>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY THE  MCCUNE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION  AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW  MEXICO FOCUS, REACTION FROM INDIAN COUNTRY TO DEB  HAALAND'S HISTORIC CONFIRMATION AS HEAD OF THE  INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

>> Poston: WE HEAR IT A LOT.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

BUT YOU COULD FEEL IT.

YOU COULD ACTUALLY FEEL IT.

>> Gene: PLUS SETTING THE  STAGE FOR THE ISSUES THAT WILL DEFINE THE FINAL HOURS OF THE  2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST GENE GRANT.

THE STATE PRACTICALLY STOPPED  ON MONDAY AFTERNOON AS DEB HAALAND MADE HISTORY BECOMING  THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN TO SERVE AS SECRETARY OF THE  DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR.

SHE IS ALSO THE FIRST NATIVE  AMERICAN TO SERVE IN ANY PRESIDENTIAL CABINET.

WE'LL GET REACTION TO CONFIRMATION FROM INDIAN  COUNTRY AS WELL AS THE LINE OPINION PANEL.

THE LINE WILL  ALSO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS PASSED SO FAR IN 2021 LEGISLATIVE  SESSION AND WHAT ISSUES ARE RACING THE CLOCK AND CATCH UP  WITH JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND AS  WE CONTINUE TO GATHER THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ABOUT PRESIDENT  BIDEN'S CLIMATE CHANGE PLANS, BUT AS USUAL WE BEGUN WITH THE  LINE IN THE LAST FRANTIC HOURS OF A ONE-OF-A-KIND LEGISLATIVE  SESSION.

IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THE  ACTION TO COME DOWN TO THE WIRE AT THE END OF ANY  LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND 2021 IS NO DIFFERENT.

AS WE TAPE THIS WEEK'S SHOW, THERE ARE STILL HUGE ISSUES TO  BE DECIDED AND A HANDFUL OF HISTORIC MEASURES THAT HAVE  ALREADY BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

HERE TO BREAK IT ALL DOWN IS OUR LINE OPINION PANEL FOR  THIS WEEK.

STARTING WITH REGULAR AND  FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN.

SENATOR DIANE SNYDER IS BACK WITH US.

SHE'S ALSO, AS I MENTIONED, A FORMER STATE SENATOR AND USED  TO THIS SPRINT TO THE FINISH LINE IN SANTA FE FOR SURE.

ROUNDING OUT OUR TRIO OF FORMER LAWMAKERS IS ERIC  GRIEGO WHO ALSO SERVED IN THE STATE SENATE.

WE WELCOME BACK MERRITT ALLEN.

SHE MAY NOT BE A SENATOR BUT  DOES OWN VOX OPTIMA, A PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM.

THANK FOR JOINING US VIA ZOOM.

SENATOR FELDMAN AS WE TALK  NOW, HERE ARE A FEW OF THE PROPOSALS THAT HANG IN THE  BALANCE, CANNABIS LEGISLATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION  FUNDING, TAX AND REDISTRICTING REFORM, MANDATORY PAID SICK  LEAVE, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

DO ANY OF THESE ISSUES RISK JUST BEING LOST AT TIME.

GIVEN HOW MUCH IS LEFT, WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF GETTING LEFT  OFF?

>> Dede: I THINK THEY ARE ALL  AT RISK OF BEING DEFEATED FOR THE LACK OF TIME.

AND THE PROCESS IS SUCH THAT EACH ONE OF THESE ISSUES IS  SUBJECT TO A FILIBUSTER AT THIS POINT.

AND SO A FILIBUSTER ON ONE BRINGS THE OTHERS DOWN.

SO, THAT MEANS THAT THE LEADERSHIP HAS GOT TO  PRIORITIZE WHICH ONES OF THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND,  REMEMBER, THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER BILLS  BESIDES JUST THE ONES THAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED THAT ARE  IMPORTANT TO CERTAIN CONSTITUENCIES AND ACTUALLY  MAY HAVE TO BE ENACTED IN ORDER TO ACCESS FEDERAL FUNDS  OR COMPLY WITH A LAW, SO THIS JUST BRINGS TO MY MIND THE  ABSOLUTE INFLUENCE AND CONTROL THAT WILL COMMITTEE CHAIRS  HAVE DURING THE LAST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IF YOU DELAY A BILL IN A COMMITTEE LIKE A JUDICIARY  COMMITTEE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT MEANS THE CHANCES OF NOT JUST  THE BILL THAT YOU ARE DELAYING DOES NOT GET PASSED BUT IT  ALSO COMPLETELY JEOPARDIZES THE 100 OTHER BILLS THAT ARE  IN YOUR COMMITTEE ON YOUR AGENDA AND ALSO THE 80 OTHER  BILLS THAT ARE ON EITHER THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE FLOOR.

SO, THIS IS BORNE OF A PROCESS THAT REALLY DOES NOT GIVE  ENOUGH TIME FOR THOROUGH CONSIDERATION OF THE  LEGISLATION.

>> Gene: WE CAN TACKLE THAT ON  ANOTHER SHOW, THE IDEA OF HOW TO DO ALL THIS IN A SESSION.

SENATOR GRIEGO, RIGHT TO HB12, THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA  BILL, MIGHT AS WELL GO THERE.

PASSED SENATE JUDICIARY EARLY  THURSDAY MORNING BUT CHAIRMAN JOE CERVANTES SAYS THE BILL IS  STILL NOT READY.

I SENSE AN EPIC SHOWDOWN ON  THE SENATE FLOOR.

WHAT ARE YOU SENSING?

>> Eric: AS WE TAPE THIS, IT IS NOT ON SENATE AGENDA FOR  THURSDAY SO WHEN THIS AIRS ON FRIDAY, IT WILL LIKELY HAVE  BEEN SCHEDULED BUT NO GUARANTEE.

TO DEDE'S POINTS, I THINK THE LEADERSHIP KNOWS THE MORE  CONTROVERSIAL LIKE THIS ONE ARE GOING TO BE LONG DEBATES,  POTENTIALLY USED AS A FILIBUSTER BY THE OPPONENTS,  IN THIS CASE, REPUBLICANS.

THERE IS TWO OTHER BILLS THAT  COULD BE VICTIMS TOO LONG A DEBATE ON HB12, PAID SICK  LEAVE, WHICH IS ALSO ON THE SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, SO THAT  WILL ALSO BE A LONG CONTROVERSIAL DEBATE AND SOME  BUSINESS GROUPS WANT TO USE THAT TO HOLD SOME OTHER BILLS  HOSTAGE, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE THEY STRONGLY OPPOSE  IT.

FOLKS ARE HOPING THAT GETS  OUT.

THE ONE BRIGHT NOTE JUST  BECAUSE AS WE TAPE IT THIS LOOKS LIKE HGR1,  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EARLY  CHILDHOOD, WAS A HUGE COMPROMISE FIRST TIME IN THE  HISTORY OF THIS BILL AFTER 10 YEARS TO PUT SOME MONEY TO  K-12 AND SOME MONEY INTO EARLY CHILDHOOD, THAT LOOKS LIKE IT  IS GOING TO PASS.

SO BY THE TIME THIS AIRS, MY  PREDICTION IS THAT WILL HAVE PASSED THE SENATE WHICH IS A  MASSIVE VICTORY FOR A LOT OF FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON  THAT FOR 10 YEARS.

>> Gene: A LONG TIME.

SENATOR SNYDER, I AM CURIOUS YOUR OPINION, HERE.

THE SENATE HAS A NEW LOOK, AS  WE KNOW.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

HAVE  YOU NOTICED THE NEW 11 NEW MEMBERS, THE NEW COMMITTEE  LEADERSHIP, ARE ALL IMPACTING HOW BUSINESS IS BEING DONE.

DO YOU SENSE SOMETHING IS MORE EFFICIENT, IS BETTER?

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF HOW THE NEW LOOK IS DOING THIS  SESSION?

>> Diane: THE NEW LOOK HAS  CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO, AS SENATOR MUNOS SAID, THE  INCREASED ANIMOSITY BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

AND MAYBE HE WAS SPEAKING ONLY ABOUT SENATE FINANCE BUT I  THINK IF YOU LOOK AT IT IN ADDITION TO ALL THE NEW  MEMBERS, WHICH MAKES A DIFFERENCE ALWAYS, THE  LEADERSHIP.

OUT OF THE SEVEN LEADERSHIP  POSITIONS IN THE SENATE, ONLY ONE HAS PRIOR EXPERIENCE --  LINDA WAS ACTUALLY A CAUCUS LEADER BUT THEY HAVE NO  LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

>> Gene: WHO ARE YOU  MENTIONING?

>> Diane: SENATOR LINDA --  >> Gene: LOPEZ.

>> Diane: LOPEZ.

