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

>> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS, 150 DWI CASES AND COUNTING DISMISSED UNDER  THE CLOUD OF A FEDERAL  CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION INTO ALBUQUERQUE COPS AND AT LEAST  ONE PROMINENT LOCAL ATTORNEY.

>> Bregman: I AM SICK TO MY  STOMACH ABOUT THE IDEA OF DISMISSING THAT MANY DWI  CASES.

>> Lou: AND A NEW LAWSUIT  CLAIMS THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN VIOLATING RESIDENTS'  CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT FOR DECADES.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO.

LAST SUMMER FRONT LINE INDIGENOUS AND YOUTH  PLAINTIFFS FILED A CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE OF  NEW MEXICO CLAIMING OFFICIALS LACK OF ACTION TO ENFORCE  ANTIPOLLUTION LAWS ON OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION HAS VIOLATED  PEOPLES' RIGHTS UNDER THE NEW MEXICO CONSTITUTION.

OUR LANDS, LAURA PASKUS, HOSTS A THREE-PART ROUNDTABLE  DISCUSSION EXPLORING WHY THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED AND HOW  LAWMAKERS CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THESE CONCERNS DURING THIS  YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THEN IN THE SECOND HALF OF  TODAY'S SHOW WE CATCH UP WITH CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND  AT THE ROUNDHOUSE.

IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES GWYNETH  SPEAKS WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PETER WIRTH AND HOUSE  SPEAKER JAVIER MARTINEZ ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN MOVING THROUGH  CHAMBERS THE PAST WEEK AND WHAT ISSUES STATE DEMOCRATS  WILL PRIORITIZE.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE FBI  INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE CORRUPTION AT THE ALBUQUERQUE  POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS ROCKED THE CITY.

LAST WEEK, FEDERAL AGENTS RAIDED THE HOMES OF SEVERAL  APD OFFICERS, MOST OF THEM ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENT'S  DWI UNIT.

THEY ALSO KICKED IN THE DOORS  AT THE HOME AND OFFICES OF A WELL-KNOWN CRIMINAL DEFENSE  ATTORNEY WHO SPECIALIZES IN DRUNKEN DRIVING CASES AND HIS  PARALEGAL.

THE FEDS HAVEN'T SAID A WORD  ABOUT THE CASE SINCE IT SPILLED INTO PUBLIC VIEW A  WEEK AGO AND POLICE OFFICIALS JUST STARTED TALKING PUBLICLY  ABOUT IT FOUR DAYS AGO.

HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW.

FOUR COPS ARE ON PAID LEAVE AND ANOTHER HAS BEEN  REASSIGNED WHILE FBI LEADS THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND APD  BRASS DIGS INTO WHETHER ANY OF THE OFFICERS CONDUCT VIOLATED  DEPARTMENT POLICY.

WE WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT NO  ONE, NEITHER THE POLICE OFFICERS POTENTIALLY  IMPLICATED NOR THE ATTORNEY OR HIS PARALEGAL HAS BEEN CHARGED  WITH A CRIME IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CASE.

THAT IS AS OF A RECORDING ON THURSDAY.

IT APPEARS THE FEDS EXECUTED SEVERAL SEARCH WARRANTS BUT  THOSE DOCUMENTS ARE NOT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.

OFFICIALS WHO HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE GROWING SCANDAL HAVE  DONE SO CAREFULLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO EVEN KNOW EXACTLY  WHAT IS ALLEGED BUT THROUGH CALLS WE MADE AND REPORTING  FROM OTHER NEWS OUTLETS, IT APPEARS THE FEDS ARE LOOKING  INTO WHETHER COPS TAKING PAYMENTS FROM DEFENSE  ATTORNEYS WERE COOPERATING TO GET DWI CASES DISMISSED.

ON MONDAY MIGHT, CITY COUNCILORS GRILLED  REPRESENTATIVES FROM MAYOR TIM KELLER'S ADMINISTRATION ABOUT  THE INVESTIGATION AND WHY THEY LEARNED ABOUT IT FROM NEWS  REPORTS.

TAKE A LISTEN TO THE CITY'S  CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, SAMANTHA SENGEL, DROPPING WHAT  WAS, AS OF MONDAY, IN THIS FAST MOVING STORY, A BIT OF A  BOMBSHELL.

>> SENGEL: IT IS BIGGER THAN  APD AND SO WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT IT COMES DOWN  TO A HANDFUL OF OFFICERS AND THAT IT GOES BACK MORE THAN A  DECADE BUT SINCE IT IS AN ONGOING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION,  WE REALLY ARE IN A POSITION THAT WE CAN'T DISCUSS MORE  DETAILS AT THIS POINT.

>> Lou: LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, WE  ARE WAITING TO HEAR MORE FROM CITY HALL AND THE U.S.

ATTORNEYS OFFICE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND SCOPE OF THE  ALLEGED CORRUPTION, BUT IT HAS ALREADY OPENED UP A CRATER IN  THE LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAM BREGMAN HAS DISMISSED MORE THAN 150  DWI CASES SINCE NEWS OF THE FEDERAL RAIDS BROKE.

BREGMAN HAS, INDEED -- BREGMAN HASN'T DETAILED THE PROCESS  BUT HE HAS SAID SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE MOVE AMOUNTED TO A  GUT PUNCH AND THAT IT MADE HIM, QUOTE, SICK TO HIS  STOMACH.

DESPITE THOSE FEELINGS, HE  SAID THAT HE HAS HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DROP THE CASES.

THIS WEEK IN AN INTERVIEW YOU'LL ONLY SEE HERE ON NMPBS,  BREGMAN STOPPED BY OUR STUDIO AND WHILE HE REFUSED TO ANSWER  SOME OF THE QUESTIONS, THE DA DID RESPOND TO CONCERNS FROM  RESIDENTS IN A STATE THAT HAS BEEN TROUBLED BY DRUNK DRIVERS  FOR DECADES.

>> Lou: DISTRICT ATTORNEY  BREGMAN, I NEED TO ASK YOU ABOUT NEWS THAT RECENTLY BROKE  LATE LAST WEEK SURROUNDING WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FEDERAL  INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION WITHIN APD AND AT LEAST ONE  PROMINENT CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CONCERNING DWI CASES.

CAN YOU TELL US FIRST WHEN YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE  INVESTIGATION AND WHAT SPECIFICALLY YOU WERE TOLD?

>> Bregman: SO, IT IS A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.

IT IS AN ONGOING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.

AND AT THE REQUEST AND IN DEFERENCE TO THE U.S.

ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND ITS FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, I AM  NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT ANY SPECIFICS OF THIS MATTER.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS.

I DON'T TAKE IT LIGHTLY  DISMISSING 150 SOME DWI CASES.

BUT AS A PROSECUTOR WE HAVE  CERTAIN ETHICS THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING IN  THIS INSTANCE.

I AM SICK TO MY STOMACH ABOUT  THE IDEA OF DISMISSING THAT MANY DWI CASES BUT AT THE SAME  TIME I RECOGNIZE THAT ONE OF MY MOST IMPORTANT ROLES AS A  DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM  CONTINUES TO HAVE CREDIBILITY, THAT MY OFFICE CONTINUES TO  HAVE CREDIBILITY, BECAUSE WITHOUT CREDIBILITY, THEN OUR  JUSTICE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK.

SO, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE --  EVERYBODY, I THINK, IS SICK TO THEIR STOMACH PROBABLY THAT  HEARS ABOUT 150 DWI CASES BEING DISMISSED, BUT I ALSO  KNOW IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO PURSUANT TO MY ETHICS THAT  I AM REQUIRED TO HAVE AS A PROSECUTOR.

THIS WASN'T AN EASY DECISION BUT IT WAS DECISION I HAD NO  CHOICE ABOUT.

>> Lou: IF YOU CAN'T SPEAK  SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS CASE CAN YOU JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT  PROCESS WISE IN A SCENARIO LIKE THIS, HOW DO YOU DECIDE  WHICH CASES NEED TO BE DISMISSED?

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA THERE?

>> Bregman: I AM NOT GOING TO  GET INTO SPECIFICS.

