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

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, AN UPDATE FROM THE NAVAJO NATION WHICH HAS TURNED TOWARDS AGGRESSIVE VACCINATIONS TO BATTLE COVID-19.

>> Pres.

Nez: THE FIGHT IS NOT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE ENEMY IS COVID-19 AND IN OUR WAY OF LIFE TEACHING, THAT IS THE MONSTER.

>> Gene: PLUS THE LEGISLATURE IS SET TO START A 60-DAY LAWMAKING SESSION.

WE'LL PREVIEW THE ACTION.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY IN OUR SHOW THIS WEEK AS LAWMAKERS HEAD BACK TO THE STATE CAPITOL, COVID-19 PROTOCOLS WILL DICTATE THE PACE OF MUCH OF THE ACTION.

THEY ARE ALSO DICTATING A LOT OF LIVES AS NEW MEXICO UNVEILS THE NEXT STEP IN ITS VACCINATION PLAN AND TRIES TO AVOID COSTLY AND EMBARRASSING MISTAKES IN DETERMINING JUST WHO SHOULD GET A VACCINE.

AND, OF COURSE, BY THE TIME NEXT WEEK'S SHOW COMES AROUND WE'LL HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT.

THE IGNOMINIOUS END TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MAY HAVE LASTING IMPACTS FOR REPUBLICANS.

HERE IS THE LINE.

>>ON TUESDAY, FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN 12 MONTHS, LAWMAKERS WILL COME TO THE STATE CAPITOL AS NEW MEXICO NAVIGATES ITS WAY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

AS IT HAS FOR EACH OF THE SPECIAL SESSIONS LAW MAKING WILL LOOK DIFFERENT AS TAKES PLACE LARGELY ON LINE.

HERE TO TALK THROUGH WHAT WE EXPECT JOURNALIST AND PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE AGREED TO READ UP ON THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES AND LOOK BEHIND THEM AND OFFER THOUGHTS.

JOINING US, THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF VOX OPTIMA PUBLIC RELATIONS, MERRITT ALLEN.

LONG TIME AD MAN AND CO-FOUNDER OF EVERYBODY VOTES, OUR FRIEND DAVE MULRYAN IS HERE.

FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE NEW MEXICO BLACK LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, CATHRYN MCGILL RETURNS.

AND BACK TO THE VIRTUAL TABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE IS CAPITOL BUREAU REPORTER DAN MCKAY OF THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL.

DAN, START WITH YOU HERE, BECAUSE YOU ARE THE OBVIOUS PLACE TO START.

A TWO-MONTH SESSION IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.

LAWMAKERS AREN'T PLANNING ON COMING TO THE CAPITOL EVERYDAY, ARE THEY?

I WANT TO GET CLARITY ON THAT FIRST.

>> Dan: YEAH, IT IS GOING TO BE AN ENORMOUS CULTURAL CHANGE FOR THE LEGISLATORS, LOBBYISTS, ADVOCATES, EVERYONE.

THEY ARE PLANNING TO DO -- THE LEGISLATURE IS PLANNING TO DO MUCH OF ITS WORK ONLINE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VIRTUAL COMMITTEE HEARINGS OVER ZOOM.

ALLOWING PEOPLE TO CALL IN, THAT KIND OF THING.

THERE IS SOME TALK ABOUT LIMITING THE FLOOR SESSIONS, WHICH IS THE MEETING WHEN ALL THE LEGISLATORS IN THE CHAMBER ARE TOGETHER TO AVOID HAVING THESE LARGE GATHERINGS ALL AT ONCE BUT, YES, IT IS GOING TO BE AN UNUSUAL SESSION FOR SURE.

>> Gene: DAN, FOR YOU WITH YOUR PEERS, I HAVE TO IMAGINE IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING MEDIA AND STAFF HAVE TESTING REQUIREMENTS.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK?

LAWMAKER REQUIREMENTS.

ALL THAT KIND OF THING.

YOU'RE ALL IN THE SAME BUILDING, ARE YOU NOT?

WHAT IS THE SITUATION THERE?

>> Dan: WE ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED -- MEDIA MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE TESTED EVERY -- WELL, WE HAVE TO HAVE A NEGATIVE TEST WITHIN FIVE DAYS SO WE'LL PROBABLY GET TESTED ONCE A WEEK.

THERE WILL BE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TESTING ON SITE THAT STAFF MEMBERS AND MEDIA CAN USE.

THE LEGISLATORS, I DON'T BELIEVE THEY CAN BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A TEST BUT THEY ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ONE.

LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY DID A LOT OF STUDY, A LOT OF STATISTICAL MODELING ON HOW THE SESSION MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO DISEASE SPREAD AND ONE OF THEIR KEY RECOMMENDATIONS IS TO DO PRETTY VIGOROUS TESTING SO THAT ANYONE WHO IS POSITIVE, EVEN IF THEY AREN'T FEELING SICK, THAT IT CAN BE CAUGHT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND THEIR CONTACTS CAN BE TRACED AND ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PROCEDURES CAN BE STARTED.

>> Gene: I APPRECIATE THAT.

LET THE FOLKS KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING UP THERE WITH NUTS AND BOLTS STUFF.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

BOTH LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE RELEASED THEIR RECOMMENDED BUDGETS.

THE JOURNAL REPORTED ON THIS AS WELL.

A BIG DIFFERENCE IS PAY RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND STATE WORKERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET, BUT NOT GOVERNOR'S.

HOW DO YOU SEE THIS SHAKING OUT?

IS SOMETHING GOING TO COME OUT FOR RAISES FOR FOLKS OR SHOULD THEY NOT PLAN ON IT FOR 2021?

>> Cathryn: I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD PROBABLY NOT PLAN ON IT.

HOWEVER, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS SAYING REVENUE IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

SO STATE EMPLOYEES ARE PROBABLY LOOKING FOR THAT RAISE BUT THE REDUCTIONS IN THE BUDGET ARE LESS THAN WHAT WAS ANTICIPATED.

IT WAS 5%, I THINK, NOW, YOU KNOW, 3.6% DOWN.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE IS ROOM FOR RAISES AND I THINK STATE EMPLOYEES ARE LOOKING FOR RAISES BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD TO MAKE LOTS OF CHANGES, WORKING FROM HOME, DOING LOTS OF ADDITIONAL PIVOTS TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN PROVIDE SERVICE.

I THINK THEY DESERVE IT AND WE OUGHT TO LOOK TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO GIVE THEM COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE WAY THERE ARE CHANGING IN THINGS THEY HAVE TO COVER, JUST AS INDIVIDUALS.

>> Gene: DAVE MULRYAN, AS CATHY IS TALKING THERE, IT IS INTERESTING TO CONSIDER, THE LFC, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE, ACTUALLY POINTED OUT STATE WORKERS HAVEN'T -- THEY HAVE HAD RAISES IN LIKE FEWER THAN HALF THE YEARS OVER THE PAST DOZEN OR SO.

SO, I DON'T WANT TO GET HUNG UP TALKING ABOUT THE RAISES.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE TO TALK ABOUT, BUT JUST A QUICK THOUGHT AND THEN I WANT TO PIVOT TO SOMETHING ELSE.

>> Dave: AS FAR AS I CAN SEE, YOU CAN NEVER PAY TEACHES AND GOOD SOLID STATE EMPLOYEES TOO MUCH.

THEY DESERVE TO BE PAID WELL AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD FIND RESOURCES TO PAY THEM, BUT I WOULD ALSO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE, PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN TOLD US YESTERDAY THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT THE DEFICIT AND SO THAT HAS BIG IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STATE.

AND YOU KNOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS DURING A MAJOR CATASTROPHE WHEN FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT WAS LOOKING TO DEFEAT NAZIISM, HE AND HIS TREASURY SECRETARY, MORGENTHAU, GOT THE DEFICIT SPENDING TO 140% OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE SO WE DO HAVE SOME LATITUDE, YOU KNOW, THAT WE CAN DO SOME MORE DEFICIT SPENDING AND WE CERTAINLY -- MONEY IS CHEAP.