SHE HAD SOME BUT SHE IS THE WHIP NOW.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THAT HELPED THE SENATE IN PAST  YEARS, WHETHER YOU LIKE THE OUTCOME OR NOT, WAS THE MUTUAL  COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE LEADERS.

AND IN THIS CASE, I KNOW SENATOR GRIEGO IS HAPPY AND  THIS WAS PART OF THE TURNOVER WHERE YOU HAD THE PRESIDENT  PRO TEM WHO WAS RESPECTFUL OF THE SENATE, SENATOR INGLE, BUT  YOU ALSO HAD SENATOR BILL PAYNE WHO EVERYBODY ADMIRED  AND RESPECTED AND THEN YOU HAD PEOPLE ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE  WORKING -- I JUST BELIEVE YOU HAD A BETTER OPPORTUNITY IN  THOSE DAYS TO REACH A COMPROMISE OR HELP GET A BILL  BROUGHT FORWARD THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK I FEEL QUITE SORRY FOR SENATOR WIRTH.

ALL OF  THIS IS HANDED TO HIM AND HITTING ON THE HEAD WITH HIM  AND I THINK HE IS DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB WITH WHAT HE  HAS DONE SO FAR BUT I DO THINK OF THAT MAKES A BIG  DIFFERENCE.

BUT I DON'T THINK, OTHER THAN  PASSING THE BILLS, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR  EARLY CHILDHOOD MONIES AND K THROUGH 12, IS I DON'T  THINK -- I THINK THOSE KIND OF BILLS WHICH ARE NOW PASSED  BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN THE BODY OF THE SENATE, THERE IS  STILL PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES WHO AREN'T HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

AND DON'T FEEL -- I MEAN SENATOR JOHN ARTHUR SMITH AND  SENATOR MARY KAY PAPEN, WHETHER YOU LIKED THEM OR NOT,  THEY WERE WELL RESPECTED AND IT WAS THEIR VOTING THAT TOOK  THEM OUT BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAD  IN THE PAST.

SO I THINK THERE IS STILL SOME  ANIMOSITY OR CONCERN AND -- >> Gene: PROBABLY SO.

MERRITT, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

REDISTRICTING REFORM, ANOTHER  BIG ISSUE.

YOU'RE INVOLVED   WITH THIS ONE FOR SURE.

WE STILL HAVE TWO BILLS AT PLAY.

THE FRONT RUNNER NOW DOESN'T ADDRESS EVERYTHING THE TASK  FORCE SUGGESTED LAST YEAR AND THE SPEAKER EGOLF IS LESS THAN  SUPPORTIVE RELINQUISHING ANY POWER IN THIS ONCE-IN-A-DECADE  RESPONSIBILITY.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF WHERE  THIS STANDS NOW WITH SB15 AND OTHERS ON REDISTRICTING.

>> Merritt: I THINK IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY.

I SAT IN AT THE -- I TESTIFIED AT THE HOUSE JUDICIARY HEARING  LAST WEEK AND THE SENATOR IS STRAIGHT ON.

THE ANIMOSITY IS THERE.

WHAT IS CLEAR TO ME IS  DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WILL NOT LET ANY GOOD GOVERNANCE BILL THAT  HAS REPUBLICANS NAME ON IT GO FORWARD.

IT IS TOO BAD BECAUSE -- >> Gene: WHO IS THE BLOCK  THERE?

IS IT MR. EGOLF.

YOU WANT TO NAME NAMES?

WHO IS BLOCKING THIS?

>> Merritt: ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE SPEAKER FEELS HIS  HAND HAS BEEN FORCED IN SOME UNFORTUNATE COMMENTS THAT HAVE  COME BACK AT HIM.

I THINK HE FEELS DEFENSIVE.

HE TOOK EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO CO-BRAND PARTICULARLY  REPRESENTATIVE DOW WHO HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL IN SUPPORTING  REDISTRICTING.

TO CO-BRAND HER WITH THE  JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL.

IF HE COULD HAVE IMAGES OF HER AND COUY GRIFFIN WITH ARMS  AROUND EACH OTHER, IT WOULD MAKE HIM VERY HAPPY.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE.

I THINK IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO ALIGN THE  REDISTRICTING BILL WITH AMENDMENTS TO THE FOR THE  PEOPLE ACT THAT IS IN THE U.S. SENATE RIGHT NOW.

AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE THE SHOW, IT IS GOING  TO BE HARD TO GET KEY VOTES ON THE SENATE BUT IT IS WHAT THE  CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS WANT AND SEEMS TO BE THE DESIRE OF  THE NEW MEXICO STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AND THE TWO  BILLS, HOUSE BILL AND SENATE BILL.

SENATE BILL 15 STILL NEEDS TO BE AMENDED TO ACKNOWLEDGE  TRIBAL BOUNDARIES, ELIMINATE THE USE OF PARTISAN DATA IN  DRAWING MAPS AND TO BE TRULY NEUTRAL WITH REGARD TO  CONSIDERING INCUMBENTS AND TO PREVENT GERRYMANDERING.

HOUSE BILL 211 HAS THAT LANGUAGE ALREADY IN IT.

HAS THE SUPPORT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF BOTH REPUBLICANS AND  DEMOCRATS, BUT TO EARLIER POINTS, THIS IS WHERE  COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN BECOME VERY POWERFUL AND DOUBTFUL WHETHER  IT WILL GET TO THE FLOOR.

THIS IS ALSO, WITH OUR VERY  SHORT-TERM LEGISLATURE, WHICH IS WHAT REALLY HAS TO HAPPEN  IN THE '21 LEGISLATURE IS THE BUDGET AND REDISTRICTING.

>> Gene: RIGHT.

>> Merritt: BOTH OF THOSE  THINGS ARE AT RISK RIGHT NOW.

>> Gene: SENATOR GRIEGO, AS OF  THIS TAPING RIGHT HERE AS WE ARE DOING THIS THURSDAY  MIDDAY, WE DON'T HAVE A FINAL BUDGET APPROVED BUT IT IS  CLOSE.

LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE  ABOUT 7.4 BILLION, THE NUMBER WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FOR A  WHILE, INCREASE OF 5% BUT MOST OF THOSE INCREASES ARE FEDERAL  BUCKS TO HANDLE PANDEMIC RELIEF.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF HOW WE HAVE HANDLED STARTING WITH THE  GOVERNOR AND WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO BRING INTO THIS BUT  HOW WE ESTABLISHED IN FIGHTING FOR THIS PARTICULAR BUDGET  LINE.

>> Eric: WELL, THE ONE BIG  STORY IS THERE HAS BEEN, I THINK, THE DEMOCRATIC  LEADERSHIP DESPITE SOME OF THE RHETORIC YOU HEAR FROM SOME OF  THE BUSINESS LOBBYISTS, HAVE BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO PROVIDE  FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, LOANS, GRANTS, A HUGE PART OF THE  BUDGET IS NOT JUST USING FEDERAL AID BUT A LOT OF STATE  MONDAY TO BACK UP ALL THE STRUGGLES THAT LOCAL  BUSINESSES HAVE.

AND ALL SAID AND DONE BETWEEN  FEDERAL AND STATE MONEY, CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS IS BEING  GIVEN TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

THAT HAS CONTRASTED WITH HOW  MUCH IS SET ASIDE FOR WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN THE MOST HIT ON  FOR (INAUDIBLE) COVID-19, FOR EXAMPLE.

THE BUDGET IS, I  THINK, IT IS A MODERATE BUDGET, CERTAINLY, THERE IS A  HUGE AMOUNT STAYING IN RESERVE.

I THINK SOME FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN MORE INVESTED IN  HELPING WORKERS ADJUST TO THIS ECONOMY, SOME ADDITIONAL  ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES.

WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO TALK  ABOUT THE TAX BILL, BUT CERTAINLY THE TAX BILL COULD  HAVE BEEN MORE STRONG IN TERMS OF HELPING WORKING FAMILIES.

THERE WERE SOME VICTORIES THERE, THE WORKING FAMILIES  TAX CREDIT TO EXCEPT FOLKS WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN THIS ECONOMY  BUT I THINK PART OF THE NARRATIVE IS DESPITE THE  COMPLAINTS FROM SOME OF THE CORPORATE LOBBYISTS, I THINK  OVERWHELMINGLY A HUGE AMOUNT OF THIS BUDGET IS DEDICATED TO  HELP BUSINESSES THROUGH THIS VERY, VERY TOUGH TIME AND I  THINK THERE HAS BEEN A MODEST INCREASE FOR A LOT OF PUBLIC  SPENDING AND INVESTMENTS IN NOT JUST PUBLIC SECTOR  EMPLOYEES BUT PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN THINGS LIKE  HEALTHCARE.

OVERALL, I THINK IT IS A  BUDGET THAT I THINK REFLECTS THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE  FINANCE COMMITTEE WHICH IS, LET'S MAKE SURE WE TAKE CARE  OF A LOT OF BUSINESSES WHO WILL BE AFFECTED.

