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

Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, SPECIAL SESSION CALLED.

HOW THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO ADDRESS RISING CONSUMER COSTS LIKE THE PRICE AT THE PUMP.

PLUS -- Hamman: THE SOUTHWEST IS DEFINITELY SHIFTING INTO MORE OF A POST CLIMATE CHANGE SORT OF WORLD FROM A WATER PERSPECTIVE.

Gene: WHAT THE NEW STATE ENGINEER IS DOING TO MAKE SURE WATER ACCESS IS RELIABLE WITH ANOTHER DRY YEAR AHEAD.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

WE ARE EXACTLY ONE WEEK AWAY FROM THE FIRST LEGAL SALES OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS IN NEW MEXICO.

OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE STATE ROLLOUT AND A CONCERN THAT A RUSH ON DAY ONE COULD LEAVE PATIENTS IN THE STATE'S MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM WITHOUT THEIR MEDICINE.

THAT IS IN ABOUT 25 MINUTES.

AFTER WHAT WAS HOPEFULLY ONE LAST SNOW IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, SIGNS OF SPRING FINALLY ARE HERE.

SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW, ENVIRONMENT REPORTER LAURA PASKUS TAKES US TO THE RIO GRANDE WHERE A PROGRAM TO PROTECT THAT HABITAT IS GROWING STRONGER EVERYDAY.

WE ARE LEARNING OF NEW ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AGAINST NEW MEXICO SENATOR DANIEL IVEY-SOTO.

MORE WOMEN HAVE COME FORWARD AFTER THE INITIAL COMPLAINT FROM FEMALE LOBBYISTS INVOLVING INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND ALCOHOL.

I'LL ASK THE LINE OPINION PANEL FOR REACTION ON THOSE ACCUSATIONS AND THE WAY LAWMAKERS AND LOBBYISTS INTERACT IN SANTA FE.

BUT FIRST, WE START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION SCHEDULED TO START APRIL 5.

THERE HAD BEEN SPECULATION THE GOVERNOR MIGHT TARGET CRIME OR HYDROGEN, BUT AFTER A LAST MINUTE DEAL TO CLOSE THE REGULAR SESSION, AND EXECUTIVE ACTION LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR SIGHTS ARE FIXED ON RISING CONSUMER COSTS.

WILL LAWMAKERS MAKE A MEANINGFUL CHANGE?

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

WELCOME TO OUR LINE OPINION PANEL THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE WITH US VIRTUALLY.

WELCOME BACK KRISTELLE SIARZA, CEO OF SIARZA SOCIAL DIGITAL, ONE OF THE GREAT SHOPS HERE IN TOWN.

FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND MINORITY WHIP DANIEL FOLEY IS BACK WITH US.

GOOD TO SEE YOU DAN AS ALWAYS.

AND EXCITED TO HAVE DAVE MULRYAN OF THE GROUP EVERYBODY VOTES BACK WITH US AS WELL.

DAVE, WELCOME TO YOU.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM CALLED FOR THIS SPECIAL SESSION SAYING SHE WANTS LAWMAKERS TO FIND ECONOMIC RELIEF FOR NEW MEXICANS, POINTING TO THINGS LIKE INFLATION AND HIGH GAS PRICES.

DAVE, LET ME START WITH YOU.

VERY BROAD QUESTION.

GOT SOME DETAIL TO COVER HERE.

IS LEGISLATION THE SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS?

Dave: YOU KNOW, I HOPE SO BECAUSE I AM STILL REELING.

SENATOR KATIE DUHIGG WHICH SHE IS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM ALBUQUERQUE, SHE WAS DOWN IN ROSWELL AND SHE PUT UP A PICTURE ON HER FACEBOOK SHOWING GAS FOR $8.20 A GALLON.

AND I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE EVERYONE JUMPED UP AND SAID THIS CAN'T BE TRUE.

SHE LIKE, LOOK, I JUST TOOK THE PICTURE MYSELF.

IT IS TRUE.

I CAN ASSURE YOU.

I MEAN, THIS KIND OF INFLATIONARY LIKE, YOU KNOW, $8.00.

IT IS LIKE BEING A SMOKER.

CIGARETTES USED TO BE 25 CENTS A PACK.

NOW THEY ARE $13 A PACK.

BUT, SMOKING IS A CHOICE IN SOME WAYS BUT, I MEAN, IT IS LIKE THE GAS HAS SO DRAMATICALLY INCREASED IN PRICE AND THE OIL HAS INCREASED SO MUCH IN PRICE.