THERE IS NO YIELD AND YOU CAN DO IT, YOU CAN BORROW IT.

I THINK THAT THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, THEY HAVE BEEN ON IT.

THEY HAVE GOTTEN ALL OF THE FEMA GRANTS FOR EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT.

EVERY TIME THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET FEDERAL MONEY, THEY DID NOT MISS A BEAT AND I THINK THEY DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT AND I THINK WE KNOW THAT, LOOK, IF THE WINDOW IS OPEN AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GETTING IT OUT, NEW MEXICO SEEMS TO BE VERY GOOD AT GETTING FIRST IN LINE AND GETTING IT AND I THINK THAT IS A GREAT THING.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT.

SPEAKING OF BUDGET BUSTING, MAYBE NOT, THE GOVERNOR FOR PANDEMIC RELIEF, 475,000,000, LFC, LAWMAKERS 250 MILLION FOR ROADS, 300 TO BACKFILL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

LET ME TALK ABOUT PANDEMIC RELIEF FIRST.

ANYTHING STRIKE YOU?

IT IS A BIG NUMBER.

THAT IS A BIG NUMBER FOR AROUND THESE PARTS BUT WE HAVE A LOT TO RECOVER FROM.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF THAT 425 -- 475 THE GOVERNOR IS ASKING?

>> Merritt: I THINK MANY BUSINESSES ARE ALSO GOING TO THE FEDERAL POT AS WELL, I MEAN, CERTAINLY WITH PAYCHECK PROTECTION OPENING BACK UP, THAT IS WHERE MANY BUSINESSES WILL GO FIRST.

THAT WILL COME FIRST AND WILL BE EASIEST.

SO, I THINK SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE, BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO LINE UP FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF STATE PAYCHECK PROTECTION.

THAT IS GOING TO GO BACK TO THE WELL A SECOND TIME SO THERE IS GOING TO BE THAT.

THEN, THERE WILL BE STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS AVAILABLE THERE.

SO, IT IS A LOT.

I THINK IT MAY BE CONSIDERED A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO WHAT IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL RELIEF.

I THINK IT IS CUSHION.

IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF IT DOESN'T TAKE A FEW MONTHS FOR THE STATE FUND TO BE DEPLETED OR IF IT IS EVEN NOT COMPLETELY DEPLETED BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT THERE.

DAN, SWING TO EDUCATION REAL QUICK.

BOTH BUDGETS MEANING THE GOVERNOR AND LFC BOOST MONEY FOR EXTENDED LEARNING PROGRAMS.

THERE IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, OF COURSE, ASKING TO TAKE A BIGGER BITE OF THE PERMANENT FUND FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

I HAVE GOT TO ASK, IN YOUR SENSE, IS THIS THE YEAR THAT HAS A POSSIBILITY OF PASSING ACTUALLY DIPPING INTO THIS?

>> Dan: FOR SURE.

I WOULD SAY THAT IS PROBABLY -- IT IS PROBABLY THE SUPPORTERS HAVE REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC BEYOND ANY YEAR BEFORE.

THE PERMANENT FUND ISSUE WAS DEBATED PRETTY THOROUGHLY IN PRIMARIES.

WE HAVE 11 OF THE 42 MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE ARE GOING TO BE NEW TO THE CHAMBER.

SEVERAL OF THE KEY SENATE LEADERS HAVE LOST THEIR PRIMARY CHALLENGES TO MORE LIBERAL SENATORS SO THE COMPOSITION OF THE SENATE HAS CHANGED A LOT AND THAT IS KEY FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAS PASSED THE HOUSE FOUR STRAIGHT YEARS AND THE HANG UP HAS BEEN THE SENATE.

SO I WOULD SAY THINGS ARE LOOKING REASONABLY GOOD FOR THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T UNDERESTIMATE HOW MANY POTENTIAL SNAGS THERE ARE FOR ANY BILL, EVEN IF EVERYBODY SUPPORTS IT.

IT COULD BE THAT SENATORS DECIDE WHILE THEY SUPPORT TAPPING THE PERMANENT FUND BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO USE IT FOR THE SAME PURPOSE THE HOUSE DOES.

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF POTENTIAL DEBATES THAT COULD ARISE BUT I WOULD SAY THAT IT COULD REACH THE FINISH LINE THIS YEAR.

>> Gene: QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.

SOMETHING JUST CAME TO MIND THAT IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

CHAIRMANSHIPS FOR COMMITTEES.

ANY SENSE OF WHERE THAT IS HEADED AT THIS POINT.

WHEN WILL WE KNOW?

IS THERE A TRADITIONAL TIME WHEN THESE THINGS ARE LET OUT TO THE PUBLIC?

I AM CONFUSED HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS.

YOU HAVE A SENSE OF THAT AT THIS POINT?

>> Dan: I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO KNOW THE CHAIRPERSON'S FOR THE KEY SENATE COMMITTEES UNTIL AFTER THE SESSION STARTS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT FIRST THING THAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE SENATE CHOOSES A NEW SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM, MARY KAY PAPEN, THE LONG-TIME PRESIDENT, SHE LOST HER REELECTION BID IN THE PRIMARY.

SHE WAS AMONG THE MORE MODERATE OR CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS.

THE LEADING CANDIDATE TO REPLACE HER NOMINATED BY DEMOCRATS IS MIMI STEWART, ALBUQUERQUE DEMOCRAT, CONSIDERED MUCH MORE LIBERAL THAN PAPEN.

AND ASSUMING MIMI STEWART IS CONFIRMED AS PRESIDENT, SHE WILL HAVE TREMENDOUS INFLUENCE OVER WHO THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS ARE.

SEVERAL OF THE MORE MODERATE OR CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS WERE COMMITTEE CHAIRS WHO LOST IN THE PRIMARY, SO I THINK THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY MORE LIBERAL MEMBERS AND THAT REALLY COULD CHANGE THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN THE SENATE.

WE PROBABLY WON'T KNOW UNTIL THAT FIRST WEEK.

>> Gene: MERRITT REAL QUICK, WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE-AND-A-HALF, I WANT TO GET YOU AND CATHY IN ON A QUESTION EACH.

DISTRICTING TASK FORCE SEEMS TO BE SET TO RECOMMEND A SEVEN MEMBER COMMISSION TO HANDLE THE TASK EVERY DECADE.

WHAT IS THE QUICK TAKE WHAT WE SHOULD EXPECT OUT OF THIS GROUP?

>> Merritt: YOU'LL BE SEEING LEGISLATION BIPARTISAN SPONSORED BY SENATORS AND IT WILL CALL FOR INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, SEVEN MEMBERS TO BE DEMOCRATS, TWO REPUBLICANS, TWO WITH NO PARTY AFFILIATION WHATSOEVER.

CHAIRED BY A RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE AND THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE NO FEWER THAN 12 PUBLIC HEARINGS AS THEY DRAW MAPS FOR THE U.S. CONGRESS, U.S STATE LEGISLATURE DISTRICTS AND STATE PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION.

THAT IS BIG DEAL BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC PROCESS FOR REDISTRICTING.

IT IS DIFFERENT EVERY 10 YEARS, IT IS A DIFFERENT PROCESS.

TOO OFTEN LAWMAKERS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE DECIDING THE DISTRICTS, NOT THE VOTERS, AND SO LAWMAKERS CHOOSE DISTRICTS WHERE VOTERS HAVE NO SAY.

AND SO THIS BRINGS FAIRNESS AND BRINGS TRANSPARENCY AND IT ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT WHICH IS REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE AND PROTECTS UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

I WAS PLEASED TO BE ON THE TASK FORCE.

