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

Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, WHY SHERYL WILLIAMS STAPLETON'S LEGISLATIVE REPLACEMENT IS ALREADY FOCUSED ON REDISTRICTING.

Bounkeua: THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO KICK OPEN THE DOORS SO WE'LL NEVER AGAIN BE THE ONLY OR THE FIRST.

Gene: AND RENEWABLE POWER MUST BE A PART OF NEW MEXICO'S ENERGY FUTURE BUT AT WHAT COST?

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST GENE GRANT.

ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT PRODUCING RENEWABLE ENERGY IS HOW TO GET IT TO MARKET.

SUNZIA POWER LINE IS ONE WAY TO DO THAT BUT WHILE 10'S OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SPENT ON IT, IT'S FUTURE IS BOTH CONTROVERSIAL AND UNCERTAIN.

WE'LL DIG IN.

THE LINE OPINION PANEL EXAMINES THE COMING INFLUX OF AFGHANS AS NEW MEXICO PROMISES TO OPEN ITS DOORS.

ALSO ON OUR SLATE IS NEW MEXICO'S PLACE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF MOST DANGEROUS STATES FOR PEDESTRIANS.

IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

BUT ONE THAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED.

WE BEGIN WITH PUSHBACK AGAINST THE GOVERNOR OVER HER NEW PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER AND HOW SHE HAVE HAS BEEN COMMUNICATING HER PLAN.

HERE IS THE LINE.

IT TOOK NO TIME AT ALL FOR GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM'S LATEST PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER TO COME UNDER LEGAL CHALLENGE.

TWO WOMEN HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM'S VACCINE MANDATE FOR CERTAIN WORKERS.

WE'LL GET INTO IT IN A SECOND.

IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT SURGE IN THE COVID-19 CASES TIED TO THE DELTA VARIANT, HERE TO DISCUSS IT ARE THIS WEEK'S LINE PANELISTS, STARTING WITH LINE REGULAR AND FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN IS WITH US.

WE ALSO WELCOME BACK DAN BOYD, CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF AT THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL.

AND WE ALSO WELCOME BACK MICHAEL BIRD FRESH OFF A SHORT RELOCATION STINT ON THE WEST COAST.

HE IS ALSO A PUBLIC HEALTH CONSULTANT SO WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK, MICHAEL, HONESTLY.

NOW, DAN, LET ME START WITH YOU.

THE LAWSUIT HINGES IN PART ON THE FACT THAT THE PLAINTIFFS SAY THE VACCINE HAS NOW BEEN FULLY APPROVED BY THE FDA BUT JUST THIS WEEK THE FDA HAS JUST DONE THAT WITH THE PFIZER VACCINE AS WELL.

WHAT IMPACT DOES THAT DECISION HAVE ON THIS LITIGATION?

Dan: YEAH, I THINK THAT IS YET TO BE SEEN.

I WOULD CERTAINLY THINK THAT WOULD UNDERCUT ONE OF THE MAIN CLAIMS THAT THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE.

THE LAWSUIT DIDN'T COME AS A BIG SURPRISE TO ME.

I MEAN WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN OTHER STATES, SIMILAR LAWSUITS.

ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS IN THE NEW MEXICO CASES IS A HEALTHCARE WORKER IN ALBUQUERQUE AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE OCCUPATIONS KIND OF TARGETED BY THIS VACCINE MANDATE.

THE OTHER ONE WAS A MOTHER OF CHILDREN WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE STATE FAIR.

GOVERNOR ALSO SAID ATTENDING THE STATE FAIR YOU HAVE TO SHOW A PROOF OF VACCINATION WITH A FEW ALLOWABLE EXEMPTIONS.

WE'LL SEE HOW THIS ALL PLAYS OUT KIND OF IN THE COURTS AND CERTAINLY AS WELL, I THINK, TO SEE IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY WHAT KIND OF IMPACT IT HAS AS FAR AS FOLKS EITHER GETTING VACCINATED AND COMPLYING OR SOME OF THEM LOSING THEIR JOBS OR LEAVING THEIR JOBS OVER IT.

Gene: MICHAEL, DAN MENTIONED ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS IS A REGISTERED NURSE, JENNIFER BLACK, SHE IS A BERNALILLO COUNTY RESIDENT AND WORKS AS A NURSE AT PRES.

HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE.

WE KNOW THAT NEW MEXICO IS ALREADY FACING A SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS BEFORE FIGHTING COVID-19 FOR A YEAR-AND-A-HALF WHICH TOOK A BIG TOLL.

HERE IS THE QUESTION.

DOES THE GOVERNOR RUN THE RISK OF LAUNCHING A WAVE OF MASS RESIGNATIONS WITH THIS VACCINE MANDATE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS OR IN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A HEALTH CARE PERSON YOURSELF, IS THAT NOT POSSIBLE?

PEOPLE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO WALK AWAY IN MASS FROM THESE KIND OF JOBS?

WHICH IS IT IN YOUR VIEW?

Michael: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK ANYBODY WHO IS WORKING IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD AND, AS YOU REFERENCED, GENE, YOU KNOW, I DID WORK IN SANTA FE INDIAN HOSPITAL ON THE FLOOR WITH MANY NURSES IN THE PAST.

AND, HAVE FOUND THEM, YOU KNOW, PHYSICIANS AND THE WHOLE HEALTHCARE TEAM ARE REALLY CRITICAL BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR NURSES BUT IN THE HOSPITAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES AS WELL.

AND IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THERE IS A REAL CONTRADICTION, IF WE ARE THERE TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PATIENTS, WE REALLY HAVE A DUTY AND OBLIGATION BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THOSE PATIENTS' SAFETY.

SO, I REALLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH SOMEONE TAKING THAT POSITION WHO CONSIDERS THEMSELVES TO BE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

I THINK THAT IF YOU'RE IN HEALTHCARE, YOU ARE THERE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PATIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND FIRST AND FOREMOST TO PROTECT THEM.

IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO DO THAT, THEN I THINK YOU MAY BE IN THE WRONG PROFESSION.

Gene: LET ME FOLLOW UP WITH THIS.

DAVID SCRASE, WHO IS INTERIM HEALTH SECRETARY HERE FOR NEW MEXICO, HE SAYS THAT 90% OF NURSES, HOSPITAL NURSES ARE VACCINATED ALREADY.

THE NURSES ASSOCIATION DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS.

CAN THESE FOLKS, THESE LAST 10% FOLKS, GET SQUEEZED ENOUGH TO JUST KIND OF GET THERE?

IS IT A SMALL ENOUGH GROUP IN YOUR VIEW?

Michael: WELL, YOU KNOW, HAVING BEEN OUT OF NEW MEXICO FOR A BIT NOW, IT IS HARD FOR ME TO REALLY RESPOND TO THAT.

MY OWN PERSONAL THOUGHT IS THAT THERE ARE LESSONS AGAIN TO BE LEARNED FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES AND THE NATIVE COMMUNITY HAS THE HIGHEST COVID-19 RATE, I MEAN, HAD THE HIGHEST VACCINATION RATE OF ANY COMMUNITY OF COLOR OF ANY POPULATION IN THE STATE ACCORDING TO THE CDC IN A REPORT LAST WEEK.

SO, IT JUST SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT RECOGNIZE, YES, THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS ARE IMPORTANT BUT THE COLLECTIVE GOOD, THE TRIBAL GOOD, THE LARGER COMMUNITY, WE REALLY HAVE AN OBLIGATION AND MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF NATIVE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY AND ALL DISEASES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO WHICH CAME FROM EUROPE, AND SO THEY RECOGNIZE IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY, COLLECTIVE WAY, THAT YOU HAVE TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY AND TRIBAL LEADERSHIP HAS PROVIDED GREAT LEADERSHIP IN TERMS OF TAKING PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICES, ADOPTING THEM AND IMPLEMENTING THEM WITHIN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.

