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

>> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS 19 SEATS AND COUNTING.

WE LOOK AHEAD TO A WIDE OPEN SLATE OF LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS THIS FALL WHERE VOTERS WILL DECIDE ON A HOST OF NEW FACES FOR THE ROUND HOUSE AND ... >> MS. RICHARD: THIS, TO ME, IS MY FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION.

MY FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION IS NOT TO THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

IT IS TO THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NEW MEXICO.

>> Lou: STATE LAND COMMISSIONER RESPONDS TO CRITICS QUESTIONING HER DECISION TO WITHHOLD CERTAIN OIL AND GAS LEASES UNTIL ROYALTY RATES ARE HIKED.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I'M SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVIZIO.

THAT INTERVIEW WITH STATE LAND COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD IS COMING UP IN A LITTLE LESS THAN 10 MINUTES AND I'LL SIT DOWN WITH DEDE FELDMAN TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WILL BE AN ELECTION YEAR OF TURNOVER IN THE ROUND HOUSE.

THAT IS IN JUST ABOUT 25 MINUTES.

BUT, THIS WEEK WE WANT TO START THE SHOW WITH SOME HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE AND WE BEGIN WITH FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST FORMER NEW MEXICO STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHERYL WILLIAMS STAPLETON.

THE LIST OF CHARGES IS LONG, MORE THAN TWO DOZEN OF THEM INCLUDING MAIL FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING AND BRIBERY.

FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ALLEGE STAPLETON STOLE MORE THAN THREE MILLION DOLLARS INCLUDING TWO-AND-A-HALF MILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY THROUGH HER POSITION AS AN ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROGRAM MANAGER.

THE FORMER STATE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER IS ACCUSED OF SENDING MONEY TO A WASHINGTON D.C. BASED COMPANY THAT SHE HELPED RUN.

FROM THERE, THE FED'S ALLEGE A TRAIL OF MONEY LEADING TO STAPLETON'S ALBUQUERQUE RESTAURANT AND CHARITY ORGANIZATION, NETTING HER MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS, THEY SAY.

THE NEW FEDERAL CHARGES COME AFTER STATE PROSECUTORS CHARGED STAPLETON WITH 28 COUNTS INCLUDING RACKETEERING, FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING.

THAT CASE IS STILL PENDING.

HER ARRAIGNMENT ON THOSE FEDERAL CHARGES IS SET FOR APRIL 9.

NOW WE HEAD TO NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO WHERE THE NAVAJO NATION AND SAN JUAN COUNTY AGREED THIS WEEK TO ADOPT A NEW VOTING METHOD THAT ADVOCATES SAY WOULD GIVE NATIVE AMERICAN VOTERS THE VOICE THEY DESERVE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS.

THE DISPUTE FIRST BEGAN IN 2021 WHEN FIVE NAVAJO VOTERS JOINED THE NAVAJO NATION'S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO SUE SAN JUAN COUNTY.

THEY CLAIM THE COUNTY'S VOTING MAP VIOLATED THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

ACCORDING TO THE NAVAJO NATION THAT MAP DILUTED INDIGENOUS VOTING POWER BY LUMPING A MAJORITY OF NATIVE AMERICAN VOTERS INTO ONE DISTRICT.

MORE THAN 40% OF VOTERS IN THE COUNTY ARE NATIVE AMERICAN.

THE SETTLEMENT MEANS THAT NATIVE AMERICAN VOTERS WILL BE MORE EVENLY SPREAD OUT ACROSS TWO DISTRICTS NOW WITH INDIGENOUS VOTERS MAKING UP 71% OF DISTRICT 1 AND 67% OF DISTRICT 2.

THIS MAP WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE NEXT CENSUS IN 2030.

CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE CASE CLOSELY SINCE THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED.

WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM HER ON THE SETTLEMENT IN THE COMING WEEKS.

NEXT WEEK, TWO ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY BOARDS WILL CONSIDER PAUSING A CLEAN CAR RULE THAT WILL REQUIRE MORE THAN 40% OF NEW VEHICLES FOR SALE BY AUTO DEALERSHIPS TO BE ZERO EMISSION.

ON APRIL 5, BOTH THE NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD AND ALBUQUERQUE BERNALILLO COUNTY AIR QUALITY CONTROL BOARD WILL CONTINUE HEARING OPPOSITION AND SUPPORT FOR THE ADVANCED CLEAN CARS AND TRUCKS RULE.

THE NEW REGULATIONS WERE PASSED BY BOTH BOARDS LAST FALL.

THEY WOULD BE ENACTED IN 2026 AND IT WOULD REQUIRE 43% OF ALL NEW PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS SHIPPED TO THE STATE TO BE ZERO EMISSION.

THE RULE IS MODELED AFTER SIMILAR REGULATIONS PASSED IN CALIFORNIA IN 2022.

TURNING NOW TO LAS CRUCES.

THE STATE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT CERTIFICATION BOARD MET IN THE CITY LAST WEEK TO CONSIDER DISCIPLINE AGAINST 18 POLICE OFFICERS.

THAT INCLUDES LCPD OFFICERS BRAD LUNSFORD AND FELIPE HERNANDEZ.

THE GRAND JURY IN DECEMBER, INDICTED LUNSFORD ON AN INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF PRESLEY EZE, A BLACK MAN SUSPECTED OF STEALING A SINGLE CAN OF BEER.

IN JANUARY DONA ANA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, GERALD BYERS, ANNOUNCED A SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGE AGAINST FELIPE HERNANDEZ AFTER HE SHOT AND KILLED 45 YEAR OLD THERESA GOMEZ WHILE SHE TRIED TO DRIVE AWAY.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CERTIFICATION BOARD IS IN CHARGE OF CERTIFYING POLICE OFFICERS IN NEW MEXICO.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TELLS ME THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY DURING ITS MEETING LAST WEEK TO TABLE THE DECISION ON WHETHER TO REVOKE THE TWO OFFICERS CREDENTIALS.

THE LAS CRUCES BULLETIN REPORTS ATTORNEYS FOR LUNSFORD AND HERNANDEZ ASKED FOR EXTENSIONS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T BE AT THE HEARING.

THAT DPS SPOKESPERSON TELLS ME THE BOARD WILL, QUOTE, LIKELY TAKE UP THEIR CASES IN JUNE.

STAYING IN LAS CRUCES, TWO YEARS AFTER GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER FREEING UP $10 MILLION FOR AN ABORTION CLINIC IN THE CITY, THE FACILITY IS STILL STUCK IN THE PLANNING PHASE.

ROBERT NOTT AT THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN REPORTS THAT OFFICIALS HAVEN'T EVEN CHOSEN A SITE YET.

SEVERAL ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE BACKING THE PROPOSED FACILITY.

THEY INCLUDE PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, BOLD FUTURES AND STRONG FAMILIES, NEW MEXICO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO'S HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER.

BUT AT THIS POINT A CHAIRPERSON FOR UNM MEDICINES DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY SAYS THERE IS STILL NO REAL TIMELINE FOR BUILDING OR EVEN BUYING A SPACE TO SET UP THE CLINIC.

STATE DATA SHOWS 14 ABORTION PROVIDERS ARE OPERATING IN NEW MEXICO INCLUDING SEVERAL TELE-HEALTH PROVIDERS THAT PRESCRIBE ABORTION PILLS.

AT LEAST SIX CLINICS IN THE STATE PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES.

MOST OF THOSE ARE IN ALBUQUERQUE, BUT THERE ARE TWO CLINICS IN LAS CRUCES INCLUDING ONE THAT OFFERS SURGICAL ABORTIONS UP TO 16 WEEKS.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO MOVEMENT ON OPENING A NEW CLINIC IN LAS CRUCES.

HEADING NORTH TO SANTA FE, NOW, CITY LEADERS WANT TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ON HOW THEY'LL ROLL OUT A VOTER-APPROVED EXCISE TAX ON SALES OF HIGH END HOMES.

CITY VOTERS APPROVED THE SO-CALLED MANSION TAX BY A MARGIN OF NEARLY 3 TO 1 LAST YEAR.

IT ADDS A 3% TAX ON HOME SALES OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

THE SANTA FE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS IS CHALLENGING THE CITY'S LEGAL AUTHORITY TO LEVY THE TAX.

IF IT IS UPHELD IN STATE DISTRICT COURT, MONEY WOULD GO INTO THE CITY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND.

