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

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, HITTING THE HALFWAY POINT.

WE CHECK IN ON SEVERAL KEY PIECES OF LEGISLATION MOVING THROUGH THE ROUNDHOUSE AS THE ACTION STARTS TO PICK UP.

>> Dan: PRETTY MUCH ALL THE WORK ENDS UP HAPPENING AT THE END.

YOU KNOW, WE JOKE THAT YOUR HALFWAY THROUGH THE SESSION BUT LIKE 90% OF THE WORK IS STILL TO BE DONE.

>> Gene: AND THE NEWLY ELECTED NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT REFLECTS ON HIS FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE AND LAYS OUT PRIORITIES FOR THE TRIBE.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

WE ARE PAST THE 30-DAY MARK IN THE 60-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THERE ARE NEW DEVELOPMENTS AROUND SOME OF THE BILLS WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING HERE ON THE SHOW.

TUESDAY THE STATE HOUSE PASSED HOUSE BILL 7, THE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD GUARANTEE ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE AND GENDER AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE TO ANYONE IN THE STATE.

THAT SAME NIGHT THE HOUSE ALSO PASSED HOUSE BILL 4, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WHICH WOULD EXPAND AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, ALLOW CONVICTED FELONS TO VOTE, CREATE A VOLUNTARY PERMANENT ABSENTEE VOTER LIST AND ENACT THE NATIVE AMERICAN VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

BOTH HOUSE BILL 7 AND 4 NOW ADVANCE TO THE SENATE.

EARLIER THIS WEEK THE HOUSE TAXATION AND REVENUE COMMITTEE VOTED TO TABLE A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE ALCOHOL TAXES BY 25 CENTS PER DRINK.

THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, STATE REPRESENTATIVE DERRICK LENTE SAYS THEY HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF A COMPROMISE CAN BE REACHED.

ALL OF THIS IS A CLEAR SIGN THAT THE CAPITOL IS GETTING BUSIER AND BUSIER.

WE WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY CHECK IN WITH CAPITOL REPORTER DAN MCKAY.

DAN HAS BEEN COVERING THE LEGISLATION FOR DECADES AND AS HE EXPLAINED SOME OF THE BIGGEST DECISIONS COULD GO DOWN TO THE WIRE.

WE WANT TO CATCH UP WITH DAN AT THIS NEAR HALFWAY POINT.

THE SESSION ENDS ON MARCH 18.

DAN, REAL QUICK WANT TO GET YOU BACK TO WORK HERE.

FIRST QUESTION, THIS IS OUR FIRST REALLY SORT OF IN-HOUSE SESSION IN A LONG TIME.

ANY PALPABLE DIFFERENCE IN HOW LEGISLATION IS BEING MADE COMPARED TO COVID-19 TIME WHEN PEOPLE WERE AT HOME?

>> Dan: IT HAS BEEN A BIG DIFFERENCE.

THE BUILDING IS JUST FULL OF PEOPLE AGAIN.

THAT MEANS EVERYTHING FROM SCHOOL KIDS WHO ARE DOING PERFORMANCES OR COMING ON CLASS FIELD TRIPS TO LOBBYISTS WHO ARE LEAVING PRESENCE ON LEGISLATORS' DESK ON THE FLOOR AND THERE IS JUST A LOT OF IN-PERSON TESTIMONY.

THIS IS THE FIRST SESSION IN PROBABLY ABOUT THREE YEARS THAT HASN'T HAD ANY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, YOU KNOW.

THERE IS NO VACCINE REQUIREMENT.

THERE IS NO MASK MANDATE.

SO, PEOPLE ARE -- THERE IS NO LIMITATION ON VISITORS.

THERE WAS ONE SESSION WHERE THERE WERE ALMOST NO VISITORS ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING.

SO, YEAH, IT HAS BEEN A BIG DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF HOW IT IS IMPACTING THE LEGISLATORS.

I WOULD SAY THERE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE -- IT MAY BE A LITTLE EASIER FOR THEM TO COLLABORATE AND EVEN WORK ACROSS PARTY LINES IN SOME CASES.

I THINK THE LEGISLATORS ARE PROBABLY GETTING TO KNOW SOME OF THE LEGISLATORS THAT TOOK OFFICE IN THESE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

SO IT HAS BEEN A CHANCE FOR THEM ALSO TO GET TO KNOW COLLEAGUES AND NOT SEE EVERYBODY IN A MASK ALL THE TIME.

>> Gene: IS THIS THE SESSION OR THE YEAR WE START TO MODERNIZE OUR LEGISLATURE?

WHAT IS THE LATEST TAKE ON THINGS OUT THERE.

LET ME KIND OF JUST SET IT UP FOR THE FOLKS OUT THERE.

THERE WAS SOME RECENT POLLING OUT THERE THAT SHOWS THERE IS STRONG SUPPORT IN EVERY AGE GROUP FOR MODERNIZING OUR LEGISLATURE MEANING PAYING THE LEGISLATORS, ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE PAID STAFF.

AND THE THIRD ONE, OF COURSE, THE BIG ONE, GOING TO FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE IN FINGER QUOTES.

WHO KNOWS WHAT THAT MEANS; SIX MONTHS, FOUR MONTHS.

WHERE DO WE STAND NOW?

WHAT IS THE HALLWAY CHATTER ON THAT?

ARE FOLKS GENERALLY WARM TO THE IDEA OF MODERNIZING OUR OR IS THE BODY JUST SORT OF PROTECTING ITSELF HERE AND NOT MOVING SO QUICK ON THIS STUFF.

>> Dan: YEAH, IT REALLY SEEMS TO BE A PRIORITY OF DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE A BIG MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, BOTH CHAMBERS, BUT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS SEEM TO BE A LITTLE MORE INTERESTED IN IT AT THIS POINT.

THE DEBATE HAS BEEN KIND PARTISAN THIS YEAR.

IT HAS NOT ALWAYS FALLEN ALONG PARTISAN LINES, BUT THIS YEAR IT HAS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE MORE OR LESS OBJECTED TO THESE PROPOSALS.

THE ONE -- I DON'T KNOW -- MAYBE HAS MORE LEGS AT THIS POINT IS THERE IS A PROPOSED BILL THAT WOULD LENGTHEN LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS IN EVEN YEARS.

SO IN ELECTION YEARS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS FOR 30 DAYS AND THE AGENDA IS LIMITED.

AND YOU KNOW THE BUDGET IS USUALLY THE DOMINANT ISSUE IN THOSE SESSIONS.

THERE IS A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD EXPAND IT TO 60 DAYS SO NEW MEXICO WOULD HAVE 60 DAY SESSIONS EVERY YEAR.

PROPONENTS SAY IT WOULD GIVE THE LEGISLATURE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO VET BILLS, PROVIDE TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME OF THESE BILLS TO ADVANCE RATHER THAN JUST ONE EVERY ELECTION CYCLE.

THAT ONE MAYBE HAS A LITTLE MORE -- SEEMS TO HAVE MORE MOVEMENT.

IT IS HARD TO TELL THIS EARLY IN THE SESSION.

THERE ARE ALSO PROPOSALS DEALING WITH STAFF, TRYING TO GET LEGISLATORS BETTER STAFF SO THEY CAN BETTER VET BILLS AND HAVE SORT OF AN INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS RATHER THAN RELYING SO HEAVILY ON LOBBYISTS.

AND ALSO PROPOSALS TO ESTABLISH A SALARY FOR LEGISLATORS.

SUPPORTERS SAY THIS WOULD ALLOW A BROADER POOL OF PEOPLE TO SERVE.

THE LEGISLATURE NOW IS NOT ENTIRELY UNPAID.

THEY DO DRAW PER DIEM.

THEY GET SOME REIMBURSEMENTS.

THEY HAVE A PENSION SYSTEM.

BUT, THEY DO NOT DRAW A SALARY AND, YOU KNOW, AMOUNTS OF MONDAY THEY GET ARE PRETTY SMALL.

SO LEGISLATORS ARE CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH THE JOB COSTS THEM AND DAMAGES THEIR INCOME FROM THEY HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THEIR LAW PRACTICE OR WHATEVER ELSE THEY ARE DOING.

AND, CONSEQUENTLY, A LOT OF RETIRED PEOPLE SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE BUT, YEAH, I WOULD SAY IT DEFINITELY A HUGE PRIORITY FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

A LITTLE TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER IT IS GOING TO GAIN TRACTION IN THE SENATE BUT I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE 60 AND 60 OPTION.

THAT IS ONE THAT MAY ADVANCE.

>> Gene: IS THERE ANYTHING THAT STANDS OUT ABOUT THIS YEAR'S SESSION?

YOU KNOW, THE REASON I ASK THAT IS DOWN HERE FROM ALBUQUERQUE IT IS HARD TO GET, AGAIN, A FEEL FOR THE ROOM, SO TO SPEAK, WHATEVER ROOM YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN, COMMITTEE, WHATEVER.

THIS YEAR SOMETHING FEELS DIFFERENT IN THE REPORTING WITH YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUE DAN BOYD, AS WELL.

