED JUST LEAVE AS IF IT IS A FREE, VOLUNTARY CHOICE TO PICK UP AND GO.

THERE IS SO MANY COMPLICATING FACTORS IN A DOMESTIC SITUATION, WHICH CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO LEAVE EVEN IF THEY ARE BEING ABUSED.

THERE MAY BE CHILDREN INVOLVED.

THERE MAY BE FINANCIAL DEPENDENCY.

THERE MAY BE ALL TYPES OF EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES GOING ON IN THE RELATIONSHIP, PERHAPS A CO-DEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP.

THERE MAY BE GENERALIZED FEAR, PUBLIC SHAME.

YOU KNOW.

SOME PEOPLE MAY FEEL THAT WAY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG.

IT CAN GET VERY COMPLICATED AND THE STUDY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS REALLY TAKEN ON MUCH MORE STREAM AND STRENGTH IN THE LAST, I WOULD SAY, 10 TO 20 YEARS.

>> Lou: THROUGH YOUR WORK YOU FOUND PTSD AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH FACTORS CAN HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

HOW DOES OUR STANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH AS A SOCIETY INCLUDING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PLAY INTO THIS EQUATION?

>> Jones: WELL, POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS BECOMES A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE BECAUSE IN MY EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH PEOPLE, IT STIFLES PEOPLE.

SO, IT REALLY GENERATES AN UNDERLYING FEAR AND THEY THINK THAT WHEN THEY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GO ON MAYBE SOME MEDICATION TO ADDRESS THE PTSD OR THE ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONS IS MEDICATIONS DO NOT SKILL BUILD.

SO WHAT THEY DO IS THEY MAY ASSIST IN THEIR ATTENTION, THEIR ABILITY TO FOCUS AND LEARN BECAUSE SITTING, ATTENDING AND FOCUSING ARE THE PREREQUISITES OF LEARNING.

SO MANY PEOPLE, THINK, OH, GEE, LET ME TAKE THE MEDICATION AND THEN THAT IS GOING TO MAKE EVERYTHING GO AWAY.

THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE THAT SKILL BUILDING COMPONENT.

MANY PEOPLE WANT THE TRAUMA TO GO AWAY AND TRAUMA DOESN'T GO AWAY.

WE CAN'T ERASE EVENTS IN OUR LIVES AND THEY HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO MANAGE IT AND TRIGGERS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THOSE TRIGGERS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO WHEN THEY UNDERSTAND THAT RESPONSE AND THEY ARE GETTING THAT, OH, YOU KNOW, THERE IS AN ALERT THAT THERE IS SOME TYPE OF THREAT OR DANGER, THEY CAN LEARN TO PUSH THAT PAUSE BUTTON.

WHEN THEY LEARN TO PUSH THE PAUSE BUTTON, IT BECOMES VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN YOU GO TO HIGH LEVELS OF THOSE HORMONE SURGES, YOU'RE ACTUALLY PUT INTO THE PART OF THE BRAIN WHERE YOU BECOME VERY IMPULSIVE, VERY REACTIONARY AND YOU GO ON TO THE WHAT IFS, WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS HAPPENING, AND SINCE THERE IS NO LOGICAL THINKING, THERE IS NO DECISION-MAKING CAPABILITIES.

SO, WE REALLY HAVE TO TEACH PEOPLE TO MANAGE IT SO THEY CAN GET TO THE PART OF THE BRAIN THAT IS NON-REACTIONARY, THAT IT LOOKS LOGICALLY AT THINGS AND THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

>> Lou: YOU TALK ABOUT TRAUMA AND SKILL BUILDING.

THOSE ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THROUGH YOUR WORK.

I KNOW YOU FOUND THIS FOR CHILDREN WHO WITNESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER SORTS OF TRAUMA.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW CHILDREN -- HOW WE CAN HELP CHILDREN WHO DO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THOSE SCENARIOS?

>> Jones: IT BECOMES VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THEIR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES.

SOME PEOPLE MAY ADAPT TO IT AS BEING NORM.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE LEARNING, WHERE WE ARE NOT BORN WITH KNOWLEDGE WE ARE BORN WITH THE ABILITY TO LEARN AND IF THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING, THEN THAT IS WHAT THEY JUST MIGHT ADAPT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CHILDREN EVEN GO INTO YOUNG ADULTS, YOU KNOW, OR ADULT.