WELL, ON ANY CASE -- I'LL TELL  YOU THIS IN A VERY BROAD, GENERAL WAY, THAT THIS DOES  NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO OR DOES OR DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING  TO DO -- I AM NOT TRYING TO IMPLY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AS  FAR AS THIS ONGOING FEDERAL VEHICLES.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU IN GENERAL THAT PROSECUTORS HAVE A DUTY  TO PROVE ANY CRIMINAL CHARGE AGAINST THE DEFENDANT BEYOND A  REASONABLE DOUBT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS A  REQUIREMENT THAT WE WELCOME AS PROSECUTORS.

THAT IS THE WAY OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM DOES AND SHOULD WORK.

AT THE SAME TIME PART OF THAT JOB, TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL,  IS TO PRESENT EVIDENCE THAT IS CREDIBLE, TO PRESENT WITNESSES  THAT IS CREDIBLE, TO PUT UP WITNESSES THAT WE BELIEVE ARE  GOING TO BE CREDIBLE AND TELL THE TRUTH.

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

I'LL JUST SAY, DWI CASES, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE VERY WITNESS --  THE CREDIBILITY OF THE WITNESS IS EVERYTHING FOR THE JUDGE OR  THE JURY TO HEAR.

SO, BASICALLY, I'LL LEAVE IT  AT THAT FOR RIGHT NOW.

>> Lou: IF THE WITNESS IS NOT  CREDIBLE AND YOU WERE AWARE OF THAT OR COULD BE AWARE OF  THAT, THEN THE CASE ESSENTIALLY PROBABLY WON'T  MOVE FORWARD.

>> Bregman: HYPOTHETICALLY,  THAT IS ABSOLUTELY -- WE CANNOT, AS PROSECUTORS, PUT  FORTH A CASE THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE IN OURSELVES, THAT WE  DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS -- THAT WE HAVE A GOOD FAITH BELIEF  BASIS TO BELIEVE THAT THE EVIDENCE, THE WITNESSES ARE  ALL CREDIBLE AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROVE IT BEYOND A  REASONABLE DOUBT.

IF WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT, THEN  WE DON'T PROSECUTE.

>> Lou: STICKING ON THIS FOR  JUST A MINUTE.

THE CITY'S CHIEF  ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TOLD CITY COUNCIL LAST NIGHT THAT  ALLEGATIONS IN THIS PARTICULAR SCENARIO INVOLVE A HANDFUL OF  OFFICERS AND CASES GO BACK MORE THAN A DECADE.

YOU HAVE DISMISSED 156 CASES AT THIS COUNT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA IF THAT LIST IS GOING TO GROW?

>> Bregman: I AM NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON IT.

>> Lou: NOW, HIGH DISMISSAL RIGHTS FOR DWI CASES IN  BERNALILLO COUNTY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE FOR DECADES.

SEVERAL REFORMS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE EARLY 2010 TO MAKE  SURE OFFICERS DO SHOW UP TO COURT SO THAT THE CASES AREN'T  THROWN OUT.

PART OF THAT SAFETY NET  INVOLVES COMMUNICATION BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AND APD.

IF THIS IS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, WHY WEREN'T APD AND YOUR  OFFICE NOTICING WHAT APPEAR NOW TO BE REPEATED FAILURES BY  CERTAIN OFFICERS TO APPEAR RESULTING IN THESE DISMISSED  CASES.

>> Bregman: UNFORTUNATELY, I  APPRECIATE AND RESPECT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE ASKING THE  QUESTIONS ALONG THESE LINES BUT I DON'T FEEL AT LIBERTY  THAT I CAN DISCUSS WHAT OR WHAT WE DIDN'T KNOW, WHEN WE  KNEW IT.

SO I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT  RIGHT NOW.

I AM SORRY, BUT IT IS AN  ONGOING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION AND THE REASON I DON'T WANT TO  COMMENT IS NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE REQUESTED ME NOT TO  COMMENT ON ANY DETAILS, BUT, ALSO, I DON'T WANT TO DO  ANYTHING TO COMPROMISE THE INVESTIGATION THAT IS GOING ON  RIGHT NOW.

>> Lou: NOW, YOU HAVE SPOKEN  TO THIS A BIT BEFORE, BUT I'LL END HERE.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE UPSET BY THESE DISMISSALS REGARDLESS  OF THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY OR WHAT PLAYS INTO THAT,  ESPECIALLY IN THIS STATE WHERE DRUNK DRIVING HAS BEEN SUCH AN  ISSUE FOR SO MANY YEARS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO  RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE WHO DRIVE HERE ABOUT THAT.

>> Bregman: SO, HOPEFULLY ANYBODY THAT HAS DONE ANYTHING  WRONG IS GOING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT IS NO.

1.

WHETHER OR NOT IT IS JOE SMITH  CIVILIAN OUT THERE OR WHETHER OR NOT IT IS A POLICE OFFICER,  WHETHER OR NOT IT IS A LAWYER, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS ANYBODY  IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, I SINCERELY HOPE AND BELIEVE  THAT PEOPLE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE  FOR ANY CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.

AT THE SAME TIME, DWI IS A  TERRIBLE PROBLEM.

IT HAS BEEN FOR YEARS.

FOR DECADES IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND, YEAH, I AM SICK TO MY  STOMACH ABOUT HAVING TO DISMISS THEM, BUT IN THE LONG  RUN WE WANT GOOD DWI CASES AND WE HAVE TO DO JUSTICE.

AND JUSTICE SOMETIMES MEANS DOING SOMETHING THAT ISN'T  POPULAR IN THE SHORT TERM TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE LONG-TERM  GAINS OF HAVING A SYSTEM THAT REALLY DOES WORK.

AND THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE FAITH IN AND THAT IS REALLY  IMPORTANT.

>> Lou: DISTRICT ATTORNEY, SAM  BREGMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE ON NEW MEXICO  IN FOCUS.

>> Bregman: THANK YOU.

>> Lou: NEXT WEEK ON THE SHOW I'LL SIT WITH DA BREGMAN FOR  PART 2 OF MY INTERVIEW WHEN I ASK HIM ABOUT HIS SUPPORT TO A  CHANGE TO THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION SYSTEM THAT WILL  REQUIRE DEFENDANTS TO PROVE THEY AREN'T A DANGER TO THE  PUBLIC IN ORDERS TO BE RELEASED AHEAD OF TRIAL.

NOW, IN 1971, NEW MEXICO VOTERS ADDED A PROVISION TO  THE STATE CONSTITUTION PRIORITIZING THE PROTECTION OF  OUR, QUOTE, BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT, END  QUOTE.

BUT SOME PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN  THE STATE'S OIL AND GAS PRODUCING REGIONS ARE SUING,  SAYING THAT THE STATE HAS VIOLATED THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL  AND FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS TO CLEAN AIR, LAND AND WATER.

TONIGHT OUR LAND SENIOR PRODUCER LAURA PASKUS LEADS A  ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH TWO PLAINTIFFS IN THAT LAWSUIT AND  THE ATTORNEY WHO REPRESENTS THEM ABOUT THE FIRST OF ITS  KIND LITIGATION.

WE'LL ALSO TALK ABOUT THE  POSSIBILITY OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY REFORM IN THE NEW  MEXICO STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> Laura: THANKS LOU.

JOINING ME AROUND THE TABLE FOR THIS THREE-PART  CONVERSATION, WE HAVE GOT JOZEE ZUNIGA, WITH YOUTH  UNITED FOR CLIMATE CRISIS ACTION, DANIEL TSO, FORMER  TRIBAL COUNCIL DELEGATE FOR THE NAVAJO NATION AND GAIL  EVANS, SENIOR ATTORNEY WITH THE CLIMATE LAW INSTITUTE AT  THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE  TODAY.

>> ZUNIGA: THANK YOU FOR  HAVING US.

>> Laura: SO IN 1971 WHEN THE  U.S. CONGRESS WAS PASSING ALL KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL  LEGISLATION, CLEAN WATER, CLEAN ARE ACT, THE ENDANGERED  SPECIES ACT, NEW MEXICO VOTERS ADDED A PROVISION TO THE STATE  CONSTITUTION AND I AM JUST GOING TO READ IT REAL QUICK.

(ON SCREEN TRANSCRIPTION) >> Laura: IT IS HARDLY POETIC BUT IT IS A REALLY LOVELY SENTIMENT.

GAIL, I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH YOU.