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KIND OF CONSIDER HOW THESE FOLKS ARE WORKING?

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE END TO FIND OUT WHAT FALLS THROUGH AND WHAT MAKES IT?

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF THAT AT THIS POINT?

>> Dan: ALL THE WORK ENDS UP HAPPENING AT THE END.

WE JOKE THAT YOU ARE HALFWAY THROUGH THE SESSION BUT LIKE 90% OF THE WORK IS STILL TO BE DONE.

I WOULD SAY THE HOUSE HAS MAYBE BEEN A LITTLE MORE -- A LITTLE LESS COMBATIVE THAN USUAL.

THERE HAVE BEEN LEADERSHIP CHANGES THERE.

WE HAVE A NEW SPEAKER, JAVIER MARTINEZ.

HE IS A DEMOCRAT FROM ALBUQUERQUE.

BRIAN EGOLF DIDN'T RUN FOR REELECTION AND LEFT THE LEGISLATURE ALTOGETHER.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, JAMES TOWNSEND WAS THE LEADER FOR A FEW YEARS AND HE REMAINS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE BUT DECIDED NOT SEEK REELECTION.

SO THE PARTISAN MAKEUP OF THE CHAMBER HASN'T REALLY CHANGED.

DEMOCRATS HAVE 45 SEATS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE 25.

BUT THE PERSONALITIES ARE DIFFERENT.

RYAN LANE THE REPUBLICAN LEADER AND JAVIER MARTINEZ, THE SPEAKER, THEY ARE BOTH LAWYERS WHO ARE IN THEIR EARLY 40S, YOU KNOW.

I THINK THAT THEY -- MAYBE THAT HELPS THEM COOPERATE A LITTLE MORE.

IT DOES FEEL LIKE THERE HAS BEEN -- IT HAS BEEN LESS COMBATIVE WITH FEWER DEBATES GO SORT OF THE FULL THREE HOURS IN THE HOUSE AND SORT OF SLOW EVERYTHING TO A CRAWL.

SO, IT COULD BE THAT THERE IS MAYBE A LITTLE MORE COLLABORATION ON THAT SIDE BUT WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

OBVIOUSLY IT IS GOING TO GET MORE TENSE AND MORE PARTISAN AS WE START TO FACE SORT OF THE DEADLINE AT THE END OF THE SESSION BUT I WOULD SAY THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE HOUSE IS MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A CHANGE, A LITTLE BIT OF A DISTINCT FEATURE OF THE SESSION SO FAR.

>> Gene: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

WE'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT ARE INDEPENDENT AND SHUT OUT OF THE PRIMARIES.

THESE FOLKS ARE ENGAGED.

THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

MY BILL IS SIMPLY ACKNOWLEDGING AND RESPECTING THEIR AFFILIATION AS INDEPENDENTS SO THEY CAN WALK INTO A POLLING PLACE AND VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT AND INCREDIBLY THE WORLD IS NOT GOING TO END.

>> Gene: NOW IT IS TIME TO WELCOME OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS FOR THE WEEK TO TALK ABOUT SOME DEVELOPING LEGISLATION ON EDUCATION.

WE ARE HAPPY TO BE JOINED IN STUDIO BY DAVE MULRYAN, PRESIDENT OF MULRYAN NASH ADVERTISING.

ANDY LYMAN TO HIS LEFT, A REPORTER AT THE SANTA FE REPORTER.

ACROSS THE TABLE MERRITT ALLEN OF VOX OPTIMA PUBLIC RELATIONS, ONE OF OUR REGULARS.

LAWMAKERS AT THE ROUNDHOUSE ARE CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BRING BACK A STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO NEW MEXICO.

CURRENTLY THE STATE HAS A PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND A SECRETARY, OF COURSE, WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION WOULD REMOVE THE SECRETARY POSITION AND CREATE A 15-MEMBER BOARD OF EDUCATION, WITH 10 ELECTED MEMBERS AND FIVE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THAT GROUP OF 15 WOULD THEN HIRE A STATE SUP OR SUPERINTENDENT TO LEAD THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

IF APPROVED THIS WOULD RETURN THE STATE TO A PUBLIC EDUCATION MODEL.

NEW MEXICO HELD, DAVE MULRYAN, FOR FIVE DECADES BEFORE VOTERS REMOVED THE BOARD IN 2003.

BUYERS REMORSE HERE?

WHAT IS GOING ON?

WHY THE BIG TURNAROUND?

>> Dave: FOR 50 YEARS HAD FEWER SUPERINTENDENTS OR PEOPLE IN CHARGE THAN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SO, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS CLEAR IS WHOEVER HAS BEEN APPOINTED FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT DOESN'T WORK.

IF IT DOESN'T WORK YOU HAVE TO PITCH IT.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN THOSE FOUR YEARS, OR HOWEVER LONG THIS LEGISLATION HAS BEEN HERE, WE HAVE NOT JUMPED UP.

I THINK WE FELL ONE BELOW MISSISSIPPI, IF THAT IS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE NOT IMPROVED OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, SO, LISTEN THERE SHOULD BE NO REMORSE ABOUT PITCHING IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK, SO, THAT IS VERY CLEAR.

>> Gene: MERRITT, INTERESTING, DAVE MENTIONED WE HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT CABINET SECRETARIES OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS PLUS.

YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE CONTINUITY ESPECIALLY IN EDUCATION IN HOW PEOPLE KIND OF SEE THESE THINGS.

IS THIS THE SOLUTION TO GO THIS WAY?

>> Merritt: I REALLY LIKE THIS AND ALSO, I THINK, POINTS BACK TO MORE LOCAL CONTROL AND I THINK THE NEXT REFORM THAT NEW MEXICO HAS TO CONSIDER IS LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS WE HAVE.

WE HAVE 86 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

A THIRD OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ALL IN ONE.

THAT MAKES NO SENSE.

SO WE HAVE GOT TINY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND A MEGA SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SO ALLOCATING RESOURCES EQUITABLY THAT WAY JUST IS AWKWARD AND OBVIOUSLY ISN'T WORKING WELL AND OUR LARGER SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOT OUR TOP PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT BY A LONG SHOT.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT.

ANDY, WE ARE 50TH IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AS DAVE MENTIONED WE FELL A SPOT FROM 49TH TO 50TH.

COULD THE ARGUMENT BE MADE THAT THE CHANGE IN 2003 WAS A TURNING POINT FOR THE STATE?

ARE WE LOOKING FOR A MOMENT TO SCAPEGOAT HERE?

AS DAVE AND MERRITT MENTIONED WE HAVE NOT APPRECIABLY DONE ANYTHING BETTER SINCE WE WENT TO THIS 2003 SCHEME.

>> Andy: I DON'T KNOW.

I GUESS YOU COULD POINT TO THAT AND SORT OF FLUSH OUT WHETHER CHANGES STARTED AT THAT MOMENT.

I DO REMEMBER IN 2013 THIS HAPPENED.

THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT HERE, BUT IT WAS SORT OF POINTED AT FORMER GOVERNOR MARTINEZ' CABINET SECRETARY SKANDERA AND I THINK IT IS INTERESTING THAT THIS IS GETTING SOME MORE TRACTION, SORT OF BIPARTISAN TRACTION, CONSIDERING THAT BEFORE IT WAS LIKE, OH, WE JUST DON'T LIKE THE SECRETARY.

WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE IT UP.

BUT AT THAT TIME TOO IT WAS KIND OF LIKE, HEY, REMEMBER WE JUST GOT TO THIS.

IT IS SORT OF -- I DON'T KNOW IN THE WHOLE SCHEME OF THINGS WE ARE STILL SORT OF NEW IN THIS CABINET SECRETARY THING, RIGHT?

20 YEARS IS NOT THAT NEW, BUT CONSIDERING HOW LONG IT WAS BEFORE THAT.

I DO THINK IT IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO KEEP BRINGING IT UP EVEN IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> Gene: PEOPLE WANT RESULTS.

>> Dave: ALSO, YOU KNOW, NO.

1 SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY, EITHER MASSACHUSETTS OR NEW JERSEY, THEY TEND TO SWAP, THEY SPEND, I MEAN, THREE OR FOUR TIMES WHAT WE SPEND IN NEW MEXICO.

ALTHOUGH I DON'T THINK OUR BUDGETS ARE REALLY, YOU KNOW, THAT BAD.

I THINK IT IS A MATTER OF POLITICAL WILL.

HOW DO WE CHANGE THIS AND SAY, IT IS LIKE UNM, UNM HAS A 50% DROPOUT RATE.

I MEAN, IT IS THE CORNERSTONE.

EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY, THEY LOSE 70% OF ALL PEOPLE BEFORE THEY GRADUATE.

SO, EDUCATION IS STARTING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING UNTIL COLLEGE IS LOUSY.

THERE IS JUST NO OTHER WAY TO PUT LIPSTICK ON THAT PIG.

>> Gene: ANDY, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE HAVE NOT MADE A MOVE ON THIS BEFOREHAND.

