REPORT FROM SANTA FE IS MADE POSSIBLE, IN PART, BY GRANTS FROM THE NEW MEXICO MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, A BETTER NEW MEXICO THROUGH BETTER CITIES AND FROM >>LORENE: HELLO, I AM LORENE MILLS, WELCOME BACK TO REPORT FROM SANTA FE .

WE ARE KIND OF DOING AN INTERESTING SHOW TODAY BECAUSE I HAVE INVITED TWO EXCELLENT, NEWLY ELECTED, WELL THEY HAVE BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS, LAWMAKERS TO LOOK AT THIS EARLY POINT, A COUPLE OF WEEKS INTO THE SESSION AND TO TELL US WHAT THEIR REACTIONS ARE AND TO LET US KNOW THE WONDERFUL BILLS THAT THEY ARE INTRODUCING THAT THEY MIGHT LIKE A LITTLE SUPPORT WITH.

WE ARE STARTING TODAY WITH SENATOR CRYSTAL DIAMOND, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>CRYSTAL: GOOD AFTERNOON, LORENE, IT IS A PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU.

>>LORENE: IT IS A PLEASURE.

YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN FROM DISTRICT 35 AND YOU HAVE FOUR COUNTIES.

>>CRYSTAL: I DO, I HAVE FOUR COUNTIES, I REPRESENT THE BOOT HEEL OF NEW MEXICO - HIDALGO, LUNA, THE WESTSIDE OF DONA ANA AND MY HOME, SIERRA COUNTY.

>>LORENE: YES.

I HAVE LOVED YOUR RESUME BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH WORK WITH CONSERVATION GROUPS IN SOIL AND WATER.

GIVE US A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT THE THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH.

>>CRYSTAL: I AM THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE SIERRA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND LIKE ALL SOIL AND WATER DISTRICTS WE DO GOOD WORK, PUTTIN CONSERVATION DOLLARS ON THE GROUND, WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR FARMERS AND RANCHERS, THAT'S MY BACKGROUND.

I AM A PROUD GRADUATE FROM NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE COLLEGE OF AG, I WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN 4H AND FFA AND TODAY MY YOUNG DAUGHTERS, AGES 13 AND 14, ARE ALSO INVOLVED.

>>LORENE: OH, THAT IS WONDERFUL, AND YOU HAVE BEEN WITH THE NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS, THE FARM BUREAU.

JUST A WONDERFUL STRATA WITH MANY TENACLES AND REALLY IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP PROTECT OUR SOIL, WATER, AIR, ANIMALS, AND PEOPLE!

>>CRYSTAL: AND GROW OUR FOOD!

I AM STILL ACTIVELY ENGAGED, I STILL SIT ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BOTH INVOLVED WITH FARM BUREAU AND THE NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE DOING GREAT WORK UP HERE DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>LORENE: ABSOLUTELY.

WELL LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF YOUR BILLS BECAUSE YOU'RE DOING GREAT WORK THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TOO.

THERE ARE A LOT OF BILLS ABOUT KEEPING KIDS SAFE.

WHAT I FOUND WAS ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE YOU HAVE VIDEOS EXPLAINING THINGS, IT IS WONDERFUL, IT'S SO CLEAR, YOU'RE A REALLY GOOD COMMUNICATOR AND SOME OF THESE ISSUES ARE A LITTLE COMPLICATED AND YOU EXPLAIN THEM VERY WELL.

SO I WANT PEOPLE, IF THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE THEY CAN FIND YOU ON FACEBOOK.

THERE ARE SOME BILLS THAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU ARE HERE RECENTLY, LIKE A COUPLE OF YEARS LAWMAKER, HOW DOES IT FEEL THIS SESSION, HAS ANYTHING PROVEN TO BE DIFFERENT THAN YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WHEN YOU CAME UP HERE?

>>CRYSTAL: YOU KNOW, I WILL TELL YOU, NOT DIFFERENT, BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I WAS CAMPAIGNING, I RECOGNIZED THAT THE DIVIDE IN SANTA FE WAS NOT REPUBLICAN VERSUS DEMOCRAT BUT RURAL VERSUS URBAN.

AND IN MY SHORT TIME SERVING AS A LEGISLATOR, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE GAP DOESN'T JUST EXIST, BUT IT IS WIDER THAN I BELIEVED.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE ARE AS DIFFERENT BY PARTISAN VIEWS BUT REALLY FROM THE AREA OF NEW MEXICO THAT WE REPRESENT.

MY CONCERN IS THAT SO OFTEN LEGISLATION THAT IS INTRODUCED MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR URBAN AREAS - ALBUQUERQUE, SANTA FE, BUT WHAT IS NOT CONSIDERED IS THE IMPACT OF WHAT THAT WILL DO TO RURAL NEW MEXICO AND OFTEN IT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE IMPACT THAT YOU WILL SEE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY.

>>LORENE: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE BILLS.

