New Mexico In Focus
Haaland Hearing, Housing Crunch & School Decisions | 2.26.21
Season 14 Episode 35 | 57m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
Haaland Hearing Reaction, Housing Crunch, State Budget Progresses and School Decisions
This week, New Mexico in Focus features reaction to confirmation hearings for Interior Secretary-designate Deb Haaland. Plus, exploring the impacts of a recent spike in rates for rental properties in Albuquerque. The Line opinion panel looks at the tough decisions being made regarding returning students and educators to school buildings, as well as the progress of the current state budget.
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New Mexico In Focus is a local public television program presented by NMPBS
New Mexico In Focus
Haaland Hearing, Housing Crunch & School Decisions | 2.26.21
Season 14 Episode 35 | 57m 12sVideo has Closed Captions
This week, New Mexico in Focus features reaction to confirmation hearings for Interior Secretary-designate Deb Haaland. Plus, exploring the impacts of a recent spike in rates for rental properties in Albuquerque. The Line opinion panel looks at the tough decisions being made regarding returning students and educators to school buildings, as well as the progress of the current state budget.
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY THE MCCUNE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO FOCUS, HOW HOUSING PROBLEMS IN NEW MEXICO HAVE BEEN COMPOUNDED BY THE PANDEMIC.
>> Serge: ALBUQUERQUE, LIKE ALMOST EVERY OTHER PLACE IN THE COUNTRY, YOU CANNOT AFFORD A TWO-BEDROOM PLACE IF YOU'RE WORKING 40 HOURS AT MINIMUM WAGE.
>> Gene: REACTION TO DEB HAALAND'S CONFIRMATION HEARING AT THE U.S. SENATE.
NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.
THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.
I AM YOUR HOST GENE GRANT.
WE ARE HAVE REACTION TO MS. HAALAND'S HEARING AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE LIKELY CONFIRMATION FROM BOTH THE LINE AND A PANEL OF NATIVE WOMEN WHO SAYS SHE IS LEADING THE WAY FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.
THE LINE IS ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET, JUST PASSED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEK.
WE START WITH THE TOUGH CHOICE FACED BY SCHOOL BOARDS ACROSS THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO SENDING KIDS AND EDUCATORS BACK TO SCHOOL.
ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION SAID LAST WEEK IT IS TOO SOON TO BRING STUDENTS AND STAFF BACK TO BUILDINGS EVEN IN A HYBRID MODEL.
FACING A TICKING CLOCK AND A SHORT SUPPLY OF VACCINE, THE BOARD DECIDED ONLY CERTAIN GROUPS OF STUDENTS SHOULD RETURN.
OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE CRAFTED A BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUILDING PLAN THEY THINK MIGHT WORK BUT NO SIZE FITS ALL, CERTAINLY, AND NO GUARANTEE COVID-19 WON'T BE SPREAD.
HERE TO HASH IT OUT, OUR LINE OPINION PANEL JOINED BY MERRITT ALLEN OF VOX OPTIMUM PUBLIC REACTIONS.
KRISTELLE SIARZA, ANOTHER ONE OF OUR PR PROS, FROM SIARZA SOCIAL DIGITAL.
AND FORMER STATE SENATOR WHO HEADS NEW MEXICO BRANCH OF THE WORKING FAMILIES PARTY.
ERIC GRIEGO.
WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS SINCE THE CALENDAR TURNED.
MOST EDUCATORS AGREE KIDS LEARN BETTER IN A CLASSROOM SETTING BUT THAT IS A MUCH DIFFERENT STORY WHEN SAFETY COMES INTO THE PICTURE AND, MERRITT, THERE IS SCIENCE OUT THERE THAT SAYS THIS IS DOABLE.
ALSO A TON OF LOGISTICS FOR RAMPING UP IN-PERSON LEARNING.
DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO CALL THAT PART OF YEAR JUST A WASH AND TRY TO DO IT BETTER WHEN STUDENTS RETURN THIS SUMMER?
IS THAT A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS?
>> Merritt: I THINK NO ONE WAS SURPRISED THAT APS HAS MADE THIS DECISION.
IT IS SIMPLY TOO LARGE AND TOO LARGE AN EFFORT TO PULL OFF BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THE EXPENSE TO TURN IT ON AND FOR THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND I THINK IT POINTS TO THE FACT THAT EITHER APS HAS GOT TO BECOME MORE NIMBLE IN ITS MANAGEMENT AND BRING IN SOME REAL AGILE PRACTICES OR IT NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT BEING SEGMENTED.
IT IS TOO BIG TO SUCCEED AND TOO BIG TO FAIL.
>> Gene: JUST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR ON WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT APS AS A UNIT IS TOO BIG NOT THE TASK ITSELF BUT MAY BE BREAKING UP APS, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?
>> Merritt: IT IS UNABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY IN TERMS OF ITS PHYSICAL PLANT AND A LOT OF THINGS WITH CURRENT MANAGEMENT STYLE.
EITHER IT HAS GOT TO KIND OF RAMP -- CHANGE ITS PERSPECTIVE ON HOW IT IS MANAGED OR IT SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE BROKEN UP.
>> Gene: GOT YOU.
ERIC, THE IDEA OF VACCINATIONS, WE ARE SEEING THIS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SOME STATES, TEACHERS ARE VACCINATED SOME STATES AREN'T.
WE ARE IN THE AREN'T CATEGORY OVER HERE.
WAS THIS A BIGGER ISSUE THAN MAYBE THE GOVERNOR MIGHT HAVE ANTICIPATED, THE IDEA OF HAVING OF TEACHERS VACCINATED BEFORE THEY WENT BACK TO SCHOOL.
>> Eric: I AM NO APOLOGIST FOR APS BUT I THINK THIS IS A PART OF GOVERNMENT -- THIS IS AN AREA WHERE OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT HAVE FALLEN DOWN ON THE JOB.
I THINK IF WE WOULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING VACCINATIONS AND COULD HAVE PRIORITIZED EDUCATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CERTAINLY NEW MEXICO, BECAUSE, WE ARE A SMALL STATE AND I THINK WE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE TOP STATES IN TERMS OF GETTING VACCINATIONS OUT, BUT SO I DON'T THINK IT IS UNREASONABLE FOR EDUCATORS TO SAY, LOOK, I HAVE AN ELDER AT HOME.
I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY OWN HEALTH AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED.
THE OTHER PART, I THINK MERRITT ALLUDED TO THIS, YOU KNOW, APS IS A BIG SCHOOL SYSTEM AND TO REALLY BE PREPARED, I MEAN, WE KIND OF KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, FIRST AND FOREMOST GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED.
PRIORITIZE EDUCATORS AND STAFF, RIGHT, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF SCHOOLS THAT ARE SMALLER AND SMALLER DISTRICTS THAT FIGURED THIS OUT AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT YOU GOT TO HAVE MASK MANDATE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE VENTILATION IN PLACE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONTACT TRACING.
WE KNOW ALL THE PIECES THAT MAKE IT AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.
IT IS NOT 100% GUARANTEE AS WE ALL KNOW, BUT THE MERE SIZE OF APS AND THE FACT THAT I DON'T THINK THAT OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN AS PREPARED TO HELP A BIG SCHOOL SYSTEM LIKE APS GET READY.
I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.
I HAVE A 12 YEAR OLD AT HOME AND HE IS DOING FINE, VIRTUALLY, ALL VIRTUAL WHERE HE GOES TO SCHOOL.
BUT, YOU KNOW, HE LIKE MANY KIDS JUST REALLY, REALLY ARE JUST SICK OF THIS.
THEY GOT TO HAVE SOMETHING IN CONTACT.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT.
IT CAN'T JUST BE IN THE GOVERNOR.
IT CAN'T JUST BE ON APS.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER BECAUSE I DO THINK THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL PIECE OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A DEEPER TOLL THAN FOLKS REALIZE, NOT JUST GRADES BUT A LOSING A YEAR OF SOCIAL INTERACTION.
>> Gene: I AM AFRAID OF THE STUDIES THAT WILL COME OUT THREE TO FIVE YEARS FROM NOW THAT WILL SHOW US ALL JUST EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
IT IS TROUBLESOME.
KRISTELLE, INTERESTINGLY, MERRITT BROUGHT UP APS AND ITS ABILITY TO MANAGE THIS DUE TO ITS SIZE.
BUT, DISTRICTS OUT THERE LIKE TAOS AND FARMINGTON, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PLANS TO GO BACK TO IN-PERSON.
IS THIS A SIZE QUESTION OR JUST ABOUT COMPETENCE AND GETTING READY AND DOING ALL THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE?
WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF IT?
>> Kristelle: MY SENSE ON IT IS ACTUALLY BASED FROM DOING THE ACTUAL RESEARCH, YOU KNOW.
I SPENT SOME TIME SPEAKING TO EDUCATORS KNOWING THIS WAS GOING TO BE A TOPIC ON THE PANEL TODAY.
AND I SPENT SOME TIME ALSO LOOKING AT THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE AS AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARENT.
IT IS SIZE.
IT IS ALSO TACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION.
IT IS ALSO DEMOGRAPHICS.
WHY DO I SAY IT IN THAT FASHION?
THE SIZE OF THE DISTRICT THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THAT APS IS ONE OF THE TOP 10 LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY.
IMPLEMENTATION IS ALSO SOMETHING TO CONSIDER THAT EVERY SCHOOL HAS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE THOUSAND KIDS THAT HAVE CUSTOM PLANS TO THEIR LESSONS IN TERMS OF WHAT CLASSES THEY ATTEND, WHAT PROGRAMMING THEY SHOULD BE IN, WHAT SPECIALTY GROUPS THEY SHOULD BE PLACED IN, WHETHER IT BE SPECIAL EDUCATION, ATHLETICS OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
AND THEN THE THIRD PART IS, YOU KNOW, THE LOGISTICS OF IT ALL.
THE PERSPECTIVE OF TIME IS SOMETHING TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION.
TEACHERS ONLY HAVE ABOUT FIVE WEEKS LEFT TO TEACH AFTER, THEORETICALLY SPEAKING, AFTER SPRING BREAK WHICH IS WHEN APPROXIMATELY IN SCHOOL WOULD BE.
FROM THE TEACHERS, OR AT LEAST FROM SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THE UNION, THEY FEEL THAT FIVE WEEKS, OVERHAULING THEIR CURRICULUM FOR JUST FIVE WEEKS OF INSTRUCTIONAL LEARNING IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT ACCORDING TO WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING AND THE VACCINATION CAUSES MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAUSE A TEACHER'S JOB IS TO HELP A STUDENT, THAT IS THEIR MISSION, AND THAT IS THEIR MO, WHY THEY WAKE UP EVERY MORNING, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE THERE TO PROTECT THEIR OWN FAMILIES AND FAMILIES ARE FIRST.
THE LAST POINT I WANTED TO MAKE ABOUT WHY THIS IS SUCH A CHALLENGING ISSUE IS THAT APS IS SO LARGE THAT THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF STUDENTS, THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND STUDIES OF DIFFERENT FAMILIES AND DIFFERENT TEACHERS, DIFFER, SO THAT NOBODY CAN AGREE.
IN A RECENT BOARD MEETING THEY REFERENCED -- IN AN APS BOARD MEETING THEY REFERENCED THEY DID A SURVEY AMONG TEACHERS AND PARENTS, 75% OF TEACHERS DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD BE GOING BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM CONSIDERING THE TIMING AND ALSO THE VACCINATION ISSUE.
ON THE FLIP SIDE, WHEN THEY INTERVIEWED THE PARENTS, DEPENDING WHAT PART OF TOWN THAT YOU WENT TO, 75% OF PARENTS FELT THEY SHOULD GO BACK AND ANOTHER PART OF TOWN, 75% OF PARENTS SAID THEY SHOULDN'T GO BACK, AND NOBODY COULD AGREE AND EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE A ZONE METHOD OF MANAGEMENT IN APS, THE WAY THAT THE DISTRICT IS STRUCTURED THIS IS NOW EYE OPENING EVEN MORE SO NOW IN TERMS OF HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS CERTAIN ISSUE.
>> Gene: EXCELLENT POINTS.
LET ME READ YOU A QUOTE FROM THE GOVERNORS.
I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS GOVERNOR'S SAID, IN PART, DISTRICTS AND LOCAL LEADERSHIP CAN AND SHOULD DEBATE WHEN AND WHERE, BUT SHOULD BE NO DEBATE ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL FACTS OF WHETHER IT CAN BE DONE SAFELY IN THE FIRST PLACE.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
>> Merritt: I DO.
I THINK WE SEE THIS NATIONALLY.
THIS IS COMING FROM NOT JUST THE ADMINISTRATION BUT ALSO THE CDC.
WE ALSO, I THINK, TO ERIC'S POINT, OUR CHILDREN ARE REALLY MISSING OUT ON JUST KEEP ACTIVE AND DEVELOPMENT OF BEING WITH OTHER KIDS AND OUT OF THE HOURS.
THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR KIDS NOT JUST FROM THE LEARNING POINT BUT FROM THE SOCIAL PIECE OF IT.
YOU KNOW, THE VACCINE IS NOT A CURE ALL BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A VACCINE APPROVED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 14 SO THAT IS NOT A PANACEA.
THERE ARE KIDS GETTING IN PERSON LEARNING, I KNOW, BECAUSE I HAVE A RELATIVE WHO WORKS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND SHE HAS BEEN IN A CLASSROOM SINCE OCTOBER.
SO, SHE HAS BEEN VACCINATED.
I THINK ULTIMATELY, NO, APS IS -- AND I THINK ON A PREVIOUS SHOW I SAID THERE IS NO WAY WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE CLASSROOM OR HYBRID FOR THE 2021 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE THING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN IS WE HAVE TO GIVE EVERY CHILD FROM K 12 WHO HAS BEEN ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE PANDEMIC, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADD AN EXTRA YEAR.
>> Gene: THAT IS GOING TO BE A DISCUSSION.
20 SECONDS, IF YOU CAN.
THIS IDEA OF SPORTS IS THERE A CASE FOR DOING IN-PERSON ACTIVITIES BUT NOT IN-PERSON LEARNING?
IS THAT COMPATIBLE?
>> Eric: MY SON HAS TAKEN SOME LESSONS OUTSIDE, YOU KNOW.
KIDS ARE GOING CRAZY IN THEIR ROOM AND NEED INTERACTION.
WE CAN DO THIS SAFELY.
IF WE CAN DO IT SAFELY AND PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE AND FOLLOW THE BEST SCIENCE WE ARE GETTING, I THINK WE CAN.
THEY MAY BE A START.
IF THEY ARE OUTSIDE.
IF THEY FOLLOW THE PROTOCOLS.
I DON'T THINK IT IS AN OUTRAGEOUS REQUEST TO SAY CAN WE DO SOMETHING TO GET THESE KIDS SOME KIND OF, YOU KNOW, ACTIVITY AND INTERACTION.
MAYBE THE CLASSROOM WE ARE NOT READY FOR THAT, BUT WE SHOULD AT LEAST TRY TO DO OTHER SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
>> Gene: I WAS WATCHING SOME OF THE COVERAGE IN HOUSTON ONE OF THE AFFILIATES OUT THERE LAST WEEK DURING THE BIG FREEZE, AND THEY HAVE CUT TO THE SPORTS AND SHOWING A HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS GIRLS BASKETBALL GAME.
ALL THE COMPETITORS WERE MASKED ON COURT.
IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING WATCHING THEM BUZZING UP AND DOWN THE COURT HOISTING UP, YOU KNOW, SHOTS WITH MASKS ON.
IT CAN BE DONE IF WE WANT TO DO IT.
GO AHEAD KRISTELLE.
>> Kristelle: EAST MOUNTAIN HIGH HAS STARTED SPORTS THIS WEEK.
THEY ARE A CHARTER SCHOOL IN APS.
THEY FOUND A WAY.
>> Gene: WE ARE OUT OF TIME FOR THIS ONE.
WE'LL GET REACTION TO DEB HAALAND'S CONFIRMATION HEARINGS NEXT.
>> Hughes: DO LOTS AND LOTS OF RESEARCH.
THERE ARE ONLINE PORTALS THAT WORK PRETTY WELL.
I GOT A LOT MORE SUCCESS IN PHONE CALLS ACTUALLY.
I KNOW A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
I KNOW I GET DREAD WHEN I SEE THE PHONE RING BUT CALLING WAS HELPFUL.
AND, LOOK AT PLACES THAT DON'T NECESSARILY SAY THEY HAVE AVAILABILITY.
>> Gene: THE EYES OF NATIVE AMERICA WERE GLUED TO SCREENS THIS WEEK AS NEW MEXICO CONGRESSWOMAN DEB HAALAND SAT FOR CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AS JOE BIDEN'S PICK FOR SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
MS. HAALAND WHO IS LAGUNA AND JEMEZ PUEBLO WOULD BE THE FIRST EVER NATIVE AMERICAN CABINET SECRETARY.