AND THEN ON TAX POLICY, I THINK WE COULD HAVE BEEN A BIT  MORE AGGRESSIVE.

I THINK THE TAX BILL, THE TAX  REFORM BILL 291 WAS PRETTY GOOD BUT I THINK WE CERTAINLY  COULD HAVE ASKED MORE FROM CORPORATIONS AND MORE FROM THE  WEALTHIEST NEW MEXICANS TO HAVE GIVEN MORE.

CAPITAL GAINS, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS REALLY REDUCED, AT THAT  TAX INCREASE.

I THINK WE COULD HAVE ASKED MORE FROM THOSE WHO ARE DOING  THE BEST IN THIS ECONOMY AND TRIED TO HELP FAMILIES AND  KIDS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> Gene: THAT IS AN  INTERESTING LAST NOTE FOR RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE BACK IN A MOMENT TO HANDICAP THE FIELD OF  CANDIDATES INTERESTED IN RUNNING TO REPLACE DEB HAALAND  IN CONGRESS.

>> Gene: SECRETARY HAALAND  ADDRESSED THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE LAST  TIME AS A MEMBER ON TUESDAY, A DAY AFTER THE HISTORIC VOTE  THAT MADE HER FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN TO HOLD A CABINET  LEVEL POSITION IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

THAT VOTE REVERBERATED THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO  ESPECIALLY IN INDIAN COUNTRY.

IN HER ADDRESS TO THE HOUSE,  SECRETARY HAALAND HIGHLIGHTED HER WORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE,  VOTING, RACIAL JUSTICE AND COVID-19 RELIEF.

THOSE ARE KEY ISSUES TO TRIBES BUT HER NEW ROLE IS ALSO  SIGNIFICANT, A NATIVE WOMAN LEADING THE DEPARTMENT IN  CHARGE OF PUBLIC LAND AND UPHOLDING TREATY AND TRUST  RESPONSIBILITIES.

THIS WEEK, CORRESPONDENT  ANTONIA GONZALES SHARES REACTION FROM THE NATIVE  COMMUNITY.

>> Antonia:   GOVERNOR JENELLE ROYBAL, STEPHANIE POSTON AND  ALYSIA CORE, WELCOME TO NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN DEB HAALAND NOW MADAM SECRETARY  MENTIONED THIS WEEK, RARELY SEEING NATIVE WOMEN HOLD  FEDERAL LEADERSHIP ROLES, THAT HAS CHANGED, GOVERNOR ROYBAL,  YOUR PUEBLO IS LEADING THE WAY WITH A FEMALE EXECUTIVE BRANCH  AND AS A TRIBAL LEADER HOW DOES HAALAND'S GOVERNMENT  POSITION RESONATE WITH YOU?

>> Roybal: WE ARE EXCITED.

EVERYDAY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR  EXCELLENCE AND GIVE EVERYTHING, OUR ALL, TO  SUCCEED.

AND MY PUEBLO, THE PUEBLO OF POJOAQUE, IS EXCITED TO HAVE A  NATIVE AMERICAN IN THIS POSITION BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,  DIVERSITY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

AND HAVING A VOICE FROM ALL ETHNICITIES IS A MUST SO WE  ARE ALL HEARD AND ALL PART OF THE DECISION MAKING, WE ALL  FACE CHALLENGES ON A DAILY BASIS, HAVE OBSTACLES WE HAVE  TO GET THROUGH TO MAKE CHANGES WITHIN OUR RESPECTIVE  COMMUNITIES THAT, YOU KNOW, TECHNICALLY BENEFIT ALL OF US  AS A WHOLE AND HAVING DEB HAALAND AS OUR SECRETARY OF  INTERIOR MAKES US ALL SO PROUD AND HOPEFUL FOR GREAT THINGS  TO COME.

>> Antonia: STEPHANIE, YOU  HAVE A CONNECTION TO SECRETARY HAALAND.

YOU HELPED PLAN A BIG EVEN IN DC WHEN SHE FIRST CAME INTO  OFFICE AND CONGRESS.

WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR  MIND WHEN YOU WERE WATCHING HER BEING CONFIRMED?

>> Poston: IT WAS VERY EXCITING AND IT WAS SURREAL.

I MEAN THAT WHOLE THING, I MEAN YOU HEAR IT A LOT.

REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

BUT YOU COULD YOU FEEL IT.

YOU COULD ACTUALLY FEEL IT AND BE A PART OF IT.

AND YOU COULD SEE THAT SHE CAME FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS  JUST LIKE US.

SHE CAME FROM ONE OF THE  PUEBLOS, SHE COMES FROM LAGUNA.

SHE IS A PROUD NEW MEXICAN AND IT WAS JUST A REALLY EXCITING  DAY AND ALL OF NEW MEXICO SHOULD BE PROUD AND HAPPY.

>> Antonia: WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE FROM THE PUEBLO YOUTH  COUNCIL?

>> Coriz: WITHIN THE ALL  PUEBLO COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS YOUTH COMMITTEE, WE ARE A PART  OF THE OVER ARCHING ALL PUEBLO COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS WHICH IS  COMPRISED OFF OUR 20 PUEBLO NATIONS EACH WITH ITS INHERENT  GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY AND SOVEREIGNTY OVER THEIR LANDS  AND SO OUR MISSION IS TO ADVOCATE, FOSTER, PROTECT AND  ENCOURAGE SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL WELL-BEING OF OUR  PUEBLO NATIONS.

SEEING THIS, THE YOUTH  COMMITTEE IS ONE OF THOSE PRIMARY FOCUSES IN OUR  COMMUNITY AND JUST TO HAVE A REALLY GREAT ROLE MODEL  AVAILABLE FOR US AND TO SEE THAT WITH STRENGTH AND  DETERMINATION THAT PUEBLO WOMEN CAN RISE AND OVERCOME  THE OBSTACLES THAT WE ENCOUNTER ON A DAILY BASIS AND  SO WITHIN THAT, IT IS JUST REALLY PHENOMENAL.

AND OUR YOUTH COMMITTEE IS ACTUALLY COMPRISED OF ALL  PUEBLO YOUNG WOMEN AND SO IT IS REALLY GREAT TO HAVE THAT,  YOU KNOW, WHAT WE LOVINGLY CALL AUNTIE DEB AVAILABLE FOR  US AS SECRETARY OF INTERIOR AND ANOTHER PUEBLO WOMAN ON  THE RISE TO LEADERSHIP.

>>   Antonia: SECRETARY HAALAND DOES CARRY HER PUEBLO  KNOWLEDGE.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT,  GOVERNOR?

>> Roybal: THAT IS WHAT WE  GROW UP WITH.

IT DOESN'T GO AWAY.

WE CONTINUE ON WITH OUR YOUNGER GENERATION, TEACHING  THEM.

AND IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT  MOVING FORWARD AND USE THAT TO HELP US GET OUR VOICES OUT AND  HOW WE LIVE AND OUR EVERYDAY LIVING I THINK THAT WE  WOULDN'T BE AS FAR AS WE ARE TODAY.

I THINK WE CAME A LONG WAY BY BEING TRUE TO OURSELVES AND  WHO WE ARE AND LETTING EVERYONE KNOW THAT IS HOW WE  STAND.

>> Antonia: AND STEPHANIE?

>> Poston: AS PUEBLO PEOPLE WE ARE THE ORIGINAL STEWARDS OF  THE LAND.

I WAS FORTUNATE TO WORK FOR MY  OWN TRIBE AND I KNOW THAT THEY REALLY TAKE IT SERIOUS IN  PROTECTING WATER AND RESOURCES AND PROTECTING SACRED SITES  AND YOU KNOW THAT WITH ALL THOSE EFFORTS FOR YEARS, THAT  PERHAPS OR UNCLES, GRANDFATHERS WORKED ON, THAT  THEY STAND A FIGHTING CHANCE NOW WITH SOMEBODY WHO TRULY  UNDERSTANDS THE MEANING OF THAT.

THAT IS NOT ONLY FOR OWN BENEFIT AS NATIVE PEOPLE, THAT  SORT OF PROTECTION, THAT COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING LANDS  WILL BENEFIT ALL OF THE GLOBE.

>> Antonia: IS THAT THE SAME  FOR YOUNG PEOPLE?

>> Coriz: OF COURSE.

ENGAGING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE CAN CERTAINLY  SEE THE COMMUNITY IS LINKED THROUGH INTERGENERATIONAL  TEACHING SO NOT ONLY WITH TEACH STORY COMES CULTURAL  REVITALIZATION BUT CONTINUES TO CARRY A TEACHING ALONG WITH  IT.