NOW HERE IS ONE THAT PERHAPS THE URBAN PEOPLE WILL NOT UNDERSTAND, TALK TO ME ABOUT SB199, LIVESTOCK LARCENY.

>>CRYSTAL: LIVESTOCK LARCENY, SENATOR PAT WOODS, MY FAVORITE COWBOY HERE IN THE ROUNDHOUSE AND I TEAMED UP - WHERE IS THE MESSAGING POINT FOR THIS?

WHEN YOU STEAL ONE HEAD OF CATTLE, YOU WERE CHARGED WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF CONSEQUENCES AS IF YOU STOLE 20 HEAD OR 30 HEAD.

THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU STEAL THAT PROPERTY IS THAT YOU ARE IMPACTING SOMEONE'S LIVELIHOOD, THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE A LIVING AND TO FEED AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY.

WE BROUGHT THAT BILL FORWARD TO SHOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED EQUAL ATTENTION TO THE CRIMES THAT ARE BROUGHT BEFORE OUR FARMERS AND RANCHERS WHEN YOU STEAL AWAY THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE A LIVING, JUST AS WE ADDRESSED THE CRIMES THAT ARE HAPPENING BY STEALING CARS OR PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN BIG CITIES.

>>LORENE: YES, ARE THERE ANY OTHERS PARTICULARLY RURAL BILLS THAT YOU ARE INTRODUCING, I WANT TO GO TO YOUR CHILD BILLS, BUT ARE THERE ANY OTHER RURAL BILLS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

>>CRYSTAL: THERE IS A GREAT EFFORT TO BRING SOME DOLLARS, YOU KNOW, I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO SIT ON THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

I AM ALSO FORTUNATE TO BE SERVING IN A TIME WHEN WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF MONEY, NOT JUST AN INFLUX OF FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT CAME IN, BUT THANKS TO OUR STRONG OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY WE'RE SITTING ON ALMOST FOUR BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND.

THAT IS GREAT FOR NEW MEXICO, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED ALSO TO OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

NOW WE ARE HERE ON THE HEELS OF ONE OF THE WORST FOREST FIRES THAT WE SAW IN MY DISTRICT, THE BLACK FIRE, WE HAD A HORRENDOUS FIRE THAT TOOK PLACE UP NORTH AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO REBUILD THOSE COMMUNITIES AND TO RESTORE AS MUCH AS WE CAN OF THE DAMAGED FOREST AND OUR NATIONAL RESOURCES.

WE ARE STARTING TO COME TOGETHER AS LAW MAKERS THAT REPRESENT RURAL AREAS AND THOSE AREAS THAT WERE JUST DEVASTATED TO INSURE THAT DOLLARS ARE PUT ON THE GROUND.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMING FORWARD TO FIGHT FOR RURAL ISSUES, THE DISBURSEMENT OF WHERE WE ARE GOING TO PLACE OUR MONEY IS AN ISSUE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MONEY LEAVES ALBUQUERQUE AS WELL.

>>LORENE: AND SO YOU HAVE DONE WONDERFUL THINGS, LAWMAKERS, BECAUSE THE FEDS SAID, "DON'T WORRY, WE WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING," AND THAT WAS WAY BEYOND MANANA.

AND SO THE STATE AND WITH YOUR GUIDANCE, SAID WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THIS MONEY NOW AND WE WILL GET REIMBURSED BY THE FEDS, BUT YOU CAN'T BE WAITING FOR WATER, FOR THE YEAR AND A HALF, TWO YEARS IT IS GOING TO TAKE THE FEDS.

>>CRYSTAL: NO, AND AS YOU KNOW THOSE FLOODS CAME JUST AS SOON AS THE FIRES ENDED AND SO NOT ONLY WERE THEY IMPACTED BY THE FIRES BUT THEN THE FLOODS.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, AND WE NEED TO GET THOSE DOLLARS ON THE GROUND TO HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>>LORENE: YEAH.

THE BILLS THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP KIDS SAFE, THERE ARE SO MANY THAT, ONE I WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IS THE BILL ABOUT CHILD CUSTODY HEARINGS.

IF THE CHILD IS TAKEN AND PUT IN THE CUSTODY OF CYFD, THEY HAD TO HAVE A HEARING WITHIN 72 HOURS BECAUSE SOME KIDS WERE GETTING LOST IN THE SHUFFLE AND IT WOULD BE MONTHS.

>>CRYSTAL: YOU'RE CORRECT.

I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I CAME, WE TALKED ABOUT MY BACKGROUND IN AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, I KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITHIN CYFD AND SOME OF THE MOST HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE CASES THAT WE'VE HEARD NATIONWIDE ARE COMING OUT OF NEW MEXICO.

THESE CASES SPOKE TO ME, NOT AS A LAWMAKER, BUT AS A MOTHER AND SO AS LEGISLATORS WE MUST COME TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN SAFE.