I ALSO NEED TO MENTION THAT TOM GARRITY WAS ALSO ON THE TASK FORCE, A NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS, A NUMBER OF TRIBAL AND PUEBLO REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS JUST COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS AROUND THE STATE.

VERY SATISFYING WORK, PROUD OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE CAME FORWARD AND YOU CAN READ THE REPORT AT NEWMEXICOFIRST.ORG.

LOOK OUT FOR THAT LEGISLATION AND PLEASE IF YOU SUPPORT FAIRNESS AND TRANSPARENCY IN REDISTRICTING, CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR AND TELL THEM TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REDISTRICTING.

>> Gene: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.

CATHY, CAN'T LEAVE YOU OUT, THOUGH.

CAN FOLKS REALLY EXPECT TO FEEL THEY ARE PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS DURING THIS ZOOM PERIOD WITH OUR LEGISLATURE, CITIZEN LEGISLATURE?

CAN WE REALLY SERVE FOLKS WITH THIS SYSTEM?

>> Cathryn: I THINK SO.

THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO NEVER MAY TRAVEL TO SANTA FE TO BE PART OF A COMMITTEE HEARING TO GO ON A ZOOM CALL AND LISTEN TO WHAT IS GOING ON AND HOW WE ARE DELIBERATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

AND, SO, I THINK THAT IT ACTUALLY OPENS UP A NEW FRONTIER FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND THAT IT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY WE DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

WE DO A LOT OF TRAINING AT NEW MEXICO LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AND WE THINK THE FUTURE OF TRAINING IS ONLINE AND SO, I THINK THIS IS -- THERE IS OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Gene: I HAVE TO AGREE.

I THINK THERE IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY HERE.

WE APPRECIATE THAT FOR SURE.

WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING CLOSELY BOTH DEBATES AND IMPACTS OF COVID-19.

SPEAKING OF, WE WANTS TO TAKE SOME TIME THIS WEEK TO CHECK IN WITH JONATHAN NEZ, PRESIDENT OF THE NAVAJO NATION, ONE OF THE LARGEST TRIBES GEOGRAPHICALLY CERTAINLY, AND BY POPULATION.

THE NAVAJO HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY COVID-19, WITH MORE THAN 25,000 POSITIVE CASES AND MORE THAN 800 DEATHS.

WHILE CONTINUING CURFEWS AND LOCKDOWNS, THE NAVAJO NATION IS BEING AGGRESSIVE WITH VACCINATION EFFORTS.

NMIF CORRESPONDENT ANTONIO GONZALES TALKS WITH THE TRIBE'S TOP LEADER ABOUT PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR.

>> Antonia: PRESIDENT NEZ, WELCOME >> Pres.

Nez: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND ALL YOUR VIEWERS.

GOOD DAY TO EVERYBODY.

>> Antonia: PRESIDENT NEZ, YOU JOINED US BACK IN MARCH OF 2020, SHORTLY AFTER COVID-19 HIT THE NAVAJO NATION.

THE TRIBE IS IN ANOTHER WAVE.

THE NAVAJO NATION HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR ITS FIGHT AGAINST THE VIRUS, WHICH HAS INCLUDED SOME REALLY STRICT MEASURES, STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS, LOCKDOWNS, CURFEWS, MASK MANDATES.

HOW HAS THE TRIBE WITH MORE THAN 150,000 RESIDENTS IN THREE STATES BEEN ABLE TO FIGHT THE VIRUS AS WE ARE SEEING THE NUMBERS FLATTEN NOW?

>> Pres.

Nez: FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OR NAVAJO CITIZENS, YOU KNOW.

THEY HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN TO THE STRICT PROTOCOLS THAT WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE.

OUR NATION HAS BEEN HIT HARD WITH THE VIRUS AND THE NAVAJO PEOPLE RESPECT IT AND HONOR THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS BY LISTENING TO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAVE COME FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THROUGH THE CDC AND THROUGH OUR HEALTH COMMAND OPERATIONS CENTER, INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES, 638 FACILITIES ON NAVAJO NATION.

SO, ALL THE RECOGNITION SHOULD GO TO OUR NAVAJO PEOPLE FOR DOING THAT.

OF COURSE, WE AS LEADERS HAVE LISTENED AND WE HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY EXPERTS IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AS WELL AS IN SCIENCE AND WHEN THEY RECOMMEND CERTAIN THINGS FOR OUR PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WE PUT IT INTO POLICY, REGULATIONS AND LAWS AND THAT IS WHAT I TRULY BELIEVE HAS SAVED MANY LIVES HERE ON THE NAVAJO NATION, BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG, OVER 800 PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES TO COVID-19 ON THE NATION AND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM, THEIR FAMILIES, FOR GOING THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.

BUT AS A NATION WE ARE UNITED IN OUR EFFORTS TO PUSH BACK ON COVID-19.

80%, I SAY, OVER 80% OF OUR NAVAJO PEOPLE HAVE FOLLOWED THE PROTOCOLS THAT ARE BEING PUT IN PLACE.

OF COURSE, YOU HAVE SOME THAT DON'T TEND TO LISTEN BUT I THINK OVERALL OUR CULTURE, OUR WAY OF LIFE TEACHING HAS ASSISTED IN RESPECTING ONE ANOTHER THROUGH THESE TRYING TIMES AND REALLY COMMEND THE NAVAJO PEOPLE FOR HONORING AND RESPECTING AUTHORITY.

>> Antonia: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE VACCINE ROLLOUT, HEALTHCARE RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE DONE FRONT LINE WORKERS, VULNERABLE POPULATION.

YOURSELF AND OTHER TRIBAL OFFICIALS HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINE AND NOW ELDERS ARE GETTING THE VACCINE.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?

>> Pres.

Nez: ABSOLUTELY.

WE RECEIVED -- LET ME STEP BACK A BIT.

WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING HERE ON THE NAVAJO NATION THAT WE SHOULD RECEIVE THE DOSES AT THE SAME TIME EVERY STATE THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY RECEIVES THOSE VACCINES.

AND I THINK WITH THE TRIBAL LEADERS ADVOCACY AND INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES ADVOCACY WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE PFIZER VACCINE THE SAME DAY THAT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY RECEIVED THEIR VACCINES.

THAT IS COMMENDABLE.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE TRIBAL LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE ADVOCATED TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE SAFE AND GETTING THE VACCINES.

OF COURSE, THOSE ARE FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT.

WE ARE NOT FORCING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINES.

IT IS VOLUNTARY.

HERE ON THE NAVAJO NATION PFIZER, WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

OVER 200 RESIDENTS OF THE NAVAJO NATION HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE CLINICAL TRIALS FOR PFIZER AND BIONTECH AND ABOUT 80% OF THOSE ARE NAVAJO PEOPLE.

SO WE KNOW THAT EFFICACY IS THERE.

AND FIRST AND SECOND DOSES, 95% PUSHING BACK ON THE VIRUS IS GOOD STATISTICS AND EVEN OUR OWN NAVAJO PROFESSIONALS OR NAVAJO MEDICAL DOCTORS HAVE REALLY ADVOCATED THAT OUR NAVAJO CITIZENS GET VACCINATED.

SO THERE HAS BEEN A BIG INTEREST HERE ON THE NAVAJO NATION TO GET THE VACCINE.

YOU MIGHT HAVE KNOWN NEW YEAR'S EVE, MYSELF AND OTHER LEADERS TOOK THE PFIZER VACCINE AND THE REASON WE DID THAT WAS, OF COURSE, THE FIRST PHASE 1A WERE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND THOSE THAT ARE ON THE FRONT LINES IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD.

THEY GOT THEIR VACCINES, GOT THEIR SHOTS, AND, OF COURSE, THEY ARE WELL INFORMED OF THE SIDE EFFECTS, WHAT GOES INTO THE VACCINES.