I THINK THAT THERE IS SOME LESSONS TO BE LEARNED AND I THINK PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO HAVE HONEST CONVERSATIONS WITH THEMSELVES ABOUT WHO DO THEY SERVE.

ARE YOU SERVING YOURSELF OR ARE YOU SERVING YOUR FAMILY OR SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY?

I THINK THAT IS A QUESTION MANY PEOPLE NEED TO BEGIN TO ASK THEMSELVES.

Gene: SENATOR, THE OTHER PLAINTIFF IN THE LAWSUIT IS UPSET ABOUT THE NEW VACCINE MANDATE FOR ENTRY TO THE STATE FAIR.

SHE IS A COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT AND A MOM OF TWO GIRLS WITH ANIMALS ENTERED IN COMPETITION AT THE STATE FAIR.

GOVERNOR MADE A POINT OF TRYING TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE WITH VACCINE MANDATES BUT WAS THIS A STEP TOO FAR GIVEN THE LAST MINUTE NOTICE ON THIS?

Dede: GENE, I THINK THAT REALLY THE STATE FAIR IS ONE OF THE FEW SUPER SPREADER EVENTS THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OF.

IT DOESN'T HAVE CONTROL OF THE BALLOON FIESTA.

IT DOESN'T HAVE CONTROL OF INDIAN MARKET.

AND SO THIS WAS, IN MY VIEW, NOT A STEP TOO FAR AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY OUGHT TO MAKE SOME ACCOMMODATIONS, MAKE SOME OF THOSE LIVESTOCK EVENTS OUTDOORS BUT, IN GENERAL, IT IS NOT A STEP TOO FAR TO ASK ADULTS AND TEENAGERS TO BE VACCINATED.

THERE ARE SOME YOUNG CHILDREN FOR WHOM THE VACCINATION IS NOT POSSIBLE AND I ASSUME THEY WILL PROBABLY BE ACCOMMODATED BUT I DON'T KNOW.

Gene: I HEARD YOUR POINT LOUD AND CLEAR HERE BUT I THINK IT IS A TIMING ISSUE AS WELL.

THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS I HAVE TALKED TO FROM THAT PART OF THE STATE THAT FEEL LIKE THE GOVERNOR DID THIS ON PURPOSE, LIKE THIS IS SOME KIND OF PAY BACK TO NOT GIVE ENOUGH RUN UP TIME HERE TO GET THESE KIDS VACCINATED.

IS THAT A STEP TOO FAR, FEELING THAT WAY?

Dede: YES, I THINK THAT IS A STEP TOO FOR.

I THINK THAT IS THE STEP TOO FAR IN TERMS OF BELIEVING THAT THE GOVERNOR IS A TYRANT AND IS DOING THINGS ARBITRARILY.

Gene: COULD THE TIMING HAVE BEEN BETTER?

Dede: YES, THE TIMING COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER BUT THE VIRUS IS -- REQUIRES, YOU KNOW, INSTANTANEOUS DECISIONS BECAUSE IT IS CHANGING AND MUTATING ON A DAILY AND WEEKLY BASIS.

SO, YOU HAVE TO RESPOND.

I MEAN, I THINK IF YOU HAVE THE INTEREST OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION AT HEART YOU DO HAVE TO RESPOND AND MAKE SOME OF THESE CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS.

BUT I THINK THE REACTION OF SOME OF THE ANTI-VACCERS HAS GONE TOO FAR.

BLAIR DUNN, THE LAWYER FOR THESE FOLKS, HAS COMPARED MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM TO A TYRANT WHO IS PUTTING PEOPLE IN CONCENTRATION CAMPS, TANTAMOUNT TO JAPANESE INTERNMENT.

I THINK THAT IS INSULTING.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY INSULTING TO JAPANESE PEOPLE AND TO OTHERS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE VACCINATION IN GOOD FAITH.

Gene: I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING THAT LAST BIT IN THERE.

THAT IS INSULTING.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO SAY THAT.

THE LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS HAS BEEN UPHELD TIME AND TIME AGAIN IN STATE COURT AS YOUR PAPER HAS REPORTED AND IN FEDERAL COURT EVEN AS THE SUPREME COURT HAS REFUSED TO HEAR SUITS AGAINST THE VACCINE REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS IN INDIANA.

WHY WOULD THIS BE ANY DIFFERENT THIS TIME, ANOTHER COURT CHALLENGE?

Dan: LIKELIHOOD, I MEAN, YOU NEVER WANT TO WAGER ON THE COURT SYSTEM BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, I WOULD THINK THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY HERE IS UPHELD.

OTHER GOVERNORS HAVE ALSO ISSUED THESE KIND OF TARGETED VACCINE MANDATES, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH PRESBYTERIAN AND OTHER PRIVATE EMPLOYERS ALSO ADOPTING THEIR OWN VACCINE POLICIES.

I MEAN, IT SEEMS PRETTY WELL ESTABLISHED.

I AM NO LAWYER BUT THAT THE PRIVATE EMPLOYERS CAN SET THESE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

YOU KNOW.

IT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEN IT IS THE STATE DOING THAT AND I DO THINK THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

I THINK I CAN SAY THAT THIS WASN'T EVEN TOTAL AGREEMENT WITHIN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND CABINET ON SOME OF THESE DECISIONS.

THESE ARE HARD DECISIONS.

EITHER WAY I THINK THERE IS PROS AND CONS AND PUSHBACK NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO.

Gene: MICHAEL, IN THE PAST WEEK WE HAVE SEEN PROTESTS ACROSS THE STATE AGAINST MASKS AND VACCINE MANDATES.

AND QUITE NOISILY SOME LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS PRETTY VOCAL TO NOT ENFORCE MASK MANDATES DURING WEEKLY SERVICE.

DOES THE GOVERNOR HAVE REAL POWER OR SWAY IN TERMS OF THE MASK ENFORCEMENT AT THIS POINT OR IS IT GOING TO TAKE MONETARY FINES TO MAKE HER POINT?

WHAT CAN SHE DO ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO HAVE FOLKS GATHER AND JUST NOT DO WHAT SHE WANTS THEM TO DO?

Michael: I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT I HAVE TO REFLECT ON IS MY OLD CATECHISM CLASSES.

I WAS PROBABLY A DROPOUT, IF ANYTHING ELSE, BUT ONE THING I DO RECALL AND DO REMEMBER WAS, AM I NOT MY BROTHER'S KEEPER.

AND I KNOW FOR MYSELF, AND I DON'T SPEAK FOR ANYONE BUT MYSELF, I KNOW FOR MYSELF, I HAVE A DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO PROTECT EVERYONE, THOSE WHO ARE CLOSE TO ME AND WHO I LOVE AND ARE DEAR, AS WELL AS ANYONE ELSE WHO COULD SUFFER DEATH OR LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

SO, I JUST -- IT IS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND HOW CHURCHES COULD TAKE A POSITION, SOME CHURCHES, NOT ALL, BUT SOME CHURCHES WOULD TAKE THIS POSITION THAT IT SOMEHOW IS AN IMPOSITION UPON THEM.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A REAL CONVERSATION IN THOSE CHURCHES AND ACROSS CHURCHES, I THINK, ABOUT WHAT DO WE VALUE?

THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT VALUE IN HUMAN LIFE.

A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHEN DOES LIFE BEGIN.

AND WHEN DOES IT END?