ARE THEY GOING TO NOT RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF ANY TYPE OF ABUSE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ADAPTED IT TO THE NORM, HAVE THEY BECOME A PERPETRATOR THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF THAT LEARNED BEHAVIOR?

OR AS ADULTS, HAVE THEY GONE INTO WHERE THEY BECOME MORE EMPATHETIC AND THEY TAKE AN OPPOSITE APPROACH AND WILL NOT CARRY ON ANY OF THE TRAITS OF THE ABUSER?

IT IS VERY INDIVIDUALIZED.

>> Lou: EARLIER THIS YEAR, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR OUR VIEWERS HOW THAT ACTION WILL HELP INCREASE AWARENESS AND ENFORCEMENT?

>> Jones: WHAT THE FEDERAL BILL DOES IS SEVERAL THINGS THAT ARE HELPFUL.

FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A FUNDING BILL SO PROVIDES A LOT OF FUNDING FOR STATE AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO BASICALLY PROVIDE SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS WELL AS TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR EDUCATORS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

NO.

2, IT PROVIDES A GREAT ROAD MAP, IN MY OPINION, OF PUBLIC POLICY STRAIGHT FROM WASHINGTON ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING OR FIGHTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

BECAUSE, IF YOU READ THROUGH THE ACT, NOT ONLY THE ACT, BUT EVEN THE SUMMARIES, YOU'LL SEE THEY FOCUS ON INCLUSIVE TYPE LANGUAGE, TO TRY TO PROTECT AND RECOGNIZE THERE HAS BEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN A LOT OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, THE DISABLED, THE ELDERLY LIKE JONI WAS TALKING ABOUT, IN RURAL AREAS, YOUNG CHILDREN, THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

WHICH IS IMPORTANT AND OBVIOUSLY IN NEW MEXICO AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

AND ALSO FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT, THE BILL IS VERY IMPORTANT IN NEW MEXICO BECAUSE IT PROVIDES TRIBAL JURISDICTION ON CERTAIN CRIMINAL ACTS THAT PREVIOUSLY DID NOT EXIST OR EXISTED ON A LIMITED BASES.

IT WAS EXPANDED SO THAT IF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE OCCURS ON TRIBAL LAND THAT IT CAN -- THERE CAN BE CONSEQUENCES AGAINST THE DEFENDANT GREATER THAN THERE WERE PREVIOUSLY.

>> Lou: ANYTHING PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ABOUT THEIR UNDERSTANDING, ABOUT OUR SOCIETY'S UNDERSTANDING DURING THIS MONTH?

>> Jones: FIRST OF ALL, IF ANYONE FEELS THAT THEY ARE THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THEY SHOULD SEEK HELP.

THERE ARE LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO SEEK HELP.

YOU CAN CONSULT -- THERE ARE MANY GOOD ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW MEXICO AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT THEIR WHOLE FUNCTION OR A LARGE PART OF WHY THEY ARE THERE IS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE IT IS ABUSIVE, WHERE IT IS VIOLENT.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOESN'T JUST GO AWAY ON ITS OWN.

TO STAY SILENT ABOUT IT, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE HISTORICALLY HAVE CHOSEN TO, VERY OFTEN IT GETS WORSE.

>> Lou: OVER TO YOU, WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW DURING THIS MONTH ABOUT RESOURCES, ABOUT HOW THEY SHOULD HANDLE A SITUATION LIKE THIS?

>> Jones: I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A PUBLIC AWARENESS BECAUSE AS LARRY ALLUDED TO, MANY PEOPLE DON'T TALK ABOUT THE ABUSE THAT IS GOING ON AND THERE IS VARIOUS REASONS FOR THAT.

WE SHOULD LOOK AT ANY TYPE OF CHANGE THAT WE SEE OCCURRING IN AN INDIVIDUAL AND TO BE VERY COMFORTABLE TO EVEN TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DO WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, AND THIS IS A VERY BIG MISCONCEPTION, BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DEPRESSION AND PEOPLE FEEL THERE IS NO WAY OUT, THEY START TO CONTEMPLATE SUICIDE AND PEOPLE THINK THAT IF THEY ASK SOMEBODY IF THEY ARE SUICIDAL THAT THEY ARE GOING TO PUT THAT THOUGHT INTO THEIR HEAD AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

IT IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL.

THERE IS A LOT OF RESEARCH ON IT.

IT IS, AGAIN, ANOTHER CONVERSATIONAL STARTER AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF.

YOU KNOW, THE VIGILANCE, THE AWARENESS AND TO TAKE ACTION ON THAT.