AS WE STARTED TO GO TO PHASE 1B, YOU KNOW, OUR ELDERS AND OUR HIGH RISK PATIENTS, THERE WAS BEGINNING TO BE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, A LOT OF HESITANCY FROM OUR ELDERS TO NOT TAKE THE VACCINE.

SO, YOU KNOW, AS A LEADER OF THE NAVAJO NATION, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AS LEADERS AND BRING CONFIDENCE TO THE SHOT, THE VACCINE, AND SO THAT OUR ELDERS COULD, YOU KNOW, HAVE SOME COMFORT THAT, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST THEIR LEADER, THEIR TOP LEADER AND THE LAWMAKERS, IHS LEADERS AS WELL, TOOK THE VACCINE, SO THAT THEY CAN BE ABLE TO BE COVERED, PROTECTED FROM CATCHING THIS VIRUS.

SO, OVERALL WE RECEIVED 26,000 DOSES THUS FAR AS OF TODAY.

AND OUT OF THAT 26,000, 18,000 HAVE BEEN PUT INTO THE ARMS OF OUR NAVAJO CITIZENS.

SO THAT IS ABOUT 68% OF THESE DOSES GOING INTO THE ARMS OF OUR PEOPLE WHICH IS A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

SO, OUR GOAL IS WHOEVER WANTS THE VACCINE, BASED ON THE PRIORITIZATION, WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE IF THEY WANT AND AS WE MOVE DOWN, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING INTO ESSENTIAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT WORKERS, BUSINESSES AS WELL, AND SO THIS HELPS US, AS LEADERS, ADVOCATE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR MORE DOSES TO COME TO THE NAVAJO NATION, BECAUSE WE CAN SHOW THE TRACK RECORD.

I CAN SAY, NOW, TODAY, TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT 68% OF THE TOTAL DOSES THAT CAME TO NAVAJO HAVE BEEN PUT INTO THE ARMS OF OUR NAVAJO CITIZENS.

>> Antonia: YOU HAD MENTIONED UNITY A FEW MINUTES AGO AND YOU'RE NOT ONLY ENCOURAGING NAVAJO CITIZENS NO STAY VIGILANT IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 BUT YOU ENCOURAGE EXERCISING, EATING WELL, ALSO TO AVOID ANY KIND OF NEGATIVITY.

WE ARE SEEING SO MUCH DIVISION IN THE U.S.

RIGHT NOW.

YOU DENOUNCE THE VIOLENCE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE OF UNITY TO NAVAJO CITIZENS?

>> Pres.

Nez: THE ENEMY IS NOT OUR NEIGHBORS.

OUR ENEMIES IS NOT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE FIGHT IS NOT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE ENEMY IS COVID-19.

IN OUR WAY OF LIFE TEACHING.

THAT IS THE MONSTER.

THAT IS THE MODERN DAY MONSTER THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO FOCUS ON, TO PUSH BACK ON, TO FIGHT AGAINST.

AND I THINK IF WE CAN ALL RECOGNIZE THAT THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY, THAT THE FIGHT ISN'T WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THE FIGHT IS AGAINST THIS UNSEEN VIRUS THAT HAS COME INTO OUR HOMES, OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR COUNTRY AND OUR TRIBAL NATIONS.

I THINK PEOPLE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK IF THEY CAN TAKE A GLIMPSE THROUGH AN INDIGENOUS LENS, LIKE US, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO RECOGNIZE THAT OUR TRUE ENEMY IS COVID-19 AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY I BELIEVE OUR WAY OF LIFE TEACHING, OUR CULTURE, UTILIZING THAT HAS REALLY HELPED US IN PUSHING BACK ON THIS VIRUS HERE ON THE NAVAJO NATION.

AS YOU KNOW, ANTONIA, NAVAJO PEOPLE SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL, THE STORIES ABOUT THE HERO TWINS, MONSTERS COMING IN TO TAKE OVER THE PEOPLE AND DEMOLISH AND DEVASTATE THEM AND YET THERE ARE HEROS THAT WERE SENT TO FIGHT OFF THESE MONSTERS AND TODAY IT IS NO DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE MODERN DAY MONSTERS.

WE HAVE GOT COVID-19.

WE GOT DIABETES.

WE GOT HEART DISEASE, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

WE HAVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, YOU KNOW.

THESE MODERN DAY MONSTERS ARE THERE BUT WE DO HAVE THE WEAPONS TO COMBAT THE ENEMY.

FOR INSTANCE WITH COVID-19, IF YOU'RE GOING INTO BATTLE, YOU HAVE TO BE EQUIPPED OR HAVE THE ARMOR TO FIGHT OFF YOUR ENEMY.

AND ONE OF THE PIECES OF ARMOR IS A MASK.

IS TO WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER.

TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AND STAY HOME.

IN OUR TRADITION, HOME IS THE PLACE WHERE SOVEREIGNTY BEGINS AND THEN WE DELEGATE THAT TO OTHERS.

FOR INSTANCE, IN ELECTION, WE DELEGATE OUR INDIVIDUAL SOVEREIGNTY, OUR INHERENT SOVEREIGNTY TO AN INDIVIDUAL TO MAKE DECISIONS ON OUR BEHALF.

THOSE ARE OUR LAWMAKERS, AND THE PRESIDENT AND THAT IS HOW WE VIEW THINGS THROUGH OUR LENS AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> Antonia: THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE RESILIENCE OF THE NAVAJO NATION AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PRESIDENT JONATHAN NEZ OF THE NAVAJO NATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN ON NEW MEXICO PBS.

>> Pres.

Nez: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ANTONIA AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE.

>> Gene: VACCINATIONS HAVE BEEN ALL THE TALK IN THE REST OF NEW MEXICO TOO.

STATE HEALTH SECRETARY, DR. TRACIE COLLINS SAYS HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS ARE QUICKLY VACCINATING FRONT LINE WORKERS AS THE STATE HEADS INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF VACCINATIONS FOR OLDER NEW MEXICANS AND THOSE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONING.

SHE BRIEFED THE MEDIA THIS WEEK.

AS THE LEADERS OF THE STATE'S THREE BIGGEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, WE TRY TO STREAM THOSE LIVE FOR YOU ON FACEBOOK AS OFTEN AS WE CAN, BUT THIS WAS A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WEEK.

HERE IS A BIT OF WHAT DR. COLLINS HAD TO SAY FOLLOWED BY MEDICAL EXPERTS FROM PRESBYTERIAN, LOVELACE AND UNM.

>> Collins: AS OF TODAY WE HAVE HAD MORE THAN 170,000 DOSES DELIVERED TO NEW MEXICO.

AND WE HAVE ADMINISTERED 78,143 DOSES.

WITHIN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS WE HAVE ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 30,000 DOSES AND THIS AGAIN IS BASED ON 81% OF PROVIDERS REPORTING.

SO, THE GOOD NEWS IS, NEW MEXICO HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST ADMINISTRATION RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

WITHIN THE LAST THREE WEEKS, WE HAVE HAD NEARLY 400,000 NEW MEXICANS TO REGISTER FOR THEIR VACCINE.

WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO REGISTER.

IT IS THE WAY THAT YOU CAN GET YOURSELF IN THE CUE AND THEN WE CAN FOLLOW-UP WITH AN APPOINTMENT SO THAT YOU CAN GET YOUR VACCINE.

YOU CAN MODIFY YOUR PROFILES AT ANY TIME AND AGAIN YOU WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION WHEN VACCINE IS AVAILABLE AT A NEARBY LOCATION.

SO, I WANTED TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE PHASES FOR DISTRIBUTING THE VACCINE.

SO, AS YOU KNOW, PHASE 1A IS THE PHASE WE WERE CURRENTLY IN BEFORE WE OPENED 1B.