IN FRONT OF A DIVIDED ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE SHE TOUTED A RECORD OF BIPARTISAN BILLS.
SHE HAS ALSO BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR INDIGENOUS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH SENATORS WHO ARE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.
NOW, IF CONFIRMED, MS. HAALAND WILL HEAD THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND INDIAN AFFAIRS.
THIS WEEK, NMIF CORRESPONDENT ANTONIO GONZALES GOT REACTION AND INSIGHT FROM A GROUP OF NATIVE WOMEN ABOUT A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR INDIAN COUNTRY.
>> Antonia: KIERA TOYA, HOLLY COOK MACARRO, SHAYAI LUCERO, WELCOME TO NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.
THIS HISTORIC NOMINATION HAS CREATED BUZZ AND EXCITEMENT ACROSS INDIAN COUNTRY.
DEB HAALAND IS BEING LOOKED AT AS SOMEONE WHO IS CONNECTING TO NATIVE VALUES AND ALSO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CALLING HER MANY AUNTIE DEB.
SHE IS MORE THAN JUST A POLITICIAN TO INDIAN COUNTRY.
SHAYAI, YOUR FROM THE SAME TRIBAL COMMUNITY AS DEB HAALAND.
WHY IS HER NOMINATION BEING SO CELEBRATED BY NATIVE PEOPLE?
>> Lucero: I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT DEB AND I ARE FROM THE SAME TRIBE.
I AM ALSO PUEBLO OF ACOMA AND WE ARE ACTUALLY FROM THE SAME VILLAGE HERE IN LAGUNA AND SO OUR VILLAGE IS THE MOST TRADITIONAL OF ALL THE DIFFERENT VILLAGES HERE IN LAGUNA.
SO, DEB KNOWS LIKE THE PUEBLO POLITICS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BE IN POSITIONS SUCH AS THE GOVERNOR, SO I FEEL THAT HER -- BY HER MOVING INTO THIS ASPECT TO BE A POLITICAL LAWMAKER FOR EVERYBODY IS HER WAY OF BRINGING THAT PUEBLO WOMEN'S VOICE TO OUR TRIBES AND TO OUR COUNTRY.
SO, IT DOES GIVE ME CHILLS BECAUSE WHETHER YOU'RE A SUPPORTER OF HER OR NOT, SHE IS GOING TO BE THE PROTECTOR OF OUR MOTHER SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HONOR HER AND SUPPORT HER IN THAT ASPECT.
>> Antonia: AND HOLLY YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL WITH DC POLITICS AND LEGISLATION, LOBBYING AND ADVOCATING ON TRIBAL ISSUES.
HAALAND TOLD THE SENATE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK THAT SHE IS SOMEONE THAT IS ABLE TO CONNECT AND LISTEN TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND WORK ON BIPARTISAN ISSUES.
WHY IS REPRESENTATION IMPORTANT?
>> Macarro: YOU KNOW, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK HAS BEEN -- THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION HAS BEEN EXEMPLIFIED BY SOME OF THE TWEETS AND STATEMENTS WE HAVE SEEN COME OUT FROM SENATOR DAINES, FROM SENATOR BARRASSO AND THEIR TWEETS AND STATEMENTS AND VOICING THEIR CONCERNS OVER THAT CONGRESSWOMAN HAALAND IS RADICAL FOR HER VIEWS THAT ARE COMPLETELY IN LINE WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S CLIMATE CHANGE AGENDA AND VIEWS ON DRILLING ON PUBLIC LAND, FRACKING, ET CETERA, THEY COME FROM STATES WITH SIGNIFICANT TRIBAL POPULATIONS.
AND ALASKA, 11% OF THE POPULATION, 10% IN MONTANA.
THEY ALSO HAVE MILLIONS OF ACRES OF TRIBAL TRUST LAND WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR STATES AND THEIR STATEMENTS AND VIEWS DID NOT REFLECT A TRIBAL PERSPECTIVE AT ALL.
IN FACT, CONGRESSMAN ROSENDALE, IN RESPONSE TO THE TRIBAL CONCERNS THAT WERE AIRED FOR MONTANA TRIBAL LEADERS FROM STATE SENATOR JONATHAN WINDY BOY TO TRIBAL CHAIRMAN ANDY WERK AT FORT PECK, I THINK, AND HE CALLED THOSE VIEWS PATHETIC AND DOUBLED DOWN ON THE STATEMENTS THAT THEY HAVE MADE.
SO, THAT TO ME ONLY UNDERSCORED WHY WE NEED A VOICE AND A PRESENCE LIKE DEB HAALAND TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR.
AND BRING OUR VOICE TO THE TABLE, TO THE ACTUAL TABLE AT THE CABINET AND THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR.
>> Antonia: TO ADD TO THAT AS LOOKING AT THE NATIVE WAY OF THINKING, NATIVE REPRESENTATION, NATIVE VIEWS ON THE WORLD, JUST EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT, HOLLY.
>> Macarro: DEB'S APPROACH -- NATIVE WOMEN AS WE ALL KNOW -- LOOK AT OUR PANEL -- HAVE BEEN LEADING THE WAY FOR A LONG TIME AND BOTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WITHOUT.
CERTAINLY, I THINK, HAVE LED THE WAY IN GETTING SUPPORT, OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND REALLY STANDING BEHIND DEB AS SHE HAS GONE THROUGH THE RUNUP TO NOMINATION AND BEYOND.
BUT HER APPROACH AND HER RECOGNITION AS THE HIGHEST RANKING FRESHMAN IN INTRODUCING AND PASSING LEGISLATION IN THE 116TH CONGRESS, THE LAST CONGRESS, SHE PASSED MORE BILLS THAN ANYONE ELSE IN HER CLASS WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, WITH CONGRESSMAN DON YOUNG, A REPUBLICAN FROM ALASKA, WHO WALKED ACROSS THE CAPITOL AND INTRODUCED HER AND REPEATEDLY EMPHASIZED HER BIPARTISAN EFFORTS TO PASS LEGISLATION, HER WILLINGNESS TO WORK TOGETHER, HER WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN AND TO CONSIDER THE VIEWS FROM A 360 PERSPECTIVE.
I THINK THAT REFLECTS HOW WE WORK IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.
WE DON'T CONSIDER SINGULAR VIEWS.
WE CONSIDER COMMUNITY IMPACTS.
WE CONSIDER EVERYONE THAT IS AFFECTED.
I THINK THAT CONGRESSWOMAN HAALAND WILL BRING THAT TO THE INTERIOR AND SHE HAS A DEMONSTRATED TRACK RECORD OF DOING THAT AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE.
>> Antonia: YOU ARE ALSO FROM THE COMMUNITY HAALAND IS CONNECTED TO.
SHE HAS JEMEZ PUEBLO HERITAGE.
YOU'RE A YOUTH LEADER YOURSELF AND WORK ON NATIVE YOUTH ISSUES NATIONALLY.
WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT HAALAND FROM PEOPLE FROM NATIVE YOUTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND?
>> Toya: ESPECIALLY IN MY COMMUNITY, I THINK WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE HAALAND AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS POSITION.
I HAVE FRIENDS ALL OVER INDIAN COUNTRY AND WE ARE ALL LIKE REALLY EXCITED, REALLY HAPPY TO SEE HER.
WE ARE ALL JUST LIKE HAPPY AND JUST PRAYING THAT SHE JUST GETS THROUGH IT.
>> Antonia: AND SHAYAI, YOU'RE A BUSINESS WOMAN, A MOTHER, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU HAVE ALSO SEEN THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
HAALAND DURING HER CONFIRMATION HEARING SAID SHE WOULD MOVE FORWARD PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AGENDA ON PANDEMIC RECOVERY.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE SHE COULD DO FOR INDIAN COUNTRY IN HER CAPACITY IF CONFIRMED AS SECRETARY.
>> Lucero: I THINK HER BIGGEST IMPACT IS GETTING NATIVE AMERICANS A VOICE.
YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS IS MAYBE 10% OF THE INTERIOR'S ENTIRE JOB, WE HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO BRING OUR ISSUES TO THE FOREFRONT.
SO, YOU KNOW, LIKE SENATOR MURKOWSKI BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT ALASKAN TRIBES ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE LOWER 48 TRIBES AND HOW THE CARES ACT FUNDING WAS DISTRIBUTED WAS A REAL HUGE IMPACT ON ALASKAN NATIVES.
AND JUST A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT, YOU KNOW, I WAS LISTENING ON CLUB HOUSE AND WATCHING TWITTER FEEDS ALL MORNING AND A LOT OF THE BUZZ WAS THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T REALIZE THE NATURE OF THE -- OR THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO.