>> Gene: THANK YOU TO JONI AND LARRY JONES.

YOU CAN WATCH LOU'S FULL INTERVIEW WITH THEM ONLINE RIGHT NOW ON THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THAT INCLUDES THE PERSPECTIVE ON SOME OF THE LEGAL DIFFICULTIES THAT RESULT WHEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS RECANT THEIR STATEMENTS.

WE ALSO HAVE A VARIETY OF RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN A VIOLENT DOMESTIC SITUATION.

JUST LOOK IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE STORY ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

FINALLY TONIGHT, WE ALL WATCHED THE RIO GRANDE DRY IN ALBUQUERQUE THIS SUMMER, SOMETHING WE'LL LIKELY SEE MORE OF IN THE COMING YEARS AS THE REGION CONTINUES TO HEAT UP AND DRY OUT.

WHILE WE HATE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN, THERE IS NOTHING IN STATE LAW TO PREVENT THE RIO GRANDE FROM DRYING AGAIN OR TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM USING EVERY LAST DROP OF WATER IN THE REST OF OUR STATE'S RIVERS.

OUR LAND SENIOR PRODUCER, LAURA PASKUS, WENT TO THE RIO GRANDE TO EXPLORE THAT ISSUE WITH AUDUBON SOUTHWEST'S PAUL TASHJIAN.

>> Laura: FOR DECADES, THE RIO GRANDE DOWNSTREAM OF ALBUQUERQUE HAS DRIED DURING IRRIGATION SEASON.

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.

BUT, THIS SUMMER IN JULY, THE DRYING MARCHED UPSTREAM INTO ALBUQUERQUE.

AND PEOPLE NOTICED.

WHAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T REALIZE IS RIVERS IN NEW MEXICO DON'T HAVE RIGHTS TO THEIR OWN WATERS SO THE WATER YOU SEE FLOWING PAST IT IS ALL MEANT FOR SOMEONE ELSE DOWNSTREAM.

AND SOMETIMES WHAT THAT MEANS IS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH WATER LEFT FOR THE RIVER ITSELF AND THE SPECIES THAT RELY UPON IT.

PAUL TASHJIAN IS DIRECTOR OF FRESH WATER CONSERVATION FOR AUDUBON SOUTHWEST.

KEEPING WATER IN RIVERS IS SOMETHING HE THINKS ABOUT A LOT.

>> Tashjian: IN NEW MEXICO LIKE MANY WESTERN STATES, THERE ARE NO INHERENT RIGHTS OR CLAIMS THAT RIVERS HAVE ON THEIR WATER.

WATER IN NEW MEXICO IS MANAGED ON WHAT IS CALLED THE PRIORITY ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM AND THIS IS LIKE MOST OTHER WESTERN STATES MANAGED ON A SIMILAR SYSTEM.

IT IS A SYSTEM OF EXTRACTION.

IT IS A WINNER-TAKE-ALL KIND OF SYSTEM AND HOW IT WORKS IS THAT PERMITS ARE ISSUED FOR WATER RIGHT USERS UNTIL THERE IS NO WATER LEFT.

>> Laura: IN NEW MEXICO WHEN DRY TIMES STRIKE, PEOPLE WITH THE OLDEST WATER RIGHTS, SENIOR WATER RIGHTS, GET WATER FIRST.

AND UNLESS PEOPLE DECIDE TO SHARE SHORTAGES, JUNIOR OR NEWER WATER RIGHTS CAN GET CUT.

THE OLDEST USERS, THE RIVERS THEMSELVES, THEIR ECOSYSTEMS, THEIR WILDLIFE, THEY CAN BE LEFT WITH NOTHING.

>> Tashjian: THESE WATER RIGHT ISSUES WERE ISSUED DURING WETTER TIMES UNDER THIS MODEL OF PRIOR APPROPRIATIONS WHERE THERE ARE MORE WATER RIGHT PERMITS THAN THERE IS WATER IN THE SYSTEM.

THAT WAS BEFORE WE REALLY STARTED TO SEE THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Laura: IT IS CLEAR DRY RIVERBEDS ARE BAD FOR FISH, COTTONWOODS FOREST, ALL THE SPECIES INCLUDING HUMANS WHO RELY ON THEM.

>> Tashjian: DRY RIVERS ARE NOT GOOD FOR WATER MANAGEMENT ITSELF.