NOW WE HAVE GOT THIS NUMBER.

WE GOT 15 DIFFERENT PEOPLE BUT WITH MORE PEOPLE, THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS.

YOU GOT MORE IDEAS.

IS THAT A CONCERN?

NOT FOR YOU PERSONALLY BUT JUST WATCHING HOW THE MECHANICS OF NEW MEXICO POLITICS WORK.

YOU GET A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE ROOM DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN YOU GET BETTER IDEAS AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Andy: NO, BUT THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT YOU GET A BETTER THOUGHT PROCESS, RIGHT, WHERE IT DOESN'T END UP JUST ONE PERSON ANSWERING FOR THE DECISIONS.

I THINK THERE IS A BUNCH OF OTHER STATES.

ACTUALLY MY UNCLE WAS ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ALASKA.

SAME THING, RIGHT.

YOU DO GET A MIX OF PEOPLE IN THERE AND I THINK MAYBE SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT GET ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT IT SWAYS ONE DIRECTION, BUT I DO THINK IT LOOKS MAYBE SOMEWHAT A LITTLE BIT BETTER INSTEAD OF THE OLD ADAGE THE BUCK STOPS HERE, WHICH IS A GOOD FOR A LOT OF THINGS, BUT IF YOU CAN'T SWAY THAT ONE PERSON'S, THAT BEING THE CABINET SECRETARY, THEIR MIND ON SOMETHING, MAYBE WE DO NEED SOME MORE FOLKS IN THERE TO SORT OF PITCH OTHER IDEAS.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT, MERRITT, I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT, EVERYBODY I SUPPOSE.

THERE IS A BILL RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD HAVE MEMBERS OF SCHOOL BOARDS DISCLOSE CAMPAIGN DONATIONS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY BE TRAINED ON THINGS LIKE FINANCE AND BUDGETING.

AND I AM INTERESTED IN YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT.

IT SEEMS LIKE A REALLY GOOD IDEA.

>> Merritt: I DON'T KNOW THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED IN LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

I AM NOT A HUGE FAN OF THAT BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL LIKE THE STATE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AT THE STATE LEVEL WITH EDUCATION.

NOW, I THINK LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS -- WE HAVE HAD, I KNOW, SOME EGREGIOUS SITUATIONS WITH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT I THINK THAT IS UP TO THE VOTERS TO FIX.

THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS.

SO, I THINK THE STATE OFFERING RESOURCES THAT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, BUT I THINK MANDATING -- I THINK THAT IS KIND OF STATE OVERREACH.

THAT IS MY MIND SET AND IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS NOT TRAINED OR FIT FOR THE JOB, THEN VOTE THEM OUT.

>> Gene: RIGHT.

LET'S GET TO BEFORE OR AFTER, WHAT MERRITT IS SAYING.

YOU GOT TO HAVE SOMETHING COMING IN THE DOOR IT CAN'T BE A BLANK SHEET AND GET TRAINED -- >> Dave: WITHOUT A DOUBT.

ALSO A POLITICIAN ALWAYS LOOKS FOR SOME SORT OF PROCEDURE, THE ELECTION OR WHATEVER.

HOW DO WE HELP IMPROVE THAT BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE POLITICIAN.

I AM NOT SURE THAT IS TRUE, BUT, I THINK TO MERRITT'S POINT WHERE WE HAVE ONE HUGE BERNALILLO COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THEN ALL THESE SMALLER ONES NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

I THINK IF WE ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR A SOLUTION, MAYBE BERNALILLO COUNTY HAS ITS OWN SCHOOL BOARD AND THE REST OF THEM ARE GROUPED TOGETHER SO THERE IS SOME AMOUNT OF PARODY.

BUT I THINK WE SHOULD TRY THINGS THAT ARE NEW AND UNUSUAL BECAUSE WHATEVER WE HAVE DONE HASN'T WORKED.

THERE IS NO QUESTION.

>> Merritt: RIGHT, I MEAN, DOES GRANT COUNTY NEED TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> Gene: BACK TO THIS DONATIONS THING.

I'M INTERESTED IN THIS.

ANDY, YOU KNOW IT IS INTERESTING, CURRENTLY DISTRICTS WITH MORE THAN 12,000 STUDENTS, SPEAKING OF SIZE, ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT DONATIONS.

AND THAT ONLY APPLIES TO FOUR OF THE STATE'S 89 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SOMETHING IS BIZARRE WITH THAT.

IS IT EVERYBODY OR NOBODY AT THIS POINT?

>> Andy: I READ AN INTERESTING TAKE THAT THE DONATIONS IN THE SMALLER DISTRICTS DON'T COME THE SAME WAY THEY COME FROM THE LARGER DISTRICTS.

FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND COVERED I THINK WE MIGHT BE MORE WORRIED ABOUT HOW THE BOARD MEMBERS GOT THE POSITION IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE SMALLER DISTRICTS WE HAVE A LIST OF STORIES WE CAN GO BACK YEARS OF A COUSIN, A BROTHER, OR HIRED A SUPERINTENDENT TO DO THINGS AND I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T COVER THE SMALLER DISTRICTS THAT MUCH SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM.

YEAH, I SORT OF LEAN ON THAT THAT I DON'T KNOW THEY ARE GETTING A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY FROM OUTSIDE INTERESTS LIKE YOU DO IN BERNALILLO COUNTY OR SANTA FE COUNTY.

>> Gene: THAT IS AN INTERESTING POINT.

NO ONE HAS EVER PROVED THAT POINT TO THIS DATE THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF PROBLEM WITH THESE DONATIONS.

I APPRECIATE THEM TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF SOMETHING BEFORE THE PROBLEM HAPPENS, BUT, MERRITT, INTERESTINGLY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW MEXICO SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION AND A MEMBER OF THE LOVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD TOLD THE JOURNAL THAT THE MEASURE WAS, QUOTE, PUNITIVE AND IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO DONATES IN THE SMALL COMMUNITIES, GO TO THE POST OFFICE.

GO THE COFFEE SHOP.

IT IS THERE.

THAT IS A GREAT QUOTE, FIRST OF ALL.

IS SHE RIGHT?

>> Merritt: I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

I DON'T SEE WHERE THE COLFAX COUNTY -- DIGGING DEEP INTO COLFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DONATIONS IS GOING TO GIVE YOU A SMOKING GUN.

AND IT IS JUST SIMPLY A MATTER OF GOING TO WALMART AND FINDING OUT -- I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A WAL-MART IN COLFAX COUNTY.

PROBABLY LOVINGTON COUNTY.

GO INTO WALMART, YOU WOULD, IN LOVINGTON.

>> Gene: DAVE, IS THIS A HAMMER TO KILL A FLY, AS THEY SAY?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, SCHOOL BOARD SAID IT IS PUNITIVE.

NOT QUITE SURE WHAT SHE MEANS.

>> Dave: MAYBE BUT ALSO I THINK IT IS SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

I DON'T THINK THAT BAD SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO DONATIONS.

THAT SEEMS LIKE TO ME A BIT OF A DISCONNECT.

AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING FROM TEACHERS AND I DON'T KNOW, AND I THINK IT IS A LACK OF LEADERSHIP.

IT IS A LACK OF LEADERSHIP FROM STATE LEGISLATORS, FROM SCHOOL BOARDS, FROM THE GOVERNOR, FROM EVERYBODY BECAUSE IF WE DON'T FIX THIS PROBLEM THEN WHERE ARE WE GOING, YOU KNOW.

LIKE ARE WE HAPPY TO STAY 50TH?

>> Gene: THANKS TO THE LINE OPINION PANEL FOR THAT.

WE'RE BACK IN ABOUT 16 MINUTES TO DISCUSS THE GOVERNOR'S LATEST EXECUTIVE ORDER.

IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS AND HOW IT WILL CHANGE THE STATE'S CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE FIGUEROA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US ON THIS ASH WEDNESDAY.

YOU'RE SPONSORING SOME MEASURES ATTEMPTING TO PROFESSIONALIZE GOVERNMENT IN A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE OF THEM, MODERNIZING THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT IS THE GOAL HERE?

>> Figueroa: THE END GOAL IN SEVERAL OF THE MODERNIZATION MEASURES IS TO MAKE US MORE EFFICIENT AND INCLUSIVE AND ALLOW US TO DO THE WORK THAT THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO NEED US TO DO.

>> Gwyneth: AND YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT NOW?

>> Figueroa: WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO THAT NOW IN THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE HAVE BUT ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT.

AND THESE ARE THINGS WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IN MANY, MANY YEARS.

THE LENGTH OF THE SESSION, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED SINCE THE 1960'S.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT HOW DIFFERENT THE WORLD IS, MEDICARE HADN'T BEEN INVENTED, OUR WHOLE HEALTH SYSTEM IN TERMS OF SCIENCE AND DISTRIBUTION AND AFFORDABILITY HAS DRASTICALLY CHANGED EVEN IN THE LAST 20 YEARS MUCH LESS COMPARED TO 1960.