AND SO SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN EDUCATING OTHERS ABOUT OUR NATIVE AMERICAN VIEWS IS GOING TO BE VERY VITAL IN HAVING HER AS OUR VOICE, BUT ALSO GOING BACK TO SOME OF THE SCIENCE, BECAUSE SHE KEPT REITERATING SCIENCE.
WE HAVE TO FOLLOW SCIENCE.
SCIENCE IS IMPORTANT AND IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR ENERGY IS DEPENDENT ON NONRENEWABLE SOURCES SO I WAS EVEN EXCITED TO HEAR THE SENATOR FROM MAINE TALK ABOUT OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.
I WAS LIKE, WHOA, I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THAT.
AND TO BRING THINGS LIKE THAT TO OUR COUNTRY, TO THINK ABOUT SCIENCE AND ENERGY AND THINGS IN THAT MANNER, I THINK WOULD HELP US NOT ONLY MAINTAIN THOSE JOBS BUT ALSO WOULD HELP, YOU KNOW, DEB KIND OF THINK IN A BROADER PICTURE.
AND JUST THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY HELPFUL TO INDIAN COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE REST OF AMERICA.
>> Antonia: HOLLY, THERE IS MUCH SUPPORT FROM TRIBAL LEADERS, DIRECTORS OF NATIONAL NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THERE IS ADVOCACY GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IS DEB FOR INTERIOR WEEK OF ACTION, WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?
>> Macarro: DEB FOR INTERIOR WEEK OF ACTION HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER BY LEADERSHIP AT ILLUMINATIVE AND THE NATIVE VOTERS ALLIANCE, NATIVE ORGANIZERS ALLIANCE AND ADVANCED NATIVE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.
THEY HAVE JOINED FORCES AND REALLY THEY HAVE TREMENDOUS SKILLS IN TERMS OF PROVIDING SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, PROVIDING THE LINK TO THE LETTER THAT HAS GENERATED NEARLY 15,000 LETTERS GOING INTO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
AND THAT WILL BE REDIRECTED.
THE COMMITTEE VOTE FOR CONGRESSWOMAN HAALAND IS NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, SO THERE IS ALWAYS A WEEK INTERVENING.
AND SO AS SOON AS SHE IS -- NOTABLY JUST BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR, ANTONIA, SENATOR MENTIONED -- PUT OUT A STATEMENT THAT HE IS VOTING FOR CONGRESSWOMAN HAALAND WHICH GUARANTEES HER PASSAGE OUT OF COMMITTEE.
HE HAD SAID HE WAS UNCOMMITTED TWO DAYS AGO SO THAT REALLY INDICATES THIS WAS A SUCCESSFUL WEEK FOR HER.
SO, PLEASE KEEP AN EYE OUT.
ELIMINATIVE, IF YOU GO ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED OR NATIVE ORGANIZERS ALLIANCE OR ADVANCED NATIVE POLITICAL, THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT, TWEET STORM, TALKING POINTS, PIECES THAT WE CAN DO TO AMPLIFY THE PUBLIC SUPPORT AND IT ALSO, I THINK, REALLY EPITOMIZES THE SYNERGY THAT TOOK PLACE THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN 23 YEARS OF DOING POLITICS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, OF THE TALENT THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE ON THE GRASS ROOTS SIDE, ON THE POLITICAL SIDE, DEB HERSELF, HAVING ALL COMING TOGETHER, KIND OF HITTING HER STRIDE JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME TO PLAY THAT CRITICAL ROLE OF SUPPORT.
AND THEN THERE IS THE ORGANIC NON-TRIBAL COMMUNITY, THE CLIMATE CHANGE ORGANIZATIONS, CONSERVATION GROUPS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER AND ARE ALSO, ALL OF THAT, ALL OF THOSE CALLS AND LETTERS GOING INTO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES IS REALLY CRITICAL.
AND, AS I SAID, WE NEED -- THE POWER SHARING AGREEMENT GIVING THE 50/50 SPLIT IN THE SENATE, WE ONLY NEED -- IT'S A 50/50 VOTE MEANS THAT A NOMINEE WILL ADVANCE, A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE WILL ADVANCE.
SENATOR DAINES AND SENATOR BARRASSO INDICATED THAT THEY WILL PUT A HOLD ON HER NOMINATION, WHICH MEANS SENATOR SCHUMER WILL THEN HAVE TO FILE -- THAT PROCESS PROCEDURE WILL ADD ANOTHER THREE TO FIVE DAYS DEPENDING WHICH DAY THEY FILE IT ON.
I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE A VOTE, A FLOOR VOTE FOR CONGRESSWOMAN HAALAND UNTIL MID MARCH.
WE DO HAVE WORK TO DO IN THE INTERVENING WEEKS TO ENSURE THAT SHE DOES GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
>> Antonia: KIERA, AS YOU TOUCHED ON A LITTLE BIT, JUST THE MEANING OF HAVING DEB HAALAND A PUEBLO WOMAN AND NATIVE WOMAN ALREADY WHO IS A CONGRESSWOMAN AND MAKING STRIDES ON THAT LEVEL, BUT SOMEBODY NOMINATED TO LEAD THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUNG NATIVE WOMEN AND GIRLS AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN PERSONALLY FOR YOU?
>> Toya: I LOOK UP TO HER SO MUCH.
SHE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE AND LIKE WHAT SHE HAS DONE WITHIN LIKE THE LAND AND ALL OF LIKE THE LAWS THAT SHE PASSED AND POLICIES SHE HAS DONE.
I KNOW SHE IS A BIG INSPIRATION TO A LOT OF YOUNG GIRLS AND A LOT OF NATIVE WOMEN AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WANT TO FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS, JUST PLACING DOWN THE FOUNDATION FOR US SO WE AND THOSE LIKE YOUNG WOMEN AND GIRLS CAN JUST FINISH WHAT SHE WAS STARTED.
>> Antonia: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS TODAY AND I AM SURE THE EXCITEMENT IS GOING TO CONTINUE IN INDIAN COUNTRY AS PEOPLE WATCH THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS FOR DEB HAALAND FOR INTERIOR SECRETARY PLAY OUT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> Gene: RAVE REVIEWS FROM OUR PANEL OF NATIVE AMERICANS WHO POINTED OUT JOE MANCHIN'S VOTE GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS WINNING A NOMINATION.
HOW DID THE LINE THINK THE CONGRESSWOMAN DID AND WHAT DID WE LEARN ABOUT HER PLANS AT DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR.
ERIC, THIS PICK WAS A BIG NOD TO PROGRESSIVES AND CONSERVATIVE SENATORS WENT AFTER MS. HAALAND FOR SOME OF HER VIEWS.
SHE PARRIED AN AWFUL LOT, DOING IT WELL, SAYING SHE WAS ADVANCING MR. BIDEN'S AGENDA, NOT HER OWN.
WAS THAT A GOOD ENOUGH DISTINCTION?
DID YOU FEEL A GOOD SEPARATION THERE?
>> Eric: YEAH.
LOOK, SHE HAS BEEN A LEADER ON RENEWABLES AND GREEN ECONOMY STUFF AND PART OF THE REASON WHY SO MANY PEOPLE AND SO MANY CONSERVATION GROUPS SUPPORTED HER, NOT TO MENTION NATIVE GROUPS AND MANY OTHERS, IS BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN BOLD ON THIS DIRE NEED TO TRANSITION TO A NONFOSSIL FUEL BASED ECONOMY, RIGHT?
WHEN YOU GET UP FOR A POSITION LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, OPPONENTS USE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME AFTER YOU.
SO, I THINK SHE DID THE BEST SHE COULD WITHOUT COMPROMISING HER CORE VALUES AND SAYING WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING.
I KNOW I SAID WE NEED TO MAKE THIS TRANSITION A PRIORITY AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE COMMUNITIES TO BE AFFECTED ARE PRIORITIZED AND SHE DIDN'T FLIP FLOP OR SELL OUT.
SHE SAID, LOOK, SHE WAS CLEAR THERE WAS ONE QUESTION FROM I THINK THE RANKING MEMBER WHERE SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU SAID THESE OUTRAGEOUS THINGS ABOUT PRACTICE AND ABOUT THE NEW DEAL AND SO ON AND DO YOUR VALUES MATTER OR DO BIDEN'S VALUES MATTER?
SHE SAID LIKE, LOOK, I WORK FOR THE PRESIDENT.
MY VALUES -- MY OWN AGENDA IS SECONDARY, RIGHT?
