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

>> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS A CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY AS THE STATE'S CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OVER A COMMITTEE THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

>> Vigil: IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE THIS DEPARTMENT, OPEN IT UP.

LET'S SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

AND SEE IF IT CAN'T BE REPAIRED.

>> Lou: AND OIL AND GAS REVENUES ARE BOOMING BUT WILL LAWMAKERS BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT EXTRA MONEY?

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

>> Gene: THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

PUBLIC OUTCRY HAS BEEN BUILDING OVER A NEW COMMITTEE INSIDE THE STATE'S CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT.

THAT COMMITTEE HAS MET TWICE AND BOTH MEETINGS WERE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO SITS DOWN WITH NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT THIS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY HAS ON THE CHILDREN MEANT TO BE PROTECTED BY THIS DEPARTMENT.

THEN, IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW, LOU CATCHES UP WITH SECRETARY OF CYFD TO ASK WHY THOSE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND HOW SHE PLANS TO REBUILD COMMUNITY TRUST IN HER DEPARTMENT.

LATER ON WE'LL HEAR FROM NEW MEXICO STATE FORESTER ON WHAT HAS BEEN A HISTORIC FIRE SEASON IN OUR STATE.

OUR LAND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER LAURA PASKUS ASKS WHY 2022 GREW SO FAR OUT OF CONTROL.

NOW, STATE COFFERS HAVE EARNED AN EXTRA 1.7 BILLION-DOLLARS IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.

FOUR MONTHS, FROM OIL AND GAS REVENUES.

THAT IS THE MOST EVER IN ANY FOUR-MONTH PERIOD, BUT IN THE BOOM AND BUST CYCLE OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY THAT MONEY HAS STRINGS ATTACHED.

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

WE HAVE THE PERFECT PANEL THIS WEEK TO TALK THROUGH THIS RECORD BREAKING FOSSIL FUEL REVENUE.

FIRST, FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN.

WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ANOTHER ROUNDHOUSE VETERAN WITH US, FORMER STATE SENATOR DIANE SNYDER.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

AND ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP THIS WEEK, KRISTELLE SIARZA FROM SIARZA SOCIAL DIGITAL.

NOW THE SITUATION WITH THIS BOOM IN OIL AND GAS CASH, IF IT IS TREATED AS ONE-TIME MONEY, THAT IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WE CAN'T COUNT ON SEEING TOTALS LIKE THIS AGAIN.

JUST CAN'T.

THAT MEANS IT CAN'T BE USED TO DO THINGS LIKE CREATE NEW PROGRAMS, ADD PERMANENT JOBS OR INCREASE PAY FOR STATE EMPLOYEES, BUT IT CAN HELP WITH ONE-TIME INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT.

IT DEFINITELY MAKES FOR A TOUGH SITUATION BUDGETING THIS MONEY.

SENATOR FELDMAN START WITH YOU AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE, GIVEN THE STIPULATIONS THAT COME WITH ONE TIME MONEY LIKE THIS, HOW DO LAWMAKERS APPROACH SPENDING DECISIONS WHEN THE PILE IS THIS BIG AND GROWING EVEN BIGGER?

>> Diane: WELL, THIS IS PART OF A LARGER PROBLEM, OF COURSE, AND THAT IS BOOM AND BUST CYCLES THAT NEW MEXICO FINDS ITSELF IN AND THIS IS CLEARLY WE ARE ON THE BOOM SIDE OF THAT NOW BUT -- AND WILL BE PROBABLY FOR THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS BUT THE BUST WILL COME AS IT DID IN 2008, 2009 AND BEFORE THAT, 2000 AND 2001.

AND WE HAVE GOT TO PREPARE FOR THAT.

SO, AS MUCH AS WE MIGHT LIKE TO SPEND ALL OF THAT SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE NOW AND I THINK THERE WILL BE LIKE A BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW MONEY NEXT YEAR, AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THAT ON SORT OF GLITZY AND NEEDED CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS, THAT, YOU KNOW, GIVE CREDIT TO THOSE WHO APPROPRIATE THE MONEY, WE ALSO, I THINK, NEED TO LOOK AT THE IDEA OF PUTTING SOME OF THAT MONEY AWAY INTO TRUST FUNDS OR RAINY DAY FUNDS IN ORDER TO MEET THE BUST THAT IS CERTAINLY COMING.

I HAVEN'T HEARD AS MUCH ABOUT THAT BUT THE LEGISLATURE HAS CREATED A COUPLE OF TRUST FUNDS IN THE PAST TO DEAL WITH THIS CIRCUMSTANCE, CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND, NO.

1.

AND ALSO THERE IS, I THINK, A RESERVE THAT NEW MEXICO HAS AND CAN PUT SOME OF THIS SURPLUS IN.

IT IS NOT THAT POPULAR BECAUSE AS A LEGISLATOR YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING TO YOU ASKING YOU FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR NEW FIRE TRUCKS AND NEW FIRE EQUIPMENT TO FIGHT FOREST FIRES.

BUT PRUDENCE, I THINK, WOULD DICTATE PREPARING FOR THE BUST CYCLE.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

SENATOR SNYDER, ESTIMATES NOW FROM LEGISLATIVE FINANCE, LFC, ESTIMATES THE STATES TAKE FROM OIL AND GAS WILL REACH 5.2 BILLION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

ROUGHLY A BILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR.

IT IS A PHENOMENAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THIS AND FOR LAWMAKERS AND HOW WE ACTUALLY DOLE OUT THIS KIND OF MONEY.

>> Diane: TWO THINGS.

YES, IT HAS TO GO TO CAPITAL PROJECTS BUT IF YOU BUILD A FACILITY LIKE A GENERATIONAL FACILITY, WHAT YOU CAN'T SPEND IS THE STAFFING AND -- IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING TANGIBLE.

IT HAS TO BE CAPITAL OUTLAY.

AND SO WE TEND TO GO, ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE'LL TAKE THAT FROM THE GENERAL FUND, OPERATING MONIES, BUT THAT ALSO WHEN WE HAVE THE BUST IN SEVERANCE TAX MONIES THAT MEANS WE ALSO HAVE A BUST USUALLY IN THE GENERAL FUND MONEY.

SO THAT IS AN ISSUE FOR ME AND THE SECOND THING IS HOW BY ALLOCATE IT.

WE MADE SOME POSITIVE CHANGES BUT THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS THIS MORNING, IS THREE TIMES WHEN I WAS IN THE SENATE, I PUT IN A BILL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A PUBLIC SAFETY TRUST FUND.

SO THAT ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE, THE SMALL COMMUNITIES, WHO NEEDED A FIRE TRUCK OR ONE OF THE THINGS I GAVE IN ALBUQUERQUE WAS CAMERAS FOR INSIDE THAT CAN SEE THROUGH SMOKE WHICH HELPS RESCUE.

THOSE KINDS OF THINGS COULD BE PURCHASED THROUGH THIS FUND.

IT WOULD BE -- I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS 1/2 OF 1% OF THE MONEYS THAT CAME IN AND IT WOULD ESTABLISH THIS FUND.

IT IS SPECIFIC TO THAT USE AND I THINK WE HAVE TO START DOING THAT A LITTLE BIT IF WE ARE EVER GOING TO GET OUT OF THE CONCEPT OF, OKAY, OH, YOU WANT TO BUILD A BUILDING OR BUY A FIRE TRUCK, HERE IS 50,000-DOLLARS.

THAT WON'T BUY A FIRE TRUCK AND I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY ON TRYING TO CHANGE THAT AROUND.

BUT, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM DO ON CAPITAL OUTLAY IS COME TO SOME AGREEMENT ON WHAT PERCENTAGE WOULD COME OFF THE TOP AND BE FOR STATE-WIDE PROJECTS.

BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR GETS HER PART, THE SENATE GETS THEIR PART AND THE HOUSE GETS THEIR PART OF IT.

BUT, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE A COMMITTEE, THE FIRST ROUND, WOULD BE THROUGH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BUT THEN A FINAL DECISION, WHERE YOU HAVE TO COME AND PRESENT YOUR REASONING AND A REAL ACTION PLAN OR DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THAT WAY, THEN, LIKE WE NEEDED IMPROVED ROADS DOWN IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND IT WAS ONLY THE LAST TWO YEARS WHERE WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH MONEY THAT MONEY WENT INTO THAT.

THEY WERE HAVING TO DEPEND ON THEIR LEGISLATORS TO PUT 100,000 OR 50,000 OR WHATEVER INTO A COMBINED POT SO I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON PARTICULARLY WHEN WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY IS WHAT ARE OR DIREST NEEDS.

BRIDGES BEING ONE OF THEM AND TAKE THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT IS THE WELFARE OF NEW MEXICANS AND I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE AND MAKE A COMMITMENT, THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR, TO THAT MONEY PRIMARILY WILL GO TO LONG-TERM CAPITAL PROJECTS.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT THERE.

>> Diane: AND FUNDING THEM TOTALLY.

>> Gene: KRISTELLE, STATE SENATOR GEORGE MUNOZ MADE AN INTERESTING POINT ABOUT CAPITAL PROJECTS TALKING ABOUT THAT.

OR THIS.

THAT HE WANTS TO INCREASE THE FUNDING BECAUSE INFLATION, OF COURSE, HAVE MADE THESE PROJECTS COST MORE.

A PRUDENT THING TO DO?

I THINK HE IS ON TO SOMETHING BUT I'M INTERESTED IN YOUR OPINION.

IS THAT AN EFFICIENT AVENUE FOR SOME OF THIS MONEY.

>> Kristelle: UNTIL CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDING CAN BE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH THE WAY THAT THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT, I ACTUALLY DON'T THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA TO SPEND IT ALL ON CAPITAL OUTLAY AND I SAY THIS FOR THE SAKE OF TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT.

AND NOT ONLY -- BUT GEORGE MUNOZ HAS A GOOD POINT.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE CAN WEATHER THE STORM AFTERWARDS.

AND I APPRECIATE OUR SENATORS WHO ARE PHENOMENAL REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW MEXICAN GOVERNMENT BUT I REALLY HAVE TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND SAY, OKAY, IF WE HAVE A SURPLUS, CAN'T WE JUST TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY PUT A STRONG STRATEGIC PLAN OF PRIORITIES FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

WHEN I LOOK AT THIS SURPLUS I THINK OF A PERSON THAT JUST RECENTLY WON THE NEW MEXICO LOTTERY AND SAID, I HAVE TWO MILLION NEW DOLLARS IN MY BANK ACCOUNT, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

I AM GOING TO SPEND IT ON A LAMBO, PREFERABLY A MCLAREN.

I AM GOING TO SPEND IT ON MAKING SURE THAT I HAVE A REALLY GREAT TRIP TO TAHITI AND I AM GOING TO SPEND IT ON THE THINGS THAT I REALLY THINK ARE MY PRIORITIES FOR MY WELL-BEING.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN NEW MEXICO BECAUSE OF THE BOOM AND BUST.

AND I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK.

AND I HEAR WHAT SENATOR SNYDER IS SAYING IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE SPEND IT ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE ALSO SPEND IT ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT WHENEVER THE GOVERNOR AND OUR LEGISLATURE COMES TO TOGETHER, THIS IS GOING TO BE A DOG FIGHT OF MONEY HERE, MONEY THERE AND MONEY HERE AND MONEY THERE AND WE NEED TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS OF REALLY RE-PRIORITIZING WHAT IS THE BEST INTEREST OF NEW MEXICO, RIGHT.

WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE SURE OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY IN THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE TO TREAT THIS LIKE THE WAY WE TREAT OUR PERSONAL FINANCES AS A FAMILY.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST APPROACH IN TERMS OF HOW WE TREAT THIS MONEY.

TRUSTS ARE A REALLY PHENOMENAL IDEA.

YES, PUBLIC SAFETY TRUSTS ARE EVEN PHENOMENAL, BECAUSE PUBLIC SAFETY IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE HERE, BUT WE HAVE LONGER GENERATIONAL ISSUES THAT THE MILLENNIALS GENERATION AND THE GEN D GENERATION HAS TO WORRY ABOUT.

WHY NOT PUT THAT TYPE OF FUNDING OF SURPLUS INTO IT OVER THE LONG-TERM.

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE IT AS TIME GOES ON AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BETTER APPROACH AND ALSO TOO, A BOOM AND BUST PLAN, RIGHT?

YES, WE HAVE A BOOM NOW BUT WHEN THERE IS A BUST HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT JOBS ARE STILL BEING KEPT, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE OUR GENERATIONS CAN SURVIVE INFLATION PERIODS.

ECONOMISTS ARE EVEN SHOWING THAT IN 2030 THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECESSION WORSE THAN THE ONE IN 2008 AND EVEN KELLY O'DONNELL IN THE ALBUQUERQUE NEWS SAID WE HAVE TO START PLANNING IN A MORE CONCRETE FASHION FOR FUTURE ECONOMY WHERE OIL AND GAS HAS LESS OF A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE ECONOMY.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT DIVERSIFYING.

IT IS THE SIMPLE BASICS OF ECONOMICS WHERE IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT WEALTH, YOU LOOK AT DIVERSIFYING YOUR TYPE OF INCOME.

YES OIL AND GAS IS THERE, GREAT.

YES, WE NOW HAVE THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY AND, YES, WE HAVE HAD THE FILM INDUSTRY AND, YES, WE HAVE HEALTH AS A MAJOR INDUSTRY IN NEW MEXICO, BUT WHAT OTHER ECONOMIES CAN WE GROW SO THAT WAY OIL AND GAS BECOMES LESS OF THE PIE BUT STILL BECOMES A STRONG FOOTPRINT OVER TIME.

>> Gene: VERY GOOD POINT THERE.

THANKS FOR TALKING THROUGH THAT ONE WITH US, OF COURSE.

WE'LL TRACK THIS MONEY IN COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES I'LL JOIN THE PANEL BACK HERE AT THE VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE TO TALK THROUGH A NEW DEVELOPMENT AND A PROPOSAL TO STORE NUCLEAR WASTE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY RIGHT HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

STAY WITH US.

>> McCarthy: ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE FUEL CONDITIONS OUTSIDE OF THE AREA YOU'RE TRYING TO BURN?

ARE YOU ASKING THE QUESTION OF, IF AN EMBER WERE, HYPOTHETICALLY, TO TRAVEL A MILE BOTH NORTH, SOUTH, EAST OR WEST OF WHERE YOUR BURN AREA IS, WHAT IS THE FUEL CONDITION LIKE THERE?

>> Gene: THE STATE'S CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT IS FACING SOME INTENSE SCRUTINY FOLLOWING A COMMITTEE MEETING THAT WAS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT COMMITTEE WAS CREATED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS FOLLOWING A LAWSUIT IN THE DEATH OF A FOUR YEAR OLD ALBUQUERQUE BOY.

THE BOY HAD ALLEGEDLY TOLD CYFD CASEWORKERS THAT HE WAS BEING PHYSICALLY AND SEXUALLY ABUSED BY HIS MOTHER'S BOYFRIEND, BUT DESPITE THAT, HE WAS RETURNED HOME.

HE WAS FOUND BEATEN TO DEATH IN 2019.

NOW THE NEW COMMITTEE WAS CREATED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THAT INCIDENT AND OTHERS LIKE IT WERE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.

BUT WITHOUT PUBLIC ACCESS JOURNALISTS, GOVERNMENT WATCHDOGS AND CITIZENS HAVE BECOME FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

ONE OF THOSE GROUPS IS NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT.

SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO SPOKE WITH THE GROUP'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO SAID CYFD IS MAKING AN UNETHICAL AND POTENTIALLY ILLEGAL MISTAKE.

>> Lou: MELANIE MAJORS THANKS FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS NEW COMMITTEE IN THE CHILDREN'S, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT, OBVIOUSLY CAUSE SOME CONTROVERSY BY CLOSING ITSELF OFF TO THE PUBLIC.

I AM TOLD BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT IT IS STRICTLY AN ADVISORY BOARD BODY REVIEWING THE WAYS THAT THE DEPARTMENT RESPOND TO CRITICAL INCIDENTS LIKE CHILD DEATHS.

WHY, IN YOUR VIEW, IN THE VIEW OF NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT, IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS PARTICULAR STEP OF THE PROCESS?

>> Majors: IF AN AGENCY WANTS TO BE TRANSPARENT, WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO IT THAN OPEN UP THEIR PROCEEDINGS.

THE CYFD FOLKS THAT MET SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT LET THE PUBLIC INTO THE MEETING BUT THEY WOULD PROVIDE MINUTES.

DOESN'T THAT RAISE QUESTIONS?

WHAT IS IN THE MINUTES?

WHAT WAS LEFT OUT OF THE MINUTES?

AND WHY IF THEY PROVIDE MINUTES, WHY CAN'T THE PUBLIC BE IN THE MEETING?

>> Lou: THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER THAT I SPOKE TO FROM CYFD TOLD ME THAT A COMMITTEE ISN'T SUBJECT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

REGARDLESS THEY SEEM TO WANT TO KEEP IT CLOSED IF THEY HAVE THE LEGAL AVENUE TO DO SO.

HE SAYS THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT A DECISION MAKING BODY, BASED ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, IS THAT A LEGITIMATE REASON TO CLOSE THESE MEETINGS TO THE PUBLIC?

>> Majors: I DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS A LEGITIMATE REASON TO CLOSE THESE MEETINGS AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT A POLICY MAKING BODY.

WHO ELSE MAKES POLICY FOR CYFD BUT THE FOLKS WHO WORK AT CYFD.

THE FACT THAT THE BOARD OR COMMISSION IS ADVISORY, POSSESSING ONLY THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PUBLIC AGENCY SHOULD NOT REMOVE IT FROM THE SCOPE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

>> Lou: THEY THINK OTHERWISE.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW YOUR PERSONAL OPINION ON WHY -- I MEAN, THESE ARE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS THAT ARE BEING COVERED IN THIS MEETING, POTENTIALLY.

ACCORDING TO ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTING DURING THE LAST MEETING, THE COMMITTEE WAS GOING TO LOOK INTO AN UPDATE ON A REVIEW BY AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT.

THE DEPARTMENT HIRED THAT CONSULTANT TO LOOK INTO THESE SO-CALLED CRITICAL INCIDENTS LIKE CHILD DEATH.

WHY, IN YOUR PERSONAL VIEW, IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC WHO IS SERVED BY THIS DEPARTMENT TO KNOW HOW THE DEPARTMENT IS HANDLING THESE SERIOUS CASES?

>> Majors: WELL, JUST IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, JUST THE DEATHS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY NEWS OUTLETS BECAUSE CYFD, OF COURSE, DOESN'T ALWAYS LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHAT IS IN THEIR RECORDS.

THERE HAVE BEEN 26 CHILDREN WHO HAVE DIED.

DOESN'T THE PUBLIC NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE 26 CHILDREN?

ISN'T IT INCUMBENT THAT TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING SPENT SUPPOSEDLY TO PROTECT AND SHIELD THESE CHILDREN FROM HARM AND WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DONE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION.

AND 26 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES, YOU KNOW, CHILDHOOD IS A FINITE TIME OF LIFE.

AS SUCH, SHOULDN'T WE ALL TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT FINITE TIME OF LIFE IS AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE AND IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO ME THAT CYFD IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING THE OPERATIONS OF THE AGENCY THAN THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SERVING.

>> Lou: THERE ARE A FEW ALLEGATIONS THAT KIND OF BACK UP WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, TRANSPARENCY ISSUES SURROUNDING THE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY.

ONE OF THEM ACTUALLY SEEMED TO SPARK THE FORMATION OF THIS COMMITTEE, AT LEAST CHRONOLOGICALLY, ACCORDING TO REPORTING FROM KOAT AN INVESTIGATOR OF A FOUR YEAR OLD WHO WAS FOUND BEATEN TO DEATH IN MAY OF THIS YEAR TESTIFIED UNDER OATH THAT SHE HAD BEEN TOLD BY HER MANAGERS AT THE DEPARTMENT TO DELETE NOTES, THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE RECORDED IN THEIR SYSTEM.

SHE SAID DURING THIS DEPOSITION SHE BELIEVED THEY WERE ANTICIPATING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FOUR YEAR OLD'S DEATH.

THAT HAPPENED MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER A DIFFERENT INCIDENT WHERE THE DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP DIRECTED STAFF TO COMMUNICATE ON AN APP THAT AUTOMATICALLY DELETES CHATS.

I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN WELL COVERED.

DO YOU SEE THESE INSTANCES AS A PATTERN?

>> Majors: YEAH, WE HAD HIGH HOPES WHEN THE NEW SECRETARY CAME IN BECAUSE SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND THAT TRANSPARENCY WOULD BE PART OF THE OPERATIONS MOVING FORWARD.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY INDICATION OF THAT AND JUST THE TWO INCIDENCES THAT YOU HAVE ALLUDED TO WHEN THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS IS A FELONY.

DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS IS AGAINST THE LAW IN NEW MEXICO.

AND THERE ARE DISTINCT LAWS, RULES, ET CETERA, ABOUT THE DISPOSAL OF RECORDS.

AND I THINK THERE IS ABOUT 400 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF RECORDS AND HOW THEY CAN BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY.

AND, SOMEONE TELLING SOMEONE TO GET RID OF A RECORD BECAUSE THERE MIGHT BE A LAWSUIT, I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT AND I THINK THE CITIZENS OF NEW MEXICO HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THAT.

>> Lou: WHAT IS YOUR, IN A PERFECT WORLD SCENARIO, FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH THE DEPARTMENT?

>> Majors: PERFECT SCENARIO WOULD BE TO OPEN UP THE MEETINGS.

OPEN UP THE MEETINGS, OPEN UP THE RECORD.

NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT OPERATES A HOT LINE.

WE RECEIVE MANY CALLS FROM THE HOT LINE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE FRUSTRATED WITH TRYING TO DEAL WITH AGENCIES AND ONE OF THE AGENCIES THEY ARE OFTEN FRUSTRATED WITH DEALING WITH IS CYFD.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE RULES IN PLACE FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION.

BUT, SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT IS OFTEN ASKED FOR IS NOT OF A SENSITIVE NATURE.

IT IS STATISTICS, IT IS INFORMATION ON DATA SETS.

IT IS INFORMATION THAT HAS NO IDENTIFIERS, NO ONE'S NAME.

THEY MAY HAVE THEIR AGE, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE THEIR NAME.

IT DOESN'T HAVE WHERE THEY LIVE, ET CETERA.

CYFD CONTINUALLY IS A ROADBLOCK TO TRANSPARENCY.

IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE THIS DEPARTMENT, OPEN IT UP.

LET'S SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AND SEE IF IT CAN'T BE REPAIRED SO THE THAT LIVES OF CHILDREN ARE NOT IMPERILED.

>> Vigil: THIS IS THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO DESERVE A PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THEIR CONCERNS AND I AM COMMITTED AS THE GOVERNOR IS AND MY APPOINTMENT TO THIS ROLE IN SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC IN THIS WORK AND MAKING SURE THAT, YES, WE WANT TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT.