I AM HAPPY TO INTRODUCE THIS BILL WITH SENATOR IVEY-SOTO AND WHAT WE WERE FINDING OUT IS IN SOME OF THESE TERRIBLE CASES OF CHILD ABUSE, THERE HAD BEEN 15, 16, AS MANY AS 18 CYFD REPORTS, BUT THE COURTS NEVER HEARD ABOUT IT AND THAT CASE NEVER WENT BEFORE A JUDGE AND SO THEY WERE NEVER PART OF THE CYFD SYSTEM OFFICIALLY BECAUSE THEY NEVER WENT TO SEE THE COURTS TO GET THE RESOURCES THAT WE FIGHT SO HARD FOR AS LEGISLATORS TO PROVIDE.

AND SO WE HAVE GOT TO FILL THAT GAP, THIS BILL WILL DO THAT.

IT WILL ENSURE THAT WHEN A CHILD IS REMOVED FROM A HOME, AS MUCH AS A POLICE REPORT IS ENOUGH TO PRESENT PROBABLE CAUSE.

A JUDGE NEEDS TO LEARN ABOUT THIS CASE, DETERMINE IF THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO MOVE THAT CASE ALONG SWIFTLY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS AND NOT 10, SOMETIMES 20 DAYS BEFORE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE EYES ON THE CHILD.

>>LORENE: OH, AND FOR A CHILD THAT 20 DAYS IS LIKE YEARS.

>>CRYSTAL: WELL AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING IS IN SOME OF OUR TERRIBLE CASES THEY WERE BEING KILLED IN THE MEANTIME.

WE HAVE LOST SOME CHILDREN AND WE ARE HOPING THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN IN NEW MEXICO.

WE ARE TRYING TO IDENTIFY THE GAPS IN THE SYSTEM, GO IN THERE, BRIDGE THOSE GAPS SO THAT WE ARE NOT LOSING KIDS THROUGH THE CRACKS IN THE SYSTEM.

>>LORENE: WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT, IT IS SO DISTURBING AND THERE WAS A RECENT CASE AT THE CYFD OFFICES AND YOU ARE JUST GOING COULD IT GET ANY CLOSER, COULD IT GET ANY MORE RAW, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY HAS TO PROTECT CHILD "PROTECTIVE" SERVICES, THEY ARE NOT PROTECTING THE KIDS.

>>CRYSTAL: THE REALITY IS CYFD IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB, WE ARE FAILING OUR NEW MEXICO CHILDREN RIGHT NOW.

WHAT I LOVE IS THE BIPARTISANSHIP, WE HAVE GREAT BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD BY SENATOR KATIE DUHIGG, BY SENATOR GAY KERNAN, BY MYSELF, IVEY-SOTO, REPRESENTATIVES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CHAMBER WHO ARE ALSO BRINGING FORWARD BILLS, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT PARTY LABEL YOU HAVE, IT IS OUR JOB TO PROTECT THESE KIDS.

AND IF THE AGENCY THAT WE FUND AND SUPPORT ISN'T DOING THEIR JOB, WE ARE GOING TO COME IN, IDENTIFY THE HOLES AND WORK TO FILL THOSE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING OUR CHILDREN RIGHT.

>>LORENE: AND, WHILE WE HAVE ALL THIS EXTRA MONEY THERE, I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING MORE HEALTH AND EDUCATION AND KIDS, THAT'S WHERE ANYTHING EXTRA WE HAVE SHOULD GO.

>>CRYSTAL: KEEP THOSE KIDS SAFE AND ALL CHILDREN, NOT JUST THOSE IN CYFD SYSTEM.

>>LORENE: OH NO.

>>CRYSTAL: ONE OF MY FAVORITE EFFORTS THIS YEAR IS SENATOR PADILLA, WHO IS BRINGING HEALTHY MEALS, FREE HEALTHY MEALS STATEWIDE.

I AM A REPUBLICAN, I AM THE FIRST ONE TO SUPPORT THAT BILL.

>>LORENE: YEAH.

>>CRYSTAL: MY DISTRICT HAS HAD FREE MEALS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND WORRY ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT MEAL.

>>LORENE: RIGHT, YEAH AND EVEN IN THE SUMMER ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DID BECAUSE OF COVID THEY WEREN'T IN SCHOOL, BUT THEY WOULD PACK UP LUNCHES AND A PARENT COULD DRIVE, WITH WHO KNOWS HOW MANY KIDS IN THE CAR, EVERY KID IN THE CAR GOT A LUNCH AND THEY WOULD DRIVE AWAY WITH IT, JUST TO BE SURE TO KEEP KIDS HEALTHY AND TO KEEP THEIR BRAINS DEVELOPING.

>>CRYSTAL: FOR SOME CHILDREN IT'S THEIR ONLY MEAL, IT'S THEIR ONLY MEAL THAT DAY AND SO WE'VE GOT TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WE ARE RAISING GOOD, HEALTHY KIDS BECAUSE THAT IS THE FUTURE OF NEW MEXICO, RIGHT THERE.