I THINK THAT SENT A SIGNAL TO BOTH PEOPLE WHO ARE WORRIED SHE WOULD BE PUSHED TO BE MUCH MORE SORT OF IN LINE WITH THE MANSIONS OF THE WORLD AND IT SAID, LOOK, I AM GOING TO TAKE MY ORDERS FROM THE PRESIDENT, OBVIOUSLY.
AND HE IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE SHE IS IN TERMS OF BEING PROGRESSIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE BUT THE FACT THAT SHE IS THERE AND SHE HAS A RECORD OF BEING A LEADER IN THIS CLIMATE CHANGE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT I THINK SHE DID THE BEST SHE COULD.
SHE DID PARRY.
I FELT LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF CHEAP SHOTS COMING AT HER.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS SHE HAS GOT MANCHIN.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE CHRISTINE KRYSTEN SINEMA FROM ARIZONA IS.
SHE HAS BEEN SORT OF ON THE FENCE.
AND IF SHE DOES GET KRYSTEN SINEMA, SHE NEEDS TO GET ONE OF THE REPUBLICANS.
I THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE.
SHE HAS A FEW REPUBLICANS AREN'T SPEAKING OUT WHO WILL PROBABLY END UP VOTING FOR HER.
OVERALL I WAS VERY, VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT MANCHIN WASN'T GOING TO HOLD IT UP BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A REAL DISASTER FOR HER AND THE PRESIDENT.
>> Gene: THE FACT THAT HE DIDN'T LET IT HANG OUT THERE FOR 42, 72 HOURS.
HE JUST CAME STRAIGHT OUT.
THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.
MERRITT, A LOT FROM MS. HAALAND ABOUT SOME OF HER VIEWS ON KEYSTONE PIPELINE, FRACKING, ALL THAT KIND OF THING.
AS ERIC MENTIONED, SHE DIDN'T WALK AWAY FROM ANY OF THIS BUT DID NOT EITHER DIG HER HEELS IN TERRIBLY DEEP EITHER.
I AM ASKING THIS IN THIS CONTEXT.
LET'S ASSUME SUCCESS AND SHE GETS THE NOMINATION.
ALL THESE THINGS ARE NOT GOING AWAY.
IT SEEMS TO ME IT IS A PRISM HOW SHE'LL BE VIEWED BY A LOT OF FOLKS IN WESTERN STATES, WHO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ANXIETY ABOUT HER.
WHAT IS YOUR FEELING ON THAT?
>> Merritt: I THINK THAT WAS SMART TO NOT BE UNEQUIVOCAL ON THE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH DRAMA RIGHT NOW AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BESIDES KEYSTONE AND FRACKING LICENSES, FRANKLY.
FRACKING LEASES.
AND IN THE WEST WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF NEED WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT.
THAT IS REALLY A BIG DEAL.
THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR HAS TO MANAGE.
AND I THINK SHE ALSO NEEDS A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS, SO, TO THE POINT THAT IT IS THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY AND NOT HER OWN AGENDA, SHE WAS SMART TO NOT GO FULL BORE ON THOSE QUESTIONS AND WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, REALLY HAVE TO SEE WHERE THE ECONOMY GOES, WHERE THE STATES WHO ARE RELYING -- I THINK IT IS ALASKA, WYOMING AND NEW MEXICO WHO ARE THE MOST DEPENDENT ON FRACKING, AND HOW THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC GOES, BECAUSE I JUST DON'T THINK THE COUNTRY IS GOING TO TORPEDO THREE STATES WHO MAY ALREADY KIND OF BE IN TROUBLE OVER THIS.
WE ARE OKAY FOR FOUR YEARS.
WE COULD ACTUALLY GET THROUGH THIS ADMINISTRATION WITH NO NEW LICENSES.
KEYSTONE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CARES -- NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND SHOULD CARE ABOUT CANADIAN OIL.
>> Gene: THAT WAS FOR CHINA.
IT WASN'T EVEN FOR OUR USE FOR GOD SAKE.
RIGHT.
>> Merritt: DON'T SEE THAT AS A REAL BIG DEAL, BUT THE REAL TOUCHSTONE EMOTIONAL ISSUES THAT ACTIVISTS ARE SPOT UP ON AND BRINGING TO THE FOREFRONT TO POLARIZE PEOPLE FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE.
SO, I DO THINK SHE HANDLED THAT WELL BECAUSE ULTIMATELY IT IS THE WHITE HOUSE WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION ON THOSE POLICIES THAT ARE VERY TOUCHY RIGHT NOW.
>> Gene: KRISTELLE, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, AGAIN, ASSUMING SUCCESS AND SHE GETS THE NOMINATION AND SHE IS OUR SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, I THINK SHE MENTIONED 90% OF THE EMPLOYEES DON'T WORK IN WASHINGTON D.C. OF THOSE 70,000.
THIS IS A REALLY FASCINATING DEPARTMENT BUT I HAVE GOT TO SAY THESE WESTERN SENATORS HAVE SHOWED THEIR HAND, RANKING MEMBER BARRASSO FROM WYOMING, THAT ERIC MENTIONED.
MR. LEE FROM UTAH, MS. MURKOWSKI, THESE ARE VERY DIFFERENT SENATORS WHEN IT COMES TO ENERGY STUFF.
AND I HAVE GOT TO THINK SHE IS THE POINT PERSON FOR ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE MOVING AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS ALMOST LIKE SHE IS SET UP FOR IT VERSUS JOE BIDEN, IN A WAY.
SHE IS GOING TO BE THE FACE OF THIS TRANSITION.
IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.
>> Kristelle: IT WILL BE DIFFICULT BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK THAT THE MEDIA THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS FORGETS IS THAT SHE REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE FROM THE LAND THAT WE STOLE, SO I THINK THAT IS KIND OF AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE TO TAKE AS A CONSIDERATION THAT SHE IS REPRESENTING THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND, OF COURSE, THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE LAND ESPECIALLY THE YEARS OF TURMOIL THAT WE PUT THEM THROUGH.
NATIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH.
IN TERMS OF THE WESTERN STATES AND THE LOCAL STATES LIKE I WAS WATCHING THE WAY SHE WAS ANSWERING A LOT OF THE DEBATE IN THE CONVERSATIONS AND IT IS TRUE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY WHERE YOU SAY THE WORDS, THIS IS NOT MY AGENDA, THIS IS THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA.
I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE FORGET IN A CONVERSATION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SECRETARIES OF THE INTERIOR, ET CETERA, IS THAT THE REASON WHY SHE IS QUESTIONED SO MUCH IS FASCINATING BECAUSE I THINK THAT PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW HER ENOUGH ON WHAT HER CAPABILITIES ARE IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS I ALSO THINK THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE KNOW THIS IS A NEW MEXICAN, SHE ACTUALLY WORKS SO MUCH BETTER BEHIND THE SCENES THAN IN PUBLIC SPEECHES OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.
I LIKE TO COMPARE HER TO SENATOR HEINRICH.
HE IS NOT AS VOCAL AS SENATOR UDALL.
SENATOR UDALL ON THE OTHER HAND IS GUN SLINGING AND AS I AM WATCHING A LOT OF THE RHETORIC A LOT OF WESTERN SENATORS ARE SAYING ABOUT ENERGY, ONE OF THE PHRASES THAT I FOUND FASCINATING THAT I DO BELIEVE SHE FOLLOWS IS, IT IS INNOVATION, NOT ELIMINATION.
THAT IS A KEY THAT I THINK SHE IS LEADING WITHIN HER, WITHIN HER NEW DEPARTMENT.
>> Gene: THAT IS THE NEEDLE SHE HAS TO THREAD RIGHT THERE.
INNOVATION VERSUS JOB LOSS IS A BIG ISSUE FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION AS THIS THING GOES ON.
WE HAVE TO HOLD IT THERE AND KEEP AN EYE ON THE COMMITTEE FOR A VOTE.
WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOUSING.
ALBUQUERQUE HAS SEEN ONE OF THE LARGEST SURGES OF RENTAL PRICES IN THE NATION, SOMETHING DUE TO TEXT EXAMPLE OF LOW SUPPLY AND HIGH DEMAND FOR HOUSING.
IT PLAYS OUT FROM CARLSBAD TO TAOS AND MANY PLACES IN BETWEEN.
NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS CORRESPONDENT, MEGAN KAMERICK, SAT DOWN WITH UNM LAW PROFESSOR SERGE MARTINEZ TO TALK ABOUT HOW THESE HIGHER PRICES MAY AFFECT YOUNGER AND LOWER INCOME PEOPLE AND TENANT THOMAS HUGHES ABOUT HIS RECENT EXPERIENCE FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE.