>> Gene: THANKS LOU.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT IN A LITTLE OVER 10 MINUTES.

FIRST, LET'S BRING THE LINE OPINION PANEL BACK IN TO TALK ON ANOTHER DEVELOPING STORY.

NEW MEXICO COULD SOON BECOME A DUMPING GROUND FOR UP TO 10,000 CANNISTERS OF NUCLEAR WASTE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAID IT IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF HOLTEC INTERNATIONAL'S LICENSE TO STORE THAT WASTE BETWEEN HOBBS AND CARLSBAD.

IT CAUSED A LOT OF STRONG REACTIONS AROUND THE STATE.

SENATOR SNYDER, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU FIRST HEARD ABOUT THIS PLAN?

>> Diane: THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME BATTLES THAT WE HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST ABOUT WIPP AND WHAT TO DO.

I KIND OF LOOKED AT IT AND I WAS GOING MY FIRST RESPONSE IS WHAT ABOUT -- WHAT DO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING CLOSEST TO IT HAVE TO SAY?

BECAUSE THE POTENTIAL FOR DANGER OR HARM IS GREATER, IN MY OPINION, IN THEIR AREA SO WHAT DO THEY THINK?

MOST OF THE ONES THAT I HAVE READ AND HEARD ABOUT, THEY ARE PRETTY ON BOARD WITH IT.

I THINK THAT THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO AND EVEN SOUTHWESTERN, WIPP IS NOT A DAILY PART OF OUR LIVES BUT IT IS FOR SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO.

SO, I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS PROPOSAL GENERATES AS MUCH CAUTION AS IT DOES FROM US IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

I ALSO LOOKED AT THERE IS A COMMITMENT FOR 40 YEARS, 40 YEARS, BUT IT IS NOT A VERY LONG TIME IN TERMS OF THE EXISTENCE OF NUCLEAR WASTE IN HOW LONG IT SURVIVES.

THE SURVIVAL OF IT.

BUT IT IS A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

THEY HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO FINDING A PERMANENT PLACE.

THIS IS SUPPOSEDLY A TEMPORARY PLACE THAT IT WILL BE.

I AM NOT VERY BELIEVING OF THAT.

I THINK ONCE YOU HAVE INVESTED THE MONEY, INITIAL MONIES AND FUNDS AND PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN ACCUSTOMED TO IT, THEN YOU JUST WILL EXPAND.

BUT THE ONE THING THAT WORRIES ME THE MOST IS THE TRANSPORTATION OF IT INTO THE LOCATION.

>> Gene: LET ME JUMP IN ON THAT, IF I COULD, IF YOU ALLOW ME TO KICK THAT OVER TO OUR OTHER SENATOR, THIS IDEA OF TRAINING THIS STUFF IN.

WE REMEMBER THE PROTESTS WHEN WIPP WAS FIRST OPENING, YOU KNOW, ON THE HIGHWAY OVERPASSES BECAUSE WE ARE CONCERNED THE STUFF WAS GOING TO BE ON OUR HIGHWAYS.

SAME CONCERNS, DEDE, ON RAIL?

SAME FOR YOU OR IS IT WORSE POSSIBLY?

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF THAT?

>> Dede: IT IS DEFINITELY WORSE.

IT IS GOING TO BE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE NATION, FROM DECOMMISSIONED NUCLEAR PLANTS FROM NEW JERSEY, FROM MICHIGAN, FROM MASSACHUSETTS, SOME OF WHICH, HOLTEC OWNS ITSELF, AND I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING HERE AND, YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT THAT WAS PUT OUT BY THE NRC, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, WHICH APPROVED THIS FACILITY.

AND IT IS A PRIVATE FACILITY.

IT WAS A WHITEWASH.

IT WAS REALLY A WHITEWASH IN TERMS OF THE TRANSPORTATION IN PARTICULAR.

AND DANGERS THAT HAPPEN AND WE HAVE SEEN IT WITH WIPP, OF COURSE.

WE HAVE SEEN HOW, YOU KNOW, THE FACILITY WAS CLOSED DOWN FOR TWO YEARS.

WE SPENT TWO BILLION DOLLARS IN GOVERNMENT FUNDS TO CLEAN IT UP.

THIS IS A COMMERCIAL FACILITY.

DON'T FORGET, THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WIPP AND THIS FACILITY.

THIS IS A COMMERCIAL FACILITY THAT IS DESIGNED TO STORE VERY HIGH LEVEL WASTE.

THE WASTE AT WIPP IS LOW LEVEL AND LESS DANGEROUS FOR THOSE SURROUNDING IT, FOR THOSE WHO WORK WITH IT, FOR THOSE WHO TRANSPORT IT THAN THIS SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL RODS WHICH ARE DEADLY AND SUBJECT TO RAIL ACCIDENTS AND SABOTAGE.

SO, I AM HEARTENED BY THE OPPOSITION OF MANY PEOPLE TO THIS, BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE OF HOBBS AND CARLSBAD, WHICH LARGELY APPROVE OF IT.

>> Gene: THAT IS A GOOD POINT, THE SENATOR MADE AS WELL.

KRISTELLE, THERE IS A LOT OF THIS STUFF AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE TALKING, I AM READING HERE, 200 MILLION LITERS OF THIS WASTE AT HANFORD, THERE IS A BUNCH AT SAVANNAH RIVER SITE, 138 MILLION LITERS.

WE ARE TALKING A TON OF THIS IS OUT THERE.

BUT OUR ENTIRE DELEGATION, INCLUDING OUR GOVERNOR, HAS SAID, NO THANK YOU.

SHOULD THAT MEAN SOMETHING?

WE UNDERSTAND FROM DEDE OF COURSE, AS SHE JUST EXPLAINED, THE PRIVATE DEAL HERE, BUT HOW STIFF SHOULD THE OPPOSITION BE FROM OUR ELECTED FOLKS HERE?

>> Kristelle: IT IS ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS THAT I THINK ABOUT AND I SAY, YES, I DON'T LIKE TO TAKE THE APPROACH -- ANYBODY THAT EVER WORKED WITH ME KNOWS, I DON'T LIKE TO TAKE APPROACH OF NO.

WE HAVE TO TAKE THE APPROACH OF WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER.

AND I THINK THE NUCLEAR POWER CONVERSATION ACTUALLY IS A CONVERSATION THAT SHOULD BE STARTED HERE IN NEW MEXICO BUT ACTUALLY SPREAD TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL BECAUSE IF ALL THE STATES START SAYING NO, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO TECHCRUNCH, OF COURSE, NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN THE U.S.

GENERATE 2,000 METRIC TONS OF NUCLEAR WASTE PER YEAR.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IF WE START SAYING NO, EVERYBODY ELSE SAYS NO, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE NOWHERE TO POTENTIALLY STORE THIS WASTE.

I THINK THAT NEW MEXICO, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NEW SPACE INDUSTRY THAT WE HAVE AND AMONG THE INNOVATIONS IN FILM AND THE REST OF THE INDUSTRIES, I THINK THERE IS ACTUALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CHANGE THIS CONVERSATION INSTEAD OF NO, WHAT IF WE ACTUALLY TOOK THIS CONVERSATION AND TALKED ABOUT IT IN A FORM OF, WHAT IF IT IS NUCLEAR RECYCLING, BECAUSE CONVERSATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE DON'T HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ENOUGH BUT ACROSS THE WORLD, PLACES ACROSS THE WORLD ARE ACTUALLY ENCOURAGING INSTEAD OF WASTE STORAGE, TALK ABOUT IT FROM RECYCLING.

AND I THINK NEW MEXICO COULD ACTUALLY LEAD THAT CONVERSATION IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, IF WE JUST SAY, NO, WE CAN'T HAVE WASTE CYCLING ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HARMS THE MOTHER EARTH OF NEW MEXICO, BUT WHAT IF WE ACTUALLY CHANGED IT INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT WE CAN WELCOME.