I DO THINK, I HOPE THEY HAVE LIKE, YOU KNOW, DAN HAD MENTIONED, I HOPE THEY HAVE A PLAN.

AND I HOPE WE CAN EXECUTE IT QUICKLY AND IT IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE.

Gene: DAN, LETS GO RIGHT THERE.

CAN THIS BE EXECUTED QUICKLY?

THIS IS THINGS TO BE DISCUSSED HERE.

HOW LONG SHOULD THIS SPECIAL TAKE TO GET THROUGH THIS?

Dan: AS IS USUAL, GENE, AND WHY YOU ARE ONE OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS OUT THERE, YOU LOVE TO ASK THESE QUICK QUESTIONS THAT ARE SUPER LOADED.

SO, I MEAN, CAN IT BE ANSWERED?

I MEAN, WE COULD HAVE AN HOUR LONG SHOW ABOUT CAN THE LEGISLATURE SOLVE OUR ECONOMIC WOES WITH SPECIAL SESSION OR PASSING LEGISLATION.

I WOULD SAY THIS, WHEN THE DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS, THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ATTACK ON THE DEMOCRATS.

THEY ARE IN CHARGE IN NEW MEXICO.

RIGHT?

BUT ONE PARTY IS IN CHARGE OF THE LEGISLATURE AND EXECUTIVE, NORMALLY WHEN THEY HAVE SPECIAL SESSION, EVERYTHING IS GREASED.

YOU DON'T WANT TO EMBARRASS ANYBODY, RIGHT?

YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN AND HAVE THIS LONG DRAWN OUT FIGHT WHERE THE OPPOSITION PARTY SAYS, LOOK, THESE KNUCKLE HEADS CAN'T EVEN GET TOGETHER FOR A MEETING, VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE.

NORMALLY YOU COME TOGETHER FOR THESE THINGS.

THERE ARE LONG MEETINGS LEADING UP TO THIS AND WHEN THEY ANNOUNCE IT THEY HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE TO SAY HERE IS THE FIVE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO DO.

I WILL ALSO SAY, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO SAY, HERE IS FIVE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO DO AND I AM NOT SAYING THERE IS FIVE.

HYPOTHETICALLY.

HERE IS FIVE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO DO AND WE'LL SPEND A FEW HOURS LETTING THE MAJORITY AND MINORITY ARGUE OVER THESE BUT WE WILL PASS THESE FIVE THINGS AND WE'LL GET SOME MEDIA TIME ON THE TWO OTHER THINGS.

I WOULD SUSPECT THIS SPECIAL SESSION, YOU KNOW, WORKING WISE, PROBABLY LAST A DAY-AND-A-HALF AND TAKE THEM THREE OR FOUR DAYS TOTAL, BY THE TIME THEY GET THERE, THEY FORM, THEY GET THE COMMITTEE, THEY PRINT STUFF UP AND COME BACK IN, I WOULD SAY IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A THREE DAY MAX SESSION.

Gene: KRISTELLE, THERE IS A FEELING OUT THERE, THIS SPECIAL IS ABOUT APPEASING MEMBERS OF HER OWN PARTY, MEANING HER, OUR GOVERNOR, AFTER SHE VETOED THAT 50 MILLION-DOLLAR SPENDING BILL THAT INCLUDED MONEY FOR SENIOR CENTERS AND OTHER THINGS.

IS THAT REALLY, YOU KNOW, FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, DO YOU HAVE THAT SAME SENSE OF THIS?

Christine: I ACTUALLY DON'T.

GRANTED, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS LOOK AT WHAT IS IN THE BEST PUBLIC INTEREST AND I THINK IT WAS -- I CAN UNDERSTAND THE AMOUNT OF FRUSTRATION, BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE BILL, SB48, AND I THINK, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, YOU CALLED IT LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE BILL WHERE LIKE YOU HANG ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT CAPITAL OUTLAY AND DIFFERENT PROJECTS HERE AND THERE AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING STICKS.

I WOULD BE CURIOUS, THERE IS AN ORGANIZATION LIKE FORCE NEW MEXICO OR MAYBE EVEN US AT NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS CAN ACTUALLY PUT TOGETHER AND SEE WHERE THESE ACTUAL DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE SPENT.

THERE ARE SOME FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS.