THAT FUND GIVES DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO HOME BUYERS, VOUCHERS FOR STRUGGLING RENTERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PRICE RESTRICTED AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

THE TAX COULD BRING IN SIX MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR ACCORDING TO A RANGE OF ESTIMATES.

BUT NATHAN BROWN AT THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN REPORTS THE CITY WANTS INPUT DURING ITS RULE MAKING PROCESS FOR THE TAX.

THE CITY IS HOLDING TWO MEETINGS ON APRIL 22, ONE IN PERSON AT 11:30 IN THE MORNING AT THE MAIN LIBRARY IN DOWNTOWN SANTA FE.

ANOTHER AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON OVER ZOOM.

THE DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT IS 5:00 ON APRIL 23.

THE CITY SAYS IT PLANS TO PUBLISH THE FINAL RULE BEFORE THE ORDINANCE'S MAY 28TH EFFECTIVE DATE.

IF IT KEEPS TO THAT TIMELINE, THE TAX WILL APPLY TO TRANSACTIONS CLOSINGS ON OR AFTER THAT DATE.

NOW THAT DOES IT FOR HEADLINES AROUND NEW MEXICO.

MY INTERVIEW WITH STATE LAND COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD IS COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> Dede: THAT IS WHERE THE REAL JUICE IS NOW.

THE REAL JUICE IS IN PRIMARIES.

AND WHILE THERE ARE A LOT OF UNCONTESTED SEATS IN GENERAL ELECTIONS BETWEEN THE REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS, THERE ARE MORE AND MORE CONTESTED PRIMARIES AND THAT IS A NATIONAL TREND.

THAT IS NOT JUST IN NEW MEXICO.

>> Lou: A STATE OFFICE THAT DOESN'T GET MUCH ATTENTION BUT OVERSEES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OIL AND GAS REVENUE EACH YEAR MADE IT INTO THE HEADLINES EARLIER THIS MONTH.

STATE LAND OFFICE IN EARLY MARCH ANNOUNCED IT WOULD HOLD OFF SELLING OIL AND GAS LEASES ON SOME OF THE STATE'S MOST PROMISING TRACKS UNTIL STATE LAWMAKERS LOCK IN A HIGHER RATE.

THAT IS AFTER A MEASURE TO INCREASE ROYALTY RATES FROM 20 TO 25% OF LEASE SALES PASSED THE STATE HOUSE IN JANUARY.

BUT DIED IN THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD RUNS THAT OFFICE AS STATE LAND COMMISSIONER.

SHE EXPLAINED HER REASONING AT THE TIME THROUGH A STATEMENT TO NEWS ORGANIZATIONS SAYING, IN PART, QUOTE, I THINK IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO FOREGO MILLIONS NOW IN EXCHANGE FOR BILLIONS DOWN THE ROAD, END QUOTE.

REACTIONS TO THE DECISION ARE MIXED AND FALL LARGELY ALONG PARTY LINES.

SEVERAL REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS ARE UPSET WITH REPRESENTATIVE JIM TOWNSEND OF ARTESIA CALLING IT, QUOTE, PETTINESS AT ITS FINEST.

BUT DEMOCRATS, LIKE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR GEORGE MUNOZ OF GALLUP, AGREED THAT HOLDING OUT FOR A BIGGER PAYDAY MAKES THE MOST SENSE.

THIS WEEK I SPEAK WITH GARCIA RICHARD TO UNDERSTAND HER DEPARTMENT'S VITAL ROLE IN COLLECTING STATE REVENUE AND TO HEAR WHY SHE THINKS WITHHOLDING LEASES WILL HELP US CASH IN LONG-TERM.

STATE LAND COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME HERE TODAY.

>> MS. RICHARD: IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE, LOU, THANKS.

>> Lou: NOW, I JUST EXPLAINED A BIT OF BACKGROUND ON YOUR DECISION TO WITHHOLD OIL AND GAS LEASES ON CERTAIN TRACTS OF LAND.

I'LL GET THERE IN THIS CONVERSATION IN A SECOND.

BUT I WANT TO START WITH JUST SOME BACKGROUND FOR OUR VIEWERS.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE STATE LAND OFFICE DO?

>> MS. RICHARD: CAN I START BY THANKING YOU ALL FOR COVERING THIS ISSUE FOR US.

IT IS PRETTY FRONT OF MIND.

AND, YOU KNOW, FOR YOUR VIEWERS THAT AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THE STATE LAND OFFICE, PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT OFFICE YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.

SO, ESSENTIALLY WE HAVE 13 MILLION ACRES OF PUBLIC TRUST LAND.

AND WE ELECT AN INDIVIDUAL EVERY FOUR YEARS TO MANAGE THAT LAND ON OUR BEHALF.

WE MANAGE IT FOR DRAWING REVENUE FOR NEW MEXICO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES AND HOSPITALS.

LAST YEAR, WE MADE ALMOST THREE BILLION, BA, BA, BA, BILLION WITH A B DOLLARS ON THOSE 13 MILLION ACRES.

>> Lou: CAN YOU EXPAND A LITTLE BIT MORE ON WHERE THE MONEY FROM THOSE NATURAL RESOURCE LEASES GOES.

>> MS. RICHARD: SO, BACK BEFORE WE BECAME A STATE, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF NAMED INSTITUTIONS, NAMED OUT ACTUALLY IN OUR STATE'S CONSTITUTION.

WE CALL THEM BENEFICIARIES AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THEY ARE NEW MEXICO'S K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, MOST OF THE UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING UNM, IN THE STATE.

SOME, A FEW HOSPITALS, AND THEN OTHER VARIOUS DIVERSE INSTITUTIONS.

BUT ESSENTIALLY WE SAY NEW MEXICO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES AND HOSPITALS.

THAT COVERS IT.

>> Lou: YOU LEASE THE LAND.

WHO SETS THE ROYALTY RATE FOR THOSE LEASES THAT GENERATES THAT MONEY?

>> MS. RICHARD: GREAT QUESTION.

SO ON EVERY OTHER LEASE WE HAVE AT THE STATE LAND OFFICE, WE HAVE WALMARTS ON STATE LAND, WE HAVE GOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

EVERY LEASE, BESIDES OIL AND GAS, THE STATE LAND COMMISSIONER CAN SET WHATEVER TERMS THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE FOR THAT LEASE.

FOR THE OIL AND GAS LEASES, THOSE ARE STATUTORY.

SO THOSE ARE PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE, BACK, YOU KNOW, DECADES AGO, ACTUALLY NOW 100 YEARS AGO.

THEY ARE UPDATED BY STATUTE BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND SO THINGS INCLUDING THE RATES THAT WE CAN SET FOR ROYALTY ARE DECIDED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Lou: UNDERSTOOD.

OKAY.

SO, STAYING WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE, A ROYALTY RATE INCREASE CAME UP THIS PAST YEAR, THIS YEAR, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

AND THE PROPOSAL THAT FAILED WOULD HAVE REVISED THAT ROYALTY RATE FROM 20 TO 25%.

CAN YOU GIVE US A BALLPARK DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR HOW MUCH MONEY THAT DIFFERENCE AMOUNTS TO?

>> MS. RICHARD: JUST TO CLARIFY, WE ATTEMPTED THIS SAME EFFORT.

THIS IS, I THINK, OUR FOURTH TIME THAT WE HAVE DONE IT.

SINCE 2019 WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PASS THIS BILL.

YES, IT WOULD TAKE THE ROYALTY THAT OIL AND GAS COMPANIES PAY TO US TO DEVELOP OUR PUBLIC MINERALS FROM 20% TO 25.

AND IT IS THE LFC THAT HAS DETERMINED THAT WOULD BE AN EXTRA BETWEEN 50 AND 80 MILLION-DOLLARS PER YEAR, PER YEAR, EXTRA REVENUE ON THESE LEASES.

BUT, THEN THE NICE THING ABOUT THAT REVENUE, IT GOES INTO THE PERMANENT FUND.

WHERE IT WOULD EARN, THE SIC ESTIMATES, BETWEEN 1 1/2 TO 2 BILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

YOU HAVE SAID NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN CHARGING BELOW MARKET RATE FOR YEARS.

YOU MENTIONED FOUR YEARS NOW YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO INCREASE IT.

HOW DO YOU CALCULATE THAT MARKET RATE?

>> MS. RICHARD: SO, THERE IS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT.