AND SO CERTAINLY WITH, YOU  KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE HAALAND OR SECRETARY HAALAND,   CARRYING THAT KNOWLEDGE ALONG WITH HER  WE CAN CERTAINLY SEE THAT IT WILL HELP TO PROVIDE SOME  STRENGTH GUIDANCE WITHIN THE COMING OBSTACLES SHE WILL HAVE  TO FACE IN HER NEW POSITION.

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT OUR  TRADITIONS, OUR KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE, OF COURSE, CARRIES  SO MUCH STRENGTH AND POWER.

>> Antonia: GOVERNOR, AS A  TRIBAL LEADER, THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF WORK TO DO FOR  SECRETARY HAALAND AND HOW DO YOU HOPE SHE TAKES A FEDERAL  APPROACH TO TRIBAL ISSUES, ESPECIALLY ONES SO DEAR TO  YOUR TRIBE?

>> Roybal: SHE IS A STRONG  LADY.

YOU CAN SHE THAT RIGHT AWAY SO  HAVING THAT VOICE JUST REPRESENTING US AND EVERYONE  ELSE MENTIONED, WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING.

IT IS NOT JUST FOR US NATIVE PEOPLE.

IT IS FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND I THINK MAYBE IT IS NOT  TAKEN IN IN WAYS AS WE WANT IT TO BE OUT THERE, AND IF WE  DON'T HAVE THAT VOICE THERE TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT, TO  EXPLAIN OUR SITUATION AND LET THEM KNOW OUR STRUGGLES AND  WHAT WE FIGHT FOR, THEN, WE ARE KIND OF LEFT OUT, YOU  KNOW.

SO, NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT  VOICE THERE AND THAT SUPPORT,  YOU KNOW, THAT IS JUST GOING TO BENEFIT ALL OF US AS A  WHOLE.

>> Antonia: THERE IS, LIKE WE  SAID, A LOT OF ISSUES TO TACKLE NOT ONLY WITH TRIBAL  ISSUES BUT PUBLIC LANDS AND TAKING CARE OF THE LANDS ARE  ALSO IMPORTANT TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ACROSS THE U.S. AND,  STEPHANIE, FOR YOU AS A BUSINESS LEADER, A MOTHER,  MEMBER OF THE NATIVE COMMUNITY LOCALLY, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO  BE WATCHING THE SECRETARY AND WATCHING HER EVERY MOVE.

HOW DO YOU SEE INDIAN COUNTRY HOLDING HER ACCOUNTABLE AS SHE  GOES ON TO THIS NEW POSITION?

>> Poston: I THINK WITH  POSITIONS LIKE THAT, YOU GO INTO IT KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE  TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS AND SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT NOT SIT  WELL WITH FOLKS.

AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT  THAT WE KNOW THAT AHEAD OF TIME AND, YOU KNOW, IT HAS  TAKEN A VERY LONG TIME TO GET TO THIS POINT OF HAVING THE  FIRST EVER NATIVE AMERICAN AT A CABINET LEVEL.

AND SO ALLOW THAT GRACE, ALLOW THAT PATIENCE AS SHE MANEUVERS  AND MAKES PATHWAYS FORWARD FOR NOT ONLY US AS NATIVE PEOPLE  BUT FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Antonia: GOVERNOR, DO YOU  HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ABOUT CONSULTATIONS WITH INTERIOR  DEPARTMENT AND JUST EVEN BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE EAR OF THE  SECRETARY AND HOLDING HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR SOME OF THOSE  TOUGH DECISIONS SHE MAY HAVE TO MAKE.

>> Roybal: I DEFINITELY CAN SEE US HAVING MANY  CONVERSATIONS.

WE HAVE STRUGGLES JUST HERE IN  NEW MEXICO WITH OUR WATER RIGHTS, OUR LAND PRESERVATION,  YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HISTORICAL SITES AND THE FRACKING.

WE WANT TO PROTECT ALL THAT LAND AND I THINK WE ALL HAVE  THE SAME AGENDA RIGHT NOW AND SO I DEFINITELY CAN SEE US  MOVING FORWARD IN A POSITIVE WAY AND HELPING EACH OTHER,  ALL OF US, AS A GROUP, YOU KNOW.

STAYING TOGETHER AND MOVING FORWARD AS ONE.

>> Antonia: THIS WEEK HAS BEEN SUCH NOT ONLY HISTORY IN THE  MAKING FOR ONE OF THE FIRST CONGRESSWOMEN TO BE IN  CONGRESS.

THERE IS ALSO CHARISSE DAVIS  WHO IS IN CONGRESS, SO HAALAND MADE HISTORY BECOMING NOW THE  FIRST CABINET SECRETARY NATIVE AMERICAN AND FEMALE.

THERE IS A LOT OF CELEBRATION, SO MUCH EXCITEMENT ACROSS  INDIAN COUNTRY, FOR SURE, HERE IN NEW MEXICO AND I KNOW THE  YOUTH COMMITTEE IS PLANNING A BIG CELEBRATION.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> Coriz: THAT IS CORRECT.

SO, YOU KNOW, IN LIGHT OF OUR NEW CABINET SECRETARY  HAALAND'S RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE -- THE  YOUTH COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED TO OUR 20 PUEBLO  GOVERNORS TO HELP CELEBRATE OUR NEW INTERIOR SECRETARY,  AND THAT WILL BE THROUGH A VIRTUAL EVENT LED BY THE YOUTH  COMMITTEE SIMILAR TO A CELEBRATION HELD PREVIOUSLY BY  APCG WHEN DEB HAALAND WAS OR BECAME ONE OF THE FIRST TWO  INDIGENOUS CONGRESS REPRESENTATIVES IN 2018.

SO AS OF THIS TIME, WE ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGES.

A RESOLUTION WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COUNCIL TO  HELP INITIATE THE FORMAL PROCESS IN CARRYING OUT THIS  HISTORIC CELEBRATION WHICH WILL INCLUDE AN OP ED SHARING  TO THE PUBLIC THE PERSPECTIVE OF PUEBLO YOUTH.

WE HOPE TO HAVE IT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC VIA ONLINE PLATFORMS  AND SO WE ALSO HOPE TO CALL ON OUR NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL  DELEGATION TO HELP PROVIDE REMARKS AS WELL AS PROVIDE A  SPACE FOR APCG TO CELEBRATE SECRETARY HAALAND'S  ACHIEVEMENT AND, OF COURSE, IN TRUE PUEBLO FASHION, TO HAVE  THIS BE INTERGENERATIONAL CELEBRATION AMONG PUEBLO  GOVERNORS, TRIBAL LEADERS, ELDERS, YOUTH AND COMMUNITY  MEMBERS.

>>   Antonia: I KNOW EVERYBODY IS SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS  HISTORIC CONFIRMATION AND NOW MADAM SECRETARY AND, LIKE YOU  SAID, AUNTIE DEB, PEOPLE FEEL SUCH A CONNECTION TO HER EVEN  IF THEY ARE NOT FROM NEW MEXICO, JUST WANT TO THANK YOU  ALL FOR BEING WITH US, BUT ALSO JUST END WITH SOME  MESSAGES, STEPHANIE START WITH YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO  TELL MADAM SECRETARY?

>> Poston: THANK YOU FOR  PAVING THE WAY AND THANK YOU FOR LEAVING THE LADDER DOWN.

BE STRONG AND WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO A GREAT  JOB.

>> Roybal: THANK YOU FOR  WANTING TO GET INTO THAT POSITION, KNOWING WHAT IT WAS  GOING TO BE AND HOW HARD IT WAS GOING TO BE TO GET IN  THERE AND WHAT WE WERE GOING TO WANT FROM YOU OR EXPECT YOU  TO DO FOR US.

THAT IS A LOT TO TAKE ON.

WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO DO  AWESOME AND WE ARE JUST SO, SO HUMBLED AND HONORED TO BE  NATIVE AMERICANS JUST LIKE HER.

>> Coriz: MY MESSAGE AUNTIE DEB IS CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR  RECENT APPOINTMENT.

CERTAINLY WE AS PUEBLO WOMEN  SEE THE LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE IN ORDER TO BE IN  LEADERSHIP AND SO I COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING THIS JUMP TO  PURSUE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, LEAVING  THE LADDER DOWN FOR THOSE TO FOLLOW.

YOU CERTAINLY ARE A REMARKABLE ROLE MODEL FOR THIS GENERATION  AND THE FORTHCOMING GENERATIONS TO COME, SO,  CONGRATULATIONS AND WE WISH YOU WELLNESS, STRENGTH AND AS  MUCH GUIDANCE AS YOU CAN WITHIN THIS POSITION AND ALL  OF ITS DECISION MAKING PROCESSES.

>> Antonia: THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US HERE ON NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Gene:   INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES WERE NOT ALONE IN  MARKING THE HISTORIC MOMENT OF DEB HAALAND'S CONFIRMATION.

NEARLY THE ENTIRE STATE STOPPED TO WATCH THE VOTE AND  TAKE NOTE OF ITS IMPORTANCE AND THAT INCLUDES ALL LINE  OPINION PANELISTS.