>> Gene: I HEAR YOUR POINT BUT THAT IS A FLIP THAT WOULD BE YEARS IN THE COMING SO WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE WASTE WE HAVE NOW?

SEND THAT TO SENATOR SNYDER, THERE IS A PROPOSAL IN THE LEGISLATURE LAST SESSION TO FORMALLY OPPOSE THE PLAN.

IT DID NOT PASS, WHICH IS INTERESTING TO ME.

I AM CURIOUS WHERE THE LEGISLATURE FITS INTO THIS BEYOND OUR DELEGATION.

>> Diane: THE GOVERNOR IS VERY MUCH OPPOSED.

THERE IS A SENATE COMMITTEE CALLED THE RADIOACTIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE COMMITTEE, SENATOR STEINBORN BROUGHT THIS BILL FORWARD TO REJECT THIS PLAN AND THEY RAN OUT OF TIME AND THEY DID NOT -- IT DIED IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY.

IT IS GOING TO BE REINTRODUCED AGAIN AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE WILL BE A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS ABOUT IT THIS TIME.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS BRINGING SUIT AGAINST HOLTEC.

REMEMBER, ONCE AGAIN, LET ME SAY THIS IS A PRIVATE FACILITY AND IT IS VERY UNLIKE THE WIPP AND THE RATIONALE FOR WIPP IS NEW MEXICO HAS SUCH A MAJOR ROLE IN THE ATOMIC AGE, THE BIRTH OF THE ATOMIC AGE AND THE MINING OF URANIUM, THAT IT WAS JUSTIFIED TO HAVE A PART OF THE SOLUTION, AS KRISTELLE SAID, IN STORING IT IN WIPP.

THIS IS NOT THE CASE HERE.

WE HAVE 94 NUCLEAR REACTORS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID THE SAFEST SOLUTION FOR THIS IS ON-SITE STORAGE OF THE SPENT FUEL RODS AND NOT TRANSPORT -- NOT FLOATING THEM ON A BARGE OUT IN LAKE MICHIGAN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HOLTEC WANTS TO DO WITH THE PLANT IT OWNS UP THERE, AND NOT TRANSPORTING IT BY RAIL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, BUT STORING IT ON SITE.

THAT IS ANOTHER RATIONAL ALTERNATIVE THAT REALLY CERTAINLY WAS NOT CONSIDERED IN THIS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.

>> Kristelle: I JUST WANT TO COMMENT TOO, LIKE ACTUALLY TO SUM UP MY POINT EARLIER, FOR NOW IS, NO, BUT FOR NOW SHOULD LEAD TO BETTER FEDERAL FUNDING OR FEDERAL RESOURCES TO ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS NOT NEW MEXICO'S PROBLEM.

SENATOR HARRY REID IN NEVADA HAD ADVOCATED FOR NO IN NEVADA AND NEVADA IS STILL PROBLEMATIC IN TERMS OF STORAGE.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE THE NEXT NEVADA WHEN IT COMES TO A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

>> Gene: THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT DISCUSSION.

THIS IS AN ISSUE WE'LL BE FOLLOWING HERE AT NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS FOR SURE AND ON OUR LAND FOR SURE.

NOW, SOMETHING ELSE OUR LAND HAS BEEN COVERING RELENTLESSLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS IS THIS YEARS FIRE SEASON.

WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM IT AND FIRES OF THE PAST, TOO.

LIKE CERRO GRANDE FIRE, A PRESCRIBED FIRE THAT BURNED OUT OF CONTROL IN THE JEMEZ MOUNTAINS IN 2000.

OFFICIALS WITH THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE, THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR HERMIT'S PEAK CALF CANYON FIRES STILL WON'T GRANT INTERVIEWS BUT OUR LAND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, LAURA PASKUS, SPOKE WITH LAURA MCCARTHY, NEW MEXICO STATE FORESTER, TO ASK ABOUT THE CONDITIONS THAT AGGRAVATED THIS YEAR'S FIRE SEASON AND HOW TO MAKE PRESCRIBED BURNS SAFER.

>> Laura: LAURA MCCARTHY, WELCOME AND THANKS FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> McCarthy: GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> Laura: IT IS NOT OVER YET BUT THIS HAS BEEN A HISTORIC FIRE SEASON IN NEW MEXICO.

WERE YOU AMONG THE SURPRISED AT ALL?

>> McCarthy: I WAS.

I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT BY THE 12TH OF APRIL WE WOULD BE IN A FULL-BLOWN FIRE SEASON.

YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT THE HERMIT'S PEAK FIRE STARTED ON APRIL 6 AND THEN APRIL 12 WAS THE START OF THE MCBRIDE FIRE.

>> Laura: I KNOW WE KNOW THIS BUT WHY?

WHY THIS FIRE SEASON THIS YEAR?

>> McCarthy: I THINK THERE ARE A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT FACTORS.

ONE IS THE KIND OF MONSOON SEASON THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR THAT WAS PRETTY AVERAGE THAT RESULTED IN A LOT OF VEGETATION GROWTH, A LOT OF GRASSES AND ROBUST SHRUBS AND THEY DRIED OUT OVER THE FALL AND WINTER AND THEN OUR WINTER MOISTURE WAS -- WE HAD SOME.

IT WAS BELOW AVERAGE.

TEMPERATURES WERE HIGHER, SO THE EFFECT OF EACH SNOWFALL IN TERMS OF RECHARGING THE GROUND, LIKE AS IT MELTED, WAS LESS.

WE ENDED UP IN LATE MARCH WITH NOT MUCH SOIL MOISTURE, SNOW PACK THAT HAD LEFT EARLY AND ALL THIS DRY GRASS AND BRUSH FROM THE PREVIOUS SUMMER.

THAT SET US UP IN TERMS OF FUEL CONDITIONS.

THEN IT GOT WINDY AND WE HAVE DONE SOME ANALYSIS TO ASK THE QUESTION, WELL, HOW WINDY?

BECAUSE MOST NEW MEXICANS KNOW APRIL IS ALWAYS WINDY BUT WE HAVE DATA THAT SHOWS THAT APRIL AND MAY WERE BOTH A LOT WINDIER THAN NORMAL.

OR I SHOULDN'T SAY THAN NORMAL.

THEY WERE A LOT WINDIER THAN THE PREVIOUS 20 YEARS.

THAT IS THE TIME PERIOD WE LOOK BACK OVER.

>> LAURA: WE KNOW THAT FOREST SERVICE'S ROLE IN THE HERMIT PEAK CALF CANYON FIRES.

FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ALWAYS PAYING ATTENTION TO LAND MANAGEMENT ISSUES, THERE CAN BE CONFUSION SOMETIMES BETWEEN THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE AND YOUR AGENCY, NEW MEXICO STATE FORESTRY.

DOES THE STATE HAVE A SAY IN WHAT THE FOREST SERVICE IS DOING ON FEDERAL LAND AND HAS THAT CHANGED SINCE THE SPRING?

COULD THIS CHANGE?

>> McCarthy: THAT IS A COMPLEX QUESTION.

SO, LEGALLY WE HAVE NO SAY.

WE TRY TO INFLUENCE THEM AND WE ARE A RECIPROCAL PARTNER AND WE SOMETIMES PAY FOR PROJECTS WHICH GIVE US MORE OF A SAY BECAUSE IF WE ARE GOING TO TRANSFER MONEY, THEN WE ARE SIGNING A DOCUMENT, AND THAT DOCUMENT WILL HAVE MANAGEMENT INTENT IN IT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY AND ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF THOSE TWO PRESCRIBED BURNS, THEY WERE DIFFERENT.

ONE WAS HERMIT'S PEAK FIRE WAS A BROADCAST BURN AND THE CALF CANYON WAS A PILE BURN.