>>LORENE: ANOTHER THING THAT YOU ARE DOING TO BE SURE THAT THESE KIDS ONCE THEY ARE OLDER AND OUT IN THE WORLD ARE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE WORLD OF FINANCE, WITH TAXES, JOBS, ALL THIS STUFF.

AND SO YOU HAVE A BILL TO HAVE FINANCIAL EDUCATION BE A REQUIREMENT FOR GRADUATION WHAT IS A CHECK, HOW DO YOU WRITE OUT A CHECK, WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU JUST USE YOUR CREDIT CARD ON ANYTHING YOU WANT, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

>>CRYSTAL: WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES, RIGHT?

WE NEED GOOD FINANCIAL, THIS FINANCIAL LITERACY BILL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION WOULD JUST MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE LEARNING WHAT IT IS TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF MONEY, WHAT IT IS TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, I AM JUST BRINGING THAT BILL TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, BUT I KIND OF BELIEVE THAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO TAKE THE CLASS BEFORE YOU BECOME A LEGISLATOR.

>>LORENE: WELL, THAT IS TRUE.

>>CRYSTAL: IT IS, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF THIS MONEY.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THAT WISELY.

>>LORENE: WELL, YOU KNOW MY GURU IN ALL THIS IS YOUR PREDECESSOR, SENATOR JOHN ARTHUR SMITH AND HOW MANY, HE SPENT 32 YEARS AS THE HEAD OF SENATE FINANCE AND HE WOULD ALWAYS, YOU'VE GOT ALL THIS EXTRA MONEY, BUT BE SURE IT ISN'T GOING ALL TO RECURRING EXPENSES BECAUSE THE TIDE GOES IN AND THE TIDE GOES OUT.

WE MAY NOT HAVE THAT MONEY.

>>CRYSTAL: RIGHT, HE IS SO RIGHT.

DR. NO IS NOT HERE, IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO HOLD THIS SEAT THAT HE DID.

JOHN ARTHUR SERVED THIS STATE FOR SO LONG TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN'T SPENDING MORE THAN WE GOT AND HE IS RIGHT.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY IS THAT WE HAVE A LARGE INFLUX OF MONEY AND WE ARE FORTUNATE, BUT AS WE PUT THAT OUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PRIORITIZING ONE-TIME EXPENSES, NONRECURRING EXPENSES.

GREAT EXAMPLES WOULD BE INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE OUR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR ROADS... >>LORENE: BRIDGES.

>>CRYSTAL: OUR BRIDGES, THINGS THAT HAVE LONG BEEN IGNORED.

THE DANGER IS THAT WHEN LEGISLATORS BRING FORWARD APPROPRIATIONS THAT WILL GROW GOVERNMENT AND WILL LOCK US INTO RECURRING EXPENSES.

>>LORENE: RIGHT, TEACHER RAISES, AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU JUST CAN'T TELL WHAT'S AROUND THE BEND.

>>CRYSTAL: YOU CAN'T PROMISE.

YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT AND AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE SO DEPENDENT ON OIL AND GAS IS THAT WHEN THAT INDUSTRY INEVITABLY FALLS, LET'S HOPE IT DOESN'T ANYTIME SOON, BUT IT WILL.

WHEN IT FALLS WHAT IS REALLY PAINFUL FOR NEW MEXICO IS TO LAY PEOPLE OFF, TO MAKE THOSE HARD CUTS AND WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID HAVING TO BE IN REALLY STICKY SITUATIONS SOON.

>>LORENE: WOULD YOU CALL OUT TO OUR AUDIENCE AND TELL THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW AND HOW THEY CAN BE INVOLVED.

>>CRYSTAL: YEAH, LET ME JUST REMIND YOUR AUDIENCE THAT WE SERVE YOU, EVERY LEGISLATOR, EVERY ONE OF OUR VOTES IMPACTS ALL OF NEW MEXICO.

MY VOTE HAS AS MUCH OF AN INFLUENCE ON YOUR COMMUNITY AS THEIR LEGISLATORS' VOTE DOES.

AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING IS THAT YOU ENGAGE, THE ROUNDHOUSE IS WIDE OPEN, THERE ARE NO VACCINE REQUIREMENTS, DOORS ARE OPEN.

COME IN HERE, TELL US YOUR ISSUES AND YOUR CONCERNS AND HOW THIS LEGISLATION WILL IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK PEOPLE OFTEN THINK THAT THEIR VOICE IS IGNORED, THAT IS NOT TRUE, WE JUST DON'T HEAR YOU.

WE WELCOME YOU TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS, I REPRESENT RURAL NEW MEXICO, I LOVE THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE BY ZOOM.

>>LORENE: YES.

>>CRYSTAL: SO PLEASE LOG IN, COME HERE, LET US HEAR YOU, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING GOOD BY ALL NEW MEXICANS.

>>LORENE: AND GO ON YOUR COMPUTER TO NM FOR NEW MEXICO, L-E-G-I-S DOT G-O-V NMLEGIS.GOV.

>>CRYSTAL: YES.