AND DIANE START WITH YOU.

WE KNOW THAT POLICY-WISE YOU HAVE CONCERNS WITH MS. HAALAND  IN THE INTERIOR, BUT WHAT DID THAT MOMENT MEAN TO YOU  PERSONALLY?

>> Diane: PERSONALLY  ABSOLUTELY PERSONALLY I WAS SO EXCITED.

FIRST SHE WAS FROM NEW MEXICO.

TWO, THAT SHE WAS A WOMAN AND  THAT SHE WAS NATIVE AMERICAN.

ALL OF THOSE CAME INTO BEING.

THEY HAVE ALL PLAYED, I'LL JUST SAY, A BIG ROLE IN MY  LIFE AND SHE HAS NOT -- BUT I DO, AS YOU SAID, HAVE CONCERNS  ABOUT SOME OF HER POSITIONS AND ANSWERED THINGS SHE HAS  ADVOCATED FOR AS OUR CONGRESSWOMAN, BUT I REMEMBER  IN THE HEARINGS, THE COMMITTEE HEARING, SHE WAS VERY CLEAR,  BECAUSE SHE WAS QUESTIONED ON THIS, IS THAT THE THINGS THAT  A CONGRESSWOMAN FROM NEW MEXICO WOULD ADVOCATE FOR AND  BE VERY VOCAL ABOUT WOULD NOT ALWAYS BE THE SAME THINGS AND  SAME ROLE OF A SECRETARY, BECAUSE SHE HAD THE  RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WHOLE NATION.

SO, I AM FEELING OPTIMISTIC.

IT KIND OF TOUCHED MY HEART TO  SEE IT HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT IT DID.

AND I HOPE THAT, QUITE TRUTHFULLY, SHE LIVES UP TO  ALL THOSE EXPECTATIONS I HAVE OF HER.

AND I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO FEEL THE SAME WAY.

WE WANT IT TO WORK BECAUSE OIL AND GAS AND EXTRACTIVE  INDUSTRIES ARE SO IMPORTANT TO US AND OUR STATE AND I JUST  KNOW SHE HAS TO FOLLOW THE ADVOCACY OF THE PRESIDENT BUT  I THINK SHE -- I LOVE HER SAYING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BEING  BRAVE AND WHAT IS THE WORD SHE USES.

FIERCE.

I HOPE THAT SHE IS NICELY  FIERCE WHEN SHE KNOWS THAT THE BEST THING FOR THE COUNTRY MAY  DISAGREE PERHAPS WITH THE PRESIDENT.

>> Gene: THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

>> Diane: I HAVE SEEN HER ACT  THAT WAY ON OTHER BILLS WHETHER I LIKED HER POSITION  OR NOT, BUT I AM HOPING THAT THIS FIERCENESS WILL CONTINUE  TO PLAY AS SHE BECOMES THE SECRETARY.

>> Gene: I LIKE THAT.

SENATOR FELDMAN, LET ME ASK  YOU THIS.

THE CLOCK IS IMMEDIATELY  STARTED, OF COURSE, TO REPLACE MS. HAALAND IN CONGRESS.

SECRETARY OF STATE MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER HAS NOW  SCHEDULED A SPECIAL TO REPLACE HER FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 1.

WE HAVE A DATE.

CANDIDATES WILL BE CHOSEN BY  THE POLITICAL PARTY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW  THIS, BUT BY A CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

DO YOU LIKE THAT PROCESS?

>> Dede: NO, I DON'T.

THERE IS A BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE NOW THAT WOULD  REPLACE IT WITH A PRIMARY ELECTION BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE  TIME TO PASS UNLESS IT HAS AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE ON IT AND  THAT JUST DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT IS GOING TO COME TO PASS.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU, AND EVERYONE, THAT THE LAST TIME A  DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE NOMINATED AN INSIDER TO RUN IN  A SPECIAL ELECTION, THEY LOST.

THEY LOST UNEXPECTEDLY TO A  REPUBLICAN.

THIS HAPPENED I THINK IT WAS  1998 IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, WHICH IS A SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC  DISTRICT, WHEN BILL REDMAN WON AGAINST THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE  APPOINTED CANDIDATE ERIC SERNA.

IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN, MAYBE -- WELL, MAYBE THAT WAS  '99 -- IN '98 WHEN PHIL MALOOF WAS  SELECTED BY THE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE, HE LOST TO  HEATHER WILSON.

WHICH I AM SURE YOU REMEMBER  WELL.

SO, THERE IS A RISK AT HAVING  NOMINEES SELECTED THIS WAY, BUT TIME IS SHORT AND SO IF  YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NEW MEXICO IS NOT DEPRIVED OF  VOTES FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO  IT QUICKLY.

>> Gene: SENATOR GRIEGO, YOU  KNOW, 9 DEMOCRATS ARE IN.

I HAVE A LIST HERE.

WE HAVE A LIST IN FRONT OF US, ONE INDEPENDENT IN AUBREY  DUNN, AND A COUPLE OF REPUBLICANS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DEMOCRAT SIDE OF THE DEAL.

WITH THE SHORT TIME PERIOD, BUT YOU'RE BEING CHOSEN, DOES  THAT GIVE A NATURAL ADVANTAGE TO ANYBODY ON THAT LIST THAT  YOU SEE OUT THERE?

>> Eric: NORMALLY IT WOULD BUT  THERE IS SEVERAL WELL-KNOWN DEMOCRATIC AND FOUR  LEGISLATORS, THREE STATES REPS AND A STATE SENATOR WHO ARE AT  THE TOP OF THE HEAP.

VERY DIVERSE.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT SENATOR FELDMAN SAID IN THIS  ELECTION, WE HAVE STRONG CANDIDATES.

I HAVE TO SAY, THESE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE, A LOT OF WOMEN OF  COLOR, REALLY STRONG LEGISLATIVE RECORDS, A STATE  SENATOR.

WE HAVE   THE GOVERNOR'S KIND OF A LEGISLATIVE PERSON.

THIS IS A STRONG FIELD.

NO OFFENSE TO PHIL MALOOF, I  WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH HIM, NICE GUY, BUT HE IS NOT  EXACTLY OUR STRONG CANDIDATE.

AND ERIC SERNA, A MAJOR  SCANDAL THAT WAS THE REAL REASON THAT WE LOST.

SO, I THINK FOR MOST OF THESE CANDIDATES, REALLY STRONG  BACKGROUND, VERY DIVERSE, I AM REALLY PROUD THAT WE HAVE THIS  INCREDIBLE FIELD OF CANDIDATES BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL OF  THEM WHO ARE VERY, VERY STRONG WHO CAN DEFINITELY HOLD THE  SEAT IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

SO, I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A  COUPLE NEWCOMERS I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE MUCH OF A STAB BUT I  AM GLAD THEY ARE JUMPING IN.

THERE ARE NO LESS THAN FIVE  FORMIDABLE, SERIOUS CANDIDATES ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

I WON'T SPEAK TO THE REPUBLICANS SIDE BECAUSE I  THINK I'LL DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE PANEL BUT I  CAN TELL YOU IT IS A PRETTY STRONG FIELD ON THE DEMOCRATIC  SIDE.

>> Gene: ALL OF THEM, I AM  PRETTY SURE, CAN KNOW THAT COLA, COST OF LIVING ADJUST,  YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT FROM PHIL MALOOF'S RUN, DIDN'T  QUITE GET THAT RIGHT AND THAT WAS A BIG PROBLEM FOR HIM.

MERRITT REPUBLICANS, WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

MARK MORRIS  IS IN.

HE'S SUPER CONSERVATIVE, ARAGON, RADIO  HOST, VERY CONSERVATIVE.

AUBREY DUNN IS RUNNING AS  AUBREY DUNN, NO PARTY AFFILIATION, BUT FOR THE TWO  FOLKS AFFILIATED WITH THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE DEAL,  WHAT IS YOUR SENSE?

>> Merritt: SENATOR MOORES  STEPPING INTO THE RACE REALLY MAKES THIS COMPETITIVE IN THE  GENERAL ELECTION FOR REPUBLICANS.

SENATOR MOORES HAS PROVEN ELECTABILITY IN THE  ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA WHICH IS WHAT IS NEEDED SO  REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME -- THEY HAVE  LOST NEARLY ALL OF THE LEGISLATIVE SEATS.

MARK  MOORES HAS SHOWN HE CAN WIN LEGISLATIVE RACES IN THE  ALBUQUERQUE METRO, WHICH THE GOP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO IN  RECENT YEARS AND THAT IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

>> Gene: IS THE TIMING RIGHT FOR HIM?

I AM NOT TRYING TO BE CUTE HERE?

I AM SAYING IT MIGHT BE.