WE RUN OUR MONTHLY LEASE SALES ON A NATIONAL -- IT IS ESSENTIALLY AN ON-LINE AUCTION HOUSE THAT RUNS LEASES IN THE PERMIAN BASIN WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW, BUT NATIONWIDE, AND KNOWS THE RATES THAT THOSE LEASES GO FOR, KNOWS THE PARCELS.

SO, THEY HAVE SHARED WITH US INFORMATION THAT INDICATES FOLKS ARE PAYING FOR LEASES IN THE AREA THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FROM OTHER OIL COMPANIES, FROM PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, OTHER LANDOWNERS, INCLUDING TEXAS THAT THEY ARE PAYING 25% FOR THOSE LEASES.

SO WITHIN THAT SAME AREA, AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PREMIER PRIME TRACKS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN, THOSE LEASES ARE GOING -- WE HEAR FROM EITHER OTHER LANDOWNERS, WE HEAR FROM THE OTHER STATES THAT SHARES THE PERMIAN WITH US, TEXAS.

WE HEAR FROM NATIONAL FOLKS WHO DO OIL AND GAS LEASING, THAT THE LEASES IN THAT AREA, IF THEY ARE PREMIER, WILL GO FOR 25%.

>> Lou: FORGIVE ME FOR GETTING IN THE WEEDS JUST A LITTLE BIT BUT THIS WEB PAGE, WHO RUNS THAT WEB PAGE?

YOU'RE SAYING THAT THESE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES ARE LOOKING AT A WEB PAGE, LITERALLY, AND THEY SEE THE ROYALTY RATES AND SOME ARE 25 AND OURS ARE 20?

>> MS. RICHARD: IT IS NOT THAT THEY SEE THE ROYALTY RATE THERE.

IT IS THAT THE FOLKS -- SO, THIS ONLINE.

IT IS CALLED ENERGY NET.

IT IS AN ONLINE AUCTION HOUSE ESSENTIALLY AND FOLKS CAN GO AND LOOK AT THESE LEASES AND THEY CAN BID FOR A 25% ROYALTY RATE.

SO, BIDDERS.

IF BIDDERS WOULD LIKE TO ACQUIRE THESE LEASES, THEY CAN BID THAT 25% ROYALTY RATE.

NOW, THEY CAN'T BID FOR THAT AMOUNT ON NEW MEXICO LEASES BECAUSE WE ARE, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, HELD AT THE 20% FOR OUR LEASES BY STATUTE.

>> Lou: OKAY.

SO THE INCREASE DOESN'T MAKE IT OUT OF THE ROUNDHOUSE.

WHAT IS STOPPING YOUR OFFICE FROM ISSUING, SAY, A ONE-YEAR LEASE AT THE 20% THAT'S SET RIGHT NOW WHILE WAITING FOR ANOTHER CRACK AT THE 25 INCREASE THIS UPCOMING YEAR?

>> MS. RICHARD: GREAT QUESTION, LOU.

AGAIN, THE TERMS OF THE LEASE ARE NOT SET BY THE LAND COMMISSIONER.

THEY ARE SET IN STATUE.

SO THE TERMS OF OUR LEASE ARE ON FIVE-YEAR LEASE TERMS AND FOLKS WHO GET THESE LEASES HAVE THAT LONG AMOUNT OF TIME TO DEVELOP THEM, TO GET THEM INTO PRODUCTION.

I WILL SAY THAT EVEN IF WE DID A SHORTENED LEASE WITH A LOWER AMOUNT, WE STILL WOULD BE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE BECAUSE VERY OFTEN THE EARLIEST YEARS OF A LEASE ARE THEIR MOST PRODUCTIVE.

>> Lou: OKAY.

SO, YOU WANT TO SAVE THOSE PRODUCTIVE YEARS FOR WHEN WE HAVE THAT 25% IDEALLY.

>> MS. RICHARD: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Lou: AND IF WE WERE TO SIGN THAT NOW, WE WOULD BE LOCKED IN FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS BASED ON STATUTE?

>> MS. RICHARD: THAT IS IT.

>> Lou: SO, WHEN EXACTLY DID YOU COME TO THE DECISION TO WITHHOLD THESE LEASES?

>> MS. RICHARD: SO, YOU KNOW, I WISH I COULD HAVE SAID SIX YEARS AGO.

I WISH WE THOUGHT OF THIS SIX YEARS AGO BECAUSE THE ATTENTION THAT WE ARE GETTING FROM THIS DECISION, A, WHAT IT SHOWS ME IS THAT THESE LEASES TRULY ARE LUCRATIVE BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE OTHER WITHHOLDING BEFORE.

WE WITHHOLD TRACKS IN THE CHACO REGION.

WE DID AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO SAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO LEASE WITHIN A MILE OF ANY SCHOOL FACILITIES.

NEITHER OF THOSE TWO ACTIONS GOT NEAR THE ATTENTION THAT THIS ACTION GOT AND I THINK THE REASON IS BECAUSE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A LUCRATIVE PLAY THEY ARE MISSING OUT ON.

OKAY.

SO, WE HAVE BEEN KIND OF THINKING THROUGH, YOU KNOW, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ACTIONS TO REALLY PUSH THIS ISSUE.

WE COULD POTENTIALLY BE SUED BY ONE OF OUR BENEFICIARIES FOR NOT DOING OUR FIDUCIARY DUTY, WHICH IS TO BRING IN THE BEST AND HIGHEST VALUE FOR THIS LAND.

SO, ABSENT A LAWSUIT FROM ONE OF OUR BENEFICIARIES TO SAY, HEY LAND OFFICE, WHY AREN'T YOU CHARGING MARKET RATE, WHY AREN'T YOU CHARGING THE HIGHEST RATE FOR THE LAND THAT YOU MANAGE IN OUR BEHALF, SHORT OF THAT, WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO, AND, YOU KNOW LOU, THIS IS NOT AN ENTIRE LEASING BAN.

IT IS ONLY ON THOSE PREMIER TRACKS AND I MADE THAT DECISION AFTER THIS LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Lou: WERE YOU AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES INVOLVED IN LOBBYING WITH THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR TO TRY TO GET THAT INCREASE DONE AND WHAT DID YOU HEAR ABOUT WHY IT DIDN'T HAPPEN?

>> MS. RICHARD: YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT OF THINGS.

SO, WE TRIED TO PASS THIS BILL IN 2019.

AT THAT TIME WE HEARD, YOU KNOW, INDUSTRY IS DOING SO WELL, WHY ARE YOU GOING TO, YOU KNOW, ADD AN ADDITIONAL COST TO THEIR BOTTOM LINE?

BUT, WHEN THE BOTTOM GOES OUT OF THE OIL AND GAS ECONOMY WE HEAR THE SAME THING.

THE INDUSTRY IS DOING SO POORLY, WHY WOULD YOU KICK THEM WHEN THEY ARE DOWN.

THIS TRULY, FOR ME, IS MY FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION.

MY FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION IS NOT TO THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

IT IS TO THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NEW MEXICO AND IT IS MY JOB.

THE VOTERS ELECTED ME TO GET THE HIGHEST AND BEST VALUE FOR THEIR PUBLIC MINERALS.

>> Lou: REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, NEW MEXICO OIL AND GAS ASSOCIATION AND THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD HAVE ACCUSED YOU OF EVERYTHING FROM PETTINESS TO HOLDING SCHOOL CHILDREN HOSTAGE TO VIOLATING THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THOSE CRITICISMS?

>> MS. RICHARD: WHEN I HEAR THE KERFUFFLE THAT THIS HAS CAUSED, IT ACTUALLY SETTLES ME EVEN MORE COMFORTABLY INTO MAKING THIS DECISION BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE REASON THAT PEOPLE ARE IN SUCH ARMS ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS -- THERE IS TRULY SOMETHING AT STAKE.

THERE IS TRULY SOMETHING AT VALUE AT STAKE AND, YOU KNOW, IS IT PETTY TO BE GREEDY ON BEHALF OF SCHOOL KIDS?

IF SO, I WILL TAKE IT, I WILL TAKE IT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE LIVE IN A CAPITALIST SYSTEM.

AND USUALLY GREED IS A LITTLE BIT OF A VALUE BUT WHEN A PUBLIC OFFICIAL HAS GREED ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC SCHOOL KIDS, SOMEHOW THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE?

YOU KNOW.

IF THE OIL COMPANIES ARE MAKING HISTORIC REVENUE, WE SHOULD BE GETTING OUR SHARE OF THAT.