LAST YEAR NEW MEXICO LAWS FILED A LAWSUIT DEMANDING THE  STATE COMPLY WITH THIS PROVISION.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING AND HOW DID THE STATE RESPOND?

>> Evans: SO, NEW MEXICO LAWS ACTUALLY STANDS FOR NEW MEXICO  LAND, AIR, WATER AND THE SACRED WHICH WAS A NAME THAT  WAS ACTUALLY GIVEN TO OUR GROUP BY DANIEL TSO AND THAT  IS A GROUP OF INDIGENOUS FRONT LINE AND YOUTH AND SOME  ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO  HOLD THE STATE ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY THAT  YOU JUST MENTIONED.

SO IT IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A  NICE SENTIMENT.

IT IS ACTUALLY A  CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION.

SO BEFORE THE VOTERS VOTED TO  AMEND OUR CONSTITUTION AND ADD THIS POLLUTION CONTROL CLAUSE,  THE STATE ALREADY HAD THE POWER TO PASS LAWS AND DO  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

BUT ONCE OUR VOTERS CHOSE TO  AMEND THE CONSTITUTION, IT BECAME MORE THAN JUST LIKE AN  AUTHORITY TO DO SOMETHING.

IT BECAME A CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY  TO DO SOMETHING.

AND GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF OIL  AND GAS PRODUCTION AND POLLUTION THAT WE HAVE IN OUR  STATE NOW, WE HAVE AN OIL AND GAS POLLUTION CRISIS.

AND THE STATE ISN'T FULFILLING ITS DUTY THAT YOU JUST READ IN  THIS CONSTITUTION TO CONTROL POLLUTION.

IT SAYS THAT THE STATE SHALL CONTROL POLLUTION.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN COMMUNITIES WITH  HEAVY OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION, THE STATE IS SIMPLY FAILING TO  FULFILL THIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY AND THAT IS WHERE NM LAWS  CAME TOGETHER, INDIGENOUS FRONT LINE AND YOUTH CAME  TOGETHER TO HOLD THE STATE ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS DUTY.

>> Laura: SO, DANIEL, YOU LIVE IN THE SAN JUAN BASIN IN  NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE IMPACTS  THAT YOU SEE OF OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT AND HOW IT AFFECTS  THE LAND, THE AIR, THE PEOPLE?

>> Tso: YES, LAURA.

I GUESS THE MAIN THING YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IS THE  NAVAJOS WHO LIVE IN THE EASTERN NAVAJO AGENCY OF NEW  MEXICO, THE FAR EAST PART, WE HAVE ALLOTMENTS AND IN THAT  ASPECT, THEN, MY SIBLINGS AND I, THERE ARE SIX REMAINING, WE  HAVE SHARES IN ALLOTMENTS AND THROUGH THE MAJORITY APPROVAL  OF THE OTHER SHAREHOLDERS, THEN OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT  IS ON THOSE ALLOTMENTS.

WHAT I SEE IS, NO.

1, THE  HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC.

AND THE DUST THAT IS RAISED.

RELATIVES, GRANDMOTHERS FIRST BROUGHT IT TO OUR ATTENTION  THAT WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

AND SO THAT IS WHERE WE BECAME  INVOLVED AND BASICALLY TRIED TO WORK WITH THE STATE  AGENCIES AND BASICALLY THE OIL CONSERVATION DIVISION.

THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT JUST WOULDN'T LISTEN, WOULDN'T  TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HEAVY IMPACTS.

I CALLED IT TSUNAMI OF OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT THAT TOOK OVER  PARTS OF SAN JUAN COUNTY AND SANDOVAL COUNTY.

AND IT HAS REALLY BEEN HARMFUL.

IT IMPACTS THE DIRT.

THE ROADS ARE ALL DIRT ROADS,  THE HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC RAISES DUST.

I HAVE HAD RELATIVES INVITE ME INTO THEIR KITCHEN AND  BASICALLY ONE OF THEIR GENTLEMEN SAYS, LAST NIGHT I  WIPED THE TABLES AND, LOOK, I HAVE DUST ON THE TABLE AGAIN.

IT IS AFFECTING -- I AM BREATHING IT IN IS WHAT HE  BASICALLY SAYS.

I AM HERE TO TAKE CARE OF MY  AUNT AND MY MOTHER AND THEY ARE WITHOUT WATER AND  ELECTRICITY AND SO THOSE ASPECTS, THAT REALLY HITS  HOME.

ANOTHER GRANDMOTHER BASICALLY  SAYS, I WOULD HAVE NEVER SIGNED THE LEASE IF I KNEW  THIS TRUCK TRAFFIC IS 24/7.

I GET NOTES FROM MY  GRANDCHILDREN, TEACHERS, SAYING HOW COME THIS  GRANDCHILD IS FALLING ASLEEP?

IT IS BECAUSE IT IS THE 24/7  NOISE FROM THE DRILLING, FROM THE TRUCK TRAFFIC AND SO THAT  IS BASICALLY HOW I HAD A MESSAGE TO STAND UP AND SPEAK  FOR THE PEOPLE.

SINCE THEN, THAT IS WHAT WE  HAVE DONE AND SO THAT IS -- AND, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THE  LAWS OF NEW MEXICO, BASICALLY INTERTWINES WITH THE MINERAL  LEASING ACT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND OIL CONSERVATION DIVISION HAS A STEP IN THERE THAT  APPROVES THE UNIT AGREEMENTS TO AUTHORIZE THE NUMBER OF  ACRES THAT WOULD BE IN A UNIT, THE NUMBER OF WELLS THAT WOULD  BE IN A UNIT AND THE DIRECTION OF THOSE HORIZONTAL  DEVELOPMENTS.

SO IT IS REALLY DIFFERENT.

ONE GRANDMOTHER BASICALLY TOLD ME, I WISH I WOULD HAVE NEVER  SIGNED IT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS THE OLD STYLE  VERTICAL UP AND DOWN.

I THOUGHT ABOUT THE JOHN WAYNE  MOVIES WHERE THEY STRIKE OIL AND EVERYBODY IS GETTING WET  WITH THE OIL.

THIS IS DIFFERENT.

WAY DIFFERENT.

IT IS HYDRAULIC FRACTURING AND  THE IMPACT IS ON THE LAND, AFFECTS THE AIR QUALITY AND  USES MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF PRECIOUS RESOURCE AND IT IS  DEVASTATING THE LANDSCAPE.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE PART  OF THE REASON I AM PART OF THE NEW MEXICO LAWS GROUP ASKING  THE COURTS TO ADDRESS THIS MANDATE THAT THE CITIZENS OF  NEW MEXICO PUT INTO THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Laura: THANK YOU, DANIEL.

JOZEE YOU LIVE IN THE GREATER  CARLSBAD AREA.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR NEW  MEXICANS WHO MAYBE DON'T VISIT OR DON'T LIVE IN THAT AREA,  WHAT IS THE DEVELOPMENT LIKE WHERE YOU LIVE?

>> ZUNIGA: THANK YOU, LAURA.

I LIVE IN THE CARLSBAD AREA.

I GREW UP ON THE OUT SQUIRTS OF CARLSBAD IN AN AREA KNOWN  AS OTIS.

GROWING UP, OTIS WAS REALLY  ONLY FARMLANDS.

THERE WERE MILES AND MILES OF  BEAUTIFUL FIELDS, CATTLE GRAZING EVERYWHERE.

IT WAS QUIET.

I REMEMBER GROWING UP TO  STARRY SKIES AND CLEAR MORNINGS AND FROM OUR BACK  YARD YOU CAN SEE THE GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS IN THE MIST AND I  THINK IT WAS A REALLY BEAUTIFUL WAY TO GROW UP.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL.

NOW ONE THING I ALWAYS WANT TO  ACKNOWLEDGE IS THE PERMIAN BASIN IN CARLSBAD HAS ALWAYS  BEEN AN OIL HUB, BUT IN THESE LAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE REALLY  SEEN PRODUCTION DOUBLE AND INCREASE, SO, YOU KNOW, WHERE  THERE WOULD BE A FEW SITES KIND OF ON THE OUT SQUIRTS OF  TOWN, SITES HAVE BEGUN PUSHING INTO TOWN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE PERMIAN BASIN AND ESPECIALLY THOSE OF  US LIVING ON THE OUT SQUIRTS OF THE CITY LIVE WITH THINGS  LIKE FLARES AND FRACKING SITES OUTSIDE OF OUR HOMES.