THERE IS SOME LIKE THE ROSWELL SENIOR CENTER, HOBBS, TULAROSA BUT THERE IS ALSO THINGS LIKE AN INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE PROGRAM, THE NEW 66 WEST CENTRAL VISITORS CENTER THAT IS ON HERE.

IT WAS ALMOST LIKE SANTA'S WISH LIST, RIGHT?

IT IS A WISH LIST FOR ITEMS.

Gene: IS THAT A BAD THING, KRISTELLE?

Kristelle: IT IS AND IT ISN'T.

IT IS A BILL THAT NOBODY CAN SAY NO TO.

OF COURSE, THE OPTICS OF THE VETO WAS REALLY BAD FOR GOVERNOR WITHOUT A DOUBT.

I AM LOOKING AT THIS RIGHT NOW.

$100,000 TO COORDINATE REVISIONS TO THE FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTION ACT.

IF YOU'RE AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTION YOU HAVE GOT TO BE A PIECE OF WORK, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE AGAINST THIS.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE A CATCH 22.

YOU CAN'T VETO THIS BILL COMPLETELY BUT YOU ALSO HAVE -- IT IS MANAGING EXPECTATIONS AND MANAGING THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

I FIND THIS BILL VERY FASCINATING BECAUSE I AM CURIOUS TO SEE THE TRANSPARENCY OF IT ALL.

I EVEN KNOW THAT SOME OF THE FUNDING IS GOING TO BENEFIT SOME OF THE NONPROFITS THAT I AM A PART OF OR CAUSES THAT I CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT, SO IT IS KIND A CATCH 22 BILL THAT IS LIKE IF YOU SAY NO TO IT, YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT DETRIMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SOME OF THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES USE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU HAVE ALSO GOT $600,000 TO START YOUR DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENTS THAT MIGHT NOT NEED TO BE PRIORITIZED.

Gene: TIMING IS INTERESTING.

THE GOVERNOR KNEW ALL THAT STUFF WAS HEADED HER WAY, RIGHT.

IT WASN'T LIKE THEY DROPPED THIS BILL ON HER DESK AND SHE WAS LIKE, OH, MY GOSH, WHAT IS THIS?

SHE COULD HAVE FIRED A WARNING SHOT EARLY IN THE PROCEEDINGS AND SAID, GUYS, THE WAY YOU'RE GOING ABOUT THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

SHE DIDN'T CHOOSE TO DO THAT.

SO HERE WE ARE.

IT IS ALL VERY INTERESTING.

LET ME GO BACK TO THE REASON FOR SPECIAL AND THAT IS THE GAS TAX.

DAVE, LET ME ASK, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF ONE-TIME CHECKS OF 110 TO 160 FOR EACH TAX FILER OR TWICE THAT FOR COUPLES.

THERE IS A NUANCE DEPENDING ON YOUR INCOME, 75 GRAND, ALL THIS.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

MY PERSONAL OPINION IS WHOEVER LET THIS NUMBER OUT MADE A BIG MISTAKE, A HUGE MISTAKE.

HERE IS WHY.

WE ARE THE FIFTH LARGEST STATE IN THE UNION.

WE ALREADY KNOW IT IS KILLING THE RURAL PARTS OF OUR STATE.

RESIDENTS TRYING TO GET TO WORK ON GAS.

OTHER STATES ARE PROPOSING THREE TO FOUR TIMES THIS AMOUNT IN STATES THAT ARE VASTLY SMALLER THAN OURS.

SO, NOW WE GET THIS SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO INTO THE SPECIAL AND SAY, GUYS, WHOEVER PROPOSED THIS 110 WAS NOT THINKING CLEARLY.

WE NEED A WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY THAN THIS AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION, IN MY VIEW.

I AM CURIOUS WHAT YOU'RE THOUGHTS ARE ON THAT.

ROLLING OUT OF THIS NUMBER SO EARLY.

Dave: $136 TO BUY GAS AND GAS APPROACHING $10 A GALLON DOESN'T GET YOU VERY FAR.

IF YOU GO THROUGH ALL THE RIGAMAROLE OF HAVING A SPECIAL SESSION, IT IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD LITERALLY IN NEW MEXICO.

ON THE ONE HAND THE PRICE OF OIL BENEFITS THE STATE AND PRICE OF OIL HURTS PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS WHO HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH ON GAS FOR DRIVING.

LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY, I WOULD SAY GO BIG OR GO HOME.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE $1500, GIVE PEOPLE $2,000 DOLLARS.

MAKE IT SO THEY CAN IN RURAL AREAS.