>> Lou: NOW THE GOVERNOR, A MEMBER OF YOUR OWN PARTY, SUGGESTED THAT YOU, QUOTE, LISTEN TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS, UNQUOTE, AS YOU MAKE THESE KIND OF DECISIONS.

HOW DID YOU INTERPRET THAT COMMENT?

>> MS. RICHARD: I APPRECIATE THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER.

MAYBE IF NOT IN THE UPCOMING SPECIAL SESSION IF SHE CALLS IT, MAYBE IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I DO LOOK FORWARD TO GAINING HER SUPPORT FOR THIS.

I HOPE THAT I HAVE IT.

I WILL TELL YOU WHEN WE STARTED ON THIS JOURNEY IN 2019, THE VERY FIRST THING WE DID WAS AN INDUSTRY WORKING GROUP.

FOLKS IN THE INDUSTRY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL TO RAISE ROYALTY RATES SINCE 2019.

YOU KNOW, WE BROUGHT THEM ALONG IN CRAFTING THE BILL.

THEY WANTED ALL KINDS OF LIMITS ON PRODUCTION NUMBERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND, SO, IN THE END WE DECIDED WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TRUST AND SCHOOL KIDS WAS JUST TO DO A FLAT 25% BUT ONLY ON THE BEST LEASES.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY WE ARE IN OUR SIXTH YEAR OF CONVERSATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS.

SO, I APPRECIATE THE ADVICE BUT, LIKE I SAID, I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT THIS DECISION.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE MADE THAT DECISION, WHAT COMES NEXT?

ARE WE RELYING COMPLETELY ON THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS THAT INCREASE NEXT YEAR?

>> MS. RICHARD: WE ARE AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

IF THERE IS A SPECIAL SESSION I WILL TRY TO GET IT ON THE CALL.

>> Lou: AND IF THEY DON'T AND IT FAILS AGAIN, ARE YOU GOING TO HOLD OUT AGAIN?

>> MS. RICHARD: ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, UNTIL THIS IS CHANGED, WE ARE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE.

WE ARE LEAVING MONEY BEHIND AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS MONEY WE WILL NEVER GET AGAIN.

ONCE THE LEASES ARE DEVELOPED, THAT OPPORTUNITY ENDED TO GET THIS HIGHER AMOUNT, THIS EXTRA REVENUE.

>> Lou: THIS MAY BE IN THE WEEDS A LITTLE BIT TOO, BUT SAY THE 25% ISN'T ON THE TABLE FOR WHATEVER POLITICAL REASON, IS THERE A WAY TO NEGOTIATE DOWN THE YEARS OF A LEASE?

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE SET AT FIVE LIKE YOU MENTIONED EARLIER.

COULD YOU TRY TO CONVINCE STATE LEGISLATORS TO OFFER SMALLER LEASES SO THAT WE COULD GENERATE SOME MONEY IN THE MEANTIME.

>> MS. RICHARD: I WOULD LOVE ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LAND COMMISSIONER TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE LEVERAGE ON THE OIL AND GAS LEASE, WHATEVER THAT IS.

I WOULD LOVE TO, YOU KNOW, OFFER THAT FOR MYSELF OR FUTURE LAND COMMISSIONERS.

SO, YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY OFF THE TABLE.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, ONCE THE LEASE IS DRILLED AND STARTS PRODUCING AND STARTS DEVELOPING, THOSE EARLY YEARS IS WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO CAPTURE.

>> Lou: I WANT TO SHIFT MORE BROADLY.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT.

WE KNOW THAT HAS SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT LOCALLY, GLOBALLY, BUT RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENT, TOO, IT HAS IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT, SOLAR FARMS.

HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE MITIGATE IMPACTS LIKE THOSE NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE ESPECIALLY AS THE THESE PROJECTS GROW AND CREATE MORE AND MORE INDUSTRIALIZED LANDSCAPES?

>> MS. RICHARD: LIKE I SAID BEFORE, IN THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERVIEWED, EVERY OTHER INSTRUMENT THAT WE ENTER INTO AT THE STATE LAND OFFICE WE SET THE TERMS -- THE COMMISSIONER AND THE STAFF SET THE TERMS.

SO, THE NICE THING ABOUT THE RENEWABLE ENERGY LEASES IS WE CAN SET WHATEVER TERMS WE DEEM TO BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT WILDLIFE, HABITAT, ECOSYSTEMS.

WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING TOGETHER SOMETHING WE CALL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

THOSE ACTUALLY HAVE BECOME PART OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY LEASES.

AND THE PROJECT PLANS THAT FOLKS COME TO US TO BUILD, BUILD OUT EITHER SOLAR, WIND, TRANSMISSION ON STATE LAND, HAVE TO HAVE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, WHICH WERE WRITTEN ACTUALLY BY OUR SPECIALISTS THAT ARE WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS, RANGE LAND ECOLOGISTS, FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHAT A BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE WOULD BE.

NOT ONLY THAT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GET INTO THIS WHOLE OTHER ISSUE, BUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE OIL AND GAS LEASES, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ALL OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE WINDS DOWN AND PLUGGING THOSE LEASES AND BONDING ON THOSE LEASES HAS NOT BEEN -- I WOULD SAY, HAS NOT BEEN FULLY COVERED FOR STATE LAND.

ON THE RENEWABLE ENERGY LEASES WE CAN BUILD IN THAT DECONSTRUCTION OR, YOU KNOW, WINDING DOWN OF A LEASE, THE BONDING ON REMOVING ALL OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT INTO THE LEASE FOR A RENEWABLE ENERGY LEASE AND WE CAN DO THAT.

>> Lou: NOW, OBVIOUSLY, AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, THE MAIN PART OF YOUR JOB IS TO GENERATE MONEY FROM NATURAL RESOURCES INCLUDING THESE RENEWABLE RESOURCES.

IS PART OF YOUR CALCULUS THINKING ABOUT LANDSCAPES, THINKING ABOUT PROTECTING OUR LANDSCAPES AS A GOOD INVESTMENT IN AND OF ITSELF?

>> MS. RICHARD: THAT IS SUCH A GREAT QUESTION, LOU, AND ABSOLUTELY, THAT IS PART OF THE CALCULUS.

IN FACT, THAT IS SORT OF THE CALCULUS.

THE MANDATE ON THE OFFICE IN THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION ESSENTIALLY SAYS LAND COMMISSIONER, RAISE REVENUE BUT DON'T DO IT AT THE LONG-TERM EXPENSE OF THE LAND.

YOU HAVE TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THAT LONG-TERM HEALTH.

AND FOR ME THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF THE LAND INCLUDES WILDLIFE, INCLUDES AIR QUALITY, INCLUDES WATER QUALITY.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY DO LOOK AT DEVELOPMENT OR ANY APPLICATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LAND LEASES INTO THE LAND OFFICE, WITH AS MUCH AS A HOLISTIC LANDSCAPE LEVEL AS POSSIBLE.

AND, IN FACT, LIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE BLM, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, IS CONSIDERING LEASING LAND FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES, WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING AT THE STATE LAND OFFICE, LOOKING AT OUR REALLY CRITICAL HABITAT AND ECOSYSTEMS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE FRAGILE, NOT PUTTING NECESSARILY ANY KIND OF DEVELOPMENT ON THEM, BUT LEASING THEM TO CONSERVE AND PRESERVE THE ACRES, YOU KNOW, TO ENSURE THEIR LONG-TERM HEALTH.

>> Lou: STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

>> MS. RICHARD: GREAT TO BE HERE, THANKS.

>> Lou: THANKS AGAIN TO THE STATE LAND COMMISSIONER FOR MAKING TIME TO EXPLAIN HER DECISION TO WITHHOLD THOSE OIL AND GAS LEASES.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS IN FOR A BIG SHAKEUP AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

EARLIER THIS MONTH BOTH HOUSE MINORITY LEADER T. RYAN LANE AND SENATE MINORITY LEADER GREG BACA ANNOUNCED THEY WOULDN'T SEEK REELECTION.

THOSE MOVES ADDED TO A GROWING LIST OF LEGISLATIVE SEATS TO BE FILLED BY VOTERS THIS YEAR.

IT NOW STANDS AT 19.

12 OF THOSE SEATS ARE HELD BY REPUBLICANS.

THE OTHER SEVEN BY DEMOCRATS.