1A, TO REITERATE, HOSPITAL PERSONNEL, AND PERSONNEL IN CONGREGATE SETTINGS.

SO, WE HAVE NOW OPENED UP 1B.

I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE STARTING WITH AND IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER PERSONS 75 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND THEN PERSONS 16 OR OLDER WITH AT LEAST ONE CHRONIC CONDITION.

AND THEN PERSONS WHO ARE FRONT LINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS, FOLLOWED BY VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

AND I REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE PERSONS WHO ARE IN 1A OR 75 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE REGISTERED SO THAT WE CAN MOVE YOU TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE AND GET YOUR VACCINE.

NOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SEQUENTIAL, WHAT WE ARE WANTING TO DO IS TO REACH AS MANY AS WE CAN WHO ARE 75 OR OLDER AND THEN MOVE TO THOSE WHO ARE 16 OR OLDER WITH AT LEAST ONE CHRONIC CONDITIONAL.

THOSE CONDITIONS CAN INCLUDE CANCER, CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE, IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, ASTHMA, OBESITY OR HYPERTENSION.

WHAT I JUST READ THERE IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST BUT IT GIVES YOU AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE MEAN BY CHRONIC CONDITION.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF NEW MEXICANS WILL MEET ELIGIBILITY BASED ON THAT ONE GROUP BEING 16 OR OLDER WITH ONE CHRONIC CONDITION.

WE ALSO HAVE FRONT LINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO ARE KEY TO KEEPING US FUNCTIONAL AND THAT INCLUDES K THROUGH 12 EDUCATORS OR THOSE WHO WORK IN HIGHER EDUCATION, WHO CANNOT WORK REMOTELY, AND GROCERY STORE WORKERS AND AGAIN WE HAVE A LIST THAT WE HAVE MADE AVAILABLE THAT INCLUDES FRONT LINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

AS FAR AS VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SHELTERS, ABOUT OUR YOUTH, ABOUT DETENTION CENTERS, CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

THESE ARE VULNERABLE POPULATION BECAUSE THESE ARE PEOPLE MOST LIKELY TO BE INFECTED WHO DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF DISTANCING THEMSELVES.

THEY ARE MORE AT RISK FOR COVID-19 AND THEY ARE MORE AT RISK FOR DYING, SO WE REALLY HAVE TO BE VERY EFFICIENT AND STRATEGIC IN GETTING THEM VACCINATED AS DOSES ARE AVAILABLE.

AFTER 1B, WHICH WE ARE LOOKING AT COVERING WINTER THROUGH SPRING, WE'LL MOVE TO 1C AND THEN AFTER 1C WE'LL MOVE TO PHASE 2, GENERAL POPULATION.

>> Matt: I APOLOGIZE IF YOU COVERED THIS TO ANY EXTENT.

DO YOU SORT OF EXPECT A STEADY STREAM OF VACCINATION DOSES?

DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO INCREASE AS PRODUCTION INCREASES AND HOW FAR OUT DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'RE GOING TO GET?

THANK YOU.

>> Collins: WE DO EXPECT CURRENTLY A STEADY STREAM BUT WE ARE LOOKING EACH DAY AND AS WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING IN THE DOOR, WE ARE HOPING THAT THAT SUPPLY INCREASES BUT WE WILL KNOW MORE LATER.

SO, REALLY, THE IDEA IS TO VACCINATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN AND TO REEVALUATE ON AN ONGOING BASIS THE DOSES WE HAVE AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN VACCINATE.

>> Gonzales: THE PROGRESS THAT NEW MEXICO HAS MADE REGARDING VACCINATIONS IS TRULY REMARKABLE.

WE ARE STANDING OUT IN THE COUNTRY IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY.

WE ARE EXCITED TO SUPPORT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE NEXT PHASE OF VACCINATIONS.

WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE NUMBER OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO HAVE STEPPED FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

TO DATE, PRESBYTERIAN HAS ADMINISTERED OVER 11,000 DOSES.

BUT, THE HOPE OF THE VACCINE MUST BE BALANCED WITH THE REALITY THAT COVID-19 IS STILL SPREADING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR STATE AND LOCAL PERCENT OF POSITIVE COVID-19 TESTS REMAINS TOO HIGH.

AS ARE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DAILY CASE COUNT TOO HIGH.

WE MUST REMAIN VIGILANT ABOUT PROTECTING OURSELVES AND THOSE WE LOVE.

WHILE VACCINE EFFORTS DO CONTINUE, WE ENCOURAGE NEW MEXICANS TO CONTINUE PRACTICING COVID-19 SAFE BEHAVIORS, SUCH AS AVOIDING LARGE GATHERINGS AND WEARING MASKS PROPERLY OVER OUR NOSES AND MOUTHS WHEN WE ARE OUT IN PUBLIC ANY TIME.

>> Sandoval: HERE AT LOVELACE AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE HEALTH SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE, WE SUPPORT THE STATE IN THESE EFFORTS AND AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED OUR STATE IS DOING REALLY WELL.

WE ARE REALLY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO BE ABLE TO TRY AND VACCINATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE SO FAR HAVE DONE ABOUT 65% OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND WANT TO CONTINUE WITH CONCENTRATION ON THOSE HIGH RISK GROUPS AND NOW THAT WE ARE IN PHASE 1B.

>> Pitcher: SO FAR UNM HAS GIVEN UPWARDS OF 10,000 DOSES THROUGHOUT OUR HEALTH SYSTEM.

WE ARE STILL FOCUSED ON HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO HAVE DIRECT PATIENT INTERACTIONS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OR THOSE WHO ARE WORKING FROM HOME ARE NOW BEING ENCOURAGED TO UTILIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WEBSITE.

WE ARE NOT INTENDING TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN SHIFT TO UTILIZING THE WEBSITE FOR THE REST OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

>> Sandoval: WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN PEOPLE WHO SAID ORIGINALLY I AM NOT SURE ABOUT TAKING THE VACCINE AND HAD SOME RELUCTANCE.

NOW THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THEIR COLLEAGUES TAKE THE VACCINE WITHOUT PROBLEMS, WE HAVE HAD ADDITIONAL PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR THEIR FIRST DOSES.

SO, NOW THAT THE STATE HAS ALLOWED US TO MOVE TO 1B, WE WILL BE EXPANDING WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO SO ACTIVELY MAKING PLANS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO OUR NEXT LEVEL OR NEXT TIER.

>> Gonzales: COVID-19 COUNT NUMBERS MAY BE COMING DOWN BUT THIS IS OUR HIGH SEASON, SO OVERALL HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS ARE STILL QUITE HIGH.

FOR THE SECOND PART WITH REGARD TO MORALE, IT WAS AN IMMEDIATE BOOST IN MORALE.

PEOPLE FINALLY HAD HOPE THERE WAS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, THAT PERHAPS WE COULD BECOME MORE NORMAL BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

>> Sandoval: AGAIN REDUCTION IN STRESS FOR PEOPLE WHO FEEL THEY HAVE A MEASURE OF PROTECTION, THEY ARE STILL WEARING PPE'S AND DOING APPROPRIATE THINGS BUT IT IS AN ADDITIONAL MEASURE THAT GAVE THEM SECURITY SO I THINK IT HAS HELPED.

THE NUMBERS COMING DOWN HAVE BEEN HELPFUL.

I THINK PEOPLE HAVE SEEN HOW THE COMMUNITY AND STATE HAS PULLED TOGETHER AND TRIED TO MAKE A HUGE EFFORT TO REDUCE THOSE NUMBERS AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE THANK EVERYONE FOR DOING THAT BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY HELPFUL AS WELL.

>> Pitcher: I CAN'T OVEREMPHASIZE THE JOY AND RELIEF THAT WORKFORCE HAS HAD WITH THE ADVENT OF THE VACCINATION.