SO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES WE ARE DEBATING AND MAKING POLICY ABOUT DEMAND MORE TIME.

>> Gwyneth: ARE WE TALKING FULL-TIME?

>> Figueroa: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2 PROPOSES THAT WE EXTEND THE SESSION TO BE, INSTEAD OF 60 AND THEN THE NEXT YEAR 30 DAYS, THAT IT IS 60 DAYS EACH YEAR SO WE HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL 30 DAYS TO DEBATE AND TO DELIBERATE.

>> Gwyneth: DOES THAT MEAN THAT IN EVEN NUMBERED YEARS YOU WOULD ONLY BE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET FOR 60'S DAYS?

>> Figueroa: IT WOULD MEAN IN THAT EVEN NUMBERED YEAR IT WOULD BE OPEN AND NOT LIMITED TO THE BUDGET.

>> Gwyneth: I THINK PEOPLE SAY SOMETIMES SPENDING MORE TIME ON THIS ISN'T GOING TO MAKE THIS ANY BETTER.

WHY DO WE NEED MORE TIME IN THE SESSION?

I MEAN CAN'T YOU GET IT DONE IN 30 DAYS EVERY OTHER YEAR?

>> Figueroa: WELL, THERE ARE ARGUMENTS PRO AND CON BUT I WITH POSIT THAT TIME IS ONE OF THE PARAMETERS THAT LIMIT THE THOUGHTFULNESS OF OUR DEBATE AND DEPTH OF OUR RESEARCH AND OUR ABILITY TO HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE SO LITTLE TURN-AROUND TIME.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY WANT FROM US AND 60 DAYS GIVES THEM A BROADER WINDOW TO READ THE BILLS AND TO GIVE US FEEDBACK.

>> Gwyneth: THERE IS ANOTHER MEASURE THAT WOULD GO TO THE VOTERS AND ASK THEM TO APPROVE A COMMISSION TO SET SALARIES FOR LAWMAKERS.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

RIGHT.

SO, WHY DO WE NEED TO PAY LAWMAKERS?

WHY DO YOU THINK SO?

>> Figueroa: EVERY TIME I HAVE A TOWN HALL AT LEAST ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS SAYS, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO PAY OUR LEGISLATORS.

THEY SEE IT AS A WAY FOR US TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THEM.

IF WE ARE PAID THEY CAN ASK MORE OF US.

AND THAT IS REASONABLE.

THEY KNOW RIGHT NOW WE ARE VOLUNTEERS.

THEY KNOW THAT BETWEEN 9:00 TO 5:00 THERE IS SOME OF US THEY CAN'T REACH FOR 10 MONTHS OF THE YEAR AND THEY WANT US MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THEM.

AND THEY WANT US TO BE ABLE TO DO A BETTER JOB.

THE OTHER PIECE THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE JUST AS IMPORTANT IF NOT MORE, IS THAT IF WE ARE PAID WE CAN INCLUDE MORE VOICES.

THERE ARE A WHOLE SWATH OF PEOPLE, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE, WHO CAN'T CONSIDER RUNNING FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

THEIR VOICES ARE NOT HEARD HERE BECAUSE THERE IS NO SALARY HERE.

AND IF WE WANT TO BRING THOSE VOICES IN, WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PAY A SALARY.

>> Gwyneth: NOW THE THIRD MEASURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HAS TO DO WITH SCHOOL BOARDS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>> Figueroa: SHINE A LIGHT ON SCHOOL BOARD PRACTICES.

MOST OF OUR SCHOOL BOARDS ACROSS THE STATE, AND THERE ARE 89 OF THEM, ARE DOING AMAZING WORK BUT THERE IS A COUPLE OF ISSUES WE COULD TWEAK.

ONE, FOR EXAMPLE, IS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

THE WORD OF MONEY IN POLITICS HAS CHANGED.

WE NEED TO ILLUMINATE EVEN MORE WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM.

AND RIGHT NOW ONLY FOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE ARE LARGE ENOUGH.

ACTUALLY SANTA FE JUST SHRANK IN ENROLLMENT SO ONLY THREE ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO MEET THE CRITERIA THAT REQUIRES CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS.

THERE IS AN EXCLUSION THAT SAYS IF YOUR DISTRICT IS SMALLER THAN 12,000, YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPORT.

WE WANT TO ELIMINATE THAT BECAUSE EVERY NEW MEXICAN DESERVES TO SEE WHERE MONEY IS COMING IN THEIR CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGNS.

>> Gwyneth: SENATOR SCHMEDES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US TODAY.

>> Schmedes: YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE FACING HEAVY OPPOSITION TO SOME GOOD GOVERNMENT BILLS THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING THIS SESSION.

ONE OF THEM WOULD OPEN THE PRIMARIES.

AND THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROPOSALS WE HAVE SEEN.

HOW DOES YOURS WORK?

>> Schmedes: MINE CREATES A FULLY OPEN PRIMARY.

SO REGARDLESS OF YOUR POLITICAL REGISTRATION STATUS, YOU GET TO SHOW UP AND THEY SAY, WHAT BALLOT DO YOU WANT?

DO YOU WANT A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

DO YOU WANT A DEMOCRAT PRIMARY?

HERE YOU GO.

YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.

>> Gwyneth: WE HAVE HEARD OPPOSITION SAYING PEOPLE NEED TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE PARTY.

THEY HAVE TO SLOW THEY ARE DEVOTED.

THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> Schmedes: I WOULD SAY THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE CREATED THIS MONOPOLY OR DUOPOLY IN AMERICAN POLITICS, RIGHT.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE FEEL BOXED OUT.

THEY FEEL DISENFRANCHISED AND DISILLUSIONED FROM OUR JUST TWO PARTY FORM OF GOVERNMENT, RIGHT.

AND SO, THEY SAY, HOP ON BOARD WITH OUR WAY OF DOING THINGS AND THAT IS NOT WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO.

>> Gwyneth: SO THIS WOULD ALLOW DEMOCRATS TO VOTE IN YOUR PRIMARY ELECTION.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THEM COMING IN AND VOTING FOR A CANDIDATE WHO IS MUCH MORE LIBERAL THAN YOU?

>> Schmedes: NO, NOT AT ALL.

I DON'T HAVE THAT WORRY.

I THINK IT HAS POTENTIAL TO EVEN MODERATE THINGS.

I DON'T SEE A WIDESPREAD CONCERTED EFFORT TO DO THOSE THINGS.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GIVE UP THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE IN A DEMOCRAT PRIMARY TO VOTE REPUBLICAN, LET THEM DO THAT.

>> Gwyneth: YOU ARE ASKING TO SEE MORE INFORMATION FROM LOBBYISTS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE UP TO.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>> Schmedes: WE HAVE TWO BILLS TO BLOW THE DOOR WIDE OPEN IN POLITICS.

IT WOULD BE AMAZING.

THE FIRST BILL WOULD REQUIRE LOBBYISTS TO DISCLOSE WHICH SPECIFIC PIECE OF LEGISLATION THEY ARE LOBBYING FOR OR AGAINST.

THE SECOND BILL WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THEM NOT ONLY TO DISCLOSE THAT INFORMATION BUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY ARE BEING PAID TO EITHER PUSH A CERTAIN BILL OR TO KILL A PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> Gwyneth: I AM SURE SOME OF THE, YOU KNOW, OPPOSITION TO THIS IS IT IS TOO COMPLICATED, IT IS TOO DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT -- TO REPORT THAT.

DOES IT HAVE TO BE IN REALTIME?

>> Schmedes: IT WOULD HAVE TO BE BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION AND IT IS NOT DIFFICULT.

SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE ALREADY HAS THE SOFTWARE TO TRACK ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL THINGS AND ALL THOSE MATTERS.

SO IT IS REALLY NOT TOO MUCH OF A LIFT, I DON'T THINK.

>> Gwyneth: WOULDN'T THIS JUST ALLOW YOU TO SAY, OH, I SEE WHAT THE OIL AND GAS LOBBYIST LOBBIES FOR.

I AM JUST GOING TO SAY, YES, YES, YES, RIGHT DOWN THE LIST.

>> Schmedes: IT WOULD HELP LEGISLATORS KNOW WHERE THE SPECIAL INTEREST IS.

IS IT OUT OF STATE?

IS IT INSTATE?

WHICH INDUSTRIES ARE PUSHING IT?

WHICH INDUSTRIES ARE AGAINST IT AND IT WOULD ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO KNOW.

IT WOULD BE GREAT, I THINK.

>> Gwyneth: SENATOR O'NEILL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US TODAY.

>> O'Neill: MY PLEASURE GWYNETH.

>> Gwyneth: YOU HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF OPEN PRIMARIES FOR AT LEAST A DECADE.

YOU HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD OPEN PRIMARIES UP A LITTLE BIT AND IT PASSED THE SENATE.

NOW IT GOES TO THE HOUSE.

WHAT IS YOUR PROGNOSTICATION?

>> O'Neill: OKAY.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAD THIS AMAZING VOTE IN THE SENATE 28 TO 10 BIPARTISAN, JUST A VERY INTERESTING, WITH WHO IS WITH WHO AND WHO IS AGAINST WITH WHO, YOU KNOW.