SO DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES.

WE HAD NO SAY AT ALL IN EITHER OF THOSE FIRES.

WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING.

WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE PRESCRIPTIONS AND WE DID NOT HAVE ANY MANAGEMENT ROLES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION.

>> Laura: SO, SINCE MAY, I MEAN, SINCE APRIL, WHICH IS THREE MONTHS NOW, I HAVE BEEN REQUESTING INTERVIEWS WITH THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE FIRES BUT MORE BROADLY ABOUT WHAT TOOLS WE REALLY HAVE AS A SOCIETY AS FOREST CONDITIONS ARE CHANGING WITH WARMING, PRESCRIBED FIRE IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL, THERE IS ALSO THINNING.

BUT I AM CURIOUS, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES FOR A LONG TIME, WHAT TOOLS DO WE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH OUR FORESTS AS IT GETS WARMER, DRYER, WINDIER?

>> McCarthy: SCIENTISTS KEEP TELLING US THAT FIRE IS ESSENTIAL IN SOUTHWESTERN ECOSYSTEMS AND IT IS NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL, SO THE FOREST YOU SEE BEHIND ME IS IN THE GILA NATIONAL FOREST.

IT IS IN THE LOWER LAND IN AN AREA WHERE FIRE IS NOT -- IT IS OFTEN MANAGED FOR A RESOURCE BENEFIT.

I AM JUST GOING TO SLIDE OVER A LITTLE BIT AND YOU CAN SEE, LIKE, YOU HAVE GOT THIS COHORT OF YOUNG TREES COMING UP WITH GRASS AND AROUND IT BIGGER TREES AND A LOT OF SPACE BETWEEN TREES AND THIS IS WHAT FIRE DOES.

IT CLEANS OUT THE UNDERGROWTH AND IF YOU WERE TO HAVE A FIRE RIGHT NOW IN THIS FOREST IT WOULD STAY OUT OF THE TREE TOPS, WHICH IS WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO, WOULD BURN ALONG THE GROUND AND IT WOULD THIN OUT THOSE BABY TREES.

MAYBE A FEW OF THEM WOULD SURVIVE, BUT THAT IS NATURE'S WAY OF MANAGING THE FORESTS.

AND SO PRESCRIBED FIRE IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL AND MY VIEW IS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE OUTPACED OUR PRESCRIBED FIRE PROTOCOLS.

I CAN DIVE INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

>> Laura: YES, PLEASE.

>> McCarthy: SO I STARTED REALLY PONDERING THIS, ACTUALLY, AS SOON AS I UNDERSTOOD THE IMPACT OF HERMIT'S PEAK FIRE AND JUST RUNNING OVER IT IN MY MIND COMPARING IT TO THE CERRO GRANDE FIRE, WHICH FOR ME PERSONALLY WAS A CAREER CHANGING FIRE IN THAT I REALLY HADN'T BEEN INVOLVED PROFESSIONALLY IN FIRE EXCEPT AS A FIREFIGHTER.

AND THEN I KIND OF LEFT FIRE FIGHTING AND THEN THE CERRO GRANDE FIRE HAPPENED AND I STARTED, AFTER THAT, I GOT VERY INVOLVED IN FIRE POLICY.

AND THE THING ABOUT THE CERRO GRANDE FIRE THAT STUCK WITH ME WAS THAT EVERYTHING THEY DID WAS WITHIN THEIR PRESCRIPTION AND THEY WERE BURNING IN AN AREA THAT COULD BE VERY WET AND THEY HAD TRIED TO BURN IT A COUPLE OF YEARS PREVIOUSLY AND IT WAS ALWAYS TOO WET.

SO THEY WAITED FOR IT TO DRY OUT ENOUGH TO BURN.

WHAT THEY DIDN'T COUNT ON WAS THE CONDITIONS OF THE PONDEROSA PINE FOREST 1000 FEET ELEVATION LOWER.

AND SO WHEN IT ESCAPED AND THAT EMBER WENT DOWN 1000 FEET, IT TOOK OFF AND WAS UNCONTROLLED.

NOT TERRIBLY DISSIMILAR FROM WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

SO, A COUPLE OF THE LESSONS LEARNED, I THINK, AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT I KNOW ARE BEING CONSIDERED AS THE FOREST SERVICE DOES THEIR REVIEW.

SO, ONE OF THEM IS IN THE PLANNING ARE YOU LOOKING AT FUEL CONDITIONS OUTSIDE OF THE AREA YOU'RE TRYING TO BURN.

ARE YOU ASKING THE QUESTION OF IF AN EMBER WERE, HYPOTHETICALLY, TO TRAVEL A MILE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST OR WEST OF WHERE YOUR BURN AREA IS, WHAT IS THE FUEL CONDITIONS LIKE THERE?

AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH AN EMBER THAT MILE AWAY?

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING GIVEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NONLINEAR NATURE OF HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS FOREST ECOSYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE TO START THINKING THAT WAY.

SO, ADDING NEW LAYERS OF CONTINGENCY TO OUR PLANNING.

THAT IS ONE LIKE TANGIBLE THING THAT IT WOULD NARROW OUR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO BURN BUT IT COULD ALSO REALLY MAKE IT SOMEWHAT SAFER.

>> Gene: BARBARA VIGIL TOOK OVER AS SECRETARY OF NEW MEXICO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR.

SHE CAME IN DURING A PRECARIOUS TIME FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS FACING INTENSE CRITICISM OVER THE DEATH OF CHILDREN UNDER CYFD SUPERVISION AND A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY SURROUNDING THOSE CASES.

EARLIER IN THE SHOW WE TOLD YOU ABOUT THE NEW CYFD STEERING COMMITTEE, CREATED TO ANALYZE AND REPORT INTO THE WAY THE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO THOSE INCIDENTS, BUT IT IS ONLY TWO MEETINGS HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC.

WE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE REASONS THE DEPARTMENT IS DISCUSSING THOSE MATTERS IN PRIVATE.

SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO SAT DOWN WITH THE SECRETARY TO ASK WHY.

>> Lou: SECRETARY BARBARA VIGIL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> Vigil: THANK FOR HAVING ME, LOU.

>> Lou: OF COURSE, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE NEW STEERING COMMITTEE CREATED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

CAN YOU JUST START BY EXPLAINING WHY IT WAS CREATED AND WHAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COMMITTEE IS.

>> Vigil: THE COMMITTEE WAS FORMED BY ME AT MY DIRECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXAMINING CYFD'S SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF GRIEVANCES AND HOW WE RESOLVE COMPLAINTS OR GRIEVANCES WITHIN THE AGENCY.

AND IT WAS REALLY DESIGNED TO ENHANCE OUR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.

SO, IT WAS CREATED BY ME FOLLOWING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT I NEEDED INPUT FROM COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS AND INVITED THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOW MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TO JOIN US.

IN EXAMINING OUR PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES AND WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT.

>> Lou: UNDERSTOOD.

THE MEETINGS THEMSELVES, I AM SURE YOU HAVE HEARD, BUT THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE FACT THAT REPORTERS AND THE PUBLIC HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IN.

WHY WAS THAT A DECISION THAT YOU MADE, I ASSUME?

>> Vigil: FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS IS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND SO THEY ARE NOT -- THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NOT BE LEGALLY BINDING SO WE LOOKED AT THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND MADE A DETERMINATION THAT THIS FELL OUTSIDE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

BUT, FOR THE MOST PART IT IS REALLY ABOUT ENABLING THE COMMITTEE TO DO ITS WORK WITHOUT, YOU KNOW, THE CONSTRAINTS OF HAVING EITHER THE MEDIA OR OTHER FOLKS VIEWING THEIR COMMENTS OR WEIGHING IN ON THEIR VIEWS, IN ON THEIR VIEWS, AND SO FORTH.