THE POTENTIAL FOR A STATE-WIDE POLITICAL SHAKEUP MIGHT SEEM HUGE, BUT HOW COMPETITIVE ARE THOSE DISTRICTS REALLY?

I TRY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IN OUR NEXT SEGMENT AS I SIT DOWN WITH FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN.

WE'LL ALSO TRY TO NAIL DOWN WHY THERE IS SO MUCH TURNOVER THIS YEAR AND THE RIPPLE EFFECTS COULD HAVE LEADING INTO AND AFTER THIS FALL'S ELECTION.

I WANT TO THANK FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN FOR JOINING ME ON THE SHOW THIS WEEK.

WE, OF COURSE, KNOW HER QUITE WELL HERE ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

AND THIS WEEK, WE ARE GOING TO LEAN ON HER POLITICAL EXPERTISE A LITTLE MORE BROADLY AS WE TAKE STOCK OF SOME OF THOSE DEPARTURES FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT I JUST MENTIONED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DEDE.

>> Dede: THANK YOU, LOU.

>> Lou: NOW, 19 LEGISLATIVE SEATS ARE OPEN AS WE CRUISE TOWARDS THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

CAN YOU REMEMBER A TIME WHERE THERE HAS BEEN THIS MUCH TURNOVER IN ONE SINGLE ELECTION YEAR?

>> Dede: WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, DOESN'T IT?

IT IS ALMOST 20%.

WELL, I LOOKED BACK AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS NOT AS BIG AS YOU MIGHT THINK BECAUSE IN 2012, WHICH IS THE YEAR THAT I RETIRED FROM THE NEW MEXICO SENATE, THERE WAS 20% OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT RETIRED AT THAT TIME AND 11 PEOPLE IN THE SENATE.

SO, THAT IS MORE THAN THIS YEAR.

IT SEEMS MORE NOTICEABLE, I GUESS, BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING NOW BUT THAT WAS A BIG CHANGE TOO.

I DON'T KNOW.

THE DIFFERENCE NOW IS IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE NOT JUST RETIREMENTS BUT THEY ARE ALSO YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE RETIRING FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

SOME BECAUSE OF POLITICS, THEY -- GREG BACA I THINK IN THE SENATE WAS PAIRED WITH ANOTHER REPUBLICAN.

AND OTHERS JUST BECAUSE IT IS SO HARD TO BE A LEGISLATOR NOW IF YOU'RE A SINGLE MOM OR IF YOU'RE A WORKING PERSON.

>> Lou: SURE.

NOW, SOME OF THE COVERAGE AROUND THE MASS DEPARTURE HAS LEFT THE IMPRESSION THAT THE BALANCE OF POWER COULD BE IN QUESTION.

BASED ON THE RESEARCH THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THESE DISTRICTS, IS THAT ACCURATE, DO YOU THINK?

>> Dede: NO, I THINK -- YOU WOULD THINK THAT WITH OPEN SEATS THERE WOULD BE MORE CHANCE FOR THE MINORITY PARTY TO GAIN.

BUT IT IS NOT ALWAYS TRUE BECAUSE IT DEPENDS UPON HOW THE MAP IS DRAWN.

AND I HAVE LOOKED AT THE 11, I THINK IT IS 11, VACANT SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND 10 IN THE SENATE.

OF THOSE, ONLY TWO OR THREE ON EITHER SIDE, I THINK, TWO OR THREE ON THE SENATE SIDE AND MAYBE THREE OR FOUR ON THE HOUSE SIDE ARE SWING SEATS THAT COULD ACTUALLY GO EITHER REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, SO IT IS LIKELY THAT THERE WON'T BE THAT MUCH PARTISAN CHANGE.

AND REMEMBER THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STEPPING DOWN THIS TIME ARE REPUBLICANS.

AND THEY ARE IN SAFE SEATS SO IT IS MOST LIKELY THAT A REPUBLICAN WILL TAKE THEIR PLACE.

AND NOT A DEMOCRAT.

SO, AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

FOR EXAMPLE, GAIL CHASEY, THAT IS A SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC SEAT.

SO, YOU DON'T EXPECT A REPUBLICAN PICKUP THERE.

>> Lou: OKAY.

PURELY FROM A POLITICAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW COMPETITIVE THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE IS AND HOW THAT PLAYS INTO THE DECISIONS FROM LAWMAKERS TO OUTRIGHT LEAVE OR JUST DECIDE NOT TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

>> Dede: WELL, THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION BALLOTPEDIA SAYS THAT THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE IS NOT VERY COMPETITIVE EVEN WHEN YOU FACTOR IN THE LARGE NUMBER OF CONTESTED PRIMARIES.

BUT, WHAT THAT BOILS DOWN -- IT IS ABOUT 30% COMPETITIVE.

AND YOU KNOW -- THAT IS NOT VERY GOOD AND IT IS GETTING WORSE.

IT IS GETTING WORSE SINCE 2010.

I THINK IT WAS THEIR FIRST ONE.

AND YOU CAN MEASURE THAT ALSO BY THE NUMBER OF OPEN SEATS.

THERE ARE OPEN SEATS BUT THEY ARE NOT CONTESTED OR COMPETITIVE OPEN SEATS.

SO, IT IS NOT VERY COMPETITIVE.

THE SEATS, YOU WOULD THINK WOULD BE COMPETITIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO INCUMBENT.

SEE THAT IS THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM.

THAT WHEN THERE IS NO INCUMBENT, THEN IT IS MORE COMPETITIVE FOR THE OPPOSITION PARTY, BUT WHEN THE LINES ARE DRAWN BY THE LEGISLATORS THEMSELVES TO PROTECT THE INCUMBENTS, WHETHER THEY BE DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS, THEN THE TURNOVER IS MUCH LESS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF A LACK OF COMPETITION, BOTH FOR THE ELECTORAL PROCESS BUT ALSO FOR THE SOCIAL DISCOURSE AND THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE IN OUR STATE FOR THE PUBLIC WHO ARE WATCHING THESE RACES AND TRYING TO GET IDEAS IN THEIR HEADS.

>> Dede: CONSIDER THIS LOU.

IN THE SENATE, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS YEAR, THERE ARE 11 OR 12 SEATS THAT ARE COMPLETELY UNCONTESTED IN EITHER THE GENERAL OR THE PRIMARY.

AND IN THE HOUSE IT IS EVEN WORSE.

37% OF THE SEATS IN THE HOUSE HAVE NO OPPOSITION IN EITHER THE PRIMARY OR THE GENERAL.

WELL, YOU KNOW, IN OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE SHOE-INS BECAUSE THEY ARE SAFE DISTRICTS.

WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THIS LACK OF COMPETITION?

WELL, IT MAKES YOU LESS LIKELY TO VOTE.

WHO WANTS TO VOTE.

AND IF THE RESULTS ARE PREORDAINED.

AND ALSO, IT MAKES PEOPLE LESS LIKELY TO WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

SO, IT IS HARDER TO RECRUIT CANDIDATES TO RUN IN A SEAT THAT THEY KNOW THEY WILL LOSE BECAUSE THE REGISTRATION EDGE OF DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN IS SUCH THAT THEY CAN NEVER RISE ABOVE A CERTAIN LEVEL.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS VERY DISCOURAGING AND WHAT IT DOES, I THINK, IS IT JUST DIMINISHES CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE BOARD.

PEOPLE DON'T FEEL THAT THEY HAVE POWER TO CHANGE THINGS IN SANTA FE.

SO, THEREFORE, YOU KNOW, WHY SHOULD THEY PARTICIPATE IN THOSE ISSUES, IN THOSE ELECTIONS.

>> Lou: YOU MENTIONED THIS BRIEFLY.

BUT, PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND ABOUT COMPETITION IN THOSE VERSUS IN THE GENERAL AND HOW ARE THOSE COMPETITIVE RACES IN PRIMARIES RATHER THAN IN THE GENERAL, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT POLITICAL DISCOURSE, WITHIN PARTIES AND FOR VOTERS TOO.

>> Dede: WELL, THAT IS A KEY QUESTION, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE REAL JUICE IS NOW.

THE REAL JUICE IS IN PRIMARIES.

AND WHILE THERE ARE A LOT OF UNCONTESTED SEATS IN GENERAL ELECTIONS, BETWEEN THE REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS, THERE ARE MORE AND MORE CONTESTED PRIMARIES.

THAT IS A NATIONAL TREND.