I THINK ALSO, STARTING TO SEE THAT WE ARE ON WHAT APPEARS TO BE A DOWNSLOPE IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES OCCURRING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THOSE THINGS COMBINED HAVE REALLY BOOSTED MORALE SIGNIFICANTLY AND GIVEN OUR FRONT LINE WORKERS THE ADDED JUICE TO KEEP GOING FORWARD.

THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES.

AND OUR HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE HAS BEEN WORKING HARD.

>> Gene: WITH NEW MEXICO TAKING THE FIRST STEP INTO PHASE 1B VACCINATIONS AND AGAIN THAT MEANS PEOPLE OVER AGE 75 AND THOSE 16 AND OLDER IF THEY HAVE A PREEXISTING CONDITION.

IT SEEMS WE ARE STARTING TO TURN THE CORNER OR AT LEAST WE CAN SEE THE CORNER FROM HERE.

THAT MEANS SOMETHING.

JUST HEARD ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES FOR FIRST LINE MEDICAL WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN BATTLING THIS DAY AND DAY OUT, SINCE LAST MARCH.

CATHY MCGILL, WHAT KIND OF DIFFERENCE HAVE YOU SEEN IT MAKE AMONG PEOPLE YOU KNOW?

I WANT TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY TRUST IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY THAT THE VACCINE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

WHAT IS THE FEEDBACK YOU'RE GETTING.

>> Cathryn: THE JURY IS STILL OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE VACCINE BECAUSE OF THE HISTORICAL DISTRUST OF VACCINES THAT COME FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND NOT UNDERSTANDING, PERHAPS, WHY IT IS NECESSARY RIGHT NOW FOR US TO BE THE FIRST DOCTORS, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, OPINIONS ARE VARIED.

I SIGNED UP TO REGISTER TO GET A VACCINE TODAY AND WHILE MY NUMBER HASN'T COME UP YET WHEN IT DOES COME UP, I AM GOING TO TAKE IT.

I UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WANT MORE INFORMATION AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF IT AND SORT OF, YOU KNOW, COMBATING THE DISINFORMATION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ANECDOTAL THINGS THAT PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD BAD REACTIONS TO THE VACCINE.

SO, I AM HOPING WE ARE ABLE TO DO MORE OF AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN BUT THERE IS VARIOUS RESPONSES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, AS IN ALL COMMUNITIES, ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN REALLY TRUST THIS BECAUSE OF ALL THE MISINFORMATION THAT IS OUT THERE.

>> Gene: RIGHT.

MERRITT, IT IS INTERESTING, THIS IDEA ABOUT EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE.

THERE ARE REPORTS LAST WEEK THAT EVENT CODES WERE UNFAIRLY SHARED WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS AND PEOPLE -- THERE WERE SERIOUS STORIES ABOUT CUTTING IN LINE AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE.

YOUR SENSE OF THE ROLL OUT AND HOW WE GET OUR ARMS AROUND THIS AND GET EVERYBODY VACCINATED GIVEN THAT PEOPLE WILL DO WHAT THEY DO.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE ON THAT?

>> Merritt: I DON'T KNOW.

THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH VACCINE.

I DON'T SEE -- I DON'T SEE TOO MANY WAYS TO GAME THE SYSTEM.

YOU GO IN WITH A NAME AND A BIRTH DATE.

I HAVE REGISTERED MY ENTIRE FAMILY.

WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, AN 87 YEAR OLD AND TWO 50 SOMETHINGS.

I MEAN, MY MOM IS PRETTY GOOD WITH MAKEUP BUT I AM PRETTY SURE IF I TRY AND GO IN AS HER, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Gene: I AM WITH YOU, THEY'LL FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Merritt: I JUST DON'T THINK THERE IS ENOUGH CHEATING GOING ON TO BE WORRYING ABOUT IT.

WILL THERE BE SOME?

>> Gene: THE STATE SAYS THEY ARE ON TOP OF IT NOW.

>> Merritt: I DON'T THINK IT IS ENOUGH OF A RISK TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE MAIN THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISTRIBUTION PLAN IS SUCH THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO GET THE SECOND DOSE WITH THE SHOTS WE HAVE AND THAT LEVEL OF PLANNING AND LOGISTICS.

THAT IS MY PRIMARY CONCERN RATHER THAN I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION, PLANNING AND RATHER THAN THE CONSUMER END AND WHO MIGHT BE SKETCHY ABOUT IT.

>> Gene: THAT MAKES SENSE.

INTERESTING ANNOUNCEMENT, UNM ANNOUNCED THE PIT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VACCINATIONS FOR MASS VACCINATIONS, SHOULDN'T LEAVE THAT WORD OUT.

WE ARE TALKING 1600 PEOPLE A DAY STARTING NEXT TUESDAY.

3,000 A DAY THREE WEEKS LATER.

I GUESS MY QUESTION IS THIS.

PHASE 1B, ESPECIALLY UNDERLYING CONDITIONS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A HUGE GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE, UPWARDS OF A HALF A MILLION IN SOME REPORTS HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

SO, DOES THAT CHANGE THINGS ON OUR VACCINATION ROLL OUT?

>> Dave: LET'S GO BACK ONE LITTLE THING.

AFTER THE JAPANESE BOMBED PEARL HARBOR, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT STOOD UP IN FRONT OF THE COUNTRY AND SAID, WE ARE REALLY CAUGHT UNAWARES HERE.

AND WE NEED TO BUILD 50,000 AIRPLANES TO COMBAT WHAT IS COMING AND EVERY EXPERT SAID THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, WE CAN'T DO IT.

YET, HERE WE ARE.

I THINK WE NEED LEADERSHIP.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING.

AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL DO VERY WELL IF THEY ARE TOLD WHAT TO DO, IF WE HAVE GOOD LEADERSHIP.

AND I THINK WE ARE STARTING TO SEE, WE ARE JUST ABOUT TO HIT CRITICAL MASS.

WE ARE GOING TO GET A HUGE AMOUNT OF VACCINATIONS HAPPENING.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS AND PEOPLE ARE WORRIED, YET, YOU KNOW, I HAD A MOTHER WHO LIVED THROUGH POLIO EPIDEMIC.

SHE COULD NOT WAIT TO GET THOSE VACCINATIONS EVERY YEAR.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT IS WHERE WE NEED TO GO BUT WE NEED LEADERSHIP AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO GET THERE.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET IT.

>> Gene: DAN, A HOLIDAY UPTICK.

WE HEARD ABOUT THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, OF COURSE.

WE ARE NOW JUST GETTING INTO WINDOW WHERE WE SHOULD SEE IMPACT.

ANY CONCERNS?

>> Dan: THERE WAS PRETTY SHARP GROWTH EARLY THIS YEAR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER CHRISTMAS.

STARK GROWTH.

WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK IN CASES.

OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS THERE HAS BEEN KIND OF A LEVELING OFF SO IT COULD BE THAT WE HAVE SEEN THE EXTENT OF THE BUMP, BUT IT IS HARD TO KNOW.

WE ARE ALSO NOT TWO WEEKS OUT OR JUST APPROACHING TWO WEEKS FROM NEW YEAR'S EVE.

SO, WE MIGHT START TO SEE A BUMP FROM THAT ALSO.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR THE MOST PART, WE ARE PRETTY STABLE BUT AT A HIGH CASE LEVEL, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE STATE'S REOPENING GOALS SO CASES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME DOWN SUBSTANTIALLY BEFORE WE START TO GET TO THAT.

>> Gene: THIS WEEK, I FORGOT THE COUNTY, BUT SOMEBODY WENT GREEN THIS WEEK, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN.

FIRST TIME SINCE THIS NEW SYSTEM.

CATHY MCGILL, WE ALSO HAVE THE FIRST CASE OF THE MORE CONTAGIOUS STRAIN OUT OF THE UK HAS LANDED IN NEW MEXICO, LITERALLY.