WELL, WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SACREDNESS OF LIFE AND PROTECTING ALL LIFE AND THAT WOULD BE MY RESPONSE.

Gene: GOOD POINTS THERE.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE THIS WEEK FOR THAT DISCUSSION.

STILL TO COME, THIS WEEK ON THE LINE, NEW MEXICO OPENS ITS ARMS TO AFGHAN REFUGEES.

Noll: WE ARE NOT SAYING DON'T GENERATE.

WE ARE NOT SAYING DON'T TRANSMIT.

WE ARE SAYING JUST DO IT AS SMART AS POSSIBLE.

CONSIDERING PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE.

Gene: BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MADE A SECOND LEGISLATIVE APPOINTMENT OF THE SUMMER THIS WEEK, NAMING COMMUNITY ORGANIZER KAY BOUNKEUA AS REPLACEMENT FOR SHERYL WILLIAMS STAPLETON WHO RESIGNED IN THE FACE OF ALLEGATIONS OF FINANCIAL IMPROPRIETIES INVOLVING HER JOB WITH ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

NOW, AS BEST AS ANYONE CAN RECALL, MS. BOUNKEUA IS THE FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN WOMAN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SHE SAYS REPRESENTATION IS IMPORTANT FOR NEW MEXICO COMMUNITIES AS SHE DISCUSSED WITH THE SENIOR PRODUCER MATT GRUBS.

Matt: NEW REPRESENTATIVE KAY BOUNKEUA, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WHEN WE SPOKE JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGO YOU SAID THAT THIS ALL HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY.

I KNOW THERE WERE PEOPLE TALKING TO YOU.

WERE YOU ABLE TO TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE TO FIGURE OUT IF THE ISSUES YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ARE THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN?

Bounkeua: I WORKED IN HOUSE DISTRICT 19 FOR MY ENTIRE CAREER.

I WAS BORN IN THE PLACE.

I CAME BACK TO GROW MY FAMILY THERE AND HAVING DONE WORK THAT WAS GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AND BROADER SOUTHEAST ALBUQUERQUE, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE KNOWN THOSE ISSUES FOR A WHILE NOW.

WE HAVE WORKED ON THEM.

I AM STILL CONNECTED WITH MANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS DOING ORGANIZING WORK THERE.

SO, WHEN I THINK ABOUT HOW THE ISSUES ARE IMPACTING COMMUNITIES IN THAT PLACE, I FEEL LIKE THERE IS ALREADY THAT STRONG CONNECTION AND, RIGHT, WE CAN ALWAYS LEARN MORE AND WE CAN DEFINITELY CONTINUE TO SHOW UP TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE DAY-TO-DAY AS WELL.

Matt: YOU SAID THAT YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DECIDING AND FINDING OUT WHAT COMMITTEES YOU'LL BE A PART OF, SO THAT IS IN THE WORKS.

I THINK RIGHT NOW WHEN PEOPLE HEAR OF ALBUQUERQUE THEY THINK SOME OF CRIME.

THERE IS A TREND THAT IS CONCERNING.

YOU HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE OF MENTAL HEALTH AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.

OR PART OF ONE.

HOW DOES THAT FIT IN TO WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW?

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL IN TERMS OF SERVICES AND SYSTEMS?

Bounkeua: I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT VIOLENCE THAT IS HAPPENING IN OR COMMUNITIES, WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE STRUCTURES THAT PLAY INTO THAT.

I DO THINK THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE NEED TO RETHINK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE ALLOCATING OUR RESOURCES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE NOT COMMITTING TO SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY OVER-POLICED BLACK, INDIGENOUS, ASIAN, PACIFIC ISLANDER, LATIN, OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITIES.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT CREATIVE COMMUNITY-LED AND COMMUNITY-BASED AND DESIGNED SOLUTIONS THAT GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE ALL SAFE, THAT WE ALL FEEL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGINGNESS AND THAT WE HAVE GOT SOME REAL SAY INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

SO, FOR US TO REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE OTHER SOLUTIONS, IT IS THAT INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH.

IT IS THAT INVESTMENT IN CULTURALLY TAILORED SERVICES THAT THE COMMUNITY IN THIS AREA DOES SO WELL.

IT IS ALSO THINKING ABOUT WHAT ARE POLICIES THAT CAN GET TO THE ROOT CAUSES OF ISSUES, SUCH AS UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.

HOW CAN WE REALLY GIVE PEOPLE THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT THEY NEED SO THAT THEY CAN REALLY THRIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO I THINK TO TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH, TOO, IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN YOU LOOK AT BIG ISSUES LIKE VIOLENCE.

Matt: WOULD YOU SEE THOSE SERVICES COME ALONGSIDE SOMETHING LIKE WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND SPEAKER HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHICH IS 1000 NEW OFFICERS WHO ARE TRAINED IN COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING?

YOU SEE THOSE TWO THINGS COMING SIDE-BY-SIDE?

Bounkeua: I THINK THERE IS A PLACE FOR POLICING AND I DO THINK THE MORE INPUT WE HAVE FROM COMMUNITIES WHO LIVE IN THIS PLACE AND I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE OR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, THE CLOSER WE ARE GOING TO GET TO A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT INPUT AND TO SAY WHERE WE NEED THE SUPPORT, I THINK THAT AGAIN WILL BE THE KEY TO MAKING IT WORK.

Matt: WE COULD SPEND THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW ON THIS, OF COURSE, BUT WHEN YOU SAY OVER-POLICING, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT MORE POLICE BEING IN A PART OF TOWN THAT HAS A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION RESULTING IN MORE CRIMES, RESULTING IN MORE POLICE, KIND OF THAT FEEDBACK LOOP?

Bounkeua: I THINK SO.

HOW DO YOU DISRUPT THAT CYCLE AND THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT IN SOUTHEAST ALBUQUERQUE ALREADY HAS SO MANY POLICE, I DON'T KNOW IF BRINGING MORE INTO IT IS THE EXACT SOLUTION.

I THINK IT IS PART OF IT BUT WE AGAIN NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS THAT COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH THAT WE CAN TAKE AS A COMMUNITY, AS A STATE, AS CITY LEADERS AND COUNTY LEADERS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT REALLY MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR THIS PLACE.

Matt: YOU ENTER THE LEGISLATURE AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE DOING REDISTRICTING WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT IS OFTENTIMES, I THINK, MAYBE OVERLOOKED JUST BECAUSE IT CAN BE INCREDIBLY BORING.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT A BUNCH OF MAPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT IT REALLY COUNTS FOR REPRESENTATION.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE NEW SYSTEM WHERE THERE IS A COMMUNITY-BASED ADVISORY GROUP THAT WILL GIVE THE LEGISLATURE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS?

WHAT DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

Bounkeua: I WAS ON THE GOVERNOR'S COMPLETE COMMITTEE WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH CENSUS 2020 AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY WAS COUNTED IN OUR STATE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT LEADS TO RESOURCES FOR NEW MEXICO FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

SO, I VERY MUCH BELIEVE IN HOW DO YOU GET TO THAT REPRESENTATION.

HOW DO YOU DO IT ACCURATELY AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE DOING THE OUTREACH THAT IS NECESSARY.

I THINK THE COMMITTEE THAT IS UP IS ALSO A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I KNOW A LOT OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS FOUGHT TO HAVE THAT ESTABLISHED SO THAT THERE WAS SOME SENSE OF INPUT FROM COMMUNITY THAT WOULD BE DIRECTLY WRAPPED INTO THE MAPS THAT ARE CREATED THROUGH REDISTRICTING.