IF WE HAVE THE MONEY AND IT APPEARS WE DO HAVE THE MONEY.

THE STATE IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE FISCALLY.

THE IDEA THAT IT IS ONE OF THOSE TYPES OF ECONOMIC INCENTIVES THAT IF YOU'RE A PERSON WHO NEEDS TO SORT OF THIS CAN COMPLIMENT A BUDGET AND YOU CAN SPEND IT, IT IS GOING TO BE AN IMMEDIATE STIMULUS TO THE ECONOMY.

THAT CANNOT BE A BAD THING.

Gene: DANIEL, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT PRICE, $110 BUCKS FOR SOMEONE THAT IS SPENDING 110 A WEEK ON GAS?

Dan: THIS IS THE QUESTION WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME, RIGHT.

I MEAN, WE ARE GOING TO BE SAFE BECAUSE THEY GET ONE WEEKS WORTH OF GAS.

WHY DON'T WE HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION TO TALK ABOUT WHY WE ARE IN THIS SITUATION.

WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHY GAS IS 7 OR $8 A BARREL.

WHAT CAN WE DO NOT ONLY IN NEW MEXICO BUT NATIONALLY TO ADDRESS THIS?

RIGHT?

WHY DON'T WE MEET AND PUT SOME PRESSURE FROM OUR STATE ON THE FEDS AND SAY, LISTEN, WE GOT TO OPEN UP -- WHATEVER THE ANSWER IS.

OBVIOUSLY THERE IS DIFFERENT OPINIONS OF WHAT THAT IS, I AM NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE CONVERSATION BUT I JUST THINK THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHY I DON'T THINK THE ANSWERS TO OUR PROBLEMS COME OUT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS NECESSARILY.

I THINK THEY CREATE BIGGER PROBLEMS, RIGHT.

WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM, WE THROW MONEY AT IT, WE'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY RIGHT NOW BUT DO NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

WE SEE IT WITH HOW WE DEALT WITH MENTAL HEALTH IN THE STATE, HOW WE DEAL WITH EDUCATION.

WE CAN RUN OFF 50 ISSUES OVER THE COURSE OF THE TIME JUST THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOW, LET ALONE SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE HAVE THIS MASSIVE ISSUE AND THE ANSWER IS THROW A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY AT IT AND WE'LL ALL KIND OF PUT SOME, LIKE THEY SAY, PUT SOME LIPSTICK ON THE PIG.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS STILL A PIG.

WE HAVE DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

THE REAL PROBLEM IS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT IT IS UNBELIEVABLY EXPENSIVE TO TRAVEL THROUGH A STATE THAT IS SUCH A POOR STATE AND THAT WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO GET JOBS IN PLACES WHERE THEY CHOOSE TO LIVE, WHERE THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET, DON'T HAVE GREAT PHONE SERVICE, DON'T HAVE GOOD ROADS, DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE.

THE ANSWER CAN'T BE, LET'S PAY FOR GAS FOR A WEEK SO YOU CAN DRIVE SOMEWHERE AND PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK AND ALL GO HOME.

Gene: KRISTELLE, FOLLOW-UP ON THAT, IF YOU WOULD.

IS THIS ENOUGH TO -- THERE IS POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS HERE FOR THE GOVERNOR, IT SEEMS TO ME.

LET'S SAY THE LEGISLATURE DOES THIS THING, THEY HAVE 110 BUCKS.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT.

THEY MAKE A BIG HOOP-TEE-DO AND IT DOESN'T DO MUCH POLITICALLY DOWN THE ROAD.

IT SEEMS TO ME YOU HAVE TO GO BIG HERE, AS DAVE MENTIONED, OR THERE IS NOT MUCH IMPACT POLITICALLY.

Kristelle: YEAH, FOR THOSE THAT ARE ELECTED, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHO IS IMPACTED THE MOST BY GAS PRICES.

IT IS NATIVE RESERVATIONS IN EASTERN NEW MEXICO, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE AMOUNT OF TRAVEL THEY HAVE TO DO, EVEN IF THEY HAVE -- THE AMOUNT OF TRAVEL THEY HAVE TO DO JUST TO SIMPLY LIVE, RIGHT.

GROCERY STORES ARE NOT JUST FIVE MINUTES AWAY.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE CONVENIENCE OF PLACES LIKE DOOR DASH AND INSTACART.

YOU HAVE GOT TO DRIVE 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR TO THE CLOSEST GROCERY STORE OR TWO HOURS TO THE NEAREST DILLARD'S.

SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BUT THEIR OPINION, WHAT THE CITIZENS OF RURAL NEW MEXICO, BASICALLY ANYBODY OUTSIDE OF ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE, SHOULD ABSOLUTELY OUTWEIGH WHAT THOSE IN LAS CRUCES, RIO RANCHO, VALENCIA COUNTY, ET CETERA.

THEIR OPINION MATTERS MOST.

SO I HOPE THE LEGISLATORS IN THOSE SPECIFIC AREAS SPEAK UP MORE AND FIND OUT WHAT THE COMMUNITY REALLY NEEDS BECAUSE I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IF YOU LIVE IN CUBA, NEW MEXICO WHERE THERE IS ONE LITTLE CONVENIENCE STORE AND YOU NEED THE NECESSARY GOODS FOR HOSPITAL, HEALTHCARE, DOCTOR VISITS, ET CETERA, TO BE DENIED THE ABILITY TO ACTUALLY DRIVE TO ALBUQUERQUE FOR YOUR DOCTORS' APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE GAS IS MONUMENTAL.

NO MATTER IF IT IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT MAKES THE CHANGE OR IF IT IS YOU AND ME, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THEIR OPINION ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD RECEIVE MATTERS MOST ABOVE ANYBODY ELSE'.

THAT IS MY GENUINE TAKE ON IT.

Gene: GOOD FINAL NOTE THERE.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THAT TOPIC THIS WEEK, BUT WE'LL WATCH WHEN THE SPECIAL STARTS APRIL 5.

WE'LL CHECK BACK IN WITH THE LINE PANEL IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT THE LEAD UP TO THE STATE'S FIRST LEGAL CANNABIS SALES.

Hurteau: IT IS MY HOPE THAT THESE AREAS BECOME BREEDING GROUNDS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND OTHER WILDLIFE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE BOSQUE.

Gene: NEW MEXICO HAS A NEW WATER BOSS UNDER GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, STATE ENGINEER MIKE HAMMAN ENVIRONMENT REPORTER LAURA PASKUS TALKS WITH THE LONG-TIME WATER MANAGER WHO TELLS US WHAT IS COMING THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF WATER CHALLENGES AND HOW NEW MEXICO MIGHT BE ABLE TO HANDLE A THIRD LA NINA IN A ROW ALONG WITH A WARMING CLIMATE AND EVEN MORE DEMAND ON THE STATE'S WATERS.

Laura: MIKE HAMMAN, WELCOME TO NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

Hamman: THANK YOU, LAURA.

VERY NICE TO SEE YOU.

Laura: I AM GOING TO DIVE RIGHT IN.

FORECASTS ARE SHOWING THAT WE MAY BE LOOKING AT A THIRD LA NINA IN A ROW.

HOW WORRIED SHOULD NEW MEXICANS BE ABOUT WATER RIGHT NOW?

Hamman: THERE ARE CERTAIN BASINS THAT ARE DOING REASONABLY WELL NEAR THE NORMAL SNOW PACK ENVIRONMENT OF THE NORTH.

YOU HAVE THE CHAMA BASIN AND THE UPPER COLORADO THAT IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

AS YOU GET FARTHER SOUTH IT DECLINES INTO THE 80'S, 70'S, 60% DEPENDING HOW FAR SOUTH YOU GO BUT IT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

EVEN WHEN WE HAD REASONABLE NORMAL PRECIPITATION IN PREVIOUS YEARS, FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE RUNOFF HASN'T PRODUCED LIKE IT NORMALLY DOES AND THAT SEEMS TO BE TRUE ALSO IN THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN WHERE WE BENEFIT FROM THE SAN JUAN CHAMA PROJECT AND ALSO THE SAN JUAN BASIN ITSELF HAS A LOT OF WATER USERS THAT RELY ON THAT SUPPLY ON THAT SIDE OF THE BASIN.

SO, THE SOUTHWEST IS DEFINITELY SHIFTING INTO MORE OF A POST CLIMATE CHANGE SORT OF WORLD FROM A WATER PERSPECTIVE.

Laura: LOOKING AT THE RIO GRANDE SPECIFICALLY, EL VADO IS EMPTY OR EMPTYISH FOR CONSTRUCTION REASONS.

WE LOOK AT ELEPHANT BUTTE AT ABOUT 11% CAPACITY RIGHT NOW.

HOW MUCH SLACK IS THERE IN THE SYSTEM?