THAT IS NOT JUST IN NEW MEXICO.

SO, IN THE SENATE, THIS YEAR, 26% OF THE SEATS ARE CONTESTED IN PRIMARIES.

AND, LET'S SEE, IN THE HOUSE, I THINK IT IS 17% ARE CONTESTED IN PRIMARIES.

SO, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE DEBATE BECOMES DIRECTED TOWARD THE FRINGES.

SO IN ORDER TO GET ELECTED IN A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY YOU HAVE TO GET THOSE VOTERS ON THE FRINGE.

AND IN ORDER TO GET ELECTED IN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, IN A SAFE DISTRICT, LET'S SAY LIKE THE NORTH VALLEY, WHERE I WAS THE SENATOR, YOU HAVE TO PLEASE THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE FRINGES, WHO ARE ALSO MOST ACTIVE VOTERS IN PRIMARIES.

SO, WHAT DOES THAT DO?

WELL, IT ELECTS MORE EXTREME CANDIDATES ON EITHER SIDE AND THEN ONCE THEY ARE ELECTED, BECAUSE THEY USUALLY FACE NO GENERAL ELECTION OPPOSITION, THAT MAKES COMPROMISE, COALITIONS MUCH MORE UNLIKELY DURING THE SESSION.

SO, IT SORT OF MAKES THE PARTISAN DIVIDE DEEPER AND IT ALSO, I THINK, HAS AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE IN THE MINORITY PARTY, AND EVEN SOME IN THE MAJORITY PARTY, TO NOT WANT TO BE LEGISLATORS ANYMORE BECAUSE IT IS TOO VICIOUS.

IT IS TOO FRUSTRATING ON EITHER SIDE TO HEAR THE SAME IDEOLOGICAL REMARKS, ALL THE TIME, RATHER THAN THE MORE PRACTICAL EFFORTS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT THE STATE FACES.

>> Lou: OKAY.

SO WE HAVE ESTABLISHED -- WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRATS WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE MAJORITY IN EITHER THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE.

>> Dede: I SAY THAT OF THE OPEN SEATS THERE ARE NOT MANY SWING SEATS BUT SOME OF THE DISTRICTS WHICH HAVE INCUMBENTS, SITTING INCUMBENTS, ARE SWING DISTRICTS.

SO, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CORRALES DISTRICT IN ALBUQUERQUE, WHICH HAS AN INCUMBENT THERE, A DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT, THAT IS A SWING DISTRICT.

AND THE -- SOME OF THE SEATS UP IN THE HEIGHTS OF ALBUQUERQUE THAT HAVE INCUMBENTS, I WOULD SAY, SENATOR MARTIN HICKEY'S DISTRICTS, FOR EXAMPLE, SENATOR MARK MOORE'S DISTRICT, THAT IS A VACANCY SEAT BUT HICKEY'S IS -- HE IS THE INCUMBENT.

THAT COULD BE A SWING SEAT TOO.

AND ALSO DOWN IN -- DOWN NEAR SOCORRO, TARA JARAMILLO, HER SEAT WILL BE CONTESTED BY, YOU KNOW, THE LONG TIME REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE WHO RAN FOR GOVERNOR AND LOST.

SO, THOSE SEATS CAN BE SWING AS WELL.

>> Lou: OKAY.

>> Dede: IT IS NOT PREORDAINED BUT IF I WAS TO BET I WOULD BET THAT THERE WILL NOT BE THAT MUCH CHANGE IN THE NUMBERS IN EITHER THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE.

>> Lou: UNDERSTOOD.

IF THE MAJORITY AND MINORITIES DO STAY THE WAY THEY ARE RIGHT NOW, WHAT WILL THIS ELECTION SAY OR WHAT COULD THIS ELECTION SAY ABOUT WHAT KIND OF MINORITY DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> Dede: WELL, YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICANS WHO WIN IN THE GENERAL ELECTION ARE IN THE MINORITY -- FIRST OF ALL, YOU SHOULD LOOK AT WHO WINS IN THE PRIMARIES TO SEE HOW THINGS WILL SHAKE OUT DURING THE SESSION.

TO SEE WHO IS ELECTED.

ONE TREND THAT IS KIND OF DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, I THINK, IS THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING FROM THE HOUSE TO THE SENATE.

WE ARE SEEING THAT AND THERE ARE TWO HOUSE MEMBERS NOW THAT ARE RUNNING FOR THE SENATE, NATALIE FIGUEROA AND CANDY EZZELL.

THERE IS ONE HOUSE MEMBER THAT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SENATE, GREG NIBERT FROM THE ROSWELL AREA.

AND THERE IS MO MAESTAS WHO WAS IN THE HOUSE.

THAT IS KIND OF A COUNTER TREND THAT IS KIND OF NEW.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO FACTOR THAT IN BUT IT COULD BE -- I MEAN, I THINK THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM WILL BE THAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL GET MORE EXTREME AND DEMOCRATS WHO FACE PRIMARIES, AND REMEMBER FOUR YEARS AGO A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATIC SENATORS WERE SWEPT OUT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.

AND SO EVERYTHING COULD GET A LITTLE BIT MORE PARTISAN.

>> Lou: LET'S STICK WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

ARE THERE ANY FACTIONS FORMING WITHIN THE PARTY?

I SPOKE WITH THE STATE LAND COMMISSIONER A LITTLE BIT EARLIER ON THE SHOW AND SHE WAS HOPING FOR AN INCREASE IN THE RATE THAT WE CHARGE FOR OIL AND GAS LEASES.

THAT GOT THROUGH THE HOUSE, STOPPED IN THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

IS THAT SOME SORT OF EXAMPLE ABOUT THE MORE ENTRENCHED VOICES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY COMING OUT ON TO AND IS THERE ANY INTERNAL IDEOLOGICAL FIGHT GOING ON HERE?

>> Dede: I THINK YOU SEE IN THE HOUSE SOME DISCONTENT AMONG CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS WITH THE GENERAL LIBERAL AGENDA THERE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO REALLY CARRY THROUGH TO THE SENATE.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FAILURE OF OIL AND GAS RATE INCREASES, YOU REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE POWER OF THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY MAKE AND THE LOBBYISTS THEY FIELD ON BOTH THE REPUBLICAN AND THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

SO, THAT MAY NOT BE THE ISSUE, I THINK, OF DIVISION BETWEEN, FOR EXAMPLE, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS AND CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS.

BUT THERE ARE OTHERS, YOU KNOW.

GUN CONTROL, FOR EXAMPLE, WOULD BE ONE, I THINK.

AND ABORTION.

THOSE TWO HAVE TYPICALLY BEEN ISSUES THAT HAVE APPEAL TO FEW, IN THIS CASE, A FEW, MAYBE FIVE OR SIX CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS IN BOTH THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE.

AND THAT HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS.

>> Lou: CONSIDERING EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, WHAT DOES ALL THIS SAY ABOUT THE NATURE OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN NEW MEXICO?

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SERVICE VOTED 9-3 TO FUND A SIX MILLION DOLLAR STUDY ON MODERNIZATION.

THAT, OF COURSE, INCLUDES PAYING LAWMAKERS.

HOW WOULD THAT CHANGE MANY OF THINGS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT TODAY FROM COMPETITION TO VOTER INTEREST TO IDEOLOGIES FOR LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES.

>> Dede: START OFF WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SO MANY OF THE SEATS NOW THAT ARE UNCONTESTED.

THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO RUN.

THEY THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A LOSING PROPOSITION FINANCIALLY AND ALSO BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WIN.

NOW, THE DATA ABOUT MODERNIZATION OF THE LEGISLATURE SAYS THAT IF YOU PAY LEGISLATORS, IF THEY HAVE A STAFF, WHICH THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE NOW FOR RANK AND FILE LEGISLATORS, THEN, MORE PEOPLE WILL WANT TO RUN.

BECAUSE IT WILL BE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BE A SENATOR AND TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE.

AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO SACRIFICE YOUR BUSINESS.

YOU WON'T HAVE TO COMPLETELY SACRIFICE YOUR FAMILY LIFE.

SO, THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

THERE WILL BE MORE CONTESTED ELECTIONS.

WILL THEY BE MORE COMPETITIVE?

WELL -- AND WILL THE COMPOSITION OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CHANGE?

PROBABLY NOT AS LONG AS THE LEGISLATURE IS DRAWING THE` LINES TO PROTECT INCUMBENTS, THEN THAT WILL SORT OF FREEZE THE MAP.