>> Megan: THOMAS AND SERGE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.
THOMAS, YOU HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A PROPERTY TO RENT FOR AROUND HALF A YEAR.
YOU FINALLY FOUND A PLACE THIS MONTH.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT MADE THIS SEARCH SO DIFFICULT AND SO LONG.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
FINDING A SPACE -- FIRST AND FOREMOST WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PANDEMIC.
IT IS ALWAYS CRAZY TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING WHEN LOTS AND LEASING AGENTS DON'T WANT TO SHOW IN PERSON BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION.
I AM VERY SYMPATHETIC WITH THAT.
SAFETY IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, BUT, TRYING TO MOVE INTO A SPACE SIGHT UNSEEN IS A TERRIFYING ESPECIALLY WITH THE EXPECTATION, A LOT OF SPACES WE WERE EVEN CONSIDERING, YOU NEED TO HAVE A LEASING AGREEMENT IN PLACE BEFORE WE LET YOU SEE IT.
AND THEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT CANCELING THE LEASING AGREEMENT.
THAT DIDN'T SIT RIGHT WITH ME.
THAT WASN'T SOMETHING I WANTED TO DO.
I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE A ONE OFF BUT I TOURED 16 DIFFERENT PLACES AND I THREW OUT ABOUT 30 JUST BECAUSE THEIR EXPECTATION I HAD TO HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE WITH THEM, APPROVAL OR LEASING AGREEMENT, BEFORE THEY WOULD LET ME SEE IT.
>> Megan: A BINDING LEASING AGREEMENT?
>> Hughes: YES, BINDING LEASING AGREEMENT.
THEY WERE LIKE, WE WOULD LET YOU CANCEL THE LEASE IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT THEY SENT OVER AN ENTIRE COPY OF THE LEASE EXPECTING BINDING AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED BEFORE THEY WOULD LET ME SEE IT.
>> Megan: BEFORE YOU SAW IT, WOW.
>> Hughes: THAT SAT WRONG WITH ME.
IT WASN'T LIKE INDEPENDENT LEASING AGENTS.
THESE WERE LARGE RENTAL COMPANIES DOING THIS.
IT WAS KIND OF TERRIFYING.
>> Megan: WHAT ABOUT APPLICATION FEES?
>> Hughes: WE SAW A LOT OF THAT.
APPLICATION FEES, THEY WEREN'T UNREASONABLE.
THEY HOVERED BETWEEN 45 AND 75-DOLLARS.
MOST OF THEM HOVERING AT ABOUT 50.
THAT IS WHAT THEY CLAIMED IT COST TO RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK AND DO ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
THAT SEEMED PRETTY STANDARD.
THEN AND NOW IT WAS A 50-DOLLAR APPLICATION FEE.
>> Megan: DID YOU HAVE TO PAY A LOT OF THOSE?
>> Hughes: I ENDED UP PAYING 12 OR 13 APPLICATION FEES.
ALL OF THEM ACCEPTED ME BUT THAT WAS JUST THE PROCESS TO GET IN THE DOOR TO SEE THE SPACE.
>> Megan: WOW.
OKAY.
THAT CAN ADD UP.
WHERE DID YOU STAY UNTIL YOU FOUND A SPOT?
>> Hughes: I AM FORTUNATE SO MY PARTNER AND I BOTH HAVE FAMILY IN TOWN.
I STAYED WITH EXTENDED FAMILY AND THEN VERY BRIEFLY MY GRANDFATHER WHILE HE NEEDED HELP.
AND MY PARTNER WAS STAYING WITH HIS PARENTS.
BUT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING TRYING TO FIND A SPOT WITH NOWHERE TO STAY.
WE STARTED LOOKING IN EARNEST MAYBE AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR AND WE HAVE BEEN TOYING WITH THE IDEA SINCE MARCH OR APRIL OF LAST YEAR, SO WE WERE DOING ONLINE STUFF BUT FEET TO PAVEMENT STARTED IN AUGUST AND TOOK UNTIL THIS MONTH TO BE SOMEWHERE.
>> Megan: NEW YORK TIMES RECENTLY REPORTED THAT ALBUQUERQUE IS SEEING ONE OF THE HIGHEST SURGES IN RENTAL PRICE INCREASES DURING THE PANDEMIC IN THE NATION.
THAT IS AROUND 8%.
WHY DO YOU THINK WE ARE SEEING THIS INCREASE RIGHT NOW?
>> Serge: THERE IS LESS HOUSING AND MORE DEMAND.
THE MATH IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
WE HAVE IN ALBUQUERQUE SEEN HOUSING AVAILABILITY GO DOWN, HOUSING AFFORDABILITY GO DOWN AS WELL AND THE NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO ARE TRYING TO GET INTO THE PLACES THAT DO BECOME AVAILABLE ARE GROWING.
THERE IS CERTAINLY THE MARKET IS A LOT MORE -- IT IS A LOT LESS FLUID RIGHT NOW.
PEOPLE AREN'T MOVING AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING HOMES.
HOMES ON THE MARKET GET SNATCHED UP VERY QUICKLY RIGHT NOW.
AND, SOME OF THAT IS PANDEMIC RELATED BUT SOME OF IT IS ALSO, YOU KNOW, SYSTEMIC STUFF ABOUT SUPPLY OF HOUSING, AND THE DEMAND FOR IT.
WHAT THOMAS HAS TALKED ABOUT IS PERHAPS, LIKE I SAID, IT MAY BE SITUATIONAL TO SOME EXTENT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING NATIONWIDE ABOUT HOUSING ELASTICITY AND AVAILABILITY IN THE MARKET RIGHT NOW, BUT THE DIFFICULTY OF FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE IS ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING AFFORDABLE IN ALBUQUERQUE, HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH HOUSING TO MEET THE NEEDS OR THE RESOURCES FOR THE FOLKS WHO NEED IT.
>> Megan: IS THERE A DISCONNECT BETWEEN HOUSING COSTS AND SALARIES?
THAT IS ALSO A DYNAMIC?
>> Serge: ABSOLUTELY.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY COMES TWO WAYS, RIGHT?
COST OF THE HOUSING AND THE RESOURCES AND THE INCOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING IT.
ALBUQUERQUE, LIKE ALMOST EVERY OTHER PLACE IN THE COUNTRY, YOU CANNOT AFFORD A TWO-BEDROOM PLACE IF YOU'RE WORKING 40 HOURS AT MINIMUM WAGE.
THAT IS NOT ATYPICAL.
THAT IS NOT UNUSUAL.
THERE IS NO STATE OR COUNTY AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THERE ARE PROBABLY THREE MUNICIPALITIES WHERE YOU CAN.
IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, ALBUQUERQUE IS NOT UNIQUE.
WE HAVE HOUSING PRICES HAVE OUTSTRIPPED THE MINIMUM WAGE UNTIL FOLKS WHO ARE DOWN AT THAT END OF THE MARKET ARE JUST -- THEY ARE PRICED OUT.
THEY CAN'T AFFORD A TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENT UNLESS YOU WORK MULTIPLE JOBS OR MULTIPLE PEOPLE WORKING OR DOUBLE UP.
>> Megan: WE HAVE SEEN THIS IN MANY CITIES WITH AN INFLUX, WE ALL WANT MORE JOBS HERE, WELL PAYING JOBS, THINGS LIKE NETFLIX, AMAZON IS BUILDING A WAREHOUSE.
DO WE HAVE ANY INDICATION THERE IS AN INFLUX OF THAT THAT IS DRIVING SOME OF THESE DYNAMICS?
>> Serge: ANY INFLUX LIKE THAT AND FOR BUILDERS AS WELL AS DEVELOPERS, ECONOMICS POINT TOWARDS HIGHER END OF THE MARKETS.
IT DIDN'T MAKE ECONOMIC TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIES OR OTHER WAYS TO MAKE CIRCLES WHO AFFORD IT.
STARTER HOMES WE HAVE SEEN FEWER AND FEWER OF THE STARTER HOME MARKETS BEING HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE BECAUSE YOU MAKE MORE MONEY IN BUILDING BIGGER HOUSES.
WHAT THAT DOES, THERE IS MORE HOUSING AVAILABLE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE MEANS TO DO IT BUT FOR EVERYONE ELSE, THE SUPPLY IS DECREASING AND DEMAND IS INCREASING AND YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
THE MATH IS NOT HARD.
>> Megan: WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, FINANCIALLY DEVASTATING.
HOW DOES THIS INCREASE OR COMPLICATE -- I AM SORRY -- HOW DOES THIS INCREASE THE COMPLICATION OF LIVING SITUATIONS FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED?