>>LORENE: AND YOU CAN WATCH EVERY COMMITTEE HEARING, YOU CAN WATCH THE FLOOR SESSIONS AND YOU CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE, YOU CAN TESTIFY TO COMMITTEES ONLINE FROM YOUR HOME.

>>CRYSTAL: JOIN THE CONVERSATION AND HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE THAT WE HAVE.

SO, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US AND THANK YOU FOR ENCOURAGING YOUR VIEWERS TO BECOME PART OF THE PROCESS AND COME TO THEIR HOME.

>>LORENE: WELL I AM DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE COME TODAY, OUR GUEST TODAY IS SENATOR CRYSTAL DIAMOND, A REPUBLICAN FROM DISTRICT 35.

YOU HAVE TAUGHT US SO MUCH, I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU COMING, THANK YOU.

>>CRYSTAL: WELL, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, COME SEE >>LORENE: NOW WE ARE JOINED BY SENATOR HAROLD POPE JR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>HAROLD: THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>LORENE: WELL I HAVE BEEN ASKING LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS TO LOOK AT THIS SESSION AND WHAT IS GOING ON AND TO LET US KNOW HOW IT IS DIFFERENT AND HOW IT IS WORKING FOR YOU.

BUT I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT FROM DISTRICT 23, WHICH IS NORTHWEST ALBUQUERQUE, KIND OF BERNALILLO COUNTY AREA.

YOU ARE A RETIRED UNITED STATES AIR FORCE OFFICER WITH 20 YEARS IN THE MILITARY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>>HAROLD: OH, YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>LORENE: AND NOW YOU ARE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AS A LAWMAKER.

>>HAROLD: I AM, YES.

>>LORENE: I WELCOME YOU.

YOU ARE ALSO THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN SENATOR IN THE NEW MEXICO SENATE IN 108 YEARS >>HAROLD: YES.

>>LORENE: WELCOME, THANK YOU.

>>HAROLD: THANK YOU.

>>LORENE: SO YOU HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY WITH THESE BILLS BUT TELL ME IN GENERAL, HOW IT FEELS, HOW IS THIS SESSION LOOKING, IT IS WHAT, YOUR THIRD SESSION?

>>HAROLD: THIRD SESSION.

>>LORENE: YEAH.

HOW IS IT GOING?

>>HAROLD: YOU KNOW I THINK IT IS GOING WELL.

ONE THING THAT IS UNIQUE FOR THIS SESSION YOU KNOW IN '21, OF COURSE, COVID AND THEN IN '22, WAS A 30 DAY, WE STARTED OPENING BACK UP BUT WE STILL WEREN'T BACK TO ALL THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND LIKE THE EVENTS WE HAD TODAY, LIKE AFRICAN AMERICAN DAY, AND THE JOINT SESSIONS.

SO WE ARE GETTING A FILL OF THAT AND HOW THAT WORKS, BUT ALSO, THE EVENTS AT NIGHT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE THE DINNERS AND THE EVENTS AND SOMETIMES IT IS THREE OR FOUR GOING ON EVERY NIGHT AND YOU ARE TRYING TO HIT EACH ONE AND DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO THERE.

SO IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE TOUGHER IN THE SENSE OF MANAGING YOUR TIME.

THE FIRST FEW SESSIONS, BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS LOCKED DOWN, YOU HAD A LOT MORE TIME TO JUST GET HOME, FOCUS ON YOUR BILLS, FOCUS ON THE NEXT DAY'S WORK, AND NOW YOU JUST HAVE TO REALLY MANAGE YOUR TIME A LITTLE MORE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IT IS GREAT SEEING PEOPLE, TALKING WITH PEOPLE AND NOT JUST DEALING WITH EMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES.

I THINK THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR SOMEONE COMING TO YOU TO TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE.

>>LORENE: YEAH.

>>HAROLD: OR TO ADVOCATE FOR SOMETHING AND THEN TO TELL YOU THEIR STORY FACE TO FACE AND I AM HAPPY THAT WE ARE AT LEAST, I KNOW WE ARE NOT PAST COVID, BUT WE ARE IN A PLACE TO WHERE WE CAN SAFELY MEET AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

>>LORENE: IN BETWEEN THE IMMUNIZATIONS AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY HAD IT.

>>HAROLD: YES.

>>LORENE: YOU KNOW THE RISK IS ACTUALLY DIMINISHING, THERE IS STILL ALWAYS A RISK.

>>HAROLD: YES.

>>LORENE: BUT I AM HAPPY TO SEE PEOPLE BECAUSE STRANGE AND WONDERFUL ALLIANCES CAN BE FORMED WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF YOUR ISSUES.

I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE BILLS THAT YOU HAVE HAD A LOT TO DO WITH, SB226, THE DIVERSITY ACT AND WE JUST HAD SENATOR LOPEZ ON WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE DIVERSITY ACT.

SO CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT THAT WILL DO FOR THE STATE?