SO THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE MORE CONTESTED ELECTIONS AND MORE CIVIC PARTICIPATION, THE OUTCOME MAY NOT BE THAT DIFFERENT.

IT IS WORTH DOING FOR MANY REASON, THOUGH, AND MANY OF THEM BOIL DOWN TO YOU WANT TO MAKE IT -- YOU WANT TO REWARD PUBLIC SERVICE.

YOU WANT TO MAKE IT MORE HUMANE FOR PEOPLE TO SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE DURING LONGER SESSIONS WHERE THEY ARE NOT UP ALL NIGHT FOR THREE NIGHTS MAKING BAD DECISIONS BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY IT IS SET UP.

>> Lou: THANK YOU SO MUCH DEMOCRATIC FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN.

>> Dede: THANKS LOU.

>> Lou: AS WE NEAR THE END OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, WE WANT TO SHARE A PORTION OF A PREVIOUSLY AIRED INTERVIEW WITH THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON ALBUQUERQUE CITY'S COUNCIL, NICOLE ROGERS.

AFTER WINNING A RUN OFF ELECTION LAST FALL, ROGERS BEGAN HER TENURE REPRESENTING DISTRICT 6, ALBUQUERQUE'S SOUTHEAST HEIGHTS, IN JANUARY.

I ASKED ROGERS ABOUT HER PRIORITIES FOR THE DISTRICT AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS IMPACTING HER CONSTITUENTS.

ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCILOR NICOLE ROGERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> Rogers: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> LOU: NOW, WE ARE NEARLY TWO MONTHS INTO YOUR FIRST YEAR AS A CITY COUNCILOR FOR ALBUQUERQUE.

HOW HAVE THOSE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS GONE AND WHAT CONCERNS HAVE YOU HEARD FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS BOTH IN YOUR CAMPAIGN AND SINCE YOU HAVE TAKEN OFFICE.

>> Rogers: SURE, YES, THANK YOU.

TWO MONTHS.

IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE BEEN HERE A LOT LONGER, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

AND I THINK THE BIGGEST DEADLINE FOR US WAS OUR CAPITAL REQUEST FOR THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE SESSION THAT JUST CAME IN.

SO I PROMISED TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND WE REALLY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

RIGHT AFTER THE RUNOFF ELECTION, DECEMBER 12, AFTER CHRISTMAS I WENT RIGHT INTO THE OFFICE TO START GETTING -- JUST GETTING A HANDLE ON WHERE WE WERE IN OUR DISTRICT.

ASKING THE DEPARTMENTS TO GIVE ME A LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED AS FAR AS PROJECTS, WHETHER IT IS PARKS, ROADS, STREETS, HOUSING, WHATEVER PROJECTS ARE SLATED FOR OUR DISTRICT, GIVE ME A LIST OF THOSE, HOW MUCH FUNDING DO WE ALREADY HAVE?

HOW MUCH FUNDING DO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FINISH THESE PROJECTS SO I CAN MAKE THOUGHTFUL REQUESTS TO OUR LEGISLATURE.

SO, MET THE DEADLINE BY JANUARY 11, GOT SWORN IN JANUARY 2.

AND REALLY JUST HAVE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, MAKING SURE I GET BACK TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, TO BEGIN TO KIND OF BEGIN TO SET OUR DIRECTION FOR WHERE WE WANT TO GO IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

SOME OF THE THINGS I HEARD, I THINK THEY REALLY HAVEN'T CHANGED FROM THE CAMPAIGN TO NOW, WHICH IS HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING, PUBLIC SAFETY, STILL A BIG CONCERN FOR ESPECIALLY MY DISTRICT.

AND POVERTY IS REALLY THE OTHER ONE THAT I HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON, NOT JUST IN ELECTION BUT NOW JUST TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON WHAT THE CITY IS DOING FOR POVERTY.

WHICH IS NOT TOO MUCH.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK THERE TO DO, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE DISTRICT 6 -- ALL OF THE POVERTY FOR BERNALILLO COUNTRY IS REALLY CENTERED IN DISTRICT 6.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> Lou: THOSE THINGS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, IS THERE SOMETHING SPECIFIC AMONG THEM THAT INSPIRED YOU TO RUN IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT YOU WANTED TO GET ACCOMPLISHED.

>> Rogers: YEAH, FOR ME, I REALLY WANTED TO ALIGN THE COMMUNITY VOICE WITH THE CITY'S PRIORITIES.

YOU KNOW, HAVING WORKED IN THE CITY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND BEING A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND REALLY DOING COMMUNITY WORK, I OFTEN SAW THOSE PRIORITIES NOT ALIGNING.

AND I REALLY DIDN'T SEE REPRESENTATION FOR ME.

AND SO THAT IS REALLY WHAT INSPIRED ME TO SAY, YEAH, WHY NOT, WHY NOT ME?

SO, I JUMPED IN THE RACE LATE, LAST CANDIDATE TO GET IN THE RACE.

WE HAD SIX TO START AND FOUR ENDED UP ON THE BALLOT AND THEN HAD TO DO A RUN OFF, YEAH.

>> Lou: SPEAKING OF THAT REPRESENT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN SERVING ON THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL?

>> Rogers: I FEEL THE WEIGHT OF THE RESPONSIBILITY, I THINK, IS THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND.

IT IS SAD THAT IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG, SO, BUT I REALLY, DURING THE CAMPAIGN, I DIDN'T PUSH THAT UP AS MUCH AS I THINK MOST PEOPLE WANTED ME TO.

I WANTED PEOPLE TO CHOOSE ME BECAUSE I AM SMART, I HAVE EXPERIENCE, LIVED EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT COULD REALLY HELP US ALIGN MORE OF THE CITY'S PRIORITIES WITH THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES.

SO, I JUMPED IN AND I AM EXCITED THAT I DID.

IT WAS A LOT BUT I AM EXCITED.

>> Lou: I AM SURE IT IS HARD TO BALANCE THOSE THINGS.

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM BLACK RESIDENTS IN YOUR DISTRICT BUT ACROSS THE WHOLE CITY TOO ABOUT WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR THEM TO SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED ON THE CITY COUNCIL?

>> Rogers: YEAH, I THINK THAT WAS THE MOST OVERWHELMING MOMENT IN THE SWEARING IS TO SEE HOW MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAME TO SEE ME GET SWORN IN, PEOPLE COMMENTING THAT THEY HAD THE SAME FEELINGS THEY FELT WHEN THEY WATCHED OBAMA GET INTO OFFICE, WHICH WAS LIKE, WHOA, CAN'T EVEN FATHOM THAT FOR MYSELF.

BUT REPRESENTATION MATTERS, IT REALLY, REALLY DOES.

SO, TO BE IN THE LINE OF GREATS LIKE, YOU KNOW, DR. LENTON MALLORY AND OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN THE FIRST IN OUR STATE, IS AN HONOR BUT I AM WEIGHED DOWN BY WANTING TO DO A GOOD JOB.

>> Lou: EARLIER THIS MONTH YOU AND COUNCILOR RENEE GROUT SPONSORED A BILL TO CREATE A WORKING GROUP TO REIMAGINE THE CITY'S MOTEL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

HOW EXACTLY DOES THAT PROGRAM WORK NOW AND WHAT PROBLEMS DID YOU SEE THAT YOU WERE HOPING TO ADDRESS?

>> Rogers: RIGHT NOW WE DON'T -- WE HAVE MOTEL VOUCHERS FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SOME TRAUMA.

SO, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE KIND OF SITUATIONS, UNSHELTERED, FOLKS WHO ARE JUST HAVING A GAP AND SO THAT IS TYPICALLY WHAT MOST OF OUR VOUCHERS, HOTEL VOUCHERS, ARE USED FOR.

BUT WHAT I DON'T SEE IS MORE COLLABORATION AMONG NOT ONLY CITY DEPARTMENTS BUT THE HOTELIERS THAT ARE ACCEPTING THOSE VOUCHERS, MAKING SURE WE ARE TAKING THEIR NEEDS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE ARE HOUSING FOLKS THAT ARE IN TRAUMA IT COULD POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, CAUSE SOME ISSUES FOR SOME OF THE HOTELIERS.