THE HOUSE HISTORICALLY RECENTLY DOES NOT REALLY LIKE THIS BILL VERY MUCH.

SO WE HAVE A REAL CHALLENGE TO GET IT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

BUT I AM VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE GOT IT THROUGH THE SENATE.

I HAD PEOPLE TEXTING ME SAYING CONGRATULATIONS THIS IS HISTORIC AND SO FORTH.

SO I THINK THE TIME HAS COME.

LOOK THE DEAL IS, WHAT ARE WE AFRAID OF.

THE PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY VOTE?

OH MY GOD.

GEE WIZ.

YOU KNOW, HONESTLY, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT VOTERS AND YOUNGER FOLKS, THEY DON'T GET OUT OF COLLEGE AND SAY I AM A REPUBLICAN, OH, I AM A DEMOCRAT.

THEY TEND TO AVOID THAT LABEL AND THEY REGISTER AS INDEPENDENTS.

NOT JUST YOUNGER PEOPLE.

I AM TOLD THAT ARMY VETERANS, THAT VETERANS ARE LIKE 50% ARE INDEPENDENTS.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT ARE INDEPENDENT IN THE SHUTOUT OF OUR PRIMARIES AND THESE DAYS, QUITE EXTREME, WELL, LACK OF COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS.

THE PRIMARIES IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT HAS BEEN.

SO, THESE FOLKS ARE ENGAGED.

THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

SO MY BILL IS SIMPLY ACKNOWLEDGING AND RESPECTING THEIR AFFILIATION AS INDEPENDENTS SO THEY CAN WALK INTO A POLLING PLACE AND VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT AND, INCREDIBLY, THE WORLD IS NOT GOING TO END.

>> Gene: THANKS FOR THAT PIECE, GWYNETH.

ONLINE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN EXTRA ONLINE ONLY SEGMENT OF THE LINE WHERE WE ASK OUR PANELISTS ABOUT GOOD GOVERNANCE AND MODERNIZATION BILLS.

YOU CAN WATCH THAT DISCUSSION ONLINE RIGHT NOW ON THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, AS NEWLY ELECTED LEGISLATORS GET THEIR FOOTING AT THE ROUNDHOUSE, THE NAVAJO NATION WELCOMED A NEW LEADER.

DR. BUU NYGREN HAS PASSED THE 30-DAY MARK IN FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF THE NAVAJO NATION.

THE TRIBE SPANS PART OF ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND UTAH.

HAS THE LARGEST RESERVATION IN THE COUNTRY.

NO SMALL TASK FOR THE YOUNGEST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE TRIBE.

DR. NYGREN RAN ON A NUMBER OF CAMPAIGN PROMISES INCLUDING LIFTING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AND FULLY REOPENING THE NAVAJO NATION.

NMIF CORRESPONDENT ANTONIO GONZALES CAUGHT UP WITH PRESIDENT NYGREN TO ASK ABOUT THAT ACTION AND WHAT HE HAS LEARNED IN HIS SHORT TIME LEADING THE TRIBE.

>> Antonia: PRESIDENT NYGREN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

>> Nygren: YES, IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

>> Antonia: LAST TIME WE SPOKE YOU WERE AT A FLEA MARKET CAMPAIGNING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND NOW YOU'RE BACK AT IT ON THE MOVE BUT NOW YOU'RE PRESIDENT OF THE NAVAJO NATION.

HOW IS IT GOING SO FAR?

>> Nygren: I AM 38 DAYS ON THE JOB END OF TODAY AND IT HAS BEEN SUPER EXCITING.

IT HAS BEEN EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE DREAMED ABOUT BEING A PRESIDENT BECAUSE YOU GET TO LEAD THE NAVAJO NATION IN A WAY THAT YOU SET THE PACE FOR THE FUTURE OF OR NATION SO THE PAST 38 DAYS, I HAVE DONE A LOT OF TRAVELING.

I HAVE MET WITH A LOT OF LEADERS.

I HAVE MET WITH ALL THREE GOVERNORS, ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND UTAH GOVERNORS, ALL THE STATE SENATORS, THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES, THE U.S.

REPRESENTATIVES AND U.S.

SENATORS AS WELL FROM ALL THE THREE STATES AS WELL.

SO IT HAS BEEN AN EXCITING COUPLE OF WEEKS AND ALSO AT THE SAME TIME REALLY MAINTAINING WHAT I PROMISED MY CAMPAIGN WAS ABOUT, WORKING WITH THE NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL AND MAKING SURE I AM IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEM AND DOING MY BEST TO MAKE SURE I ALIGN MYSELF WITH THEM AS FAR AS PRIORITIES.

SO ANYTHING THAT I TALK ABOUT OR PRESENT ABOUT, I HAVE BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT GETTING THAT INFORMATION BACK OVER TO THE NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL AS WELL AND THE OTHER THING I ALSO DID WAS MY FIRST WEEK TO WASHINGTON D.C., A FEW WEEKS AGO, I WAS THE GUEST OF SENATOR MARK KELLY AT THE STATE OF THE UNION.

SO THAT WAS PRETTY EXCITING, COMING FROM A PLACE WHERE I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO WASHINGTON D.C.

I THINK THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE, I BELIEVE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

SO THIS TIME AROUND IT WAS EXCITING TO VISIT -- GO TO THE STATE OF THE UNION AND ALSO BE INVITED FOR A MEETING INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE.

SO THAT WAS ALL EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE LIFT THE MASK MANDATE.

I FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TIME.

ALL THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES HAVE REOPENED.

ALL THE SURROUNDING CITIES HAVE REOPENED.

AND WE TOOK PRECAUTIONARY AND MADE IT OPTIONAL FOR PEOPLE TO WEAR A MASK.

A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THAT.

I HAVE SIGNED TWO LEGISLATIONS SO FAR.

ONE WAS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE WITH THE STORMS THAT HAVE COME IN TO MAKE SURE WE REPLENISH AT THE CHAPTER LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THEY DO HAVE EMERGENCY FUNDING.

SECOND ONE I SIGNED WAS FOR SOME FIRE TRUCKS AND AMBULANCES SO IT HAS BEEN AN EXCITING COUPLE OF WEEKS, VERY ACTION PACKED.

AND THE THEME OF ALL MY VISITS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME, ROADS, WATER, BROADBAND, BETTER PUBLIC SAFETY AND JOBS.

>> Antonia: AS YOU PUT TOGETHER YOUR ADMINISTRATION YOU APPOINTED MANY NAVAJO WOMEN, INCLUDING YOUR VICE PRESIDENT.

AND EVEN IN THE TRIBAL COUNCIL, THERE IS A HISTORIC NUMBER OF NAVAJO WOMEN SERVING ON THE TRIBAL COUNCIL.

SO, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU FOR NAVAJO WOMEN TO BE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP?

>> Nygren: FOR SOME REASON THEY HAVE ALL WORKED OUT THE WAY I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE I LOOK AT EVERYTHING BASED ON COMPETENCY, COMPASSION AND TEAM WORK.

AND EVERYBODY THAT HAS COME TO THE TOP HAS ALWAYS -- MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN FEMALE.

MY CABINET IS MADE UP OF SOME PRETTY STRONG NAVAJO WOMEN AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE AND HAVE KEPT MY BALANCE.

EVEN MY CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL IS A STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMAN, TOO, AS WELL.

SO, I THINK IT IS JUST MY BELIEF AND JUST MAKING SURE THE BEST PEOPLE ARE IN PLACE.

AND AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME THOSE TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE IN THOSE POSITIONS BECAUSE THE REASON WHY I REALLY HAVE PUSHED THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE IS JUST BECAUSE THERE IS OVER A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR A LONG TIME.

AND WE HAVE A SHORT TIMELINE TO GET THOSE DOLLARS SPENT SO RIGHT NOW MY TEAMS ARE VERY FOCUSED ON COMING UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS.

AND SOME OF THOSE ISSUES THAT HAVE COME MY WAY, I HAVE DEFINITELY RELAYED THAT BACK TO THE SECRETARY HOLLAND THAT WE REALLY NEED HELP STREAMLINING SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO GET SOME OF THESE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ESSENTIAL PROJECTS COMPLETED.

SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY IN CONTACT WITH THEM BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYBODY -- CONSTRUCTION SEASON IS UPON US, SO, WE WANT TO TRY TO GET DOLLARS OUT THERE SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE JOBS FOR THE SUMMER AND INTO THE FALL.

>> Antonia: WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR NEXT UPCOMING GOALS OR PLANS AS YOU MOVE FORWARD AS PRESIDENT OF THE NAVAJO NATION?

>> Nygren: MY MAIN FOCUS, NOT ONLY IS IT GETTING THOSE DOLLARS, BUT SOMETHING INTERNALLY THAT HAS BEEN A BIG STRUGGLE IS HIRING AND GETTING PEOPLE THROUGH THE TRIBAL BUREAUCRACY TO GET SOMEBODY HIRED BECAUSE THERE IS SCENARIOS WHERE IT TAKES SOMEONE TWO TO THREE MONTHS TO GET HIRED ON THE NAVAJO NATION.