>>HAROLD: YOU KNOW, PUTTING SOMEONE WITHIN OUR STATE TO REALLY BE THAT CHIEF OFFICER POSITION TO LOOK AT THAT AND TO LOOK AT OUR AGENCIES AND TO REALLY SEE HOW WE ARE DOING AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BEING INCLUSIVE, NOT JUST ON RACE BUT JUST MAKING SURE THAT THERE ARE NO BARRIERS FOR ALL NEW MEXICANS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN OUR STATE.

YOU KNOW, IT GOES BACK TO EQUITY, BUT IT ALSO GOES BACK TO THE SYSTEMS AND THE INSTITUTIONS AND THE WAY THEY WERE BUILT.

WE MENTIONED AT THE START RIGHT, THAT I AM THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN STATE SENATOR.

THE REALITY IS, IN SOME OF OUR AGENCIES AND SOME OF THESE PLACES, THEY WEREN'T BUILT FOR EVERYONE, RIGHT?

SO WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THERE AREN'T THE BARRIERS THAT ARE STILL THERE AND THAT IS NOT TO CALL OUT PEOPLE OR TO SAY, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE WRONG OR YOU DID THIS, BUT IT IS TO SAY THE REALITY THAT SOME OF THESE AGENCIES WERE NOT BUILT FOR WOMEN, WERE NOT BUILT FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE REALLY BEING INCLUSIVE IN OUR STATE.

BUT WE NEED A STATE OFFICER OR SOMEONE IN CHARGE TO LOOK AT THAT ACROSS THE BOARD AND NOT LEAVE IT TO JUST TO CABINET SECRETARIES OR THE AGENCY PERSONNEL, THE BOSSES, TO LOOK AT THAT IN DETAIL.

>>LORENE: YEAH AND THAT'S WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS, THAT THERE WOULD BE A CENTER OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, THAT WILL THEN HAVE LIAISONS WITH EACH AGENCY AND REMIND THEM, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE UP AGAINST IS NOT JUST RACE, GENDER, THE LETTERED COMMUNITY, ABILITY, DISABILITY, THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCRIMINATION.

>>HAROLD: YES.

>>LORENE: AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THAT A LOT OF THE BIASES ARE UNCONSCIOUS.

AND SO TO GET PEOPLE TO EVEN SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING, IT IS REALLY CHALLENGING AND A LOT OF THIS STUFF THEY LEARNED WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG AND THEIR DADDY DID IT THIS WAY AND THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT THAT WAY.

AND WE HAVE A CHANCE TO EMBRACE THE WORLD AND BE ALL INCLUSIVE, EVERYONE HAS A GIFT FOR US.

>>HAROLD: AND I THINK YOU BROUGHT UP THE BIASES, RIGHT?

AND I THINK EVEN FOR SOMEONE WHO IS NOT BEING RACIST OR DISCRIMINATORY, WE TEND TO HANG AROUND PEOPLE THAT ARE LIKE US.

AND SO THAT IS A BIAS TO WHERE THAT IS THE CASE, WHAT HAPPENS IN THE WORKPLACE, THAT IS WHO YOU ARE GOING TO TEND TO HIRE, THAT IS WHO YOU ARE GOING TO PROMOTE, RIGHT?

AND SO I THINK THAT IS WHERE THIS WILL BE A BIG HELP IN UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER AND GETTING PAST THAT.

>>LORENE: AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS A BURDEN FOR NEW MEXICO NOW AND PART OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS THE VIOLENT RHETORIC THAT PEOPLE ARE USING AND INCITING PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT QUITE BE SO WELL BALANCED TO ACT VIOLENTLY BASED ON WHAT THEY HEAR WITH THE VIOLENT RHETORIC.

SO THE SOLUTION OF SITTING TOGETHER AND TALKING WITH PEOPLE YOU DON'T AGREE WITH, WITH NOBODY SHOOTING UP ANYBODY'S HOUSE.

I SEE, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU FEEL, I DON'T FEEL THAT WAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT OTHER WAYS OF HANDLING IT.

>>HAROLD: YES.

AND I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU KNOW WE CAN DO HERE IS GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.

SOMETIMES THE RHETORIC AND EVERYTHING CAN GET OUT OF HAND, AND I WILL TELL YOU, I AM HERE, YOU KNOW, WE SEE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA, WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN POLITICS, YOU KNOW REPUBLICAN VERSUS DEMOCRAT.

YOU DON'T REALLY SEE THAT AMONGST OURSELVES, EACH OTHER, YOU KNOW, ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AND PART OF THAT IS THAT ONCE YOU GET TO KNOW SOMEONE IT IS HARD TO JUST MAKE THOSE CLAIMS OR SAY THEY'RE THIS AND THAT.

ONCE YOU REALLY GET TO REALLY KNOW SOMEONE THEN YOU CAN HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THOSE DEBATES AND EVEN IF SOMEONE DOESN'T LIKE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, IF THEY HEAR YOUR STORY AND WHY YOU BELIEVE THAT WAY AND WHERE THAT COMES FROM, YOU HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING AND WHILE THEY MAY NOT AGREE WITH YOU OR YOUR LEGISLATION, THEY'RE AT LEAST ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR YOU AS A PERSON AND AN INDIVIDUAL.