AS SENATOR FIELDSMAN MENTIONED NO  ONE CAN WRITE OFF ANY REPUBLICANS AT THIS POINT.

SO, DOES HE HAVE THE RIGHT MESSAGE?

IS HE THE RIGHT CONSERVATIVE AT THIS POINT?

>> Merritt: I THINK SO BECAUSE WHEN YOU SAY HE IS VERY  CONSERVATIVE, I THINK HE IS VERY CONSERVATIVE IN A  PRE-TRUMP SORT OF WAY, BECAUSE THERE IS ACTUAL CONSERVATISM  AND THERE IS TRUMP CONSERVATISM.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS.

IT IS MOSTLY POPULOUS.

I AM NOT SURE THAT IS GOING TO PLAY WELL, PARTICULARLY IN THE  ALBUQUERQUE METRO (INAUDIBLE).

>> Gene: GOOD POINT.

>> Merritt: AND WITHOUT A PRIMARY, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE  TO GET THE LOUD FRINGES TO CARRY YOU OVER.

SO, IF HE IS LOOKING FOR THE BUSINESS VOTE AND THE BUSINESS  OWNER VOTE WHO MAY BE REELING FROM THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION  WITH SOME OF THE PROGRESSIVE MEASURES THAT ARE MOVING  FORWARD, I THINK THAT COULD PUT THE GENERAL ELECTION OVER  TO SENATOR MOORES.

>> Gene: JUST ABOUT A  MINUTE-AND-A-HALF, THERE IS OTHER NAMES FLOATING OUT  THERE.

ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR TIM KELLER,  ATTORNEY GENERAL HECTOR BALDARES, AUDITOR BRIAN COLON.

THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WE'RE SORT OF, IN THE MEDIA,  YAPPING ABOUT.

I AM NOT QUITE SURE HOW  SERIOUS THEY ARE.

DO YOU EXPECT ANY OTHER BIG  NAMES TO JUMP IN ON THE D SIDE?

>> Eric: THAT SHIP AS SAILED.

THAT PROCESS IS WAY BEYOND  THAT.

THEY ALL LOOKED AT IT, MAGGIE  TOULOUSE LOOKED AT IT AND I THINK THEY HAVE ALL DECIDED IT  IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME.

THEY ALL HAVE OTHER ASPIRATIONS.

I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A MESSY PROCESS BUT, YOU KNOW,  REALLY INTERESTING CANDIDATE, A FRESH FACE IN TERMS OF  COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE, SOMEONE WHO HASN'T BEEN IN  ELECTED OFFICE.

WE'LL SEE.

>> Gene: SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BILL SENATOR FELDMAN  MENTIONED THE NEXT TIME IT COMES AROUND.

I THINK THE VOTING PUBLIC WOULD HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT  OPINION ABOUT HOW THESE FOLKS ARE CHOSEN IF THEY HAVE A  CHANCE TO GET IN ON IT.

WE'LL BE BACK TO TAKE ANOTHER  STAB AT THIS ONE SOON.

STILL AHEAD THIS WEEK, THE  CONUNDRUM OF OIL AND GAS DRILLING HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

HERE AT NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, WE ARE CONTINUING TO TALK  ABOUT HOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS FOR  ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE MIGHT AFFECT NEW MEXICANS.

THIS  WEEK OUR LAND CORRESPONDENT LAURA PASKUS TALKS WITH JOHN  GOLDSTEIN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND.

HE WORKS ON OIL AND GAS ISSUES, INCLUDING HOW TO  REDUCE METHANE EMISSIONS FROM THAT INDUSTRY.

HE WAS ALSO CABINET SECRETARY OF THE NEW MEXICO ENERGY  MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT UNDER FORMER  GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON.

>> Laura: JOHN GOLDSTEIN,  WELCOME.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CAME  OUT WITH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON CLIMATE CHANGE JUST DAYS AFTER  TAKING OFFICE.

A MONTH INTO THE PRESIDENCY,  ROUGHLY NOW.

WHAT PIECES ARE MOVING FORWARD THAT YOU THINK  WILL AFFECT NEW MEXICANS?

>> Goldstein: CERTAINLY THERE  HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK AROUND THE LEASING CLAUSE AND THAT I  THINK UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF THE TALK AROUND IT HAS BEEN, I  THINK, IN AN UNHELPFUL FRAME, NOT RECOGNIZING ALL THE LANDS  THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SORT OF, YOU KNOW, PUT ON THE  BACKLOG BY THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AND I THINK HOW SMALL  OF AN IMPACT IN THE SHORT TERM THAT IS REALLY GOING TO HAVE  AS FAR OF DRILLING ACTIVITY GOES IN NEW MEXICO.

I THINK NATIONWIDE THERE ARE 13 MILLION ACRES THAT HAVE  BEEN LEASED AND ARE SITTING IDLE.

IN NEW MEXICO IT IS OVER ONE MILLION ACRES THAT ARE SORT OF  SITTING THERE IDLE.

SO, I THINK THAT THAT IS  GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO  HAVE THE BIG IMPACT IN THE SHORT TERM THAT SOME OF US ARE  HEARING.

I GUESS WHAT STRIKES ME TOO IS  THAT THIS IS SORT OF THE LATEST MACRO SIGNAL FROM THE  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND FROM THE WORLD MARKET AS WELL.

THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE STARTING TO TAKE CLIMATE  CHANGE SERIOUSLY AND IT UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF  THE EFFORTS THAT THE STATE HAS BEGUN UNDER GOVERNOR LUJAN  GRISHAM TO GET BETTER GUARDRAILS IN PLACE TO GET  ACTION IN PLACE TO CUT METHANE, TO ADDRESS CLIMATE  CHANGE ON THE ECONOMY WIDE SCALE.

BECAUSE IT IS REALLY GOING TO BE NECESSARY FOR KNEW NEW  MEXICO'S PRODUCTS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THESE WORLD  AND NATIONAL MARKETS.

>> Laura: BIDEN ALSO ORDERED A  REVIEW OF A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RULE THAT  LOOSENED AN EARLIER REGULATION  REGARDING METHANE.

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT  THAT REVIEW COULD INCLUDE?

>> Goldstein: I THINK THAT  WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS, NO.

1, A RETURN TO THE RULES  THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION BACK  IN 2016.

THERE WAS BOTH AN EPA RULE FOR  NEW SOURCES AND A RULE FROM THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT  THAT REDUCED METHANE WASTE FROM NEW AND EXISTING WELLS ON  FEDERAL AND TRIBAL LANDS.

THOSE WERE BOTH IMPORTANT  EFFORTS.

AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK MOST  OBSERVERS EXPECT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE THE  NEXT STEP AND ACTUALLY STRENGTHEN THOSE AND, YOU  KNOW, GET EXISTING STANDARDS IN PLACE FROM THE  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, FOR EXAMPLE.

A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, JUST KIND OF  TURNING BACK THE CLOCK TO 2016 GETTING THOSE RULES BACK IN  PLACE IS GOOD, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO REFLECT ALL THE STUFF  WE HAVE LEARNED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS AS FAR AS WHERE THE  IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO COME.

>> Laura: CAN YOU REMIND US,  WHAT IS METHANE?

AND WHY IS THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF  THIS LARGER DISCUSSION?

>> Goldstein: THAT IS A GREAT  POINT.

SO, METHANE IS THE PRIMARY  COMPONENT OF NATURAL GAS, THE GAS WE USE TO HEAT YOUR HOME  OR COOK YOUR FOOD IS PRIMARILY MADE OF METHANE MOLECULES AND  SO METHANE IS ALSO A VERY, VERY POWERFUL GREEN HOUSE GAS.

POUND FOR POUND IT IS MORE THAN 80 TIMES MORE POTENT AT  DRIVING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE SHORT TERM THAN CARBON  DIOXIDE.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WHEN THERE  ARE METHANE LEAKS, AND THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF  THEM IN NEW MEXICO FROM OIL AND GAS WELLS BOTH IN THE  PERMIAN AND IN THE SAN JUAN BASIN, WHEN YOU CAN ADDRESS  THOSE AND KEEP THAT METHANE IN THE PIPES AND NOT ESCAPING OUT  INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, YOU CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT BOTH  IN TERMS OF REVENUE TO THE STATE, SINCE YOU'RE COLLECTING  YOUR TAX AND ROYALTY OFF OF THAT, AS WELL AS PROTECTING  THE CLIMATE FROM DROUGHT AND THE KIND OF IMPACTS NEW MEXICO  IS ALREADY STARTING TO SEE.

>> Laura: AS I UNDERSTAND IT,  COLORADO HAS A METHANE RULE THAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS  ACTUALLY PERHAPS LOOKING AT AS  A MODEL.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT  ABOUT WHAT COLORADO HAS DONE IN TERMS OF METHANE AND WHAT  EXAMPLES THERE MIGHT BE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND FOR  US HERE IN NEW MEXICO?