BY THE TIME THEY WAIT ON GETTING HIRED, THEY FIND A BRAND NEW JOB AND OPPORTUNITIES LEAVE LIKE THAT.

MY MAIN FOCUS IS THE GOALS I HAVE SET FOR ALL THE DIRECTORS IS WE NEED TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO GET SOMEBODY HIRED WITHIN TWO WEEKS JUST LIKE THE WAY THE OUTSIDE DOES IT OR EVEN OUTSIDE GOVERNMENTS GET PEOPLE HIRED WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

WE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME SET OF STANDARDS.

AND AT THE SAME TIME AND HOUSING HAS BEEN A BIG FOREFRONT FOR TRYING TO RECRUIT PEOPLE.

SO I AM DEFINITELY TRYING TO TASK MY TEAMS TO HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDIUM INCOME TYPES OF JOBS.

SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO APPROACHING THE NAVAJO NATION COUNSEL ON HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR EMPLOYEES, EVEN IF IT IS JUST A STUDIO.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> Antonia: WITH THAT, ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION WHO, YOU KNOW, OUR LEADERS NOW, THERE ARE LOT OF YOUNG NAVAJO PEOPLE DOING GREAT THINGS ON AND OFF THE RESERVATION.

ANY WORDS TO OUR YOUNG NAVAJO PEOPLE OUT THERE.

>> Nygren: MY NO.

1 THING IS CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND COME HOME TO HELP OUR PEOPLE AND OUR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE I THINK THAT THERE WAS TIMES WHEN PEOPLE ASKED ME, BUU, HOW IS A CONSTRUCTION GUY EVER GOING TO COME BACK TO THE NAVAJO NATION AND LEAD OUR PEOPLE AND BE PRESIDENT OF THE NAVAJO NATION?

AND DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART I KNEW THAT MY SKILL SET AND MY BELIEF AND COMMITMENT TO TRY TO HELP WAS GOING TO FIND A WAY AND A PATH TO BE PRESIDENT.

AND I FEEL LIKE IF YOU'RE LISTENING, DON'T LET SOMEONE HOLD YOU DOWN OR TELL YOU OTHERWISE.

AS LONG AS YOU, YOURSELF, ARE CENTERED AND BELIEVE IN THE MISSION THAT YOU CAN HELP OUR COMMUNITIES, KEEP THAT GOING AND MOVE ALONG BECAUSE LIKE MYSELF I COME FROM A VERY SMALL COMMUNITY OF RED MESA AND I AM NOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAVAJO NATION SO YOU CAN DEFINITELY GET IT DONE.

>> Gene: TIME TO WELCOME BACK OUR FINALISTS FOR OUR FINAL DISCUSSION ON THE SHOW.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THIS WEEK THAT WILL SHAKE UP CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT.

THE ORDER INCLUDES A REORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT, ONE THAT IS MEANT TO, QUOTE, ELEVATE PERSONNEL IN CHARGE OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND JUVENILE JUSTICE, END QUOTE.

THE ACTION CREATED AN OFFICE OF INNOVATION DEDICATED TO RESEARCHING NEW BEST PRACTICES AND ESTABLISHING A NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THAT DEPARTMENT.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER FOLLOWS TWO REPORTS FILED MONTHS AGO THAT CITED A SERIES OF PROBLEMS AT CYFD.

MERRITT, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS.

IT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING CLOSELY FOR YEARS NOW.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT?

LAWMAKERS AND OTHERS HAD IN MIND WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SERIOUS CHANGES TO CYFD, IS THIS WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE?

AN EXECUTIVE ORDER LIKE THIS?

>> Merritt: NO, EXECUTIVE ORDER -- AND I NEVER DISAGREE WITH YOU GENE, BUT IT SHAKES UP NOTHING.

THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER PROMOTES SOME PEOPLE TO HIGHER MIDDLE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS.

IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE FACT THAT ENTRY LEVEL CASEWORKERS WHO HAVE TO HAVE A BACHELOR'S AND TWO YEARS EXPERIENCE MAKE THE SAME AS AMAZON AND TARGET WAREHOUSE WORKERS.

IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THAT CHILDREN SPEND THE NIGHT IN CYFD OFFICES AND DO NOT HAVE A SUITABLE OVERNIGHT FACILITY THAT'S SAFE TO SLEEP IN.

IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE FACT THAT FOSTER PARENTS OR PARENTS HAVE NO PLACE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AND HAVE IT INDEPENDENTLY ADJUDICATED.

>> Gene: THAT IS INTERESTING.

>> Merritt: AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS VERY AGAINST THAT.

AND TO ME THIS IS A WAY TO FORESTALL THAT AND BECAUSE THERE IS SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT AN INDEPENDENT UNIT WITHIN THE AGENCY.

WELL, IF IT IS WITHIN THE AGENCY, IT IS NOT INDEPENDENT EVEN IF YOU SAY IT IS.

>> Gene: I HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION FOR YOU IN A QUICK SECOND ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS INTERESTING.

DAVID, INTERESTINGLY THE NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL PRIORITIZES MEMBERS WITH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE CYFD SYSTEM OR ARE WE LOOKING AT BRAND NEW PEOPLE?

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GO HERE?

INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE COUNTS FOR SOMETHING.

>> Dave: AGAIN, TO ME IT IS THE SAME THING AS THE SCHOOL BOARD.

YOU KNOW, WE KEEP DOING THESE THINGS THAT DON'T WORK SO AGAIN WE ARE GOING TO TRY, BUT IF I WERE THE POLITICIANS IN THE LEGISLATURE, I WOULD TAKE A VERY SERIOUS LOOK AT ALL OF THIS.

THEY ARE FUNDING THIS.

IT ISN'T WORKING AND THESE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T VOTE, THEY DON'T RAISE MONEY, THEY NEED TO BE LOOKED AFTER.

THESE LEGISLATORS ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SORT OF RESPONSIBLE FOR LOOKING AFTER THEM.

AND I DON'T KNOW, I THINK THEY ARE FAILING.

AND THEY NEED TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY.

AND LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING WRONG WITH THIS THING AND WHAT HAS GONE WRONG FOR, WHAT, 20 OR 30 YEARS.

IS THAT HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN SINCE IT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE?

I KNOW A LOT OF IT IS RELATED TO DRUG ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH AND ALL THESE KINDS OF THINGS BUT IT SHOULD BE FIXABLE.

AND SOMEBODY'S GOT TO SAY, WE ARE GOING TO FUND THIS AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO FUND THIS AND THAT IS THE LEGISLATURE FROM WHERE SEE IT.

>> Gene: ANDY, WE ARE LOOKING FOR A SHAKE UP HERE, BUT THE PERSON AT THE TOP IS IN GOOD SHAPE ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR THAT WOULD BE, OF COURSE, BARBARA VIGIL, CYFD SECRETARY.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET SYSTEMIC CHANGE AND TRUE CHANGE WHEN IT IS THE SAME PERSON AT THE TOP.

I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO COMMENT WHETHER SHE IS GOOD OR BAD, JUST THAT IDEA, DOES IT HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY TOP TO BOTTOM?

>> Andy: WELL, I THINK THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT SHE IS STILL RELATIVELY NEW TO THIS, RIGHT.

SHE WAS BROUGHT IN TO SORT OF MAKE CHANGES.

OVERALL I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS, GOING BACK MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIONS.

I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS HARD TO SAY WHETHER WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE IS REALLY GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES, MAYBE IT IS FROM TOP DOWN, BUT, YEAH, I WOULD ARGUE SHE IS RELATIVELY NEW.

>> Gene: INTERESTED IN YOUR OPINION ON THAT.

YOU DON'T HEAR A LOT COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER SPECIFICALLY, BUT SHE IS AT THE TOP OF THIS DYSFUNCTIONAL, USING THE GOVERNOR'S WORD, ORGANIZATION.

IF IT IS DYSFUNCTIONAL WHY WOULD YOU KEEP THE PERSON THAT IS RUNNING A DYSFUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION?

>> Merritt: I ALMOST WONDER IF BEHIND THE SCENES SHE MIGHT NOT BE PREPARING CYFD FOR FEDERAL RECEIVERSHIP.

I DON'T KNOW.

BECAUSE, THERE IS SO MUCH WRONG WITH THE AGENCY.

I WAS SO SHOCKED WITH THE FIRST INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT FROM THE KEVIN S. SETTLEMENT AND HOW POORLY CYFD HAD DONE.

THERE WERE, I THINK, NINE OF 60 SOME REQUIREMENTS -- 60 SOME REQUIREMENTS ONLY NINE CYFD WAS FULFILLING FROM THIS 2020 SETTLEMENT.