Hamman: WHEN YOU REFER TO SLACK IN TERMS OF LIKE MEETING DEMANDS?

THERE IS LIKELY TO BE SOME SHORTAGES.

WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SHORTAGES IN THE RIO GRANDE PROJECT FROM ELEPHANT BUTTE FOR SOME TIME AND WE ALSO HAD EXPERIENCED SHORTAGES FROM THE RIO GRANDE BASIN LATE IN THE SUMMER LAST YEAR.

IF IT WASN'T FOR THE MONSOONS, FARMERS WOULD HAVE SUFFERED IN THE MIDDLE VALLEY FOR SURE.

THERE HAS ALSO BEEN SHORTAGES ON THE SAN JUAN CHAMA PROJECT, MUNICIPAL AND AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS FROM THAT PROJECT OCCURRING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

SO, WE ARE CERTAINLY IN -- THEY ARE CALLING IT A MEGA DROUGHT.

THAT IS KIND OF HARD TO DEFINE THAT TERM, BUT IT IS PERSISTENT FOR SURE.

AND THEN IF YOU HAVE KIND OF AVERAGE RISING TEMPERATURES, WHAT OCCURS IN THAT SITUATION IS YOU HAVE MORE DEPLETIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EVERY DEGREE AND EVERY TEMPERATURE RISE REQUIRES MORE EXPIRATION BY PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN GENERAL AND EVAPORATION FROM LAKES AND STREAMS SO YOU'RE HAVING THIS SITUATION WHERE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES CLIMBING CREATES MORE DEPLETIONS.

EVEN IF YOU HAD THE SAME WATER SUPPLY, YOU'RE STILL SEEING LESS AVAILABILITY.

Laura: WE HAVE SEEN PROBLEMS IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE PLAY OUT IN THIS BATTLE BETWEEN STATES AND ALSO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS NOW IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN LITIGATION.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE, ARE WE WITHIN OUR BUDGET, WITHIN OUR WATER RIGHTS OR COULD WE SEE SOMETHING SIMILAR PLAY OUT IN THE FUTURE IN THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE?

Hamman: SINCE THE RUNOFF OF 2019, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AN UNDER-DELIVERY TO THE ELEPHANT BUTTE OR RIO GRANDE PROJECT, AS WE CALL IT.

AS A RESULT OF THE INDEX GAUGE WE HAVE TO DELIVER A CERTAIN QUANTITY OF WATER AND THE IRONY OF A VERY HIGH RUNOFF IS THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO DELIVER A HIGH AMOUNT.

AND THAT YEAR WE UNDER DELIVERED FOR THE FIRST TIME -- WELL, ON AVERAGE CONSISTENTLY UNDER DELIVERED SINCE 2019.

SO, WE FIND OURSELVES IN A COMPACT DEBIT OF ABOUT 120 SOME ODD THOUSAND ACRE FEET, WHICH WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO ADDRESS WITH A PROGRAM.

THE LEGISLATURE AGREED TO A DROUGHT MITIGATION FUND THAT WILL ALLOW US TO TRY TO CATCH BACK UP AND MAKE OUR DELIVERIES TO ELEPHANT BUTTE IN ORDER TO NOT GET INTO A COMPACT VIOLATION SITUATION AT 200,000 ACRE FEET.

SO, THAT IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ME AND THE STATE THIS YEAR IS TO TRY TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS IN MAKING NOT ONLY THIS YEAR'S DELIVERY BUT CHIP AWAY AT THAT DEBIT.

AND EL VADO IS BEING RECONSTRUCTED, AS YOU MENTIONED, SO WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE CHIP AWAY AT THAT DEBIT AND THEN GET EL VADO BACK IN PLACE FOR FULL USE AND THEN WE'LL BE SOMEWHERE NEAR WHERE WE COULD OPERATE ON A NORMAL CYCLE, I THINK.

Laura: NEW MEXICO IS WRANGLING RIGHT NOW WITH WHAT TO DO ABOUT FOUR BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY AND WE HAD INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISOR MARTIN CHAVEZ ON THE SHOW RECENTLY TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE PRIORITIES.

I AM CURIOUS WHAT SPECIFIC PROJECTS WILL YOUR OFFICE BE PUSHING FOR OUR ADVOCATING FOR OR LAUNCHING WHEN IT COMES SPECIFICALLY TO WATER?

Hamman: THERE IS A STRONG UNDERSTANDING THAT RURAL NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND ON A LOT OF THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.