>> Goldstein: SO, COLORADO HAS  HAD METHANE RULES IN PLACE SINCE 2014.

IT WAS THE FIRST STATE IN THE U.S. TO ENACT RULES.

THAT WAS UNDER GOVERNOR HICKENLOOPER.

AND IT HAS, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN TERMS  OF REDUCING EMISSIONS.

METHANE ALSO, WHEN YOU'RE  ADDRESSING METHANE AT A WELL SITE, YOU'RE ALSO ADDRESSING  THE FORMS OF POLLUTION THAT LEAD TO O-ZONE AND SMOG AND SO  THEY ARE ALSO GOOD IMPORTANT RULES FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH  PERSPECTIVE.

AND SO THE SORT OF 2014 RULES  HAVE BEEN GOOD IN COLORADO AND THEY HAVE IMPROVED THEM TWICE  SINCE THEN.

THEY HAVE GONE BACK AND  CONTINUED TO RAISE THE BAR AND WHAT HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO  SEE IS THAT THOSE 2014 RULES THEY WERE SUPPORTED BY SOME  MEMBERS OF THE INDUSTRY.

THREE LARGE OIL AND GAS  PRODUCERS IN COLORADO THAT WERE A PART OF THAT AND  SUPPORTED THOSE.

BUT THEY WEREN'T SUPPORTED BY  THE COLORADO OIL AND GAS ASSOCIATION, THE TRADE  ASSOCIATION, THAT REPRESENTS THE WHOLE INDUSTRY.

SINCE THEN, THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THE COLORADO REGULATORS  HAVE MADE HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY OIL AND GAS ASSOCIATIONS.

SO, IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE THAT PROGRESSION AND IT MAKES  ME WONDER THE POTENTIAL FOR SOMETHING SIMILAR IN NEW  MEXICO WITH THESE INDUSTRY PLAYERS, LIKE I MENTIONED  BEFORE, SEEING HOW THE MARKET IS SHIFTING AND CHANGING AND  SEEING THAT THEY NEED TO PUT REAL MEANING BEHIND REDUCING  THE EMISSIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE CLIMATE AND PUBLIC  HEALTH, SO I THINK THE MORE FORWARD LEANING ONES ARE  REALIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING ON BOARD WITH STATE  AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS LIKE THE ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING  ON AND LIKE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS STARTING TO  DIVE INTO.

>> Laura: AS YOU KNOW VERY  WELL, NEW MEXICO, OUR ECONOMY  RELIES ON OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT.

HOW HAS THE METHANE RULES -- ARE COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO  SORT OF COMPARABLE IN THE BREADTH OF THE INDUSTRY, THE  SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY AND HAS THAT RULE IN COLORADO, HOW HAS  THAT AFFECTED COLORADO'S PRODUCTION AND COLORADO'S  REVENUE?

>> Goldstein: NEW MEXICO AND  COLORADO ARE DIFFERENT.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT.

FOR ONE THING THE GREEN CHILE IN NEW MEXICO IS MUCH, MUCH  SUPERIOR TO THE GREEN CHILE IN COLORADO.

THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IS ALSO A MUCH BIGGER PART OF THE  ECONOMY IN NEW MEXICO THAN IT IS IN COLORADO.

SO, COLORADO HAS A LARGER AND MORE DIVERSE ECONOMY THAN NEW  MEXICO DOES.

AND SO THAT IS IMPORTANT TO  KEEP IN MIND WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THESE RULES.

HOWEVER, THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR IN COLORADO JUST BY  ITSELF HAS NOT BEEN ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY THESE RULES.

YOU KNOW, IN FACT YOU COULD ARGUE ACTUALLY IN SOME WAYS  IMPROVED BECAUSE IT IS MORE EFFICIENT AND IT HAS THE  ABILITY TO KIND OF SHOW THAT IT IS DOING ITS PART TO REDUCE  EMISSIONS TO THESE GLOBAL MARKETS.

>> Laura: PRIOR TO WORKING FOR AN NGO, YOU WORKED FOR THE  STATE OF NEW MEXICO DURING THE RICHARDSON ADMINISTRATION.

I AM CURIOUS WHAT YOU THINK IN TERMS OF WHEN IT COMES TO  CLIMATE CHANGE, WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION,  WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUTURE OF THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY, HOW  MUCH OF A ROLE DOES STATE POLICY PLAY VERSUS FEDERAL  POLICY AND DO STATES REALLY HAVE PASS FORWARD IF THEY WANT  TO TAKE ON THESE SORT OF BIG SORTS OF CHANGES AND  CHALLENGES.

>> Goldstein: YOU NEED BOTH.

IT IS SORT OF BELT AND SUSPENDERS.

THERE IS A ROLE FOR STRONG FEDERAL REGULATION LIKE WE'LL  SEE UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN IN MAKING SURE THERE IS A FLOOR  THAT EVERYONE HAS TO ABIDE BY.

FOR INSTANCE, THERE IS A LOT  OF OIL AND GAS THAT COMES OUT OF STATES THAT PROBABLY AREN'T  AT THE STATE LEVEL READY TO ACT, YOU KNOW, I LOOK ACROSS  THE BORDER TO TEXAS IN REGARD AND YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING THE  NEED FEDERAL REGULATORS TO STEP UP IF YOU WANT TO GET  AFTER THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST THERE.

THERE IS ALSO A ROLE FOR STATES LIKE NEW MEXICO,  COLORADO, WYOMING AND OTHER PLACES THAT HAVE SHOWN A  WILLINGNESS TO KIND OF GO BEYOND THAT FLOOR AND TO SHOW  STATE LEADERSHIP AS WELL.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO  SEE WITH THESE RULES FROM THE OIL CONSERVATION DIVISION,  THAT ARE GOING TO LIMIT VENTING AND FLARE.

THOSE SHOULD BE FINALIZED NEXT MONTH AND WE ARE WATCHING  CLOSELY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT  DEPARTMENT DRAFT RULES, WHICH ARE PROBABLY GOING TO GET A  HEARING LATER ON THIS SUMMER.

>> Laura:   DON GOLDSTEIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME  TODAY.

>> Goldstein: THANK YOU LAURA.

THANKS.

>> Gene: ONE OF THE FIRST  ACTIONS PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK UPON TAKING OFFICE WAS TO  ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER INDEFINITE PAUSING ALL NEW OIL  AND GAS LEASING ON PUBLIC LANDS.

THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM SENT THE  PRESIDENT A LETTER ASKING FOR SOME RELIEF ON THAT FRONT.

ALTHOUGH SHE STOPPED SHORT OF ANY DIRECT ASK, THIS IS THE  GOVERNOR'S LATEST TIGHTROPE ACT BETWEEN MOVING THE STATE  TOWARD MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES WHILE NOT TURNING HER  BACK ON THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

SENATOR FELDMAN, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE GOVERNOR'S  REQUEST?

>>   Dede: SHE IS ASKING FOR AN EXEMPTION.

SHE IS ASKING FOR AN EXEMPTION YET THE PAUSE THAT THE  PRESIDENT PUT ON THE OIL AND GAS LEASING HAD ALREADY  EXPIRED ON MONDAY.

SO THE QUESTION IS REALLY KIND  OF MOOT BECAUSE IT HAD ALREADY EXPIRED BUT NONETHELESS, I  THINK SHE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

THAT IS WHAT SHE WAS DOING RATHER THAN SEEKING REAL  RELIEF, WHICH WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT, ALTHOUGH NOW WITH  DEB HAALAND, IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR CERTAIN SPECIFIC  EXEMPTIONS LIKE CHACO CANYON, FOR EXAMPLE.

BUT I THINK THAT, YEAH, SHE IS TRYING TO WALK THAT LINE  BETWEEN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AND ALTERNATIVE  ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE WHICH SHE IS VERY COMMITTED TO  AND HER REGULATIONS AND HER REGULATORY POLICY HAS REALLY  PROVEN THAT WITH CONTROLS ON METHANE GAS EMISSIONS AND, YOU  KNOW, AND OTHER MEASURES, THE ETA OF SETTING A GOAL OF  CARBON NEUTRALITY, I THINK IT'S BY 2045.

THAT IS PRETTY AGGRESSIVE.

AND I THINK SHE WANTS TO LET  THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE WORLD KNOW THAT WE ARE  PRESSING FORWARD HERE AND DESERVE SOME SPECIAL  CONSIDERATION.

>> Gene: INTERESTINGLY 55% OF  THE STATE'S WELLS AND 63% OF OVERALL PRODUCTION ARE ON  FEDERAL LANDS.

THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR  NEW MEXICO.

SHOULD WE GET SPECIAL  CONSIDERATION HERE GIVEN THOSE NUMBERS, THOSE PERCENTAGES?