SO THERE IS SO MUCH WRONG THERE AND I THINK IT IS A VERY FAIR ARGUMENT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY, VERY PRO LIFE WHEN PEOPLE WILL SAY, YOU'RE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHILD UNTIL IT IS BORN AND THEN YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

BUT WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO PLEDGED IN HER CAMPAIGN TO PUT 10 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE 2024 BUDGET FOR STATE-FUNDED ABORTION CLINIC YET SHE WON'T PLEDGE ANY MONEY FOR AN OVERNIGHT FACILITY FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN.

SHE WON'T PLEDGE ANY MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR REALLY AN APPROPRIATE COMMENSURATE WAGE FOR ENTRY-LEVEL CASEWORKERS WHICH ARE SO BADLY NEEDED.

YOU HAVE TO QUESTION THAT.

AND WHY DIDN'T SHE DO THIS AT THE SAME TIME DURING HER CAMPAIGN?

>> Gene: I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

THE ORDER ALSO CALLS FOR THE STATE TO CONTRACT AN OUT-OF-STATE LEGAL FIRM TO CREATE AN ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT.

WE DON'T DO THAT ALREADY?

SOMETHING ABOUT THAT SEEMS PRETTY BASIC.

WHAT WOULD THAT ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR MIND'S EYE?

>> Merritt: HOW WOULD THAT BE DIFFERENT FROM THE INDEPENDENT GROUP THAT IS ALREADY REVIEWING THE KEVIN S. SETTLEMENT, WHICH GOES THROUGH ALL THE THINGS CYFD ALREADY ISN'T DOING, DID NOT DO IN 2021 AND 2022.

SO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS OUTSIDE LAW FIRM WOULD DO THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THAT.

WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR THAT.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THAT MYSELF.

DAVE, THIS NEW ADVISORY COUNSEL WILL CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS.

EACH SERVING A THREE-YEAR TERM, START WITH THAT, AND MUST REPRESENT ONE OF SEVERAL GROUPS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, FOSTER CARE REPRESENTATIVES, YOUTH ADVOCACY REPRESENTATIVES, LAWYERS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN THE CYFD SYSTEM.

EACH MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE APPROVED BY THE STATE SENATE.

ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT, THE LENGTH OF TENURE, AMOUNT OF PEOPLE?

>> Dave: WHAT IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MY MIND IS PARALYSIS ANALYSIS.

WE ARE SETTING UP ANOTHER COMMITTEE.

TO WHAT MERRITT WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE MOST INFORMATION WE GET ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AT CYFD IS FROM COURT SETTLEMENTS.

THEY BECOME A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD AND WE CAN READ THEM.

THAT IS NOT GOOD.

SO, LET'S SAY, OKAY, THAT IS A GOOD IDEA.

WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE SET UP BY?

IS THERE A DATE FOR THAT?

I DON'T KNOW.

I DIDN'T READ IT.

BUT, WHO IS CHOOSING THESE PEOPLE EXACTLY?

THE STATE SENATE?

DO THEY HAVE TO BE VERIFIED?

WE ARE HALF WAY THROUGH THE SESSION AND THEY ARE GOING TO GET IT DONE THIS SESSION?

ARE THEY GOING TO DO IT OUT OF THE SESSION.

YOU KNOW.

LOTS OF QUESTIONS.

AGAIN, TO ME, PUTTING LIPSTICK ON A PIG WHICH JUST NEVER SITS WELL WITH ME.

>> Gene: LET'S GO BACK TO THE SITUATION THAT MERRITT MENTIONED, THE KEVIN S SETTLEMENT.

IN CASE FOLKS ARE NOT FAMILIAR, THAT IS THE LETTER S. THAT IS THE 2018 LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST THE STATE BY 14 FOSTER CHILDREN.

IT CLAIMED THE STATE WAS, QUOTE, LOCKING NEW MEXICO'S FOSTER CHILDREN INTO A VICIOUS CYCLE OF DECLINING PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, END QUOTE.

YOU GOT THINK THERE IS A LOT OF KEVIN S'S OUT THERE.

THAT IS WHAT REALLY HURTS HERE.

HOW DO WE GET THIS TO MOVE FORWARD IF THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO IT TOP DOWN REBRANDING LITERALLY, OR STRIP IT DOWN TO ITS CORE, WHERE DO WE START?

IS IT AS MERRITT SAYS WITH MORE PERSONNEL, MORE MONEY, AS MERRITT SAID AS WELL.

SOMETHING IS MISSING.

>> Andy: EVERYTHING, RIGHT.

ALL OF THE ABOVE.

IT IS MONEY, IT'S RESOURCES, IT'S VARYING DEGREES.

ONE THING WHEN YOU MENTIONED THE FOLKS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ON THAT ADVISORY COUNCIL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION READING THAT WAS PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE SYSTEM BEFORE.

I WONDER IF THAT MEANS -- THAT MEANS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS OR COULD MEAN A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IS IT SOMEBODY WHO IS A SUCCESS STORY IN HERE.

THERE IS ALSO INSTANCES WHERE CYFD HAS OVER CORRECTED IN THE PAST WHERE YOU HAVE FAMILIES WHO ARE BEING HARASSED FOR THEIR KIDS MISSING TOO MUCH, FOR FAMILY VACATIONS AND ILLNESSES AND ONCE YOU'RE IN THE SYSTEM, YOU'RE IN THE SYSTEM.

YOU HAVE A CASE OPENED ON YOU.

IS IT THOSE PEOPLE?

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHO THE BEST PERSON TO BE IN THAT SITUATION IS OR THAT POSITION.

BUT ALSO, IS IT JUST SORT OF WINDOW DRESSING?

IS IT SAYING, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOT SOMEBODY ON HERE.

HOW MUCH INPUT DO THEY HAVE?

I DON'T KNOW.

TO GO BACK TO YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION, I THINK IT IS ALL OF THE ABOVE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AT CYFD.

>> Gene: WANT TO GET THIS IN, MERRITT.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE PUSHED FOR FURTHER CHANGES TO THE DEPARTMENT.

PUSHING A SENATE BILL THAT WOULD CREATE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE.

DO THEY HAVE SOMETHING GOING HERE?

IS IT SOMETHING BETTER THAN WHAT IS PROPOSED?

>> Merritt: ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS.

I SENT A CLIP TO EVERYBODY, SENATOR JOSEPH CERVANTES, HE HAS HAD IT.

THIS IS ON HIS LAST NERVE AND THERE WAS CREATED -- FORMER REPRESENTATIVE REBECCA DOW CREATED THE CHILD WELFARE, I THINK, OR EARLY CHILDHOOD CAUCUS AND CYFD WAS A BIG PART OF THAT CAUCUS' FOCUS AND I THINK THAT CAUCUS IS STILL PRESENT.

AND SENATOR CRYSTAL DIAMOND HAS TAKEN UP THIS CAUSE.

SHE IS WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.

AND, OF COURSE, THAT IS KEEPING THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY BREAKS IN THE SYSTEM AND THIS LEGISLATION HAS TO GO FORWARD.

IT SEEMS THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT SUPPORT IT AND -- >> Gene: THAT IS INTERESTING.

>> Merritt: SO SURPRISING TO ME BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THIS, ALL OF THIS, WAS INHERITED AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A REAL WIN FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION AND SO I FIND IT JUST SUCH A SURPRISE GIVEN THE BUDGET SURPLUSES THAT WERE IN PLACE AND THE REAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS, THAT THIS IS JUST SUCH A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

THERE IS STILL AN OPPORTUNITY TO PULL A WIN OUT OF THIS AND THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER IS NOT A WIN.

>> Gene: YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE A FULL EIGHT YEAR RUN IF THEY STARTED IN YEAR ONE TO GET SOME PLACE.

YOU CAN'T TURN THIS AROUND IN ONE YEAR OR TWO YEARS.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR LINE PANEL AS ALWAYS THIS WEEK.

BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ANY OF THE TOPICS THESE FOLKS COVERED ON OUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM PAGES AND CATCH ANY EPISODE YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED ON THE PBS APP OR YOUR ROKU OR SMART TV.

BUT WE END OUR SHOW TONIGHT WITH A PUSH FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PROTECT OUR STATE'S ENVIRONMENT.

UNDER A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN MOVING FORWARD ON COMMITMENTS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE BUT THE STATE IS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST OIL PRODUCING STATE IN THE NATION, ACCOUNTING FOR MORE THAN 11% OF U.S. CRUDE PRODUCTION.

THAT DEVELOPMENT PARTICULARLY IN THE PERMIAN BASIN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR VAST AMOUNTS OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BOTH IN THE PRODUCTION PHASE ITSELF AND IN THE DOWNSTREAM USE OF PETROLEUM.

SO THIS WEEK OUR LAND SENIOR PRODUCER, LAURA PASKUS, TALKS WITH YOUTH ACTIVIST JONATHAN JUAREZ-ALONZO ABOUT WHAT THE NEW MEXICO NO FALSE SOLUTIONS COALITION IS ASKING OF YOUR POLITICAL LEADERS.