SOMEBODY THAT TRAVELED OVER THERE.

DOES THIS HELP, YOU KNOW, REDOUBLE EFFORTS, SO TO SPEAK, THIS SCARY NEW STRAIN MAKE PEOPLE SAY, ALL RIGHT, THE MASK THING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER NOW, DISTANCE, ALL THAT KIND OF THING OR JUST ANOTHER DATA POINT FOR PEOPLE?

>> Cathryn: I THINK PEOPLE HAVE HEIGHTENED CONCERN ABOUT A NEW STRAIN, NEW VARIANT OF VIRUS.

AND I THINK THE PEOPLE THAT I AM TALKING TO ARE REDOUBLING THEIR EFFORTS TO STAY SHELTERED IN PLACE IF THEY CAN AND TO FOLLOW THE PROTOCOLS, SO, YEAH, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A HEIGHTENED AWARENESS AND IT IS GETTING CLOSER, I THINK, AS THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD.

I KNOW THAT I HAVE PEOPLE IN MY CLOSE CIRCLE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS AND PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO HAVE LOST THEIR BATTLE.

IT MAKES IT VERY PERSONALLY -- SOMETHING THAT I AM LOOKING AT AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE IN THAT SAME SITUATION.

>> Gene: I HEAR THAT.

I'M STILL MOURNING ONE OF THE GREAT FRIENDS OF ALBUQUERQUE D.C. CHAVEZ PASSED AWAY FROM COVID-19 ABOUT A MONTH-AND-A-HALF AGO.

STILL WORKING MY WAY THROUGH THAT ONE.

THAT IS FOR SURE.

TALK SCHOOLS FOR A MINUTE.

MERRITT PHASE 1B ALSO INCLUDES FRONT LINE WORKERS UNABLE TO WORK REMOTELY AND TEACHERS ARE A PART OF THAT GROUP.

YOU THINK TEACHERS AND A STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO GET BACK IN THE CLASSROOM BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR?

>> Merritt: THERE ARE CERTAIN TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES ALREADY IN THE CLASSROOM SO I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER OF MINE WHO WORKS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN WHO REALLY HAVE TO BE IN A CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT, SO, GIVEN THE DIFFICULTY OF MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS WITH THAT SPECIFIC STUDENT POPULATION, IT IS ABSOLUTELY VITAL.

WHETHER THAT WILL GET TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM QUICKLY, IT CERTAINLY WON'T HAPPY, I DON'T THINK, THIS SCHOOL YEAR, JUST GIVEN THE OVERALL CONSERVATIVE MINDSET OF THE STATE.

I MEAN, LET'S REMEMBER NEW MEXICO IS ONE OF THE MOST -- HAS AMONG THE STRICTEST REQUIREMENTS IN THE NATION AND HAS NOT LET UP AND HAS NEVER REALLY REOPENED SINCE MARCH.

SO I THINK IT HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT STUDENTS WOULD BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM IN THE 2021 SCHOOL YEAR.

>> Gene: LET ME ASK YOU TO PICK UP ON THAT AS WELL.

DO I HAVE IT RIGHT, THE GOVERNOR IS LEAVING THESE CHOICES TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND FOLKS THAT RUN THEM OR IS THIS GOING TO BE AN EDICT STATE-WIDE AS THINGS GO ALONG?

>> Dan: I THINK AT THIS POINT IT IS COUNTY BY COUNTY AND IT DEPENDS WHAT STATISTICAL INFORMATION THERE IS ON THE SPREAD AND THE PREVALENCE OF THE VIRUS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS INDICATED THAT SHE WANTS TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT GETTING SCHOOLS REOPENED THIS SEMESTER BUT AGAIN THE POWER IS DIVIDED A BIT BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE KEY THINGS FOR REOPENING SCHOOLS IS JUST GOING TO BE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS AND WE ARE KIND OF GOING TO HAVE THIS RACE BETWEEN GETTING THE VACCINE OUT TO PEOPLE HOPEFULLY BEFORE THIS NEW MORE TRANSMITTABLE STRAIN OF THE VIRUS STARTS TO CIRCULATE.

>> Gene: I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT ALL DEPENDS WHAT THE NUMBERS SHOW AT THAT TIME AS MERRITT SAID.

MAYBE 2021 MIGHT NOT HAPPEN.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME, TAKE A QUICK BREAK TO RESET THEN BE BACK TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS AHEAD FOR REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES AFTER THE STUNNING FINAL WEEKS OF THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

FOLLOW US ONLINE TO GET UPDATES ON UPCOMING SHOWS AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE TOP NEWS STORIES OF THE WEEK.

THEN, TUNE IN BECAUSE WE MAY SHARE YOUR COMMENTS ON THE LINE.

AFTER URGING SUPPORTERS TO MARCH ON THE CAPITOL AND AT TIMES USING VIOLENT LANGUAGE TO DO SO, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN IMPEACHED A SECOND TIME.

WHILE THIS WAS PRIMARILY A DEMOCRATIC EFFORT, TEN REPUBLICANS BROKE RANK TO VOTE TO IMPEACH AS WELL.

NEW MEXICO'S TOP REPUBLICANS ARE STICKING WITH TRUMP.

OVER THE WEEKEND STEVE PEARCE TWEETED THAT TRUMP WOULD BE PRESIDENT FOREVER.

THAT IS, OF COURSE, WRONG AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

MR. PEARCE DELETED THAT TWEET LATER BUT IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN, HE REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THE PRESIDENT MIGHT HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE CAPITOL RIOT.

MERRITT, GOT TO ASK YOU FIRST.

WHAT IS THE SENSE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ABOUT MR. EARCE'S UNFLINCHING STANCE AND GET TO YVETTE HERRELL IN A SECOND.

TALK ABOUT MR. PEARCE FIRST.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF WHERE HE HAS BEEN ON THIS?

>> Merritt: IT IS NOT JUST STEVE PEARCE BUT ONE REPUBLICAN IN A PARTY OF MILLIONS.

REPUBLICAN PARTY IS SPLIT.

THERE ARE TRUMP REPUBLICANS AND MAINSTREAM REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THE PRESIDENT IMPLEMENTED AN INSURRECTION BASED ON A LIE.

IT WAS A TWO-MONTH LIE HE PERPETUATED ABOUT THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION.

AND IT WAS A PLANNED SOVIET STYLE MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS FOR NO REASON BUT TO TRY AND OVERTURN A CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS WHICH OF COURSE OUR FOUR YEAR QUADRENNIAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

IT IS DEADLY SERIOUS.

IT IS AN UNSERIOUS MAN WHO HAS THREATENED OUR DEMOCRACY SO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SEEMS TO, IN SOME WAYS, THINK THAT EVEN AFTER LAST WEEK AS OF JANUARY 7, THEY CAN KEEP GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS, THE RNC CHAIRWOMAN HAS BEEN ELECTED TO, AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, TO ANOTHER TERM AND THE TRUMP MOVEMENT IS ERODING BUT STILL THERE.

AND THIS CAN'T CONTINUE.

THE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED TO OBJECT TO ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUSNESS AND WRONGNESS OF THEIR ACTIONS AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MUST REPUDIATE TRUMPISM IMMEDIATELY AND MOVE ON IN A FRESH STATE.

IMPORTANTLY THE ENTIRE GOP ORGANIZATION HAS TO REBUILD VOTER CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN OUR ELECTIONS WITH PROACTIVE AND THOUGHTFUL ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH BECAUSE THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN VOTERS WERE CONVINCED VOTES WERE STOLEN THANKS TO THIS FALSE MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN.

AND IT IS ON THE GOP TO EARN BACK THEIR TRUST.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT, MR. MULRYAN, I MENTIONED YVETTE HERRELL, OUR CD2 REPRESENTATIVE.