YOU KNOW IT IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN BOTH PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC SERVICE THAT A LEADER OF AN ORGANIZATION WILL PULL TOGETHER FOLKS THAT HAVE SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS, TO ASSESS A SITUATION AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THAT ORGANIZATION.

THAT WAS MY INTENTION.

IT CERTAINLY BY NO MEANS WAS INTENDED TO BE A WAY TO MEET IN SECRET.

IT WAS SIMPLY WHAT I BELIEVED AT THE TIME TO BE THE BEST APPROACH FOR THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.

>> Lou: UNDERSTOOD.

NOW, SAYING THAT YOU WANTED PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK FREELY AND ALL THESE THINGS, THERE IS ALSO A HISTORY, PREDATING YOUR TENURE, OF A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY OR PERCEIVED LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT.

DID YOU TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN YOU MADE THAT CALL BECAUSE, I MEAN, FROM THE OUTCRY WE HAVE SEEN, IT IS OBVIOUS THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE THOSE MEETINGS, RATHER THAN JUST HAVING AGENDAS AFTERWARDS.

>> Vigil: YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD GENERATE THIS MUCH SUSPICION OR CONCERN.

I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE WOULD MOVE PERHAPS MORE SMOOTHLY WITH NOT HAVING THE PUBLIC WEIGH IN OR, IN PARTICULAR, THE MEDIA WEIGH IN ON THE DEBATE THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS HAVING WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUES THAT WERE PRESENTED.

HAVING CONSIDERED THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT THAT, I HAVE ACTUALLY THOUGHT CAREFULLY IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY THAT IT WOULD, INDEED, BE BETTER FOR THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN SIT AND OBSERVE THE INFORMATION THAT IS BE SHARED, THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE BEING ASKED, RESPONSES BEING GIVEN WITH RESPECT TO THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.

SO, GOING FORWARD, YES, WE WILL BE MAKING THOSE MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>> Lou: JUST TO BE CLEAR, THESE MEETINGS MOVING FORWARD WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA.

>> Vigil: YES.

>> Lou: AWESOME.

GREAT NEWS, THANK YOU.

THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERED WAYS, BROAD WAYS I MEAN, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THESE TRANSPARENCY, PERCEIVED TRANSPARENCY ISSUES HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS NOW.

HAS IT THOUGHT OF A WAY, A STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN, BUZZ WORD OR SOMETHING, TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT MOVING FORWARD?

>> Vigil: THIS IS THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO DESERVE A PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THEIR CONCERNS AND I AM COMMITTED, AS THE GOVERNOR IS, AND MY APPOINTMENT TO THIS ROLE, IN SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC IN THIS WORK AND MAKING SURE THAT, YES, WE WANT TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT.

IT IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH I LEAD THIS AGENCY.

IT IS ACCOUNTABILITY, COLLABORATION AND TRANSPARENCY.

IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO THE WORK THAT I DO BUT ALSO, THERE IS THAT BALANCE.

OF KEEPING THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IN FACT, PERTAINING TO INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN VERY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL AS REQUIRED UNDER THE LAW, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, ENSURING THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO ARE CONFIDENT THE WORK WE ARE DOING IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES AND MOVING OUR SYSTEM BETTER -- FORWARD IN A BETTER WAY.

>> Gene: NEW MEXICO HAS A NEW CRISIS HOTLINE MEANT TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE.

LET'S BRING BACK OUR LINE OPINION PANEL FOR ONE MORE DISCUSSION.

EVERYONE IN NEW MEXICO WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE NEW 988 CRISIS SUPPORT LINE.

THE STATE SAYS IT WILL REACH SIGNIFICANTLY MORE NEW MEXICANS WHO NEED MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT THE STATE NOT ONLY MADE THIS HAPPEN BUT DID IT NOW AS WE ARE COMING OUT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, DEDE I'LL ASK YOU THAT FIRST.

WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUES WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT ARE ONGOING FROM COVID-19, IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO DO THIS?

>> Dede: YES.

THIS IS EXACTLY THE RIGHT TIME TO DO THIS.

IT IS NOT ENTIRELY NEW.

WE HAVE HAD CRISIS LINES IN THE PAST, AGORA, FOR EXAMPLE, RUNS A SUICIDE PREVENTION LINE AND WE CONSISTENTLY IN NEW MEXICO HAD A VERY HIGH SUICIDE RATE PROPORTIONATELY, PARTICULARLY YOUTH SUICIDE RATE, AND THOSE SUICIDES ARE DONE USING GUNS.

SO, THIS IS A NATIONAL THING, THIS 988.

THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS YOU CALL THIS NUMBER AND YOU'RE HOOKED INTO A LOCAL LINE THAT IS STAFFED BY A TRAINED COUNSELOR.

I THINK IT IS DESIGNED TO REPLACE 911, WHICH A LOT OF SUICIDE AND MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE CALL.

ANYONE IN TROUBLE CAN CALL IT.

BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, 911 IS DESIGNED TO DISPATCH POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL TO YOUR HOUSE OR TO YOUR LOCATION AND THAT IS NOT ALWAYS GREAT WITH SOMEBODY CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE OR HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

SO IT IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR IT THOUGH.

BUT, THIS IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NO EASY SOLUTIONS.

>> Gene: SENATOR SNYDER, IT HAS BEEN QUOTED IT WILL TAKE A WHILE NATIONWIDE TO INCORPORATE BUT SOME STATES ARE EARLY.

WE ARE ONE OF THEM.

AND IF YOU CALL 988 YOU ARE GIVEN THREE OPTIONS, TO CONNECT WITH THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE, TO CONNECT WITH WHAT THEY CALL THE SPANISH SUB NETWORK, NOT SURE WHAT THAT SUB NETWORK WORD IS ABOUT AND/OR TO REMAIN ON THE LINE TO BE CONNECTED TO A CRISIS CENTER.

YOU CAN ALSO TEXT ON THAT LINE AS WELL TO GET SOMEBODY TO HELP YOU.

I SAY THIS IN THIS CONTEXT, 2020 YOU HAVE ONE SUICIDE DEATH EVERY 11 MINUTES ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT DATA FROM CDC.

SADLY, AS SENATOR JUST MENTIONED, HAD THE FOURTH HIGHEST AGE ADJUSTED SUICIDE RATE IN THE COUNTRY WITH 520 SUICIDE DEATHS.

THIS NEW NUMBER IS MUCH SHORTER -- YOU KNOW -- EASIER TO DIAL OF COURSE.

WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE DIFFERENCE?

DO YOU FEEL IN YOUR GUT THIS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> Diane: I CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

IT CERTAINLY IS A GOOD OPTION TO BE TRYING THIS.

BECAUSE YOU NEED SOMETHING SIMPLE TO REMEMBER, 988.

I CAN REMEMBER THAT IF I NEED IT.

BUT, I LOVE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE -- WHERE YOU CAN PUSH THE BUTTONS.

WE HAVE -- NEW MEXICO HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST SUICIDE RATES FOR VETERANS OF ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES AND IT IS PROPORTIONATELY HIGHER FOR FEMALE VETERANS THAN IT IS FOR MALE VETERANS.

SO, TO HAVE THIS AS THE FIRST OPTION AND TO PUT THEM THROUGH TO PEOPLE, COUNSELORS, WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH POST-TRAUMATIC, PTSD, OR THE OTHER KINDS OF THINGS THAT I BELIEVE -- INSTEAD OF JUST TALKING -- AND THEY ARE ALL REALLY GOOD AND I DON'T MEAN THAT AND SHOULD BE APPRECIATED AND THEY GET TRAINING, BUT TO KNOW YOU'RE TALKING TO A PROFESSIONAL THAT HAS BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, IN SOME OF YOUR LIFE, GIVES YOU A BETTER CHANCE OF SUCCESS.