MY GRANDMOTHER HAS NOT ONE BUT SIX NATURAL GAS PIPELINES  RUNNING THROUGH THE BACK YARD OF HER HOME, OF OUR HOME, AND  RIGHT NOW WE ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF, AS WE HAVE SPOKEN  ABOUT TODAY, TRUCK TRAFFIC.

WE ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF  DIRT, A LOT OF AIR POLLUTION AND IT HAS BECOME VERY  CONCERNING THE WAY THE AIR POLLUTION HAS CLIMBED IN  RECENT YEARS IN THE PERMIAN BASIN.

SOMETHING I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH  CRISIS.

WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF UPPER  RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND ESPECIALLY IN SCHOOL CHILDREN.

WE ARE SEEING SUCH HIGH ASTHMA RATES NOT ONLY AM I AFRAID BUT  I AM HONESTLY ASTOUNDED THAT THIS HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO GO ON  FOR SO LONG.

SO WE HAVE THESE WONDERFUL  PIECES IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT COULD REALLY HELP US AND  IT IS NOT ABOUT TODAY AND TOMORROW, IT IS ABOUT THE  FUTURE.

AND PROGRESSING AS A SOCIETY  WHERE CHILDREN ARE SICK EVERYDAY, WHERE CHILDREN NON  STOP RELY ON THESE INHALERS BECAUSE THESE OIL AND GAS  FACILITIES ARE ALLOWED RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THEIR SCHOOLS.

THERE IS FLARES JUST UP THE HILL TO SOME OF THESE SCHOOLS  AND THAT IS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE IT IS NOT RIGHT AND IT  IS NOT OKAY AND I THINK WE NEED TO SEE A LOT OF SETBACKS.

SOMETHING I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS THE OZONE  LIMITS.

THE EPA HAS SET LIKE A LEGAL  LIMIT FOR OZONE DAYS THAT AREAS ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE.

SO, I BELIEVE THE LIMIT IS THREE TO FOUR DAYS WITHIN ONE  YEAR FOR OZONE DAYS.

I HAVE BEEN HELPING WITH AN  AIR QUALITY PROJECT IN THE PERMIAN BASIN AND WE ARE  SEEING THREE TO FOUR OZONE DAYS A WEEK FOR SEVERAL  CONSECUTIVE WEEKS FOR ALMOST A YEAR WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON  THIS PROJECT.

>> Laura: WE NEED TO TAKE A  QUICK BREAK BUT WE WILL BE BACK IN 15 MINUTES.

>> Martinez: I AM SOMEBODY WHO HAS LIVED IN ALBUQUERQUE.

I HAVE LIVED IN ALBUQUERQUE FOR A MAJORITY OF MY LIFE.

I GREW UP IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT.

I SEE FIRST HAND DAY-TO-DAY THE IMPACT OF DRUGS, CRIME,  DESPAIR, HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I TAKE THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY PACKAGE VERY SERIOUSLY.

I KNOW MY CAUCUS DOES AS WELL AND I KNOW THE CHAMBER IN  GENERAL DOES AS WELL.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO START TO  SEE SOME OF THOSE BILLS START TO MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> Laura: GWYNETH DOLAND'S WEEKLY REPORT INSIDE THE  ROUNDHOUSE IS COMING UP IN A LITTLE OVER 10 MINUTES.

IN 1971 VOTERS BELIEVED THAT A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT WAS  IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO ENSHRINE IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND  FOR DECADES SCIENTIST HAVE BEEN TELLING US TO AVOID  CATASTROPHIC CLIMATE CHANGE WE NEED TO CUT GREENHOUSE GASES  IMMEDIATELY.

YET, NEW MEXICO IS PRODUCING A  RECORD AMOUNT OF OIL AND GAS, 10 TIMES WHAT WE WERE EVEN  JUST IN 2010.

DANIEL, AS AN ELDER, WHY DO  YOU THINK WE JUST DON'T DO THE THINGS THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO  DO?

>> Tso: I GUESS IT IS JUST THE  CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY OF SOCIETY.

ON THE ONE ASPECT, PART OF THE CITIZENS JUST HAS ONE HOUSE,  AND OTHER HAVE FOUR HOUSES HERE AND THERE RATHER THAN  JUST KEEPING THE ONE HOUSE.

THEN THE ASPECT OF CHASING THE  ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.

IN THE NAVAJO PERSPECTIVE, YOU  ONLY USE WHAT YOU NEED.

AND THAT IS THE BASIS, YOU  KNOW, A LOT OF THE FOLKS IN THE EASTERN AGENCY, YOU KNOW,  THEY HAVE TAKEN ON A PASTORAL LIFE-STYLE RAISING SHEEP AND  GOATS AND CATTLE.

AND NOT TO HAVE THE PURSUIT IN  THE NAVAJO LENS, USE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED, YOU ARE THE STEWARDS  OF THE LAND.

WATER IS LIFE, AIR IS LIFE.

THE LAND IS OUR MOTHER.

MOTHER EARTH.

AND THE SACRED PLACES WHERE WATER SEEPS OUT OF THE MESA,  SPRINGS, THOSE ARE SACRED PLACES.

AND SO, THOSE ARE THE ASPECTS THAT NAVAJO AND INDIGENOUS  PEOPLE HOLD CLOSELY TO GUIDE THEM.

AND AGAIN PART OF THE ASPECT THAT WE TAUGHT MAKE SURE  DON'T LET THE FIRE BURN OUT.

DON'T LOSE THE LANGUAGE.

DON'T LOSE THE CULTURE AND THOSE ARE THE ASPECTS THAT  REALLY IN THE NAVAJO SYMBOLISM, THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

KEEP THE FIRE GOING.

BECAUSE AS YOUNG FOLKS, WHEN  PARENTS WENT OFF TO TOWN, THE YOUNG FOLKS WERE TOLD, KEEP  THAT FIRE GOING IN THE HOGAN.

AND THAT IS A REAL LIFE  TEACHING MOMENT AND SO THOSE ARE THE ASPECTS THAT REALLY  KEEPS THE CULTURE AND THE LANGUAGE GOING AND KEEPS THE  LIFE WAYS GOING.

>> Laura: I WAS REALLY  INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH PERMIAN  BASIN AND I JUST WANTED TO ASK, I FEEL LIKE WHEN WE HEAR  FROM LEGISLATORS, WHEN WE READ THE NEWSPAPER, IT SEEMS LIKE  PEOPLE IN THE CARLSBAD AREA ARE MONOLITHICALLY SUPPORTIVE  OF THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

IS THAT NOT NECESSARILY THE  CASE IN THAT REGION?

>> ZUNIGA: WELL, I CERTAINLY  THINK THAT OIL AND GAS HAS REALLY BECOME A CULTURE PIECE  IN THAT AREAS AND I THINK IN A LOT OF THE SURROUNDING AREAS  OF THE PERMIAN BASIN, SUCH AS ARTESIA AND HOBBS,  IT IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, A CULTURE, KIND OF  SOMETHING THAT, OF COURSE, THEY RELY ON SO IT HAS BECOME  VERY ENGRAINED IN EVERYDAY LIVES BECAUSE OIL AND GAS  COMES IN AND THEY SPONSOR A LOT OF THINGS.

THEY SPONSOR EVERYTHING DOWN TO THE SCHOOLS TO SIMPLY LIKE  THE LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS AND I FIND THAT VERY INTERESTING,  YOU KNOW, THAT IT IS SUCH A CULTURE AT THIS POINT.

BUT, I THINK WHEN PEOPLE COME TO SPEAK FOR THE PERMIAN  BASIN, WE HEAR FROM THESE LEGISLATORS, WE HEAR FROM  PRESIDENTS, CEO'S AND I THINK THEY ARE TALKING FROM PERSONAL  INTEREST.

WE DON'T VERY OFTEN GET TO  HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH THESE THINGS  OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES BECAUSE IN THE ORGANIZING WORK THAT I  HAVE DONE SO FAR, I HAVE SPOKEN TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE  TRULY, TRULY SUFFERING.

WE ARE STARTING TO GET A LOT  OF EARTHQUAKES OUT THERE, BECAUSE FRACKING IS CAUSING  EARTHQUAKES.