I THINK THROUGH THE PROCESS THERE IS NOT LIKE A HUGE SWATH OF REPRESENTATION EVEN ON THAT COMMITTEE, EVEN THINKING ABOUT SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, IS THERE A VOICE FROM THERE?

SOME OF THAT IS LACKING.

SO, I THINK, AGAIN, IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THERE ARE ALSO MANY WAYS TO IMPROVE IT.

I THINK WITH NOT HAVING FULL REPRESENTATION ON THAT COMMITTEE, TO MAKE SURE AGAIN HOW OUR COMMUNITY VOICES ARE BEING INSERTED INTO THE CONVERSATION, SO THAT IT TRULY IS THE ABILITY FOR COMMUNITIES TO BE A PART OF MAPPING OUT THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE PLACES THEY LIVE AND THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN GET THE REPRESENTATION THAT THEY NEED.

Matt: WOULD YOU PREFER THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE BINDING OR AT LEAST MORE INCUMBENT UPON THE LEGISLATURE TO REALLY PROVE THAT THOSE AREN'T GOOD PLANS?

Bounkeua: I THINK IF THEY SET UP THIS COMMISSION WITH THE IDEA THAT THOSE CONSIDERATIONS WOULD BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY, I THINK THAT NEXT STEP IS MAKING SURE WE GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION AND THEN TO SAY AND HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS MORE BINDING SO THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMING FROM THERE ARE REALLY TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION COMMUNITY AND THAT GETS IMPLEMENTED INTO THE MAPPING.

Matt: IF THEY WERE TO RECOMMEND A BOUNDARY FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 19 THAT DIDN'T INCLUDE YOUR HOME, WOULD YOU SUPPORT IT?

Bounkeua: I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE COMMUNITY'S OF INTEREST STAY TOGETHER.

I THINK SECONDARY FOR ME PERSONALLY IS A POLITICAL PIECE.

I THINK REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS IS PEOPLE'S LIVES, THIS IS THEIR HOME AND WE NEED TO FIRST AND FOREMOST HAVE THE IDENTITY, HAVE THE COMMUNITY STAY WHOLE SO THAT THEY GET THE REPRESENTATION THAT THEY NEED.

I THINK WHERE REPRESENTATIVES LIVE IS A PART OF THAT EQUATION.

PEOPLE APPOINT OR ELECT PEOPLE THAT THEY CARE ABOUT, SO THAT IS DEFINITELY PART OF THE FORMULA BUT, YOU KNOW, NO.

1 PRIORITY HAS GOT TO BE KEEP THE COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

Matt: YOU TALKED ABOUT REPRESENTATION.

AS FAR AS ANYONE CAN REMEMBER, YOU'LL BE THE FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO BE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Bounkeua: NEW MEXICO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MULTICULTURAL AND MULTILINGUAL STATE.

I THINK THERE IS THIS MYTH THAT WE HAVE GOT THREE CULTURES REALLY, THE TRI-CULTURAL MYTH WE TALK ABOUT AND SOME PEOPLE EMBRACE.

THAT HAS NEVER EXISTED.

IT DOESN'T HELP ANYBODY TO IDENTIFY IN THAT WAY FOR NEW MEXICO.

WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE BODY THAT REFLECTS A POPULATION OF THE STATE.

FOR THERE NOT TO BE AN ASIAN AMERICAN VOICE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AT THIS MOMENT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE DRIVING REASONS THAT MADE ME SAY IT IS TIME AND IF I WANT TO HAVE A STATE WHERE MY DAUGHTER AND ALL NEW MEXICO'S CHILDREN FEEL LIKE THEY CAN SEE THEMSELVES REFLECTED IN LEADERSHIP, THEN I HAVE TO ALSO FIGURE OUT HOW CAN I BE A PART OF THAT NARRATIVE CHANGE.

Matt: HOW DO YOU DO THAT AND ALSO REACH OUT TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY THAT LOST A REPRESENTATIVE IN REPRESENTATIVE STAPLETON.

Bounkeua: I THINK IT CAN BE A BOTH/AND CONVERSATION, RIGHT?

REPRESENTATION FOR ALL COMMUNITIES IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

SO, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THERE IS SPACE FOR ALL OF THAT AND KNOW TOO THERE IS ASIAN REPRESENTATION AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK IT IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE ALL OUR COMMUNITIES IN THAT SPACE WITH THE LIVED EXPERIENCES THAT COULD REALLY EVOLVE THE KIND OF POLICIES THAT ARE BEING CHAMPIONED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE MORE ROOM FOR THAT AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT TOGETHER.

Matt: REPRESENTATIVE KAY BOUNKEUA, GET USED TO THAT TITLE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU AGAIN.

Bounkeua: THANK YOU.

Gene: AFGHAN REFUGEES HAVE BEGUN ARRIVING IN NEW MEXICO THIS WEEK AFTER FLEEING HOMELAND DURING THE RECENT TALIBAN TAKEOVER.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BRIAN EGOLF SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN LAST WEEK INDICATING OUR STATE IS WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS TO HELP THOSE REFUGEES.

MOBILIZATION EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY AND AT LEAST SOME OF THE AFGHANS ARE ALREADY BEING HOUSED ON A PART OF FORT BLISS ARMY BASE LOCATED IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO.

SENATOR, OTHER STATES HAVE ALSO INDICATED WILLINGNESS TO HOUSE REFUGEES BUT DO YOU EXPECT ANY POLITICAL DUSTUP FROM THIS MOVE?

Dede: I DON'T KNOW.

I WOULD DOUBT IT.

I THINK THERE IS WIDESPREAD SYMPATHY FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES AND FOR GETTING THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

THERE HAS BEEN A CRY FROM THE AFGHAN COMMUNITY HERE IN NEW MEXICO, WHICH INCLUDES SEVERAL HUNDRED THAT HAVE ALREADY COME HERE FROM PREVIOUS WAVES, TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE, TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE BEYOND AUGUST 31.

AND I THINK THAT IS KIND OF A POLITICAL POINT PERHAPS BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE REASON WHY BIDEN MIGHT WANT TO END IT AUGUST 31.

BUT, I THINK THAT NEW MEXICANS HAVE BEEN FRIENDLY TO REFUGEES LIKE THIS FROM IRAQ.

THERE IS AN IRAQI COMMUNITY HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE AND THERE WAS A RALLY FOR -- TO SUPPORT AFGHAN REFUGEES ON CIVIC PLAZA ABOUT A WEEK AGO.

AND SO I THINK THERE ARE LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES, THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT ARE SET UP.

THE CITY NOW HAS A REFUGEE OFFICE THAT IS GIVING OUT ADVICE AND TELLING THE HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME FORWARD AND SAYING, WE WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP.

WE WOULD BE WILLING TO HOUSE REFUGEES.

IT IS REALLY KIND OF HEART WARMING.

Gene: I HAVE TO AGREE.

MICHAEL, GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM AND SPEAKER EGOLF IN THEIR LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN MENTIONED NEW MEXICO'S CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND HISTORY OF WELCOMING REFUGEES, AS SENATOR JUST MENTIONED, FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

WE ACTUALLY EVEN HAVE A REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM, OF COURSE, ADMINISTERED BY THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS WELL.

AND, DAN, YOU REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK THE STATE ALREADY HAS RESETTLED A HANDFUL OF AFGHAN REFUGEES OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THAT WAS INTERESTING.

TALK ABOUT THAT, IF YOU WOULD.

Dan: IT IS A SMALL NUMBER.

I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS TOO.

I THINK IT WAS ONLY HALF DOZEN AFGHAN REFUGEES BUT HAVE ALREADY BEEN RESETTLED HERE IN THE LAST YEAR.