>> Laura: HI JONATHAN.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> Juarez-Alonzo: OF COURSE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Laura: YOU WERE AMONG THE MEMBERS, HUGE LIST OF MEMBERS, WHO SENT A LETTER TO GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM LAST MONTH IN JANUARY CALLING FOR THE SCIENCE-BASED CLIMATE JUSTICE LEGISLATION AND POLICY.

YOU ALL EMPHASIZED IN THAT LETTER THE NEED TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEED TO STOP PRODUCTION.

>> Juarez-Alonzo: EXACTLY.

AND THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN OUR BIGGEST BATTLE WITH LEGISLATION THAT WE ARE SEEING COME UP RIGHT NOW IS WHILE IT MIGHT IN SOME PERSPECTIVE, NOT IN OURS, BUT IN SOME PERSPECTIVES IF YOU LOOK AT IS JUST AS OUR LOCAL CARBON FOOTPRINT HERE AS A STATE, IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES WE SEE EMISSIONS GOING DOWN, BUT WHEN WE INCLUDE THE DOWNSTREAM EMISSIONS, ALL OF THE EMISSIONS CREATED FROM WHAT IS PRODUCED AND EXTRACTED HERE IN NEW MEXICO, THAT IS WHERE THE BIGGER PICTURE IS.

BECAUSE I AM SURE YOU KNOW, WE RECENTLY IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO, WE PASSED EVEN NORTH DAKOTA AND WE ARE NOW SECOND IN THE COUNTRY FOR OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION.

AND SO THAT LETTER THAT YOU REFERRED TO IT CALLED ON THE GOVERNOR TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND TO PROPOSE SCIENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS.

AND SPECIFICALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE ITCP JUST SAID THAT IN ORDER TO KEEP GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BELOW WHERE WE NEED TO KEEP THEM, WE NEED TO PHASE OUT ALL EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE NO LATER THAN 2034 AND NO NEW INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE APPROVED.

AND WE ARE VERY FAR FROM THAT HERE IN NEW MEXICO UNFORTUNATELY.

>> Laura: SO SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND SOME OF THE THINGS IN THE LETTER, YOU KNOW, COULD ARGUABLY BE SAID ARE PRETTY RADICAL.

AND YET IN EARLY FEBRUARY THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY ANTONIO GUITERREZ, WHO IS ARGUABLY LIKE THE WORLD'S TOP DIPLOMATE, SAID WE NEED DISRUPTION TO END THE DESTRUCTION, NO MORE BABY STEPS, NO MORE EXCUSES, NO MORE GREEN WASHING NO MORE BOTTOMLESS GREED OF THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY AND ITS ENABLERS.

IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE THIS COALITION AND SORT OF LIKE LITERALLY THE TOP DIPLOMATE IN THE WORLD, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THINGS AND YET I AM WONDERING AS YOU PRESENTED THESE IDEAS AND REQUESTS TO LAWMAKERS, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAS THEIR RESPONSE BEEN TO THIS NEED TO STOP FOSSIL FUEL PRODUCTION?

>> Juarez-Alonzo: IT HAS BEEN PRETTY MIXED.

WE HAVE SOME OF YOUR CLIMATE CHAMPIONS THAT ARE RIGHT THERE WITH US AND SAYING, YOU KNOW, THERE CAN'T BE ANYMORE BABY STEPS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR DECADES AND THE FACT IS WE HAVE PROCRASTINATED REAL ACTION 30 PLUS YEARS NOW, THAT IS WHY WE ARE IN THE SITUATION WE ARE IN TODAY.

WE HAVE OUR CLIMATE CHAMPIONS, LIKE WE SAID, WE HAVE A LOT OF UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF MODERATE DEMOCRATS THAT COME FROM VERY MIXED DISTRICTS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF DEPENDENCY IN OUR STATE ON THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE NARRATIVES WE ARE TRYING TO BRING LIGHT TO BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE COMMUNITIES THAT RELY ON OIL AND GAS, YOU KNOW IT IS EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP OR A LITTLE BLOWN AWAY BY THE NUMBERS OR BY THE MONEY.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT QUALITY OF LIFE AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE HEALTH IMPACTS THAT THESE COMMUNITIES ARE FACING AS A RESULT OF -- SOME OF THESE FAMILIES DOWN IN THE SOUTH THEY ARE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION OIL AND GAS FAMILIES.

IT ISN'T EVEN A QUESTION, SOME OF OUR STUDENTS IN OUR STATE IN THE SOUTH THEY DON'T EVEN CONSIDER COLLEGE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE SECOND THEY GRADUATE THEY ARE GOING RIGHT INTO THE FIELD BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEIR FATHER DID AND THEIR FATHER'S FATHER AND TO BREAK THAT NARRATIVE THAT IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY, IT IS ABOUT THE IMPACTS THAT IT IS HAVING ON OUR PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING THESE JOBS AND THE BIGGER PICTURE, THE IMPACTS THAT IT IS HAVING HERE IN NEW MEXICO IN TERMS OF CLIMATE, BUT, AS I SAID, WITH DOWNSTREAM EMISSIONS ACROSS THE ENTIRE WORLD.

>> Laura: CAN I ASK HOW OLD YOU ARE?

>> Juarez-Alonzo: I AM 20.

>> Laura: 20, OKAY.

SO I WAS HOPING THAT WE COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SORT OF THE WAY THAT YOUR GENERATION FACES CLIMATE CHANGE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE, YOU THINK ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING, HOW DO YOU THINK THAT MAYBE YOU FEEL DIFFERENTLY ABOUT IT THAN, SAY, ME OR MY PARENTS?

>> Juarez-Alonzo: I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY BECAUSE FOR SO LONG WE HAVE JUST BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS AS IT IS LIKE SOME MAYBE NOT TOO FAR OFF, BUT STILL A DISTANT FUTURE REALITY THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE CATASTROPHES FORCING MILLIONS, POTENTIALLY BILLIONS OF PEOPLE, TO RELOCATE AND BECOME CLIMATE REFUGEES.

AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY -- IT IS NOT IN THE SAME PERSPECTIVE, I WOULD SAY, FOR MY GENERATION BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING IT IN REALTIME.

WE ARE SEEING THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES.

WE SAW WILDFIRES HERE IN NEW MEXICO THAT ARE RECORD SETTING.

WE HAVE SEEN THE AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRES JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, YOU KNOW, WE LOOK AT THE FLOODING.

WE LOOK AT DROUGHTS AND EVERY INDICATION OF SCIENCE AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF SCIENCE ACROSS THE WORLD, SCIENTISTS ACROSS THE WORLD ARE TELLING US THAT IT IS CODE RED.

THIS IS THE SIXTH MASS EXTINCTION EVENT AND IT IS NO LONGER IN THE DISTANCE.

IT IS HERE.

>> Laura: AS A YOUTH ACTIVIST WHAT DO YOU WISH THAT NEW MEXICANS BETTER UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY -- WE CAN SUPPORT YOUTH ACTIVISTS?

>> Juarez-Alonzo: SOME OF THE BIGGEST THINGS ARE JUST UNDERSTANDING, LIKE I SAID, THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT A NEAR FUTURE EVENT THAT IS GOING TO WREAK HAVOC.

IT IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

WE TALK TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE NORTH THAT HAVE ALREADY SEEN THESE CATACLYSMIC WILDFIRES.

WE TALKED TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE SOUTH THAT ARE DEALING WITH FLOODING AND WITH CONTINUED DROUGHT AND OUR FARMERS AND EVERYONE IS FEELING IT.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DENY ANYMORE.

I THINK WHAT EVERYONE CAN DO IS JUST CONTINUE TO CALL ON OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THOSE IN POWER TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE.

THERE IS A MILLION AND ONE WAYS TO TWIST CLIMATE POLITICALLY BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCIENCE, THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR.

AND LIKE I SAID WE HAVE -- WE CAN'T AFFORD TO IMPLEMENT ANY NEW FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURES.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

WE HAVE REALLY PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION WHERE THE FOSSIL FUEL OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, IT HAS AN ECONOMIC CHOKE HOLD ON THE REST OF OUR STATE.

WE CAN'T SEEM TO GET AWAY -- WE CAN'T SEEM TO PASS ANYTHING BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS THEM.

NO ONE WANTS TO MESS WITH THE NO.

1 LARGEST, BIGGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT WE HAVE NO CHOICE.

AND WE ALSO -- WE ARE AT THE PERFECT TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE OVER A BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS BECAUSE OF THAT INDUSTRY.

WE SHOULD INVEST THE MONEY IN THE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY IT TAKES TO TRANSITION OUR ECONOMY AND MAKE SURE WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TOO BECAUSE THEY GOT US INTO THIS PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH.

AND, LIKE I SAID, JUST ACKNOWLEDGING THE ROLE THAT THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY HAS HAD.

>> Laura: THANKS FOR BEING HERE WITH ME TODAY.

>> Juarez-Alonzo: OF COURSE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Gene: THANK YOU LAURA, GWYNETH AND ANTONIA FOR YOUR WORK THIS WEEK.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK IN FOCUS.

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