AND WITH AN INCREASE OF  EARTHQUAKES, YOU KNOW, THAT IS SCARY AND NOT ONLY EARTHQUAKES  BUT SINK HOLES.

THERE IS A LOT OF SINK HOLES IN THE CARLSBAD AREA BECAUSE  CARLSBAD IS OVER KARST TERRAIN, MEANING THERE ARE A  LOT OF CAVES IN THE AREA.

MEANING IT IS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE  TO SINK HOLES.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS  LIKE THAT THAT WE DON'T REALLY GET TO HEAR ABOUT WHEN PEOPLE  COME TO REPRESENT CARLSBAD.

>> Laura: SO, GAIL, THIS  LAWSUIT IS REALLY INNOVATIVE.

NOBODY HAS EVER CHALLENGED THE  STATE FOR NOT ABIDING BY THIS PROVISION.

YOU WERE ALSO THE LEAD ATTORNEY ON THE YAZZIE  MARTINEZ CASE.

CAN YOU GIVE US A THUMBNAIL OF  THAT CASE AND THEN KIND OF THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES  BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> Evans: YEAH, SO, IN THE  YAZZIE CASE WHAT THE COURT FOUND WAS THAT THE STATE HAS A  CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO ACT, TO PUT IN PLACE A SYSTEM OF  EDUCATION THAT IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.

LIKEWISE UNDER THE POLLUTION CONTROL CLAUSE, THE STATE HAS  A POSITIVE DUTY TO ACT AND TO PUT IN PLACE A SYSTEM OF  POLLUTION CONTROL THAT WORKS FOR THE BENEFIT, FOR THE  MAXIMUM BENEFIT OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE.

AND I THINK BOTH JOZEE AND DANIEL TALKING ABOUT A TSUNAMI  OF PRODUCTION AND JOZEE POINTING OUT THAT UNDER THIS  CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, OIL PRODUCTION HAS DOUBLED.

CLIMATE LEADERS DON'T FRACT.

AND CLIMATE LEADERS DON'T  OVERSEE A MASSIVE INCREASE IN OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION.

CLIMATE LEADERS FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND SAY WE NEED TO BE  PHASING OUT OIL AND GAS, RIGHT.

AND, I THINK OUR STATE IS SO RELIANT ON THE MONEY FROM OIL  AND GAS AND WE TALK SO MUCH ABOUT THAT MONEY, THAT WE  DON'T TALK ABOUT THE HARM, THE POLLUTION THAT COMES WITH THAT  OIL AND GAS MONEY AND PRODUCTION.

SO, WE REALLY HAVE TO TURN TO OUR CONSTITUTION WHICH IS THE  FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF THE LAND, OF OUR STATE, AND HOLD THE  STATE ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS POSITIVE DUTY TO STEP UP TO  THE PLATE AND PUT SOME REAL CONTROLS TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC  HEALTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

>> Laura: YOUNG PEOPLE IN  MONTANA HAD SUED THE STATE OVER A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO  A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND THEY WON THAT CASE, RIGHT?

WHAT HAS CHANGED IN MONTANA?

>> Evans: WELL, I KNOW NOW  THAT IN MONTANA WITH THE COURT'S RULING, WHICH IS  BASICALLY SAYING THAT THE STATE IN MONTANA NOW HAVE TO  CONSIDER CLIMATE IMPACTS FROM ITS ENERGY PRODUCTION.

THAT THERE ARE NOW THINGS HAPPENING IN STATE POLITICS TO  SORT OF SHIFT THAT LAW AND TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR HERE IS  ESSENTIALLY, AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE YAZZIE CASE,  RIGHT.

ONCE THE COURT RULES THAT THE  STATE HAS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY AND THE STATE IS NOT  FULFILLING ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY, THE WORK TURNS BACK TO  THE POLITICAL BRANCHES, TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE, EXECUTIVE  BRANCH, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES TO THE LEGISLATIVE  BRANCH, TO THEN STEP UP AND DO THEIR WORK TO CONTROL  POLLUTION.

AND WE ARE ASKING THE COURT,  JUST LIKE IN THE YAZZIE CASE TO MAINTAIN WHAT IS CALLED  JURISDICTION, TO MAINTAIN AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THAT THOSE  OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT COMPLY WITH THEIR  CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY.

THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN  MONTANA NOW.

>> Laura: IN OUR NEXT SEGMENT,  WE ARE GOING TO TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE  LEGISLATURE.

I AM JUST CURIOUS HOW DID THE  NEW MEXICO STATE GOVERNMENT RESPOND TO YOUR LAWSUIT?

>> Evans: THEY RESPONDED THE WAY WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD.

THEY RESPONDED AND SAID THIS IS A POLITICAL QUESTION.

IT DOESN'T BELONG IN THE COURTS.

GO BACK TO THE POLITICAL BRANCHES AND FIGHT THERE FOR  WHAT YOU NEED.

OUR RESPONSE TO THAT IS THAT,  NO, IN FACT, THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION AND IT  IS A BASIC TENET OF OUR THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, OF OUR  DEMOCRACY THAT THE COURT HAS THE AUTHORITY AND THE DUTY TO  INTERPRET AND TO ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THAT IS WHAT THE PLAINTIFFS IN THIS CASE ARE  ASKING THE COURT TO DO.

>> Laura: THANK YOU ALL.

WE NEED TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK, WE'LL BE BACK IN 15 MINUTES TO  TALK ABOUT OIL AND GAS REFORM IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Lou: WE'LL GET BACK TO LAURA'S FINAL PANEL DISCUSSION  IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, BUT RIGHT NOW WE ARE HEADED INSIDE  THE ROUNDHOUSE FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF THIS YEAR'S 30-DAY  SESSION.

LEGISLATION IS SLOWLY STARTING  TO MOVE THROUGH THE CAPITOL, AS DEMOCRATIC LEADERS GET A  HANDLE ON WHAT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA COULD BE  VIABLE IN THEIR CHAMBERS.

THIS WEEK, CORRESPONDENT  GWYNETH DOLAND SPEAKS WITH HOUSE SPEAKER JAVIER MARTINEZ  AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PETER WIRTH FOR AN UPDATE ON  THE BILLS IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> Gwyneth: SPEAKER MARTINEZ,  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> Martinez: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Gwyneth: THE GOVERNOR WANTS SOME CHANGES TO THE STATE'S  RED FLAG LAW MAKING IT EASIER TO TAKE GUNS AWAY FROM PEOPLE  WHO POSE A SERIOUS RISK.

IT PASSED ITS FIRST COMMITTEE  THIS WEEK AND YOU SIT ON THE COMMITTEE IT GOES TO NEXT.

THE LAW HAS ONLY BEEN USED FEWER THAN 50 TIMES SINCE IT  WAS ENACTED THREE YEARS AGO.

IS IT WORKING?

DO WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER TO USE IN ORDER TO KEEP PEOPLE  SAFE?

>> Martinez: WELL, THAT IS WHY  WE ARE CONSIDERING AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTE THAT WE PASSED  YEARS AGO.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE AND  INCENTIVIZE ALL OF THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO  MAKE USE OF THAT TOOL.

OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE  BETTER.

COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO BE SAFE  AND FEEL SAFE AND THIS IS A TOOL THAT I THINK WORKS IF  USED.

SO WE ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR  FOLKS TO IMPLEMENT IT AND TO BE ABLE TO KEEP FAMILIES AND  COMMUNITIES SAFE.

>> Gwyneth: THE BILL SEEMS TO  BE MOVING WHILE SOME OF THE OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS  AREN'T QUITE COOKING YET.

HOW MUCH OF THE GOVERNOR'S  PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA DO YOU THINK YOU CAN USHER THROUGH  THE SESSION?

>> Martinez: WE ARE GOING TO  WORK HARD TO USHER IN A GREAT DEAL OF THAT AGENDA.

I AM SOMEBODY WHO LIVES IN ALBUQUERQUE, HAVE LIVED IN  ALBUQUERQUE FOR THE MAJORITY OF MY LIFE.

I GREW UP IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT, I SEE FIRSTHAND  DAY-TO-DAY THE IMPACT OF DRUGS, CRIME, DESPAIR,  HOPELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I TAKE THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SAFETY PACKAGE VERY SERIOUSLY.