SO, I THINK CLEARLY THAT PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING THAT WILL HELP WITH THIS EFFORT.

TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS GOING TO MEET WITH GOVERNORS.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM IS GOING TO TAKE PART IN THAT CALL.

SO, CLEARLY, KIND OF WHEELS ARE IN MOTION.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DETAILS ON IT YET, AS FAR AS NUMBERS AND EXACTLY WHERE, THINGS LIKE THAT.

I WILL SAY MAYBE I AM A LITTLE MORE CYNICAL THAN SENATOR FELDMAN BUT I DO SEE THIS HAVING SOME POLITICAL OVERTONES.

ALREADY CONGRESS WOMAN YVETTE HARRELL HAS MADE SOME STATEMENTS AND BEING CONCERNED ABOUT AMERICAN CITIZENS BEING BROUGHT BACK BEFORE REFUGEES ARE RESETTLED.

SO I COULD SEE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THOSE KIND OF DEBATES HEATING UP OVER THE COMING WEEKS BUT CERTAINLY THERE DOES SEEM TO BE KIND OF A GENUINE DESIRE TO HELP THESE PEOPLE IN A TIME OF NEED.

Gene: INTERESTING POINTS THERE.

MICHAEL BIRD, DETAILS AND DIRECTION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A LITTLE SLIM AT THIS POINT.

NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE HOW LONG THE RESETTLEMENT WILL TAKE, AS DAN SORT OF HINTED AT THERE.

WHAT IS OUR CAPACITY FOR THIS, REALLY, AS A STATE?

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, DO WE ACCEPT THOUSANDS IN FIVE FIGURES, 10,000 AND MORE?

5,000, 500?

HOW DO WE ASSESS THAT?

Michael: I THINK ONE WAY OF ASSESSING IT WOULD BE LOOKING AT EVERY STATE'S CAPACITY, YOU KNOW, TO HANDLE THAT.

ON A LARGER SCALE IN TERMS OF THIS IS NOT JUST A UNITED STATES' ISSUE.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER NATIONS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN AFGHANISTAN AND, IN FACT, THOSE NATIONS ALSO HAVE A DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO PROTECT AND WELCOME THESE REFUGEES.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS COUNTRY IS NOT ONLY MADE UP OF REFUGEES BUT IMMIGRANTS AND SOME OF THE FIRST REFUGEES WERE PROBABLY THE PILGRIMS SO FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE WE ALL NEED TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS A HISTORY IN THIS NATION OF WELCOMING PEOPLE, NOT ALWAYS IN THE WAY WE SHOULD, BUT GIVEN OUR MILITARY AND ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN, I REALLY THINK I GUESS I AM OF THE OPINION THAT GOES BACK TO, YOU BROKE IT, YOU OWN IT.

WE DO OWE THESE PEOPLE AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN PROVIDE.

THOSE OF US WHO REMEMBER VIETNAM AND CAN REFLECT UPON THAT AND THERE IS SOME LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THAT, AND I AM NOT SURE WE HAVE LEARNED ALL THE LESSONS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT, BUT WE DO NEED TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN AS WELL AS WE CAN FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT WITH US, FOR US AND MANY WHO DIED WITH US.

Gene: SOME OF THE NUMBERS ARE INTERESTING.

LARGEST MILITARY REMOVAL OF NONCOMBATANTS SINCE 20,000 AMERICANS IN A VOLCANO ERUPTION IN THE PHILIPPINES IN 1991.

I REMEMBER THAT.

AND MICHAEL MENTIONS, SENATOR FELDMAN, VIETNAM.

WE HUSTLED 100,000 PEOPLE OUT OF THERE IN SHORT ORDER.

MUCH SHORTER, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

I GOT TO GO BACK TO THIS IDEA OF HOW DOES THIS COMPLICATE THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT IN PLACE LAST WEEK, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF HER VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS.

DOES THE GOVERNOR HAVE A PROBLEM ON HER HANDS POLITICALLY A LITTLE BIT?

Dede: I THINK COVID IS THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT.

AND MAY REQUIRE QUARANTINE OF THESE FOLKS WHEN THEY COME TO THE STATE INITIALLY.

AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITH THE VIETNAMESE RESETTLEMENT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM AT THE TIME AND WE ALSO DIDN'T HAVE THE POLITICAL DIVIDE THAT WE HAVE NOW.

BUT, REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT, THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT ARE INDIRECTLY PRODUCTS OF THE FLOTILLAS AND OF THE BOAT PEOPLE AND THE LAOTIAN CRISIS.

THEY HAVE COME HERE AND THEY HAVE NOW BECOME CITIZENS OF OUR CITY.

IN FACT, I THINK THE CITY'S DIRECTOR OF REFUGEES SAID 60,000 PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO ARE IMMIGRANTS OR REFUGEES.

THAT IS 10%.

THAT IS ALMOST 10% OF OUR POPULATION SO IT WILL WORK OUT OVER TIME BUT IT WILL BE DIFFICULT INITIALLY.

Gene: DAN, LET ME JUMP ON THIS VACCINATION KICK.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT WITH VACCINATING PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM OR OTHERWISE MIGRATING.

IS THERE A PROBLEM TO SOLVE OR SHOULD THE FEDS BEING DOING THIS?

Dan: THE GOVERNOR INDICATED AT A NEWS CONFERENCE SHE HAD SPOKEN WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS, HOMELAND SECURITY ABOUT MAKING SURE INDIVIDUALS ARE SCREENED OR TESTED, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SOUTHERN BORDER BUT I THINK THAT LIKELY APPLIES AS WELL TO THESE REFUGEES.

I DO THINK AS DEDE MENTIONED THERE IS WAYS TO ADDRESS IT, A QUARANTINE PERIOD, TESTING, THINGS LIKE THAT.

I DON'T THINK -- I THINK SOME OF THAT SHOULD COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, KNOWING HOW THESE THINGS WORK, IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE A BAD THING FOR THE STATE TO HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT AS WELL.

Gene: GOOD POINT.

AS WE TAPE THIS, WE HAVE GOT THE PRESIDENT SPEAKING LATER THIS AFTERNOON ON THIS AND IT IS GOING TO BE -- WE ARE GOING TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESETTLEMENT EFFORTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP OUT, INCLUDING A FACEBOOK LIVE I DID YESTERDAY WITH LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES, MENTIONED BY SENATOR FELDMAN.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GIVE IT A WATCH.

STILL TO COME HERE ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, NEW MEXICO'S DANGEROUS ROADS.

Michael: LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE THIS REALLY IS A MULTI-LAYERED, MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ISSUE AND I WOULD SAY IF IT HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE PAST, I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THERE REALLY IS A REAL COMMITMENT WITH A REAL STRATEGIC PLAN.

Gene: PLANS FOR THE SUNZIA TRANSMISSION LINE HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE 2006 WITH 150 MILLION ALREADY SPENT ON THE PROJECT.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO SOME DAY MOVE ELECTRICITY GENERATED AT NEW MEXICO WIND FARMS TO MARKETS IN ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA.

THIS WEEK, CORRESPONDENT LAURA PASKUS TALKS TO SUNZIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOHN RYAN, AND ALSO SANDRA NOLL WHO LIVES IN SOCORRO COUNTY AND WORRIES HOW THOSE NEW TRANSMISSION LINES WILL AFFECT BIRDS, ECOTOURISM AND THE RURAL COMMUNITY.

NOW WE KNOW WE NEED TO TRANSITION TO MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY BUT THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT WITH LOCAL IMPACTS?

BY THE WAY, IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT AND COMMENTS ON IT TOO, FIND THOSE LINKS ON OUR WEBSITE.