>> Serge: WHEN YOU HAVE REDUCED INCOMES, THAT MAKES IT HARD FOR FOLKS TO PAY RENT OR TO MEET IF THEY WANT TO MOVE INTO A NEW PLACE TO SHOW THEY MEET ANY INCOME GUIDELINES.
YOU HAVE JUST THE REDUCED AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING INTO THE SYSTEM, DIS-INCENTIVIZING LANDLORDS FROM PUTTING PLACES ON THE MARKET IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO GET FOLKS PAYING THE RENTS.
IT IS AN ECOSYSTEM AND WITHOUT THE INFLUX OF MONEY THAT COMES IN, EVERYBODY SUFFERS.
IF YOU DON'T PRIORITIZE HOUSING AS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYBODY.
>> Megan: HAVE YOU HEARD STORIES LIKE THOMAS'.
YOU'RE HOPING THIS IS EXTREMELY UNIQUE BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME OF THE THINGS HE IS ENCOUNTERING ARE SYSTEMIC.
>> Serge: IN MY EXPERIENCE, AT THE LOWER END OF THE RENTAL MARKET, FOLKS WHO ARE DESPERATE TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND IT IS A REAL CHALLENGE TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING BECAUSE THE INVENTORY IS NOT THERE AND PEOPLE -- MORE NEW PEOPLE ARE BEING PUSHED INTO A WORSE ECONOMIC SITUATION.
THERE IS MORE COMPETITION FOR AFFORDABILITY.
AND THERE IS NEVER A ONE-TO-ONE MATCH.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT COULD AFFORD MORE BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY ARE NOT, SO, THERE IS SOMETIMES A MISMATCH BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND THAT COMES THAT WAY, BUT THE CITY IS WORKING TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WHATNOT IN TERMS OF HUNDREDS OF UNITS, WHEREAS THE NUMBERS OF FAMILIES WHO ARE LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING THE LAST NUMBER I SAW WAS ABOUT 18,000.
AND THAT WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
SO, THE STORY TO TELL IS ONE THAT, YEAH, THERE IS LOTS OF FOLKS WHO CANNOT FIND A PLACE TO MEET THEIR NEEDS SO THEY END UP LIVING IN PLACES THAT ARE LOWER QUALITY, THAT ARE -- THEY ARE DOUBLED UP, CROWDED OR ACCEPTING WHATEVER THEY CAN GET FROM A LANDLORD WHO KNOWS THEY HAVE THE POWER TO DO THAT.
>> Megan: SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
THIS UPWARD TREND DOESN'T JUST PERTAIN TO RENTAL PRICES.
AS YOU MENTIONED, THE ALBUQUERQUE HOUSING MARKET HAS SEEN SIMILAR JUMPS.
WE HAVE VERY LOW MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES RIGHT NOW.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF THE MARKET OR FOR YOUNGER OR LOWER INCOME PEOPLE?
ASSUMING THOMAS WOULD LIKE TO BE A HOMEOWNER SOME DAY.
>> Hughes: WE LOOKED AT HOMEOWNERSHIP.
MY PARTNER AND I HAVE PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS THAT WE HAVE ACCRUED.
WE WERE LOOKING AT THE SITUATION OF BEING HOMEOWNERS AS OPPOSED TO RENTERS BECAUSE WE BOTH INTEND TO BE HERE FOR A LONG TIME.
IT WASN'T FEASIBLE.
THERE WERE NO STARTER HOMES THAT FIT OUR NEEDS.
I MEAN, GRANTED WE HAD SOME KIND OF FUNNY DEMANDS.
WE WANTED TO BE IN A DECENT AREA OF TOWN, BUT APPROACHING 165 TO 200-DOLLARS A SQUARE FOOT IN THIS CITY IS RIDICULOUS.
WE WANTED TO BE HOMEOWNERS.
IT WASN'T FEASIBLE AT THIS TIME.
>> Megan: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR ALBUQUERQUE, SERGE?
>> Serge: I DON'T THINK IT IS GOOD, RIGHT?
IF YOU CAN ONLY BUY A HOME IF YOU'RE AT THE HIGH END OF THE MARKET AND NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR RENTALS AND OTHERS IN THAT END OF THE MARKET, WHAT WE'LL SEE IS PROBABLY A LESS EXTREME VERSION OF WHAT YOU SEE IN OTHER PLACES WHERE PEOPLE JUST GET PUSHED OUT, WHERE THERE IS NO ABILITY FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY, TO BE ABLE TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS OR FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY, USUALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR, AREN'T ABLE TO HAVE THAT WEALTH THEY HAVE ALREADY GOT, CAN'T BUY A HOME WHICH IS A SOURCE OF WEALTH FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES.
YOU'LL SEE THE MARKET CONTINUE TO SPREAD, THE HAVE'S AND HAVE NOT'S.
DOWN AT THE LOWER END, THAT IS ALSO A PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE AVAILABILITY.
PRIORITIZING THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT, RIGHT?
HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND THERE IS A STRAIGHT LINE BETWEEN MODIFICATION OF IT AND A DECREASE IN HOUSING STABILITY.
BY TREATING IT AS SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO PUT RESOURCES INTO, TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESSIBILITY, THAT IS HOW WE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM NOT BY HOPING THE MARKET WILL SOLVE THIS.
IT WILL NOT.
IT CANNOT.
>> Megan: THOMAS, AS WE WRAP UP WE HAVE BEEN HEARING WHAT A HEADACHE THIS PROCESS WAS FOR YOU TO GO THROUGH, ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE MARKET IN ALBUQUERQUE?
>> Hughes: I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT MY ADVICE IS ANY GOOD, BUT DO LOTS AND LOTS OF RESEARCH.
THERE ARE ONLINE PORTALS THAT WORK PRETTY WELL.
I GOT A LOT MORE SUCCESS IN PHONE CALLS ACTUALLY.
I KNOW A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
I KNOW I GET DREAD WHEN I SEE THE PHONE RING BUT CALLING WAS HELPFUL.
AND, LOOK AT PLACES THAT DON'T NECESSARILY SAY THEY HAVE AVAILABILITY.
LIKE WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW, A UNIT JUST BECAME AVAILABLE AND WE SWOOPED RIGHT IN.
IT WAS VERY MUCH A TIMING THING.
HAD WE NOT ACTED QUICKLY WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.
SO, BE WILLING TO CIRCLE BACK IF YOU LIKE SOMETHING, KEEP CONTACTING AND SEE IF THEY HAVE AVAILABILITY, SEE IF THEY HAVE TIMELINES.
THAT IS BEST I CAN SAY AND HOPE THAT YOU FIND SOMEBODY HONEST.
I MEAN, THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THIS PROCESS.
THAT YOU FIND SOMEBODY HONEST.
>> Megan: THANK YOU BOTH FOR TALKING WITH US.
THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES TO KEEP A SUSTAINABLE VIABLE COMMUNITY.
THANKS A LOT.
>> Serge: THANKS, MEGAN.
>> Hughes: THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, MEGAN.
>> Gene: WE HAVE A BUDGET AND IT IS MOVING AT THE LEGISLATURE.
ON WEDNESDAY THE HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED A FUNDING MEASURE FOR NEXT YEAR.
IT'S ABOUT A 5% INCREASE IN SPENDING, 4.6 DIRECTLY, WITH A LOT OF MONEY IN IT FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF IN ONE-TIME COSTS.
AND, ERIC, AS FORMER SENATOR HERE, LET ME ASK YOU THIS, WE SAW THIS ONE-TIME SPENDING FOR THE LAST ADJUSTED BUDGET AND LAWMAKERS, UNLESS I AM MISSING SOMETHING, SEEMS TO HAVE WHETTED THEMSELVES THAT THIS IS A WAY TO WEATHER THE PANDEMIC.
DO YOU LIKE THIS APPROACH?
IS THIS GOING TO STICK OR IS THIS JUST THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO HANDLE THE MOMENT?
>> Eric: YOU KNOW, I AM A BIG -- A LOT OF FOLKS UP THERE, WE HAVE TO HAVE AT TIMES LIKE THIS, AN ECONOMY STRUGGLING, WE HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC SECTOR FOR GETTING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT IN GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND INVESTING IN CORE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE, RIGHT?
I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
I KNOW FISCAL CONSERVATIVES ARE SAYING WE NEED TO TIGHTEN OUR BELT.
I THINK THAT IS THE WRONG THING TO DO.
I THINK AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THERE HAS BEEN A BIG INVESTMENT AND THAT IS PART OF THIS PACKAGE.
FEDERAL MONEY IS A BIG PART OF THIS PACKAGE.