>> Merritt: AGAIN, I THINK TO SENATOR FELDMAN'S POINT ABOUT  CONTEXT, I DON'T KNOW -- IT WOULD BE NICE OF COURSE FOR  NEW MEXICO TO ALWAYS GET SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR  EVERYTHING.

BUT THE 60 DAY MORATORIUM HAS  SUNSET.

IT HAS NOT BEEN RENEWED AND SO IT IS NOT CLEAR  WHAT THE FINAL POLICY WILL BE.

ALSO IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT  THE EXISTING LEASES WE HAVE ARE SET FOR FOUR YEARS.

SO IT IS NOT LIKE PRODUCTION IS STOPPING.

PROBABLY A LARGER IMPACT ON THE PERMIAN BASIN IS SOME OF  THE SEVERE WEATHER WE HAVE HAD MAY BE IMPACTING OIL PRICES.

ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING BELL WEATHERS, IF YOU WILL, TO  HOW THERE ARE THREE STATES THAT REALLY HAVE THE MOST  IMPACT WITH FRACKING, WYOMING, NEW MEXICO AND ALASKA AND  ALASKA'S TWO REPUBLICAN SENATORS VOTED TO CONFIRM DEB  HAALAND AS INTERIOR SECRETARY.

SO I THINK THAT IS ALSO AN  INDICATOR THAT PERHAPS THESE WESTERN OIL PRODUCING STATES  ARE NOT AS CONCERNED ABOUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S  FRACKING PLAN AS THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY MAKES IT SEEM.

I AM GLAD -- I THINK IT WAS GOOD PR FOR THE OIL AND GAS  INDUSTRY AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE LEADER OF  THE OIL PRODUCING STATE IN AN ECONOMIC CRISIS SHOW THAT  RESOLVE THAT HE DOES SUPPORT INDUSTRY AND DOES UNDERSTAND  WE CANNOT DO WITHOUT THE REVENUES RIGHT NOW.

>> Gene: YOU TALK ABOUT NUMBERS.

OUR DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE ADMINISTRATION PREDICTS AN  ESTIMATED LOSS OF 709 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IF  THERE IS A 10% DECLINE IN OUR OIL PRODUCTION LEVELS.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

LET ME GIVE YOU THE QUOTE FROM  GOVERNOR.

QUOTE, FINANCIAL LOSSES OF THAT MAGNITUDE COULD  HAVE REAL IMPACTS ON OUR ABILITY TO ACHIEVE MAJOR GOALS  LIKE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

THERE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES HERE WITH THIS LOSS OF MONEY OF  THIS MAGNITUDE, ISN'T THERE?

>> Diane: YES, THERE IS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT EVERYBODY  KEEPS TALKING ABOUT, WELL, THE OIL AND GAS HAS ALL THESE  LEASES IN RESERVE.

WELL, THEY DO, BECAUSE YOU BUY  AHEAD.

YOU DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE DAY  OF AND BUY.

BUT, WITH THAT COMES WHEN  YOU'RE TRYING TO GET THE OIL AND GAS ABOVE GROUND, THERE  ARE OTHER KINDS OF LEASES THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE AND THE  MORATORIUM, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS ENDED, DID NOT EXCLUDE THOSE  KINDS OF LEASING, LIKE ROADS AND ACCESS AND THINGS LIKE  THAT, INTO TYPES OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS NEEDED.

THERE WERE NO EXEMPTIONS FOR THOSE THINGS, SO ADVERSELY IT  DID STOP WHAT LEASES ARE HELD BY THE COMPANIES RIGHT NOW.

I AM VERY CONCERNED -- I ADMIRE THE GOVERNOR FOR  ASKING.

AS WE SAID, IT IS A DAY LATE  AND A DOLLAR SHORT KIND OF BUT I REALLY AM CONCERNED  LONG-TERM ABOUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH OIL AND GAS  AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US AND I ALWAYS HAVE, AND THIS HAS  NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR PAST PRESIDENT, BUT I THINK I WOULD  LOVE TO GO BACK TO SEEING AMERICA TOTALLY INDEPENDENT,  THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANYMORE FOREIGN OIL AND GAS  BECAUSE WE HAVE THE RESERVES HERE.

SO, I AM VERY CONCERNED AND JUST AS A SIDE NOTE TO THE  FACT THAT THE TWO SENATORS FROM ALASKA VOTED, DON'T  FORGET, LOOK AT THEIR POPULATION AND THE NUMBER OF  INDIGENOUS CONSTITUENTS HE HAS AS WELL AS THE OIL AND GAS.

SO I THINK THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF PLAY IN THAT AS TO WHAT  THE REAL DECISION WAS.

SO, I LEAVE THIS ONE THING TO  SAY, I AM STILL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OIL AND  GAS IN NEW MEXICO AND THEREFORE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT  EDUCATION, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT CHILD CARE, ALL OF THOSE  THINGS.

SO, I HAVE MY CONCERNS.

>> Gene: SENATOR GRIEGO, MEANWHILE THE MARKETPLACE IS  SPEAKING MEANING FOLKS ARE PULLING UP AND GOING TO TEXAS,  BECAUSE THERE IS VERY LITTLE FEDERAL LAND THERE.

AND THEY CAN DROP A WELL WHEREVER THEY WANT, BASICALLY.

IS THIS A PROBLEM FOR US?

WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT  HOW MUCH OF OUR LAND MASS IS UNDER FEDERAL CONTROL, IT IS A  DIFFICULTY.

>> Eric: I THINK THAT OUR  DEPENDENCE ON THIS INDUSTRY, ANY CREDIBLE RESEARCH,  INCLUDING FROM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, IS THERE IS A FINITE  AMOUNT OF TIME LEFT FOR US TO MAKE THIS TRANSITION.

I KNOW WE ARE USED TO CLINGING LIKE GRIM DEATH TO THE  INDUSTRY.

NOBODY WANTS IT TO GO AWAY  TOMORROW.

WE REALIZE THERE HAS TO BE A  REASONABLE TRANSITION PERIOD BUT ALL OF US WHO ARE SORT OF  APOLOGISTS FOR THE INDUSTRY AND SO DEPENDENT ON THIS FOR  OUR STATE REVENUES, INCLUDING THINGS WE CARE ABOUT, I THINK  WE ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY.

BECAUSE, I THINK THERE IS A BIGGER EXISTENTIAL CRISIS  WHICH IS CLIMATE CHANGE WHICH OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS ARE  GOING TO BE LOOKING AT US TO SOLVE.

AND NOBODY IS SAYING SHUT THOSE WELLS DOWN TOMORROW.

I THINK THE TIGHT WIRE THAT NOT JUST GOVERNOR LUJAN  GRISHAM BUT THE PRESIDENT AND EVEN SECRETARY ELECT,  SECRETARY DESIGNATE, SECRETARY NOW, ALL OF US, HOW DO YOU  HELP WITH THAT TRANSITION BUT ALSO REALLY PUSH TO MAKE THIS  TRANSITION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, NOT JUST FOR THE  GOOD OF THE PLANET BUT BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY IS SO INCREDIBLY  DEPENDENT ON THESE FLUCTUATING REVENUES.

WE HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET AND MAKE THE CHANGE.

I HOPE THAT WE WILL ALL HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THAT,  REGARDLESS OF PARTY AND REGARDLESS OF REGION.

>> Gene: THAT IS THE LAST WORD.

THANKS FOR HAVING US AND HAVING THESE IMPORTANT  CONVERSATIONS.

KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW  THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON FACEBOOK, TWEETER -- TWITTER,  YOU KNOW IT AS, AND INSTAGRAM.

ALONG WITH ALL OF YOU, I WAS  TRULY HORRIFIED BY WHAT TRANSPIRED IN ATLANTA EARLIER  THIS WEEK THAT SAW SIX ASIAN-AMERICAN WOMEN MURDERED  AMONG EIGHT TOTAL.

WHILE NOT ALL THE VICTIMS WERE  ASIAN, THERE IS ALREADY SOME HOME BASED JURIES TRYING TO  CALL THIS ANYTHING ELSE THAN WHAT IT WAS, A TARGETED HATE  CRIME.

IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED  INCIDENT, IT WOULD BE HORRIBLE ENOUGH BUT THE LIT FUSE OF  DEMONIZING ASIAN PEOPLE OR AMERICANS OF ASIAN DESCENT HAS  REACHED ITS MOMENT.

WORDS MATTER, ESPECIALLY FOR  THOSE IN POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE.

BY ANY STANDARD OF FAIRNESS, OUR ASIAN-AMERICAN BROTHERS  AND SISTERS HAVE BEEN QUIETLY FIGHTING A BATTLE WITH FEW  ALLIES AT THEIR BACK.

TIME FOR THAT TO CHANGE.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND FOR STAYING INFORMED AND  ENGAGED.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK,  IN FOCUS.

>>   FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY THE  MCCUNE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.