I KNOW MY CAUCUS DOES AS WELL AND I KNOW THE CHAMBER IN  GENERAL DOES AS WELL.

AND SO YOU'RE GOING TO START  TO SEE SOME OF THOSE BILLS START TO MOVE THROUGH THE  PROCESS.

>> Gwyneth: CYFD IS ASKING FOR  20 MILLION-DOLLARS IN ORDER TO PAY FOR ALL THE LAWSUITS THAT  THEY HAVE HAD TO SETTLE WITH FAMILIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE  DIED.

THIS WEEK THE STATE AGREED TO  PAY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD WHO WAS  BEATEN TO DEATH AND THEY KNEW HE WAS IN DANGER.

WHY ARE THERE NOT ANY BILLS UP HERE COMING FROM DEMOCRATS  AIMING TO REFORM CYFD?

>> Martinez: WELL, THERE ARE  BILLS DEALING WITH CYFD.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE NOT  GERMANE, YOU KNOW, BEING IN THE WEEDS HERE FOR A MINUTE,  BILLS THAT ARE NOT ON THE GOVERNOR'S CALL OR HAVE A  PRIMARY BUDGETARY PURPOSE ARE NOT CONSIDERED GERMANE,  MEANING WE CAN'T HEAR THEM.

>> Gwyneth: HAVE YOU ASKED THE  GOVERNOR TO ADD THEM TO THE AGENDA?

>> Martinez: FOLKS I THINK ARE WORKING WITH THE EXECUTIVE TO  ASK THEM TO ADD THEM TO THE AGENDA.

I AM HOPEFUL WE WILL SEE SOME OF THOSE ON THE AGENDA.

THE CYFD ISSUE IS 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING, RIGHT?

IT IS NOT ON THIS GOVERNOR.

IT IS NOT EVEN JUST ON THE  PRIOR GOVERNOR.

IT IS 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

IT IS DIVESTMENTS THAT WE HAVE MADE AS A STATE IN OUR  COMMUNITIES, RIGHT.

IN 2014, THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH  SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DECIMATED BY THE PRIOR  GOVERNOR.

WE ARE STILL TRYING TO CATCH  UP WITH THE IMPACTS AND EFFECTS OF THAT DESTRUCTION OF  THAT SYSTEM.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE US SEVERAL  SESSIONS.

>> Gwyneth: IS IT GOING TO  TAKE 30 YEARS?

>> Martinez: I HOPE NOT.

RIGHT?

FOR ME, YOU KNOW, I HAVE -- I  AM A VERY PATIENT PERSON BUT ALSO I UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT  STAKE.

AND MY CAUCUS AND MY CHAMBER  DOES AS WELL.

SO, I THINK THAT YOU'LL SEE  SOME GOOD CONVERSATIONS AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME GOOD  WORK HAPPENING THIS SESSION.

OBVIOUSLY THROUGH THE BUDGET  THERE IS A LOT OF WORK HAPPENING THROUGH THE BUDGET  AS WELL TO REBUILD THOSE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THOSE  EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS.

AND AS LONG AS I HAVE GOT  BLOOD FLOWING THROUGH MY VEINS WE ARE GOING TO WORK HARD TO  MAKE SURE EVERY SINGLE CHILD IN NEW MEXICO IS SAFE AND THAT  EVERY SINGLE CHILD IN NEW MEXICO HAS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT  JUST TO SURVIVE BUT TO THRIVE.

>> Gwyneth: THE KIDS COUNT  REPORT CAME OUT THIS WEEK AND ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN  IMPROVEMENTS WE ARE STILL AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE LISTS.

WHAT CAN YOU DO THIS SESSION TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THOSE?

>> Martinez: KEEP DOING WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE LAST  FIVE SESSIONS.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

NEW MEXICO IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES WITH A STATE LEVEL  CHILD TAX CREDIT THAT IS A POVERTY ALLEVIATION TOOL  UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

THE WORKING FAMILY TAX CREDIT.

UP TO 25% OF THE FEDERAL  CREDIT, ONE OF THE TOP STATES.

I THINK WE ARE TOP THREE IN  THE COUNTRY FOR THAT POVERTY ALLEVIATION TOOL.

NEW MEXICO IS THE ONLY STATE WITH A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT  AND FULLY FUNDED EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM.

THESE ARE -- THIS IS PROGRESS THAT IS BEING MADE ON A DAILY  BASIS IN THIS STATE AND WE ARE GOING TO START TO SEE RESULTS,  I THINK, HERE REALLY SOON.

IN FACT, THIS REPORT ALREADY  SHOWS SOME PROCESS.

WE WERE 50TH FOR A LONG TIME  SO IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO COME OFF THAT LIST OR THE  BOTTOM OF THAT LIST, BUT YOU'RE SEEING PROGRESS AS WE  SPEAK.

I AM VERY PROUD OF THE WORK  THAT THIS LEGISLATURE HAS DONE, VERY PROUD OF THE WORK  THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE, AND MOST OF ALL, I AM VERY PROUD  OF THE WORK THAT THE ADVOCATES AND EXPERT OUT THERE HAVE DONE  TO GET US TO THIS POINT.

>> Gwyneth: SENATOR WIRTH,  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

WE ARE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH THE SESSION  ALREADY, ONLY A WEEK-AND-A-HALF IN TO THIS  30-DAY SESSION.

IS 30 DAYS ENOUGH TO GET ALL  YOUR WORK DONE OR HAVE LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR  ADDED TOO MUCH TO THE AGENDA?

>> Wirth: SO IN A 30-DAY  SESSION OUR FOCUS IS CLEARLY ON THE BUDGET, A TAX PACKAGE  WHICH WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE  GOVERNOR CAN ADD THINGS TO THE CALL.

THIS WAS PUT IN PLACE IN THE 60'S AS A WAY TO KIND OF HAVE  A SESSION EVERY YEAR.

IT WAS A COMPROMISE.

I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT AS PART OF THE  OVERALL MODERNIZATION BUT HOW WE DO THAT IS GOING TO BE  IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF THE LENGTH OF SESSIONS.

>> Gwyneth: SO IS IT A LONGER SESSION OR PAID STAFF OR BOTH?

>> Wirth: SO I THINK IT IS A, WELL, A WHOLE COMBINATION OF  THINGS.

I THINK A LONGER SESSION MAKES  SENSE.

I DO THINK THE STAFFING ISSUE  IS SOMETHING THAT AS PART OF MODERNIZATION WE ARE GOING TO  CONSIDER, BUT THE BIG ONE, AND I THINK THESE NEED TO BE  DISCUSSED TOGETHER, IS PAYING LEGISLATORS.

WHAT I WILL BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IS SENDING A  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO THE VOTERS TO EXTEND THE  LENGTH OF THE SESSION WITHOUT FIRST MAKING SURE WE ARE  GETTING PAID BECAUSE I HAVE A FEELING THE VOTERS MIGHT  EXTEND THE SESSION AND THEN AGREE NOT TO PAY US.

AND THAT WOULD BE A REALLY CHALLENGING THING GIVEN OUR  CITIZEN LEGISLATURE.

>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE A LAWYER.

IT IS NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT YOU RIGHT?

YOU'RE MAKING SURE THAT OTHER PEOPLE, REGULAR FOLKS WHO  DON'T MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS LAWYERS, CAN AFFORD TO TAKE  TIME OFF AND PRIORITIZE THIS SERVICE.

>> Wirth: I THINK THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

I THINK YOU WANT TO HAVE TRUE REPRESENTATION IN THE BUILDING  AND THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT IT TAKES TO DO THIS, WELL, IT IS  NOT JUST A JOB DURING THE 30 DAYS.

I MEAN OBVIOUSLY IN MY POSITION OF LEADERSHIP WE ARE  CONSTANTLY DEALING WITH ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BUT, YOU  KNOW, LEGISLATORS ARE WORKING YEAR ROUND AND IT IS IMPORTANT  THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> Gwyneth: YOU HAVE A BILL  THAT WAS JUST HEARD THIS WEEK THAT WOULD BAN GUNS IN POLLING  PLACES.

CRIME IS A HUGE ISSUE THIS  SESSION.

WHY POLLING PLACES NOW?

>> Wirth: SO OBVIOUSLY WE ARE HEADED INTO A TURBULENT  ELECTION CYCLE YET AGAIN AND THIS BILL CAME TO ME FROM  CONSTITUENTS WORKING IN POLLING PLACES WHO WERE, QUITE  FRANKLY, SCARED BY HAVING GUNS MIXED IN.