AND I THINK THAT IS ALL WE CAN HOPE TO GET.

>>LORENE: AND SOMETIMES IT IS REALLY EYE OPENING WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE'S STORIES.

THAT'S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE AND WHEN THERE ARE BILLS, MANY KINDS OF BILLS WHEN PEOPLE COME AND TESTIFY AND HEAR YOUR STORY I THINK THE MOST MOVING SERIES FOR ME WAS WHEN WE PASSED AID IN DYING, THE COMPASSIONATE AID IN DYING AND THE STORIES THAT EVEN LAWMAKERS WERE TELLING, IT WAS LIKE OH MY GOSH.

THE PAIN THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH AND IF WE CAN MAKE THAT EASIER FOR EVERYONE AND NOW IT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

>>HAROLD: YES.

>>LORENE: YOU HAVE, LET'S TALK ABOUT KIDS A LITTLE BIT.

YOU MADE SOME BILLS THAT CHANGED THE RECORDING OR THE CALIBRATION OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

ONE THING YOU DID I THOUGHT WAS SO, TALK ABOUT EMPATHY, YOU WANTED SB283 TO REDUCE SUSPENSIONS AND EXPULSIONS FOR KIDS UNDER SECOND GRADE.

>>HAROLD: YES.

>>LORENE: TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT.

>>HAROLD: SO WE ACTUALLY INTRODUCED THAT BILL TODAY, WE DIDN'T VOTE ON IT.

THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT HAVE SOME ISSUES, AND WE WANT TO WORK ON SOME THINGS, BUT REALLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE REALLY BEING PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE.

IF WE LOOK AT K-12 AROUND THE COUNTRY AND WE CAN EVEN LOOK HERE, THAT SUSPENSIONS, EXPULSIONS ARE REALLY AT A HIGH RATE OF STUDENTS OF COLOR, NATIVE AMERICANS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

AND SO WE ARE LOOKING, WITH THIS BILL, WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING ALL THIS FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD, YOU KNOW PRE-SCHOOL AND WE LOOK AT THAT FROM AGE ZERO TO BEFORE THEY HIT KINDERGARTEN.

SO WE WANT TO INSURE THAT THOSE TYPES OF DISCIPLINE ARE MEASURES THAT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THEM NOT ONLY AS STUDENTS BUT WOULD ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOOL TO THE PRISON PIPELINE.

AND SO WE WANT TO BE REACTIVE TO SAY, "NO, WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT TO THESE KIDS."

AND WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA RIGHT NOW, BUT WE SEE NATIONALLY WHAT HAPPENS IN SOME OF THE PRESCHOOLS.

SO WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO IS SAY THERE ARE STILL SUSPENSIONS BUT WE ARE LIMITING IT TO THREE DAYS, WE ARE LIMITING WHEN YOU CAN SUSPEND BUT THEN ALSO TO COLLECT THE DATA ON WHAT IS GOING ON TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS AREN'T BEING SUSPENDED THE MOST AND BEING HARMED AND SO THAT IS WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO.

>>LORENE: THAT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE DATA TO SEE HOW THIS AFFECTED THESE LITTLE KIDS.

AND WILL HE ALWAYS HAVE THAT STAIN, THAT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HIM.

WHICH IN A WAY SOMETIMES KIDS RISE UP TO THAT AS A CHALLENGE.

>>HAROLD: AND PEOPLE ARE KIND OF SHOCKED LIKE SUSPENSION OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD?

BUT I MEAN WE NEED TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, THAT IS HAPPENING IN PRE-SCHOOLS OR DAYCARE CENTERS, RIGHT, IT CAN HAPPEN.

AND WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IS THIS JUST A CHILD, IS THIS SUSPENSION WORTHY, BUT REALLY, WE ARE REALLY MOVING THE NEEDLE HERE IN THE STATE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD, SO WE REALLY HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT SYSTEM IN PLACE TO PROTECT OUR KIDS.

>>LORENE: YEAH, WELL I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE EXTRA MONEY, ALTHOUGH MY GURU, JOHN ARTHUR SMITH, SAYS, "DON'T PUT IT IN RECURRING FUNDS."

BUT IF WE CAN HAVE SOME COUNSEL, SOME EXTRA COUNSELING, MORE PRO BONO HELP AND VOLUNTEERS.

>>HAROLD: I WILL SAY THE CONVERSATIONS TODAY, WHICH I THINK WE NEED TO ALSO TALK ABOUT TOO, IS WE ARE SAYING YOU KNOW TO NOT DO THESE LONG SUSPENSIONS AND LOOK AT THAT, BUT WHAT OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS CAN WE PROVIDE TO THESE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES, RIGHT, SO WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND THEN ALSO THE TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE DEALING WITH IT.