SO WE WANT TO BRING A TEAM TOGETHER BOTH WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE WHO HAVE USED THE VOUCHER SYSTEM, PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADMINISTERED VOUCHERS AND HOTELIERS WHO CAN COME TOGETHER AND REALLY TALK ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THAT A BETTER PROCESS FOR FOLKS SO WE CAN MAXIMIZE THE DOLLARS WE HAVE FOR THAT, WHICH IS QUITE A BIT.

WE HAVE, I WANT TO SAY, OVER FIVE MILLION FOR MOTEL VOUCHERS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE USE THEM IN THE RIGHT WAY TO HELP PEOPLE OVER THE GAP BUT ALSO TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE THINGS THAT OUR HOTELIERS ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH TOO.

>> Lou: DURING LAST FALL'S RACE, YOU CAMPAIGNED ON INTRODUCING A PILOT UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PROGRAM TO ADDRESS POVERTY IN THE CITY.

WHAT EXACTLY WOULD THIS PROGRAM LOOK LIKE AND HAVE YOU HAD ANY PROGRESS INTRODUCING IT INTO COUNCIL?

>> Rogers: WE HAVEN'T INTRODUCED IT YET.

THE GREAT THING IS WE ALREADY HAVE THE GROUNDWORK LAID FOR THIS.

PREVIOUSLY IN MY WORK WITH CANNABIS EQUITY, ACTUALLY LEGISLATION THAT COUNCIL DID PASS AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, SAID WE COULD USE TAX REVENUE FROM CANNABIS FOR A PILOT FOR UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME.

THAT GROUNDWORK IS ALREADY LAID.

RIGHT NOW I'M PULLING FOLKS TOGETHER LIKE ALBUQUERQUE FOR GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME THAT I AM TO BE ENGAGING.

I'M RESEARCHING WHETHER PILOTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE IN OUR STATE SO WE CAN PUT TOGETHER A REALLY GOOD PILOT FOR ALBUQUERQUE.

I AM LOOKING TO BE SMART AND HAVE SOME ALIGNMENT WITH SOME OF OUR OTHER ISSUES IN THE CITY, SPECIFICALLY HIRING FOR LIKE POLICE, FRONT LINE FIREFIGHTERS, BUS DRIVERS, IS DOING IT FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED AT CNM IN THESE PROGRAMS.

SO, SAYING, HEY, LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY DOING SOMETHING TO FURTHER YOUR LIFE, YOUR CONTRARY, GIVE YOU A LITTLE BASIC INCOME TO HELP YOU GET OVER THAT HUMP IN THE HOPES THAT YOU COME WORK FOR US AFTER YOU GRADUATE.

THAT IS KIND OF WHAT I AM FLOATING AROUND WITH THE COMMUNITY TO SEE HOW THAT WOULD FLUSH OUT BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GREAT WAY FOR US TO DO TWO THINGS AT THE SAME TIME, WHERE WE ARE HELPING FOLKS OVER THE HUMP BUT HOPEFULLY GETTING MORE HIRES INTO OUR TOUGH-TO-FILL JOBS AT THE CITY.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE STRATEGY SESSIONS AROUND POVERTY AND AROUND THE UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME IN MARCH.

SO THOSE DATES ARE ALREADY ON OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN GO TO THESE.

YOU CAN RSVP TO COME AND HELP GIVE INPUT.

I DON'T WANT TO COME UP WITH ALL THIS MYSELF.

I WANT TO BE FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY HELPING ME DECIDE ON THESE PLANS BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Lou: I WANT TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO APD'S DWI UNIT.

HOW HAS THE SITUATION IN YOUR ESTIMATION AFFECTED PUBLIC TRUST IN POLICE, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT 6 WHERE POLICE HAVE A HISTORICALLY STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC?

>> Rogers: ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THAT DEFINITELY SET US BACK.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY DOING WORK WITH TRYING TO STRENGTHEN THOSE RELATIONS WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND POLICE, I THINK THIS DEFINITELY THE TRUST HAS BEEN LOST.

I THINK WE WERE MAKING SOME STRIDES, BUT THIS DEFINITELY SET US BACK.

THERE IS JUST NO OTHER WAY TO SAY IT, IT IS THE TRUTH.

SO, NOW, WE HAVE TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT THAN WE ARE USED TO.

WE HAVE TO BE OPEN AND NOT BE AFRAID TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

>> Lou: NOW, WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT STORY, OF COURSE.

BEYOND WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED ALREADY, WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN PRIORITIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR TERM AS YOU FINISH UP YOUR FIRST TERM OR START YOUR FIRST TERM.

>> Rogers: I THINK FOR ME THE PRIORITIES ARE ALIGNING THE CITY'S BUDGET WITH THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES.

MY DISTRICT DESPERATELY NEEDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND I WANT TO BE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT I MEAN BY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BECAUSE WHAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR ME AND WHAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR YOU COULD BE DIFFERENT.

SO, WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING ON THE ENTIRE INCOME SPECTRUM AND IN MY DISTRICT WE NEED LOW INCOME HOUSING.

EVEN SOME PARTS OF MY DISTRICT, WE NEED OTHER HOUSING PRICE POINTS.

AND SO, FOR ME, I REALLY WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO IN OUR DISTRICT TO ACTUALLY MEET THAT GAP, NOT JUST FOR LOW INCOME OR WHAT WE CALL AFFORDABLE, BUT FOR FOLKS WHO CAN AFFORD MORE.

IF YOU CAN AFFORD A MILLION DOLLAR HOUSE, IT IS HARD TO FIND ONE, RIGHT?

THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HERE AND IT IS KIND OF PUSHING EVERYBODY BACK DOWN THE LINE, SO WE NEED HOUSING ON ALL SPECTRUMS.

I AM INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH -- WE HAD SOME DEVELOPERS THAT PURCHASED THE TWO BIG TALL BUILDINGS, THE OLD BANK BUILDING ON SAN MATEO AND CENTRAL FOR HOUSING.

THEY WANT TO DO MARKET RATE AND AFFORDABLE.

SO, I AM EXCITED TO SEE ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE FOOD INSECURITIES THAT WE NEED TO TACKLE RIGHT AWAY.

I AM LOOKING AT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH WALMART.

CAN WE BUY THE WALMART THAT CLOSED?

WE ARE LOOKING AT WALGREEN'S ACROSS THE STREET TO SEE IF WE CAN PURCHASE THAT.

TO TRY TO GET SOME FRESH FOOD THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, EITHER WITH FARMERS, THROUGH THE FARMERS MARKET, SO THEY CAN BE THERE ALL WEEK, NOT JUST ON THE WEEKEND.

OUR FARMERS ARE SAYING THEY HAVE A LOT OF WASTE.

LET'S FIX THAT AND GET SOME FOOD THERE IMMEDIATELY.

SO, FOOD DESERT, HOUSING, PUBLIC SAFETY IS A REALLY BIG ONE AND ENCAMPMENTS IN MY DISTRICT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A STABILITY SITE AND WE DON'T.

GATEWAY IS SUPPOSED TO BE THAT BUT, AGAIN, IF WE ONLY HAVE ONE CONTRACTOR WHO IS HANDLING ALL OF HOMELESSNESS FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, THAT IS WHY WE CAN'T DO MORE AT THE GATEWAY BECAUSE THAT PARTICULAR CONTRACTOR CAN'T HANDLE ANYMORE.

AND SO WE HAVE TO DO AND I AM REALLY FOCUSED ON WOULD ELSE IN THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP DO THIS WORK AND HOW CAN I GET SOME TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THEM TO BE ABLE TO JUST RESPOND TO THOSE REQUESTS THAT WE HAVE FOR HELP, ESPECIALLY WITH HOMELESSNESS.

I ALSO REALLY WANT TO SAY TO OUR COMMUNITY, TOO, THAT WE NEED EVERYONE TO COME TO THE TABLE TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS, THAT WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO AGREE ON, BUT LET'S TALK CONSENSUS.

I DON'T LOVE IT BUT I CAN LIVE WITH IT BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME TOUGH THINGS FACING OUR COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AND A STABILITY SITE IS SOMETHING WE REALLY NEED HERE ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT 6.

>> Lou: CITY COUNCILOR NICOLE ROGERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR BEING HERE ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Rodgers: THANK YOU SO MUCH >> lou: THANKS TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS THIS WEEK, INCLUDING ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCILOR NICOLE ROGERS.

YOU CAN WATCH THAT ENTIRE PREVIOUSLY AIRED INTERVIEW ON THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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