SO, I THINK THAT IS REALLY GOOD.

I HOPE WE RUSH IT THROUGH EVERYWHERE.

>> Gene: THAT IS A GOOD POINT THERE.

I MEAN, IT IS -- BY THE WAY, I SHOULD MENTION THAT 988 SYSTEM IS GOING TO BUILD ON WHAT WE KNOW OF WHICH IS THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFE LINE.

THAT HAS BEEN OUT THERE A LONG TIME.

THERE IS 200 CRISIS CENTERS STAFFED BY COUNSELORS.

KRISTELLE 2.4 MILLION CALLS IN 2020.

2.4.

THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION THOUGH AND BRING IT CLOSE TO HOME.

YOUNG PEOPLE, OF COURSE, ARE A BIG PART OF THE SUICIDE STATS AS SENATOR MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEGMENT.

SO ARE FIREARMS, ACCORDING TO A STUDY FROM A PROF AT NMSU, THERE WERE 41 GUN DEATHS AMONG PEOPLE 19 AND UNDER IN NEW MEXICO IN 2020.

MORE THAN HALF OF THEM WERE SUICIDES.

HOW DO WE DO A BETTER JOB MANAGING THESE CASES AS A SOCIETY?

>> Kristelle: YOU ARE ASKING ONE OF THE HARDEST QUESTIONS WE ARE ALL TRYING TO SOLVE NOT ONLY AS INDIVIDUALS ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, BUT AS PARENTS, RIGHT.

WHENEVER WE WERE LOOKING AT THIS TOPIC AND HOW WE WERE THINKING ABOUT WHAT OUR CONVERSATION WAS GOING TO BE LIKE TODAY, IT GOES BACK TO THE HOME, RIGHT?

IT ALWAYS GOING BACK TO WHAT CAN WE DO TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES, TO BUILD BETTER CHARACTER OF THE KIDS, MOST IMPORTANTLY, CONFIDENCE, OPEN CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CHILDREN.

AS A MOM OF A SOON TO BE HIGH SCHOOLER, HOW CAN I MAKE SURE HE CAN TELL US WHENEVER HE IS IN CRISIS, WHENEVER HE IS SAD, UPSET AND HOW CAN WE HAVE BETTER CONVERSATIONS ACROSS THE BOARD WITH OUR CHILDREN.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK TO GUN VIOLENCE ISSUES THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE HAVING, YOU KNOW, I DO APPLAUD THE FACT THAT OUR STATE, OUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES, EVEN IN OUR COUNTIES, YOU KNOW, BERNALILLO COUNTY HAS CREATED THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, AN ENTIRE DEPARTMENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

IT IS GOOD THAT IT IS BEING UPLIFTED ON THE STATE LEVEL AND WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE CONVERSATION, WHAT ARE OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES, IT IS HARD FOR US TO ADVOCATE FOR A NEW BUILDING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHEN WE KNOW WE NEED MORE RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AT THE SAME TIME.

THE INDIVIDUAL NEW MEXICAN ALWAYS HAS TO COME FIRST AND THE FAMILY HAS TO COME FIRST AT THE SAME TIME.

IT IS JUST A CHALLENGING CONVERSATION WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE.

>> Gene: WELL PUT.

SENATOR FELDMAN, RESEARCH ALSO HAS PROVEN THAT ACCESS TO FIREARM INCREASES LIKELIHOOD OF A YOUNG PERSON ATTEMPTING SUICIDE.

IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS A NEW RECENT STORY WAS SO TROUBLING THAT ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHIEF OF POLICE SAYS 10 GUNS WERE SEIZED ON NINE DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES LAST YEAR.

OBVIOUSLY MASS SHOOTINGS AT SCHOOLS ALSO COME TO MIND.

IS THIS AN ISSUE OF POLICING OR MORE OF A SOCIETAL CONCERN, THIS ACCESS TO GUNS ISSUES?

>> Dede: IT IS BOTH.

IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SOCIETAL PROBLEM.

IT IS INTERESTING TO ME THE ALBUQUERQUE SCHOOL BOARD WAS GOING TO PUT OUT AN ADVISORY TO PARENTS THAT THEY NEED TO STORE THEIR -- IF THEY HAVE CHILDREN IN THE HOME, THEY NEED TO STORE THEIR WEAPONS SAFELY.

THIS WOULD HAVE NO EFFECT IN LAW BUT AS YOU KNOW THERE WAS A BILL LAST YEAR SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE PAMELA HERNDON THAT, IN THE WAKE OF THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL SHOOTING, THAT WOULD REQUIRE PARENTS TO LOCK UP THEIR GUNS ESSENTIALLY.

AND IT FAILED BUT SHE IS BRINGING IT FORWARD AGAIN THIS YEAR AND I THINK THE CHANCES ARE MUCH BETTER, GIVEN THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS AND THE THREATS OF SUCH IN NEW MEXICO.

SO, IT IS BOTH.

I MEAN, THE SCHOOLS CLEARLY NEED COUNSELORS.

THEY NEED MENTAL HEALTH ROOMS FOR THEIR STUDENTS.

THAT IS PART OF THE SOCIETAL PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE GUN ACCESS PROBLEM.

AND THE TEACHERS REALLY NEED TO BE A PART OF THAT SOLUTION.

>> Gene: GOOD POINTS THERE.

THANKS AGAIN TO THE LINE PANEL AS ALWAYS THIS WEEK.

BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ANY OF THE TOPICS THESE GUYS COVERED ON OUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM PAGES.

THIS IDEA IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL THAT NEW MEXICO IS SOME KIND OF DUMPING GROUND FOR THE NATION SHOULD SERVE AS A WAKE UP TO THOSE WHO BRUSHED OFF THIS NOTION BACK WHEN THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PAINT OPENED.

NOW THE WARNING BACK THEN WAS ONCE THE FEDS GOT UNDERGROUND HERE, THERE WAS NO TURNING BACK IN THEIR HASN'T.

DID YOU KNOW WIPP WAS SLATED TO CLOSE IN 2024?

THAT WAS THE PROMISE UNDER THE TEMPORARY WORD PLAY WE ARE HEARING NOW UNDER THE NEW IDEA, FOR NEW WASTE HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

NOW, THE CARLSBAD CURRENT ARGUS REPORTED IN FEBRUARY, THIS YEAR, THAT WIPP LEADERSHIP EXPECTS THE FACILITY TO BE IN USE UNTIL 2050.

SO MUCH FOR TEMPORARY AT WIPP AND SAME FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION PROPOSAL WE DISCUSSED IN THE PROGRAM EARLIER.

IT IS AN INSULT FOR THESE PEOPLE TO USE THE WORD TEMPORARY BECAUSE THEY KNOW FULL WELL IT IS NOT TRUE.

AS SOON AS THAT FIRST BARREL GOES UNDERGROUND, IT IS FOR LIFE.

NOT MINE, NOT YOURS, THE CONTENTS OF THAT BARREL IS GOING TO BE THERE FOR LIFE AND MANY MORE.

WE HAVE TO KNOW THE FEDS ARE RUBBING THEIR HANDS TOGETHER HERE WITH THIS SOLUTION, NEVER MIND THE RAIL CAR PROBLEM DEDE MENTIONED OR ANYTHING ELSE THEY CLAIM WILL BE SAFE.

THAT ALSO SOUNDS FAMILIAR.

REMEMBER IN 2014, THE RADIATION LEAK AT WIPP THAT CLOSED THE FACILITY FOR THREE YEARS.

I AM SURE THE FOLKS IN CARLSBAD DO.

THERE ARE TIMES TO SAY NO TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EVEN AS DEPENDENT ON THEM AS WE ARE, BECAUSE SAYING YES WOULD BE A DISASTER FOR OUR REPUTATION AND IT WON'T BE TEMPORARY.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

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