THERE IS ALSO THE BALANCE OF WHAT HAPPENS, IF THERE IS A CHILD, WE DON'T WANT HIM SUSPENDED BUT WE ALSO DON'T WANT A CHILD WHO IS TRULY BEING DISRUPTIVE TO THE OTHERS.

>>LORENE: YEAH.

>>HAROLD: SO THOSE SUPPORT SYSTEMS HAVE TO BE IN PLACE TO GET THIS CHILD THE HELP THEY NEED SO THEY ARE NOT ACTING OUT AS WELL.

>>LORENE: YEAH, AS THE TWIG IS BENT SO GROWS THE TREE.

YOU KNOW WE WANT TO GET THAT TREE GROWING TRUE AND STRAIGHT.

WELL, ONE OTHER THING.

THE POLICE DE-ESCALATION POLICIES WE HAVE SEEN GHASTLY OUT OF CONTROL, THERE IS A NEED FOR POLICE REFORM IN MANY, MANY COMMUNITIES, BUT YOU POSITED THE FACT THAT IF WE CAN STRESS MORE DE-ESCALATION POLICIES WE HAVE SEEN THE RECENT NATIONAL VIDEOS, NOBODY IS SAYING, "HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!"

EVERYBODY HAS BLOOD LUST AND SO HOW CAN WE, PARTICULARLY IN OUR NEW MEXICO POLICE DEPARTMENTS WORK MORE TO MANIFEST DE-ESCALATION POLICIES SO THAT THESE HORRIFIC THINGS DO NOT HAPPEN?

>>HAROLD: SURE, SO THE BILL THAT I INTRODUCED WITH REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO, SENATE BILL 252 AND WHAT WE ARE REALLY DOING IS WE WANT TO MANDATE DE-ESCALATION FIRST, OF COURSE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FORCE THAT IS USED IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE THREAT.

SO THAT IT IS NOT ESCALATING TO GUN FIRE OR ANY TYPE OF DEADLY FORCE.

>>LORENE: A TRAFFIC VIOLATION, NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DIE.

>>HAROLD: YES.

AND THEN WE ALSO WANT TO MANDATE THAT IF ONE OFFICER SEES ANOTHER OFFICER ACTING INAPPROPRIATELY, THAT THEY HAVE TO ACTUALLY INTERVENE.

BUT ALSO PROTECTIONS ON THE PERSON WHO INTERVENES BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW SOMETIMES IF THEY STEP IN, THEY MIGHT BE OSTRACIZED OR ATTACKED BACK IN THEIR AGENCY.

>>LORENE: YEAH, YEAH.

>>HAROLD: AND THEN YOU KNOW A DATABASE AND REPORTING.

BECAUSE WE ALSO, IF YOU ARE A BAD OFFICER, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST BE ABLE TO RESIGN AND GO WORK FOR ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

SOME OF THESE THINGS RIGHT NOW ARE BEING DONE IN SOME OF OUR AGENCIES BUT REALLY THE BASIS OF THE BILL IS A STATEWIDE STANDARD.

WHAT HAPPENS IN APD IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HAPPENS WITH HOBBS, SO WE JUST DO NOT HAVE A STATEWIDE STANDARD.

BEING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND SO I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT AND THAT WE ARE MAKING IT TOUGHER, BUT THEY REPRESENT US AND OUR COMMUNITY AND SHOULD ALSO FEEL SAFE WHEN WE MAKE A CALL THAT THEY ARE THERE TO TRULY PROTECT AND SERVE.

AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR, MOST OF THEM ARE DOING THAT AND THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB, THE MEN AND WOMEN HERE IN THE STATE POLICE ARE PROTECTING US AND MAKING US SAFE EVERY DAY.

>>LORENE: YEAH.

>>HAROLD: BUT I HAVE TALKED TO THE FAMILIES AND THERE ARE FAMILIES HERE AND THERE IS TRAGEDIES, THEY ALL DON'T HAVE VIDEOS, THEY ALL ARE NOT >>HAROLD: BUT WE HAVE HAD LOSSES HERE IN NEW MEXICO OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND IT IS NOT JUST HURTS THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY, THEY HAVE CHILDREN, THEY HAD KIDS >>LORENE: SO WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF OUR TIME, BUT I REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR SENATOR HAROLD POPE, JR., DEMOCRAT FROM DISTRICT 23.

I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU CAME TO TALK TO US TODAY AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME BACK LATER IN THE YEAR WHEN THE HEAT OF THE SESSION IS OVER.

>>HAROLD: I WILL, I WILL DEFINITELY COME BACK, THANK YOU.

>>LORENE: AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU OUR AUDIENCE FOR BEING WITH US TODAY ON REPORT FROM SANTA FE .

REPORT FROM SANTA FE IS MADE POSSIBLE, IN PART, BY GRANTS FROM THE NEW MEXICO MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, A BETTER NEW MEXICO THROUGH BETTER CITIES AND FROM