Laura: JOHN RYAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY TO TALK ABOUT ENERGY TRANSITION AND THE SUNZIA LINE.

ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS ALL US AND YET I FEEL LIKE WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT VERY MUCH.

AND A LOT OF US DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND IT.

SO, CAN WE START OFF, CAN YOU KIND OF LAY OUT THE PURPOSE AND THE NEED FOR THIS PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE?

Ryan: I WOULD BE HAPPY TO, LAURA.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

THE SUNZIA PROJECT, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

TRANSMISSION LINES TAKE A LONG TIME.

SUNZIA IS ONE OF THOSE LINES THAT IS A RENEWABLE TRANSMISSION LINE.

SO WE ARE BUILDING TO GET TO THE WIND ENERGY IN CENTRAL NEW MEXICO.

GETTING TO THAT POINT TO WHERE THAT WIND ENERGY CAN GET ON THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND WE WOULD TRANSFER IT INTO ARIZONA AND ONCE WE GET INTO ARIZONA, THE POWER COULD BE SOLD TO THE ARIZONA UTILITIES OR CALIFORNIA UTILITIES, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

IT IS REALLY EXCITING.

IT HAS BEEN A LONG HAUL.

WE HAVE A NEW IDEA ABOUT ALTERNATIVE ROUTES AND I WOULD LOVE TO GET INTO SOME OF THAT DETAIL BUT, REALLY, IT IS A TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECT FOR NEW MEXICO.

IT WILL BRING A GREAT DEAL OF ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE STATE, TO A LOT OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT WE DEAL WITH, TO A LOT OF THE LANDOWNERS AND WE ARE TRYING TO DO IT IN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE WAY.

Laura: IN TERMS OF THE ELECTRICITY THAT NEW MEXICANS WILL USE, DOES THIS MEAN THERE WILL BE MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE MIX FOR NEW MEXICANS OR DOES IT GO TO OTHER MARKETS?

Ryan: IT COULD BE BOTH.

WE ARE DOING TWO LINES, LIKE I SAID.

ONE OF THE FIRST LINES WILL BE A DC LINE WHEREBY WE ARE TRANSPORTING A LOT OF WIND ENERGY INTO ARIZONA AND THEREFORE INTO THE WESTERN MARKETS.

THE SECOND LINE WILL BE AN AC LINE THAT WILL INCLUDE SUBSTATIONS IN LUNA COUNTY, ONE IN TORRANCE COUNTY AND THAT ALLOWS FOR INTERCONNECTIONS INTO THE NEW MEXICO GRID.

ALL IN ALL, THE EXPANSION OF TRANSMISSION IS REALLY VALUABLE, NOT ONLY WHETHER WE ARE TRANSPORTING OUT OF STATE OR WITHIN STATE, ELECTRICITY IS BECOMING MORE OF AN AREA WHERE WE NEED TO GET PATHED INTO COMMUNITIES, SO A DIFFERENT PATH WOULD ALLOW FOR IMPROVED RELIABILITY FOR THE REGION AS A WHOLE AND SO A LOT OF THAT IS WHAT WE ARE AFTER, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, WHAT WE THINK IS VALUABLE ABOUT SUNZIA.

Laura: WE KNOW THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING.

WE KNOW THAT IS BECAUSE OF OUR EXPENDITURES OF FOSSIL FUELS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THE CONVERSATION LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE, THOUGH, THAT THESE SORTS OF INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS DO HAVE ALL SORTS OF LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS?

LIKE HOW DO WE BALANCE THOSE TWO THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT?

Ryan: WE HAVE TO DO IT.

WE HAVE TO BALANCE THOSE.

WE WORK REALLY HARD AT DOING THAT.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF FOCUS ON LOW CARBON GENERATION AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO FACILITATE THAT.

WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

WE UNDERSTAND IT.

WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLEAN ENERGY.

BUT, YOU'RE RIGHT, WE HAVE GOT TO CONVINCE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, STAKEHOLDERS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS THAT NOT ONLY ARE THESE PROJECTS IMPORTANT, BUT WE HAVE TO DO THEM IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE WAY.

AND THERE IS LOTS OF THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING THAT I HOPE TURNS INTO A MODEL FOR HOW OTHER PROJECTS SHOULD PROCEED.

REACHING OUT TO STAKEHOLDERS, LIKE I MENTIONED, IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE VISITED WITH NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, SOME OF THE LANDOWNERS DON'T LIKE TRANSMISSION LINES IN THEIR AREA.

AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN WE ARE DONE.

THERE IS THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO PRESERVE THE TOURISM, THE BEAUTY OF NEW MEXICO, THE BOSQUE WHERE WE CROSS THE RIVER, THOSE ARE ALL REALLY SENSITIVE AREAS THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON AND ARE DOING A LOT OF THINGS TO MAKE IT A MUCH MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PROJECT THAT CARES ABOUT HOW WE CROSS THE RIVER, WHERE WE CROSS THE RIVER.

CAN WE PUT IN TECHNOLOGY ON THE TRANSMISSION LINES THAT WILL HELP THE SAND HILL CRANES OR OTHER MIGRATORY BIRDS AVOID THE LINE.

CAN WE CORRIDIZE OUR TRANSMISSION LINES?

CAN WE FOLLOW OTHER TRANSMISSION LINES SO THAT WE ARE NOT GOING IN PRISTINE AREAS THAT ARE UNTOUCHED.

CAN WE CO-LOCATE LINES ON OTHER PEOPLES' LINES.

ALL THOSE THINGS ARE WHAT WE TRY TO DO.

WE ALSO ARE TALKING TO LOCAL GROUPS ABOUT IMPORTANT THINGS RELATIVE TO THE BOSQUE.

YES, WE ARE GOING TO IMPACT THE BOSQUE.

WE ARE GOING TO BE CROSSING THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY.

IT IS INEVITABLE THAT WE DO THAT.

THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO THE WIND BUT WE CAN LOOK AT PURCHASING CONSERVATION PROPERTY, WATER RIGHTS.

WE CAN LOOK AT DEVELOPING THE BOSQUE AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, NONPROFIT GROUPS TO IMPROVE THE BOSQUE.

Laura: JOHN RYAN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

Ryan: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Laura: SANDRA NOLL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

WELCOME TO NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

Noll: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

Laura: YOU LIVE IN SOCORRO COUNTY AND YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT?

Noll: THIS HAS BEEN IN PROCESS FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND IT IS NOT JUST TWO LINES.

THESE ARE TWO PARALLEL HIGH VOLTAGE LINE SETS AND SO WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A NUMBER OF THINGS.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT IS BEING CONSIDERED AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND SO THERE IS SOME CROSSINGS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED.

ONE OF THEM WILL IMPACT SEVILLA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

THAT IS A GREAT CONCERN.

THE SECOND CONCERN IS THAT THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE VALLEY IS PART OF THE CENTRAL FLYWAY FROM ALASKA AND CANADA DOWN TO SOUTH AMERICA AND WE HAVE MORE THAN 400 BIRD SPECIES THAT USE THAT FLYWAY.

SO, TWO SETS OF HIGH VOLTAGE MULTIPLE LINE CROSSINGS OF THAT RIVER, OF OUR RIO GRANDE, WILL BE OF GREAT IMPACT.

THE THIRD MAJOR THING THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS REALLY THE IMPACT ECONOMICALLY ON ECOTOURISM PARTICULARLY ON COUNTIES LIKE SOCORRO THAT COUNT A LOT ON THAT.

Laura: YOU MENTIONED MIGRATORY BIRDS.