AND GUNS AND VOTING JUST DON'T MIX AND SO THIS IS ONE OF THE  VERY NARROW AREAS THAT OUR SUPREME COURT, OUR U.S.  SUPREME COURT HAS SAID WE CAN REGULATE IN AND WE HAD A GOOD  DISCUSSION TODAY THIS MORNING ABOUT THE BILL AND IT PASSED  OUT OF ITS FIRST COMMITTEE.

>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE ASKING THIS  STATE TO SPEND 100 MILLION-DOLLARS AND PUT IT  INTO THE WATER TRUST FUND AND 300 MILLION FOR THE  CONSERVATION FUND.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

WHY SHOULD WE DO THIS NOW?

>> Wirth: THIS IS AN  EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ONE TIME MONEY AND PUT IT  IN PLACE FOR FUTURE SPENDING.

THE CONSERVATION TRUST FUND IS  VERY EXCITING.

WE CREATED IT LAST YEAR.

IF WE COULD PUT THIS  ADDITIONAL 300 MILLION OF ONE-TIME MONEY IN, IT WILL  THEN BE ABLE TO SPIN OFF FIVE PERCENT A YEAR, 15 TO  20 MILLION-DOLLARS A YEAR, TO A WHOLE STRING OF STATUTORY  PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.

WE ARE TALKING FOREST THINNING, RIVERS, OUTDOOR  EDUCATION.

AND SO I HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO  WORK ON THIS WITH SENATOR STEVE NEVILLE, REPUBLICAN FROM  AZTEC, AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS MONEY IN THE BUDGET  HOPEFULLY WE JUST GOT TO KEEP IT IN THERE, BUT IT IS A  PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE DO WHEN YOU HAVE THIS AMOUNT OF  MONEY.

YOU CAN'T SPEND THE  3.4 BILLION-DOLLAR SURPLUS ON A WHOLE STRING OF RECURRING  PROGRAMS.

SO WE ARE TAKING ONE-TIME  MONEY, MAKING IT FUTURE MONEY.

>> Gwyneth: EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE  MAY THINK ALL OF THAT STUFF IS IMPORTANT, ONE OF THE THINGS  THAT IS ON THE FRONT PAGE ALL THE TIME IS CHILDREN YOUTH AND  FAMILIES DEPARTMENT.

ALL THE MONEY THAT THEY ARE  HAVING TO SPEND ON LAWSUITS BECAUSE THEY HAVE FAILED TO  PROTECT CHILDREN.

SO, WHY NOT PUT A BUNCH OF  THAT MONEY TOWARDS CYFD?

WHY ARE WE NOT SEEING MORE  ABOUT THAT THIS SESSION?

>> Wirth: SO IT IS CERTAINLY A  BUDGET SESSION AND THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING TO  HAPPEN WITH CYFD.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

I MEAN, PRIORITIZING AND FIGURING OUT WHAT THE NEW  SECRETARY DESIGNATE IS LOOKING FOR IN THE AGENCY IS ONE PIECE  OF WHAT WE'LL DO.

THE OTHER THING WE'LL DO ON  CYFD THAT FOLKS NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS WE'LL HAVE A  CONFIRMATION HEARING ASSUMING HER CONFIRMATION COMES OUT OF  THE RULES COMMITTEE, WHICH I THINK IT WILL ON THE FLOOR OF  THE SENATE AND IT WILL BE A CHANCE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION  ABOUT CYFD AND THE DIRECTION SHE WANTS TO TAKE THE AGENCY.

WITH RESPECT TO LEGISLATION ON CYFD, WE HAVEN'T SEEN MESSAGES  FROM THE GOVERNOR ON THAT ISSUE, AND, AGAIN, THIS GOES  BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED ON THE 30-DAY SESSION.

>> Lou: THANKS TO GWYNETH, SPEAKER WORTH AND SENATOR  MARTINEZ FOR THOSE CONVERSATIONS INSIDE THE  CAPITOL.

YOU CAN WATCH LAST WEEK'S  INTERVIEWS WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW ON THE  PBS APP, AND, OF COURSE, EXPECT TO SEE MORE FROM INSIDE  THE ROUNDHOUSE AS GWYNETH CONTINUES HER REPORTING FROM  SANTA FE THROUGH THE END OF THE SESSION NEXT MONTH.

NOW, WE RETURN ONCE AGAIN TO LAURA PASKUS AT THE ROUNDTABLE  FOR ONE LAST DISCUSSION, THIS ONE ABOUT PROPOSED LEGISLATION  TO REIN IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

>> Laura: WE ARE BACK.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE  LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

RIGHT NOW LIKE BASICALLY AS WE  ARE TAPING THIS, THE LEGISLATURE IS STARTING TO  CONSIDER HOUSE BILL 133 TO AMEND THE OIL AND GAS ACT.

TO DO THINGS LIKE INCREASE BONDS FOR WELL CLEAN-UP AND  PLUGGING AND INCREASE CIVIL PENALTIES.

JOZEE, DOES THIS BILL AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, DOES IT GO FAR  ENOUGH?

>> ZUNIGA: AS OF RIGHT NOW, I  THINK THAT THIS BILL COULD USE A LOT OF AMENDMENTS.

SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A LOT IS PUBLIC HEALTH  AND SO SOMETHING IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH WOULD BE  SETBACKS.

WE ARE HOPING FOR A MILE  SETBACK FROM SCHOOLS AND FACILITIES.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT.

ANOTHER THING I THINK MATTERS A LOT, ESPECIALLY TO AREAS  LIKE THE PERMIAN AND TO THE SAN JUAN BASIN, IS TO BAN THE  USE OF FRESH WATER IN FRACKING.

THIS WATER IS BECOMING TOXIC WASTE AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A  STATE WHERE WE DO STRUGGLE WITH OUR WATER AND I THINK IT  IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE SURE TO CARE FOR AND CONSERVE  OUR WATER.

>> Laura: DANIEL, WHAT WOULD  YOU LIKE TO SEE IN A BILL?

>> Tso: I GUESS, NO.

1, THE  ADMINISTRATION BASICALLY LOCKED THE PLAINTIFFS OUT OF  EVEN PARTICIPATING IN THE LEAD-UP TO THIS PARTICULAR  BILL.

THE DISCUSSION STARTED BACK IN  SEPTEMBER AND WE DIDN'T HEAR -- I, FOR MYSELF, DIDN'T  HEAR ABOUT IT UNTIL DECEMBER.

AND WHEN WE TRIED TO GET  ACCESS TO IT, WE WERE DENIED SO THAT ASPECT, IT HAS REALLY  EXCLUDED OUR GROUP FROM THE NORTHWEST AREA TO WHERE THE  ALLOTMENT OWNERS THAT ARE WITHIN THE PLAINTIFF GROUP  WERE LOCKED OUT.

IN THAT ASPECT WE ARE A DIRECT  USER OF THIS NEW BILL THAT WOULD HOPEFULLY GET ADOPTED.

BUT, YES, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE SETBACKS BE INCLUDED  AS AN AMENDMENT, A MILE.

WE CONDUCTED A HEALTH IMPACT  ASSESSMENT WITH THE NAVAJO LAND AT KABF AND IN THAT  ASPECT, THE RESEARCH FOUND THROUGH ALL THE DATA THAT  THERE WAS HIGH METHANE AND DIFFERENT FORMS OF PROPANE  BEING EMITTED FROM THESE OIL AND GAS FACILITIES THAT ARE  ABOVE GROUND.

AND IN THIS CASE WITHIN A CITY  BLOCK OF LYBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE 80 NAVAJO  STUDENTS IN THE GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH,  THE MAJORITY OF THEM WEAR OR USE INHALERS.

SO THAT IS THE REASON WE WANT A ONE-MILE SETBACK AND -- I  GUESS IN ONE WAY, THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING, LET'S GIVE MONEY SO  THAT THE CHILDREN CAN BE LITERAL, ESTABLISH A LITERACY  INSTITUTE, BUT THEN THE GOVERNOR IS SUPPORTING HB-133  AND THERE IS NO INCLUSION FOR THE SETBACK.