MERRITT JUST MENTIONED THAT EVERYONE WHO STOOD UP AND OPPOSED THIS AND THE PENNSYLVANIA COUNT AND ALL THAT SHOULD BE IN SOME WAY HELD RESPONSIBLE OR WE JUST KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF WHERE, YOU KNOW, HOW YVETTE HERRELL'S SITUATION IS GOING TO PLAY FOR EITHER INDEPENDENTS, REPUBLICANS?

HOW ARE YOU READING TEA LEAVES FROM THIS?

>> Dave: THERE IS OLD SAYING A WEEK IS A YEAR IN POLITICS.

I THINK THAT WHEN WE START LOOKING AT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO CONGRESSWOMAN HERRELL DOWN THIS ROAD, WE DON'T KNOW.

YET, I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT ONE OF THE MISTAKES, AND I BELIEVE IT IS A MISTAKE, IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO SENSE IN FIGHTING THE LAST ELECTION AND I THINK THE CONGRESSWOMAN IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THIS ISSUE, YET DEMOCRATS SHOULD USE THAT ENERGY TO LOOK FOR A CANDIDATE THAT THEY CAN BE FOR AND THIS IDEA THAT WE ARE GOING TO REMOVE HER, THAT EVERYTHING SHE IS DOING IS WRONG AND ALL THAT, THERE IS SOME VALIDITY TO WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

DEMOCRATS ALSO HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE AND THEY HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, LET'S MOVE FORWARD, WE HAVE GOT A NEW ADMINISTRATION.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KEEP THINKING ABOUT IS THAT 2020 WAS 1968 AND THAT IT IS A VERY BIG CHANGE, YOU KNOW, AND WE HAVE LIKE, YOU KNOW, A HUGE NUMBER OF NEW REPUBLICANS WOMEN IN CONGRESS.

WE HAVE A NEW HUGE LARGER NUMBER OF GAY REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

WE ARE CLEARLY LEAVING OLD AMERICA, HEADING TOWARDS A NEW AMERICA AND I THINK WE SHOULD GET THERE AND WE SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON THE FUTURE.

BE OPTIMISTIC AND LET'S LOOK FORWARD.

>> Gene: DAN MCKAY, INTERESTINGLY, I BRING IT BACK TO HOME HERE.

WHAT DOES THE REPUBLICAN BENCH LOOK LIKE HERE IN NEW MEXICO?

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT STEVE PEARCE AND YVETTE HERRELL.

FOR LEADERSHIP, FOR HIGH PROFILE OFFICES, WHAT IS GOING ON WITH REPUBLICANS RIGHT NOW?

>> Dan: THERE ARE SOME YOUNGER REPUBLICAN WOMEN WHO ARE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE PRETTY ACTIVE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE WHO MIGHT BE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER -- WHAT THEIR INTEREST IS IN RUNNING FOR THINGS BUT WE RECENTLY SAW REBECCA DOW IS TAKING A LEADERSHIP POSITION WITHIN THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

SHE HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE DURING FLOOR DEBATES.

KELLY FAJARDO FROM VALENCIA COUNTY WAS ONE OF THE LEADING LEGISLATORS WHO WORKED ON ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY A FEW YEARS AGO AND RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER LOBBYISTS WERE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

IT IS HARD TO SEE.

A LOT OF THE KIND OF ALBUQUERQUE AREA REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN WIPED OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO A LOT OF THE BENCH IN TERMS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS NOW YOU KNOW THEY ARE FROM MORE RURAL AREAS.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

CATHY MCGILL A LITTLE BIT OF A SWITCH UP HERE ON YOU.

INTERESTING TO ME.

REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE MARK RONCHETTI IS BACK ON THE AIR AT KRQE 13 DOING WEATHER, POPPED UP OUT OF NOWHERE AS THE CHIEF METEOROLOGIST.

THE STATION HAS TAKEN SOME HEAT ON FACEBOOK.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE.

SHOULD THE STATION HAVE SAID SOMETHING, YOU, KNOW, TO LET FOLKS KNOW WHY THEY ARE BRINGING HIM BACK IN?

>> Cathryn: SHOULD THEY HAVE SAID SOMETHING TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHY THEY ARE MAKING AN EMPLOYMENT DECISION, I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

>> Gene: HE OUT-PERFORMED DONALD TRUMP HERE, YOU KNOW, SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ELEVATE HIS NAME AND FACE.

IT IS NOT LIKE HE IS JUST A REGULAR SCHMO OFF THE STREET.

>> Cathryn: I WAS SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT HE RECEIVED AND DOWNPLAYED UNTIL I SHOWED UP TO RIO RANCHO AND I SAW ALL THE SIGNS.

AND HE DID VERY WELL.

HE PROBABLY MADE A GOOD BUSINESS DECISION.

WHETHER OR NOT VIEWERS CARE ABOUT THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> Gene: YOU WANT TO TAKE ON THAT ONE?

I THINK IT IS INTERESTING, THE MARK RONCHETTI THING.

>> Merritt: SURPRISED ME NOT AT ALL.

AND I AM SURE THERE IS PROBABLY SOMETHING IN HIS CONTRACT WITH REGARD TO THAT.

THAT WAS NOT A SURPRISE.

I ALSO THINK HE IS REALLY GOOD PERSONALITY.

HIS VOICE IS GREAT, THIS ISN'T THE LAST WE WILL SEE OF MARK RONCHETTI.

>> Gene: AS A CANDIDATE YOU MEAN?

>> Merritt: RIGHT.

THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN SHOWED THE SPLIT IN THE NEW MEXICO GOP NOT NECESSARILY OVER TRUMP BUT OVER WHO CONTROLS NEW MEXICO REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, THE NEW MEXICO GOP ESTABLISHMENT, OFFICIAL NMGOP IS REALLY FOCUSED ON YVETTE HERRELL'S RACE AND WERE NOT FOCUSED ON THE SENATE.

HE SHOWED HE DID NOT NEED THE STATE PARTY TO BE A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE SO WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE OF MARK.

>> Gene: THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT FOR THE LINE PANEL THIS WEEK.

I AM BACK WITH A FEW FINAL SHOTS AS WE HEAD INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY.

FOR THOSE OF A CERTAIN VINTAGE, THE IMPEACHMENT OF DONALD TRUMP THIS WEEK MARKS THE THIRD PRESIDENCY IN WHICH THE HOUSE HAS STARTED DOWN THAT ROAD.

NIXON, CLINTON AND NOW TRUMP.

TECHNICALLY THAT IS FOUR.

FOUR IMPEACHMENTS WITH DONALD TRUMP'S SECOND.

TWICE, I MEAN THINK ABOUT THAT.

WE CAN ARGUE THE MERITS OF THE FIRST IMPEACHMENT, BUT THERE IS NO GETTING AROUND THE NEED FOR THE SECOND.

TEN REPUBLICANS AGREED AND THERE ARE REPORTS MANY MORE REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE VOTED TO IMPEACH WERE THEY NOT WORRIED ABOUT BEING KILLED.

KILLED BY SUPPORTERS OF THE MOB THAT STORMED OUR NATION'S CAPITOL.

THINK ABOUT THAT TOO.

MEMBERS OF OUR CONGRESS AFRAID FOR THEIR LIVES OVER A VOTE.

I WOULD ALSO ASK YOU TO IMAGINE THIS.

WHAT IF A MOB RAMPAGED THROUGH OUR ROUNDHOUSE, BREAKING WINDOWS AND DOORS, RUNNING ACROSS THE FLOOR WITH ZIP TIES BATTLING WITH STATE POLICE?

WHY?

IT WOULD BE OVER A LIE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THIS WHOLE MESS IS ALL ABOUT, A LIE.

THE ACCUSATION THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN, THE BASIS FOR THIS WHOLE THING IS A LIE.

NO LIE, NO INSURRECTION.

THINK ABOUT THAT TOO.

THANKS FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

IN FOCUS.