WHAT KIND OF SPECIES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT AND WHY IS THE RIO GRANDE IMPORTANT TO THESE PARTICULAR SPECIES?

Noll: THERE IS MORE THAN 400 SPECIES THAT MIGRATE ALONG OR UTILIZE THIS RIVER CORRIDOR FOR HABITAT.

AND JUST HISTORICALLY IT HAS BEEN A PART OF THE EAST/WEST, MID CONTINENT FLYWAY FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

THE BIRD PEOPLE OFTEN THINK ABOUT IN THIS AREA IS THE SAND HILL CRANE.

IT WINTERS AT BOSQUE DEL APACHE AND IT IS ICONIC TO THIS PART OF NEW MEXICO.

WE ALL TELL OUR SEASONS BY WHEN THIS BIRD COMES AND GOES BUT THE LARGE BIRDS LIKE THE SAND HILL CRANE AND WATERFOWL ARE NOT SO MANEUVERABLE.

A LOT OF THEM ROOST ON THE RIVER.

THESE BIRDS DON'T ROOST IN TREES.

AND SO WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR COMING AND GOING TO ROOST IN THE RIVER.

THE SONG BIRDS MOSTLY MIGRATE AT NIGHT.

SO, AGAIN, WIRES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN THERE AND THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS OF BIRDS, THEY WILL BE IMPACTED AS WELL.

Laura: CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CHALLENGE THAT RURAL NEW MEXICANS FACE WHEN THERE ARE PROJECTS LIKE THIS IN TERMS OF HAVING YOUR VOICE HEARD, BEING A PART OF THE PROCESS, MAKING IT THROUGH THE PROCESS?

Noll: WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT IT AS A MATTER OF SOCIAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

A LOT OF TIMES, BIG PROJECTS LIKE THIS ACTUALLY SAY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE AND THAT HAPPENS TO BE OFTEN RURAL AREAS AND INDIVIDUAL FARMERS AND RANCHERS THAT DON'T HAVE THE BIG VOICE OR CLOUT OF OTHER AREAS.

SO, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

I THINK STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PROPERTY VALUES DROP ABOUT 15 TO 20% WHEN THEY ARE IMPACTED BY THIS KIND OF CONSTRUCTION.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE HEALTH CONCERNS.

THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE WITH SOME OF THESE HIGH VOLTAGE LINES.

AND THEN THE POTENTIAL TO DECREASE TOURISM IS A BIG PART OF THAT AND THE BURGEONING FILM INDUSTRY IS JUST BEGINNING TO USE AREAS LIKE OURS MORE AND MORE.

SO, I THINK THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS.

WE ARE NOT SAYING DON'T GENERATE.

WE ARE NOT SAYING DON'T TRANSMIT.

JUST DO IT AS SMART AS POSSIBLE.

CONSIDERING PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE.

Laura: SANDRA NOLL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

Noll: APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS TO YOUR VIEWERS.

Gene: IS NEW MEXICO READY TO TURN THE TIDE WHEN IT COMES TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY?

THE STATE HAS HAD THE MOST PEDESTRIAN DEATHS FOR FOUR YEARS RUNNING NOW.

STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION JUST UNVEILED A MASSIVE SAFETY ACTION PLAN THEY HOPE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THAT REPORT, WHILE SEVERAL HUNDRED PAGES LONG, WAS LACKING IN A LOT OF SPECIFICS BUT SOME OF THE IDEAS MENTIONED INCLUDED NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS FOR DWI AND DISTRACTED DRIVERS, GETTING FEEDBACK FROM VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, REEXAMINING SPEED LIMITS AND INCREASING USE OF PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS.

IS THAT THE PROBLEM HERE?

Michael: THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I MEAN, IT IS NOTED THAT AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN, ON THE DOWN SIDE, THAT NATIVE AMERICANS ARE THE SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAT IS BEING KILLED IN THESE PEDESTRIAN AUTO ACCIDENTS OR I WOULDN'T CALL THEM ACCIDENTS, EVEN.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, THIS REALLY IS A MULTI-LAYERED, MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ISSUE AND I WOULD SAY IF IT HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE PAST, I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THERE REALLY IS A REAL COMMITMENT WITH A REAL STRATEGIC PLAN WITH GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.

ONE OF THE THINGS I CERTAINLY THINK WE COULD DO IS LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF SPEEDING AND ALCOHOL.

I KNOW THAT IN THE CITY THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BRINGING BACK THE VEHICLES THAT CAN MONITOR SPEED OR INTERSECTION SPEED AND I AM A PROPONENT OF THAT.

I THINK HERE IN NEW MEXICO WE REALLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT REDUCING SPEED.

JUST SINCE I HAVE BEEN BACK, I NOTED THIS BEFORE I LEFT AND I AM STILL NOTING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SPEED, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY, WHEN THEY SEE A YELLOW LIGHT, HIT THE GAS TO GET THROUGH THE RED.

IT IS SIGNIFICANT, AND THAT RESULTS -- I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THEY CERTAINLY COULD DO IS DO SOMETHING ABOUT REDUCING PEOPLES' TENDENCY TO SPEED AND FINING THEM IN A MEANINGFUL WAY SO THAT PEOPLE TAKE NOTE OF THAT AND MEASURE THAT.

AND THAT IS ONE THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

Gene: INTERESTING TO ME ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IN THE DOT REPORT WAS A LACK OF SIDEWALKS.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEWLY PASSED INFRASTRUCTURE BILL?

ARE WE AT RISK OF LOSING OPPORTUNITY THERE TO MAKE SOME PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES?

SHOULD WE BE JUMPING ON THIS?

Dede: THE LACK OF SIDEWALKS IS ONE PART OF THIS MULTI-LAYERED PROBLEM BUT THE BIGGER QUESTION IS JUST HOW PEDESTRIAN UNFRIENDLY OUR CITYSCAPES ARE.

EVEN IF THERE IS A SIDEWALK ON COORS, WHO IS WALKING ON IT?

AND THIS IS A PROBLEM IN TERMS OF COVID AS WELL.

WHEN YOU HAVE THESE HUGE FOUR-LANE HIGHWAYS AND MOST OF THESE PEDESTRIAN DEATHS ARE CRASHES THAT ARE ON BIG HIGHWAYS, THE BIGGEST ONES ON COORS, CENTRAL AND CERRILLOS ROAD IN SANTA FE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE USE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY TO ADDRESS SPEEDING IN A DIFFERENT WAY, BY RECONFIGURING OUR HIGHWAYS, BY MAKING THEM TWO-LANE RATHER THAN FOUR-LANE, BY MAKING MORE CROSSWALKS, MORE BLINKING LIGHTS.

THIS IS A PERSONAL ISSUE TO ME.

THERE WAS A 65 YEAR OLD VA NURSE KILLED ON INDIAN SCHOOL WHICH IS A HUGE FOUR-LANE -- WAS A HUGE FOUR-LANE STREET IN THE NORTH VALLEY OF ALBUQUERQUE.

SHE WAS KILLED IN JUNE CROSSING THE STREET WITH A CUP OF COFFEE IN HER HAND, JUST AS MANY OF US HAVE, AND WHO KNOWS WHETHER IT WAS CHALKED UP TO INATTENTION ON HER PART.

MANY OF THESE DEATHS ARE BLAMED ON THE PEDESTRIANS, BY THE WAY, AND YET THIS HIGHWAY, THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, ENCOURAGES PEOPLE, JUST GETTING OUT OF COVID WANTING TO GO PLACES, WANT TO GO FAST, AND, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE FEWER PEOPLE TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, SO THERE ARE MORE WALKERS OUT NOW.

THAT MAKES THE SITUATION WORSE.