>> Gene: TWO TO THREE BILLION WE ARE ANTICIPATING COMING IN.
>> Eric: THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT FOR THE LONG-TERM TO FIND OUT IT HOW FISCALLY SOUND WE NEED TO BE, BUT I THINK IN THE SHORT TERM WE ABSOLUTELY NEED THE STATE AND FED'S TO REALLY PUMP SOME MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, BUILD THINGS, MAKE SURE WE HAVE CORE SERVICES COVERED.
I THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT APPROACH AND I HOPE THAT MAKES IT THROUGH THE SENATE SIDE AND FINANCE SIDE.
I THINK IT IS.
I THINK THERE IS AGREEMENT THAT WE CAN'T START CUTTING BACK NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF A PRETTY MAJOR ECONOMIC DOWNTOWN, CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.
I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.
>> Gene: PATTY LUNDSTROM HAD THE SAME THOUGHT.
WELL, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE CUTTING GOVERNMENT STUFF.
MERRITT, INTERESTINGLY A KEY PART OF THIS WAS THE REPUBLICAN IDEA FROM THE WINTER SPECIAL SESSION, YOU MIGHT RECALL, GIVE A BREAK TO LOW WAGE FRONT LINE WORKERS.
THAT IS PART OF THE BILL CERTAINLY.
WHAT CAN HOUSE REPUBLICANS DO WITH THIS AND WIN?
IS THERE SOMETHING IN IT FOR REPUBLICANS AS WELL.
>> Merritt: I THINK THERE ABSOLUTELY IS.
I MEAN, CERTAINLY AS KIND OF A FISCAL HAWK MYSELF, I SEE THIS BUDGET AND I FEEL SINGING.
I THINK, THAT WAS MY MILLENNIAL IMITATION THERE.
I WAS KIND OF SURPRISED IT DIDN'T GET MORE SUPPORT AMONG REPUBLICANS BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THE ONE-TIME SPENDING, THE PANDEMIC STIMULUS WAS QUITE MODERATE.
I FELT LIKE THE STATE RECOGNIZES, OKAY, WE HAVE A BIG INFLUX OF FEDERAL CASH COMING IN AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO AS MUCH WITH OUR OWN FUNDS.
I THOUGHT THE PAY RAISES WERE MODERATE, CONSERVATIVE.
I FELT THIS WAS A PRETTY, AGAIN, RESTRAINED BUDGET DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THE SITUATION WE HAVE, WHICH IS UNPRECEDENTED.
SO, I WAS QUITE SURPRISED AND I WAS SO SURPRISED AT HOW THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE CAUCUS WAS MIXED WITH MINORITY LEADER FOR THE BUDGET AND WHIP AND CAUCUS CHAIR MONTOYA AND DOW VOTING AGAINST IT.
I FOUND THAT VERY SURPRISING.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE ARE SOME REASONS.
THERE IS FRUSTRATION WITH OTHER BILLS THAT ARE HELD UP.
THAT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.
BUT, NO, I FELT LIKE IT WAS A BIG WIN.
I FELT LIKE REPUBLICANS GOT A LOT.
FISCALLY, I FOUND IT TO BE QUITE A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET AND I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD TAKE THIS AS A WIN AND SAY WE WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE.
WE HAVE A BUDGET THAT MEETS OUR NEEDS BUT MAINTAINS THE CASH RESERVE WE NEED FOR THE NEXT CRISIS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PANDEMIC WILL END.
>> Gene: ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE PLAN THAT WOULD USE A BILLION OF THE STATE'S 2.7 BILLION CASH RESERVE FOR ONE-TIME SPENDING?
THAT IS A PRETTY BIG CHUNK.
YOU OKAY WITH THAT?
>> Merritt: NO BUT GIVEN THE NUMBERS THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE GIVEN THE MINDSET OF BOTH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR, I THINK IT IS THE BEST WE COULD ASK FOR.
SO, I DON'T LOVE IT BUT I DON'T EXPECT TO LOVE THE BUDGET.
I AM SATISFIED WITH THE BUDGET.
>> Gene: THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> Eric: JUST REMEMBER ABOUT 700 MILLION IS GOING TO SMALL BUSINESSES, BY THE WAY.
THERE IS A HUGE CHUNK GOING DIRECTLY TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS.
JUST TO BE CLEAR.
>> Gene: A LOT OF MONEY GOING A LOT OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 7.4 BILLION.
REBECCA DOW WAS JUST MENTIONED.
SHE HAD AN INTERESTING POINT THAT HER CRITICISM, SORT OF AN UN-TARGETED APPROACH, TO BOOSTING SPENDING FOR SCHOOLS, SAYING MORE MONEY SHOULD BE DIRECTED FOR THE DISTRICTS THAT ARE DOING IN-PERSON LEARNING.
DOES SHE HAVE A POINT?
>> Kristelle: YOU THINK ABOUT TARGETS.
AM I AIMING AT THE RED TARGET OR THE BLUE TARGET?
I DON'T THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IN-PERSON SCHOOLS VERSUS IN-HOME SCHOOLS, RIGHT?
I THINK THE BLANKET STATEMENT OF EDUCATION JUST NEEDS FUNDING PERIOD IS WHERE IT IS MOST IMPORTANT.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE MIGHT HAVE LIKE A PERSONAL TICK AGAINST SOME OF THE UNIONS MIGHT BE OUT THERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HER INTENTIONS MIGHT BE, BUT I THINK THAT IT ALSO GOES BACK TO FUNDING EDUCATION FROM A K THROUGH 12 PERSPECTIVE JUST GOES BACK TO THE PRIORITIES OF THE GOVERNOR.
IT IS WHAT SHE PROMISED AND WHAT SHE RAN ON.
IMPROVING SCHOOLS.
EVEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, THAT DEDICATION IS DEFINITELY THERE.
YOU KNOW, IF I WAS TO KIND OF COMMENT HOLISTICALLY ON THE BUDGET AND HOW DOES THIS LOOK, IN FULL DISCLOSURE I AM A BOARD MEMBER OF THE NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT, SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM THE IPRA PEOPLE.
AND, I FOUND THAT I AM GLAD THERE IS SOME SENSE OF TRANSPARENCY HOW THIS BUDGET HAS GONE SO FAR.
I AM VERY CURIOUS ABOUT HOW CAPITAL OUTLAY WILL BE LAID OUT.
IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF NEGOTIATION WHY THIS BUDGET HAS BEEN SO EASY COMPARED TO PAST 10 YEARS OF COMPILING THE BUDGET, ESPECIALLY IN THE PANDEMIC, SOMETHING TELLS ME THAT CAPITAL OUTLAY IS GOING TO BE UGLY.
I AM HOPING THERE IS A BIG SENSE OF TRANSPARENCY WITH NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT ALONG WITH COMMON CAUSE AND OTHERS, THEY ARE ADVOCATING FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY FROM THE BEGINNING FOR BOTH THE BUDGET AND CAPITAL OUTLAY PROCESS.
>> Gene: A GREAT PLACE TO FINISH.
THANKS TO OUR PANELISTS.
WE ARE OUT OF TIME.
I AM BACK IN A MOMENT.
TURQUOISE, THAT WAS A SURPRISE.
WERE YOU LIKE ME ON WEDNESDAY WHEN YOU FIRST SAW THE NOTICE FROM THE GOVERNOR ON THAT VERY DAY WE WERE FLINGING DOORS OPEN BECAUSE WE WERE NOW TURQUOISE.
WHATEVER THE COLOR, IT WAS A BIT OF GOOD NEWS ON THE HEELS OF THE SNOW, ICE AND COLD TEMPS IN THE AREA RECENTLY.
GETTING NORTH OF 60 DEGREES CERTAINLY HELPED THAT AS WELL.
WELL.
WHATEVER THE DETAILS MAY BE, IT DOES FEEL LIKE A CORNER HAS BEEN TURNED OR AT LEAST WE ARE COMING UP ON ONE.
TIMING COULDN'T BE BETTER.
THERE IS REPORTING THE NATION COULD SEE A PRETTY ROBUST ECONOMIC RECOVERY ONCE WE TRULY GET ON TOP OF THIS VIRUS.
OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE READY.
THEY HAVE SLOGGED THROUGH A TOUGH SEASON AND STIMULUS MONEY IS ITCHING TO BE SPENT, A LOT OF IT.
ALL RIGHT.
THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.
WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH IMAGES OF THE WONDERFUL ANIMAS RIVER IN FOUR CORNERS AREA.
STAY SAFE, SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK, IN FOCUS.
>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY THE MCCUNE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

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