SO, THESE YOUNG -- SAME YOUNG FOLKS NEED A HEALTHY AND SAFE  CLASSROOM TO DO THEIR LEARNING.

THAT IS ONE OF THE, I GUESS, CONFLICTING IDEOLOGIES IN THIS  POLITICAL ARENA RIGHT NOW.

>> Laura: I REMEMBER REPORTING  ON LYBROOK ELEMENTARY YEARS AGO AND WONDERING HOW KIDS CAN  LEARN WHEN THERE IS A WELL  RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET AND NOW GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN  HAVE GONE TO THAT SCHOOL.

IT IS ASTONISHING THAT AS A  STATE WE DON'T HAVE SETBACKS.

>> Evans: LAURA, THERE ARE  32,000 CHILDREN IN OUR STATE WHO ARE GOING TO SCHOOL WITHIN  A MILE OF A FRACKING SITE, SOMETIMES WITHIN A MILE OF  MANY, MANY FRACKING SITES, DOZENS, IF NOT 100.

AND LIKE SETBACK PROVISIONS WERE IN THAT BILL, HOUSE BILL  133, NOT STRONG ONES, BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THERE  AND EVEN THOSE GOT STRIPPED OUT.

WE HAVE BEEN URGING THIS ADMINISTRATION TO AT LEAST PUT  IN A SETBACK JUST AROUND SCHOOLS AND A SETBACK IS A  HEALTH BUFFER ZONE, RIGHT, TO KEEP PRODUCTION AWAY FROM  WHERE PEOPLE GO TO SCHOOL.

THERE SHOULD BE SETBACKS  AROUND WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, WORK, BUT AT THE VERY LEAST,  WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE IN  SCHOOL.

>> Laura: YEAH, SO, I FEEL  LIKE AS WE HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE  EMERGENCY THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS, WE ARE SEEING MORE  IMPACTS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY  LACKLUSTER ON CLIMATE LEGISLATION.

YOU KNOW FOR EIGHT YEARS OF THE MARTINEZ ADMINISTRATION  THERE WAS THE EXCUSE THAT IF WE PASSED LEGISLATION SHE  WOULD JUST VETO IT.

THERE IS NOT OSTENSIBLY THIS  EXCUSE ANYMORE.

AM I WRONG ON THIS?

AM I NOT GIVING THE LEGISLATURE THE DUE THAT THEY  DESERVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> Evans: I JUST WANT TO SAY  THAT OUR LAWSUIT ISN'T JUST ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

OUR LAWSUIT IS PRIMARILY ABOUT THE CURRENT HEALTH AND IMPACTS  TO OUR LAND, OUR WATER AND TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND SINCE THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WAS PASSED IN 1971  WHERE THE STATE GOT THIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO CONTROL  POLLUTION, THE STATE HASN'T TAKEN ACTION TO CONTROL OIL  AND GAS POLLUTION.

THE LEGISLATURE HASN'T PASSED  LEGISLATION TO DO THAT.

AND, SO, THIS IS NOT ABOUT ANY  ONE ADMINISTRATION.

THIS IS ABOUT A LONG HISTORY  IN OUR STATE OF NOT ADEQUATELY REGULATING THE OIL AND GAS  INDUSTRY.

AND IT HAS BECOME PARTICULARLY  ACUTE BECAUSE IN THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION OIL AND GAS  PRODUCTION HAS DOUBLED.

AND SO THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION  HAS LIKEWISE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.

RIGHT.

SO, I'LL STOP THERE AND LET  OTHERS JUMP IN.

>> LAURA: CAN I ASK HOW OLD  YOU ARE?

>> ZUNIGA: 22.

>> Laura: SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE -- ARE LAWMAKERS HELPING  YOUNG PEOPLE, FAILING YOUNG PEOPLE AND HOW DO YOU WISH  THAT OLDER GENERATIONS WERE MORE HELPFUL TO YOUR  GENERATION AS YOU'RE TRYING TO  PROTECT THESE PLACES.

>> ZUNIGA: I THINK WHEN IT  COMES TO LAWMAKERS, ESPECIALLY OLDER GENERATIONS I THINK THEY  HAVE A SENSE THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE BECAUSE THINGS WERE  FINE DECADES AGO WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE THEM TO KIND OF CATCH UP AND SEE THE  SITUATION WE ARE LIVING IN.

I ALSO WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND  THAT THE WORLD THEY ARE LEAVING BEHIND, THEY ARE NOT  JUST LEAVING IT BEHIND, THEY ARE LEAVING IT BEHIND FOR  THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR GRANDCHILDREN AND FUTURE  GENERATIONS.

THEY ARE LEAVING US A MESS  THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIX BECAUSE OF THEIR  NEGLIGENCE.

THE PERMIAN BASIN IS A SUPER  METHANE EMITTER AND WHAT WE CALL A CLIMATE BOMB.

AND I THINK IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT WE ARE JUST BEING LEFT  WITH SOMETHING CONSIDERED A CLIMATE BOMB.

THERE IS NO ANSWER.

IT IS JUST KIND OF, WELL, THIS  WORKS TODAY AND THIS WORKS TOMORROW, SO GOOD LUCK IN 20  YEARS.

>> Laura: DANIEL, I WOULD LOVE  FOR YOU TO HAVE FINAL WORDS HERE.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY WISH THAT OTHER NEW MEXICANS BETTER  UNDERSTOOD ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHAT WE NEED TO  DO?

>> Tso: NO.

1 IS, YOU KNOW, WE  ARE ALL HERE ON THE EARTH.

WHEN IT COMES TO DIFFERENT  SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION, WE ALL NEED WATER, WE ALL NEED  AIR, CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR SO THAT WE DON'T ENCOUNTER HEALTH  ISSUES.

THE HEALTH ISSUES IS WHAT IS  GOING TO DRIVE THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND HEALTHCARE IN THE  FUTURE IF WE DON'T START REDUCING THE METHANE CLOUD  THAT EXISTS OVER THE FOUR CORNERS.

AND THIS MORNING WE HEARD PEOPLE SAY, IT IS NOT BACKED  UP BY SCIENCE.

BUT, GUESS WHAT?

WE HAVE RESEARCHERS THAT USE THE CDC PROTOCOLS TO CONDUCT  THEIR RESEARCH.

BREATHING OF METHANE, WE FIND  THAT IT AFFECTS THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.

AND AFFECTS BABIES, WOMEN, AND ESPECIALLY THE OLDER WOMEN AND  SO NO SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION IS SAFE WHEN WE  HAVE THESE ASPECTS OF POLLUTION OF THIS DEGRADATION  OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

NOBODY IS SAFE FROM IT.

AND THAT IS THE PART THAT I THINK THE CITIZENS OF NEW  MEXICO HAVE TO REALIZE.

THERE IS HIGHER RATES OF  CANCER IN OUR AREA.

A COMMUNITY HEALTH  REPRESENTATIVE PARTICIPATED IN OUR HIA, BASICALLY SAYS, WE  HAVE CANCER INCREASING AMONG THE WOMEN.

SO AS AN OLDER PERSON, I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS, SEVEN  GRANDCHILDREN AND I SURE WOULD WANT THEM TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE,  A GOOD LIFE HAVING GOOD HEALTH.

IN THE ASPECT OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY, THE TERM HEALTH IS  WEALTH IS SOMETHING THAT WE GREW UP WITH.

AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE AFFECTING THE HEALTH AND CERTAINLY  KEEPING PEOPLE IN POVERTY.

I MEAN, WHEN ONE GETS  HOSPITALIZED A LOT OF THE FUNDS THAT NORMALLY WOULD GO  FOR THE EVERYDAY LIVING EXPENSES GOES TO HEALTHCARE.

AND THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS VERY -- THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS  ARE BOMBARDED WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE COMING AT THEM  RIGHT NOW.

SO, ONE CAN'T SAY, OH, IT  DOESN'T BOTHER ME.

IT WILL.

THANK YOU.

>> Laura: THANK YOU DANIEL.

THANK YOU ALL.

I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT  HAPPENS WITH THE SESSION AND CERTAINLY WITH THE LAWSUIT.

THANK YOU.

>> Lou: THANK YOU TO LAURA,  HER GUESTS AND TO GWYNETH  DOLAND FOR HER CONTINUED WORK FROM THE CAPITOL IN SANTA FE.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.