Gene: DAN, INTERESTINGLY THE STATE STUDY LOOKED AT NEARLY 4,000 PEDESTRIAN CRASHES, 2012 TO 2018, AND FOUND THAT 79% OF PEDESTRIAN CRASHES LEFT A PERSON INJURED AND 12% KILLED SOMEONE.

PEDESTRIAN ERROR, TO DEDE'S POINT, CONTRIBUTED TO 25%.

AND ALCOHOL, DRUG USE, CONTRIBUTED TO 24%.

DRIVER INATTENTION CONTRIBUTED TO 18% AND MOTORIST OR PEDESTRIAN FAILURE TO YIELD CONTRIBUTED TO 10%.

AS DEDE SAID, IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.

THE REPORT DOESN'T SINGLE OUT ONE SPECIFIC ISSUE ABOUT WHAT COULD BE FIXED HERE.

DID YOU GLEAN ANYTHING OUT OF IT THAT SAYS, OKAY, WE KNOW NOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND NOW WE KNOW HOW TO FIX IT?

Dan: YOU ARE RIGHT AND I THINK MICHAEL TALKED ABOUT THAT IT IS A MULTI-FACETED ISSUE.

JUST ANECDOTALLY SEEING THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS ON THEIR PHONES ESPECIALLY AROUND SANTA FE WHERE NOBODY CAN FIND WHERE THE PLAZA IS, YOU KNOW, AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LOOKING.

IT MAKES ME NERVOUS SOMETIMES EVEN JUST WALKING AROUND.

I THINK PART OF IT, TOO, IS ON SOME OF THOSE BIGGER ROADS LIKE DEDE WAS MENTIONING, IT CAN BE HARD TO CROSS THE ROAD IN THE CROSSWALK IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU HAVE ON A GREEN LIGHT.

I THINK MAYBE SOME OF THESE URBAN PLANNERS OR LOCAL FOLKS AND STATE DOT FOLKS NEED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT.

I THINK BETTER SIGNING, BETTER LIGHTING, THINGS LIKE THAT WOULD HELP BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS HERE.

A LOT OF THESE OTHER ISSUES WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AND A LOT OF THESE ARE LONG-STANDING CHRONIC ISSUES THAT AREN'T EASILY REMEDIED.

Gene: FAIRLY SAID.

MICHAEL, DISTANCE ALSO CAME UP AGAIN AND AGAIN.

IT IS HARD TO WALK TO AND FROM VARIOUS DESTINATIONS IN NEW MEXICO.

IT IS JUST NOT PRACTICAL.

THAT WOULD POINT BACK TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WHICH WAS JUST MENTIONED WHICH IS NOT ADDRESSED AT LENGTH IN THE DOT REPORT.

WHAT ARE WE STILL MISSING WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING PEOPLE NAVIGATE OUR SPREAD OUT GEOGRAPHY?

GETTING FROM A TO B.

SOMETHING IS NOT WORKING HERE.

Michael: THERE IS THAT CONCEPT OF SOCIAL DETERRENCE OF HEALTH AND TALKS ABOUT WHAT CITIES NEED AND PEOPLE NEED TO LIVE WELL AND THRIVE AND, YOU KNOW, AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS ARE CRITICAL TO THAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I MEAN WE MAY HAVE SOME UNIQUE CHALLENGES BECAUSE OF THE -- BECAUSE WE ARE IN NEW MEXICO BUT I THINK THAT WE JUST HAVE TO BRING FOLKS TOGETHER AND LET'S COME UP WITH SOME VIABLE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

WE ARE NOT NEW YORK.

WE ARE NOT LA.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS SOMETIMES I THINK WE GET CAUGHT UP ON, WE HAVE GOT SOME MAJOR ISSUES IN NEW MEXICO BUT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES TO HAVE ISSUES.

ALL OF THESE LOCALES, SOME OF THEIR ISSUES MAKE OURS, DARE I SAY IN SOME WAYS SEEM MORE MANAGEABLE IF WE JUST COME TOGETHER, I THINK.

Gene: SENATOR, I HAVE A LITTLE NUMBER FOR YOU HERE AS WELL.

HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS STRUCK BY VEHICLES WERE 21 TO 30 YEARS OLD.

DOES THAT SAY SOMETHING TO YOU?

IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AGE GROUP WE NEED TO HONE IN ON?

Dede: WELL, AS MICHAEL AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN SAYING, IT IS A MULTI-FACETED ISSUE INVOLVING ALCOHOL, INVOLVING THE DESIGN OF OUR CITIES AND I KIND OF DISAGREE A LITTLE BIT WITH MICHAEL BECAUSE ALBUQUERQUE, IN PARTICULAR, IS A SPRAWLED OUT CITY AS OPPOSED TO ONES THAT ARE DENSER.

IT IS -- PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DOESN'T FIT US QUITE AS WELL.

IF YOU LOOK AT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN OTHER CITIES, PEOPLE THAT USE IT ARE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE THE GROUP THAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED AND ALSO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SO THE FACT THAT IT IS A GREAT HARDSHIP ON THOSE AGE GROUPS AND THOSE GROUPS, THE FACT THAT WE ARE A SPRAWLED OUT CITY BUT THERE IS A WHOLE PLANNING DEPARTMENT THAT IS DEVOTED TO URBAN PLANNING AND STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS LIKE PUTTING ROADS ON DIETS.

A ROAD DIET AND USING LANDSCAPING, USING LIGHTING TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS AND TO MAKE IT MORE USABLE FOR THOSE TWO POPULATIONS.

Gene: THAT WAS THE IDEA AT CENTRAL, JUST TO SQUEEZE IT DOWN TO ONE LANE TO REDUCE THE SPEED.

MICHAEL I HAVE GOT A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION.

MIGHT IT HELP TO THINK OF THIS AS A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY?

Michael: YES.

I WOULD CALL IT A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE DIEING IN NUMBERS -- Gene: FOUR YEARS IN A ROW.

HOW BAD DOES IT HAVE TO BE TO BE AN EMERGENCY?

Dede: IN ADDITION TO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE AGE GROUP, ALSO, THERE IS AN ETHNIC DISPARITY AND SOCIAL DISPARITY WHERE THESE ACCIDENTS ARE HAPPENING.

I LOOKED AT THE MAP AND IT IS THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AND ALONG CENTRAL AND THE VICTIMS ARE USUALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT DON'T HAVE A CAR.

Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

BIG THANKS TO OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS FOR YOUR RESEARCH AND THOUGHTS THIS WEEK.

BE SURE TO KEEP UP WITH THE SHOW THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM.

WHEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE CRITICIZING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN, YOU KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF TOUGH QUESTIONS AHEAD.

BUT ONE OF THEM SHOULDN'T BE, CAN WE DO SOMETHING FOR PEOPLE AND FAMILIES FLEEING THE TALIBAN RULE?

WE CAN.

FORMER GENERAL AND SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL POINTED OUT, WHEN YOU REPLACE THE GOVERNMENT OF A NATION, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS PEOPLE.

IF YOU DON'T DO RIGHT BY THEM YOU HAVE TO OWN THE MISTAKE.

POLITICAL NUANCES OF THIS MIGHT BEST BE LEFT TO THE PRESIDENT, BUT HERE IN NEW MEXICO WE CAN HELP.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE REAL EFFORT AT UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT CULTURES AND UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENCES BUT IT IS NOTHING WE CAN'T DO AND NOTHING WE HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE.

HELPING SOMEONE WHO IS SCARED, HURTING AND WHO HAS HELPED US, WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE TO UNDERSTAND.

THOSE ACTIONS SPEAK A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

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

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK IN FOCUS.