WE ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND WASTEWATER.

THAT IS MORE OF A NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT GROUP UNDER THEIR CONSTRUCTION BUREAU AND THEIR STATE REVOLVING FUND, BUT THERE IS A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR ALL THE AGENCIES WITH THE STATE ENGINEER'S OFFICE, NMED, ALSO THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY AND THE WATER TRUST BOARD PROCESS TO REALLY REVIEW WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRIORITIZE ALLOWING FOR THOSE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO APPLY FOR GRANTS, TO IMPLEMENT THEM, TO EVEN MANAGE THE CONSTRUCTION.

WE WANT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THIS FUNDING BOTH AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS IN ORDER FOR RURAL NEW MEXICO TO CATCH UP AND GET THEIR SYSTEMS IN ORDER.

AND ON OUR END, WE ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ADEQUATE WATER RIGHTS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF FOR THEIR 40-YEAR WATER OUTLOOK LIKE ALL OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE CAPACITY OR ARE ABLE TO DO, SO WE WANT TO REVERSE THAT TREND.

Laura: WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER, DAMS OFTEN COME UP AS THERE IS UNSAFE DAMS NATIONWIDE.

IS THAT REALLY A PROBLEM HERE IN NEW MEXICO?

Hamman: IT CERTAINLY IS.

YES, WE HAVE LOTS OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DAMS THAT ARE AGED OUT.

SOME OF THEM ARE FULL OF SEDIMENT.

THEY HAVE UNDERSIZED SPILLWAYS.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THOSE IN OUR DAM SAFETY OFFICE WHICH WE ARE REGULATORS ON DAM SAFETY ASPECTS AND WE HAVE NOTIFIED DAM OWNERS OF DEFICIENCIES THAT NEED TO BE CORRECTED.

BUT, THERE ARE FUNDS AVAILABLE AND WE ARE HOPING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT THE REGULATORY AGENCY CAN HELP MOVE SOME OF THESE COMMUNITIES TOWARDS FIXING THEIR PROBLEMS.

Laura: ONE OF KIND OF SOMETHING BACK TO THE SESSION, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP DURING THE SESSION THIS YEAR WAS CONVERSATIONS AROUND WHETHER THE STATE'S TOP WATER BOSS, YOU, WHETHER THAT SHOULD HAVE A REQUIREMENT THAT YOU'RE A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER.

I WAS WONDERING, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THE STATE'S TOP WATER OFFICIAL SHOULD BE A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER VERSUS HYDROLOGIST OR ATTORNEY?

Hamman: CERTAINLY, AS THE HISTORY HAS EVOLVED, YOU KNOW, THE ORIGINAL TERRITORIAL ENGINEER WAS ESTABLISHED PRE-1907.

THAT KIND OF SET THE PRIORITY ADMINISTRATION RULES UP.

AND IN THIS STATE FOR GOOD OR FOR BAD, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD ARGUE THAT IN MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS BUT THAT IS THE PROCESS THAT THE STATE CHOSE TO MOVE FORWARD ON AND THEY ESTABLISHED AN EXTENSIVE SUITE OF REGULATIONS AND STATUTES, SOME 50 OF THEM, THAT I KNOW OF, ACTUALLY CITE THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE ENGINEER TO CARRY OUT THE LAWS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF WATER IN NEW MEXICO.

SO, THERE COULD BE SOME -- YOU KNOW, TO DO IT IN A QUICK AND I WOULD CALL IT UNSTUDIED MANNER, WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF POSSIBLE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

I AM NOT NECESSARILY SAYING IT SHOULDN'T BE DONE BUT WE'RE TRYING TO SET UP A PROCESS WHERE IT COULD BE EVALUATED IN AN OPEN FORUM WITH PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE STATE WHERE THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO BE ISSUING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ESTABLISH A WATER POLICY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASKFORCE.

THAT SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

AND IN THAT VEIN WE'LL HAVE A GROUP OF FOLKS THAT WILL EVALUATE THOSE TYPES OF POLICIES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE INTERIM COMMITTEE PROCESS AND TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND ALSO TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE 50-YEAR WATER PLAN THAT IS DUE TO BE RELEASED IN JULY.

SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF US HERE IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS BUT WE CERTAINLY SEE THAT AS AN AVENUE TO ADDRESS THE ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE ENGINEER'S OFFICE AND WHETHER SOME OTHER MODEL LIKE WHAT IS DONE IN OTHER STATES MIGHT FIT THE BILL BETTER.