JUST TO MOVE WATER DOWN TO FARMERS DOWNSTREAM OR BE MOVING WATER FOR DELIVERING IT TO OUR NEIGHBORING STATES LIKE TEXAS, HAVING A DRY RIVER IS NOT AN EFFICIENT WAY OR EFFECTIVE WAY TO MOVE WATER.

ACROSS THE BOARD, DRY RIVERS ARE DETRIMENTAL.

>> Laura: THERE ARE WAYS TO CHANGE THIS.

>> Tashjian: NEW MEXICO HAS DEVELOPED TOOLS TO KEEP WATER IN THE RIVERS WITHIN THE WATER RIGHTS SYSTEM AND I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I CRITICIZE THE PRIORITY ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM BUT TO DISMANTLE IT ISN'T FEASIBLE.

>> Laura: WE HAVE THE STRATEGIC WATER RESERVE USED TO KEEP WATER IN RIVERS FOR RARE ANIMALS PROTECTED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.

FISH LIKE THE RIO GRANDE SILVERY MINNOW, THE PECOS BLUNT-NOSE SHINER AND THE PIKE MINNOW IN THE SAN JUAN RIVER.

TO HELP THOSE SPECIES THE STATE CAN LEASE WATER FROM WILLING FARMERS.

>> Tashjian: ANOTHER TOOL IS THIS THING CALLED DYNAMIC WATER LEASING.

IT IS SORT OF A NEWER TOOL DEVELOPED BY IRRIGATION DISTRICTS, ONE WHERE IRRIGATION DISTRICTS THEMSELVES ARE LEASING WATER FROM WILLING LESSEES AND PUT INTO A SIMILAR KIND OF BANK AND STORED AND USED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSES.

>> Laura: THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO DO.

>> Tashjian: WE ARE THE ONLY WESTERN STATE THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW PROGRAM AND IT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.

WHAT AN ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW PROGRAM DOES IS IT USES THE TOOLS THAT ARE TALKED ABOUT IN OTHER TOOLS LOCALLY TO TRY TO FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS AND IT REALLY SHIFTS THE GAME, SHIFTS IT FROM ONE WHERE YOU'RE MANAGING FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND IT IS OUT OF FEAR OF LITIGATION.

IT LEADS TO KIND OF EDGY MANAGEMENT AND I HAVE SEEN IT.

BUT IF YOU SHIFT IT TO WHAT DO LOCAL COMMUNITIES WANT?

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?

WHAT TOOLS WORK IN THAT LOCAL COMMUNITY.

IT IS A MUCH DIFFERENT WAY OF MANAGING A SYSTEM.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

ENDANGERED SPECIES ARE CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT, BUT WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH ENDANGERED SPECIES, YOU'RE ALREADY AT A CRISIS POINT.

>> Laura: ONCE THE RIVER DRIES AND DRIES THE NEXT YEAR AND DRIES AGAIN, WE GET USED TO THAT.

WE ACCEPT DRY OR BROKEN RIVERS AS NORMAL.

WE EVEN STOP REMEMBERING, STOP TELLING STORIES ABOUT WHAT A LIVING RIVER WAS LIKE.

>> Tashjian: EL PASO IS PRETTY REMARKABLE IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN DOWN THERE.

IT IS BASICALLY A LARGE CONCRETE CHANNEL, WITH MAYBE A THREAD OF LEFT-OVER SEWAGE WATER OR SOMETHING RUNNING IT IN.

IT IS REALLY DEGRADING AND NO CORRIDOR OF TREES AROUND IT.

IT IS JUST A FUTURISTIC, CONCRETE, POST APOCALYPSE DITCH.

VERSUS HERE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A CORRIDOR OF COTTONWOOD AND WILLOW TREES AND GRASSLAND AND A FLOWING RIVER.

IT IS QUITE DIFFERENT.

HARD TO GO BACK.

YOU CAN'T SORT OF GO BACK TO -- A PLACE LIKE EL PASO, YOU CAN'T ALL OF A SUDDEN RESTORE THAT RIVER DOWN THERE.

ONCE IT IS GONE.

IT IS GONE.

>> Laura: IN NEW MEXICO OUR RIVERS HAVE TAKEN CARE OF US FOR CENTURIES, FOREVER AND IF WE WANT TO KEEP THEM, IT IS TIME FOR US TO BE GIVING BACK.

FOR OUR LAND AND NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, I AM LAURA PASKUS.

Gene: DON'T FORGET NEXT WEEK WE START OUR CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS WITH RACE FOR GOVERNOR, THE RACE FOR NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT AND OUR THREE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AS WELL.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK IN FOCUS.

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