BUT WE DO NEED TO PLAN FOR THE 21ST CENTURY NEEDS BECAUSE WE HAVE 20TH CENTURY SORT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICIES AND LAWS THAT ARE GUIDING US INTO THE FUTURE AND IT IS TIME TO LOOK AT THAT.

Laura: SO, OVER THE YEARS YOU AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS.

YOU WERE WITH THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION FOR MANY YEARS AND THEN THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT AND I RECALL, LIKE, THROUGH MY REPORTING, YOU WERE ONE OF THE FIRST REALLY SORT OF TOP WATER OFFICIALS IN NEW MEXICO TO TALK OPENLY AND FORTHRIGHTLY ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND I AM CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE COURSE OF YOUR CAREER IN THESE VARIOUS WATER MANAGEMENT CAPACITIES, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHANGES THAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND HAD TO GRAPPLE WITH AS A WATER MANAGER?

Hamman: THE REALIZATION, OF COURSE, OF THE CHANGING WATER SUPPLY SITUATION HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FOLKS THAT PAY ATTENTION TO IT ON A ROUTINE BASIS.

I THINK THE PUBLIC IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, JUST NOW REALLY FULLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST AND THAT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE TO REALLY GET FOLKS TO UNDERSTAND THAT, YES, THERE ARE HYDROLOGIC REALITIES AND THINGS THAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE PLAN VARIOUS PROJECTS AND VARIOUS RESPONSES TO ENDANGERED SPECIES ACTS AND VARIOUS THINGS LIKE THAT TO TRY TO KEEP THINGS IN BALANCE, BUT TO ME THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE HAS BEEN THE FACT THAT THERE IS A WHOLE NEW SUITE OF DEMANDS ON THE SYSTEM.

THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE, IN TERMS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, WATERSHED HEALTH AND THE MAINTENANCE OF FLORA AND FAUNA WITH JUST THE RIPARIAN ENVIRONMENT AND ALL THE NECESSARY THINGS TO HAVE A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM, BUT IT IS MAINTAINING THAT BALANCE IN A DECLINING WATER SUPPLY SITUATION, WHILE KEEPING THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURES OF NEW MEXICO THAT IS JUST SO SPECIAL COMPARED TO ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY, INTACT BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE HAVE EVOLVED AS COMMUNITIES WITH THE ACEQUIA COMMUNITIES AND OUR TRIBAL AND PUEBLO CULTURES KIND OF COMMINGLING OVER THE CENTURIES INTO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY, WHICH IS A VERY MODERN ROBUST KIND OF SOCIOECONOMIC STRUCTURE THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE SUPPORTED WITH THE BASICS LIKE WATER AND FOOD SECURITY AND SHELTER.

EVERYBODY NEEDS THAT, RIGHT?

SO, THAT, BALANCED WITH THE GROWING DEMANDS AND MEETING FEDERAL LAWS UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE STAY OUT OF COURT, YOU KNOW, YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON LITIGATION, AND WE COULD BE USING IT FOR GOOD PROJECTS AND THINGS TO HELP ADVANCE OUR WATER SUPPLY NEEDS, IS THE MAIN CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

FOR SURE.

Laura: SO KIND OF FINAL WORDS, WHEN IT COMES TO WATER, WHAT MISTAKES CAN WE JUST NOT AFFORD TO MAKE RIGHT NOW?

Hamman: UNDERESTIMATING THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS DROUGHT.

WE NEED TO PLAN FOR THAT AND WE NEED TO BE OUT AHEAD OF IT AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

WE NEED TO REVIEW OUR POLICIES AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROCEDURES AND OPERATING PLANS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY IN THE SYSTEM TO ADAPT QUICKLY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I JUST GOT OFF A CALL ON COLORADO RIVER OPERATION.

WHAT IF LAKE POWELL DROPS BELOW THE POWER POOL?

THAT COULD HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE RENEWABLE ENERGY THAT WE ARE USING IN THE SOUTHWEST.

WHILE WE ARE SIMULTANEOUSLY DECOMMISSIONING COAL FIRED POWER PLANTS, RIGHT?

SO, THERE COULD BE SOME REAL SERIOUS PROBLEMS IF WE DON'T PLAN ACCORDINGLY AND THAT IS ONE OF THE TOP JOBS THAT THE INTERSTATE STREAM COMMISSION AND OUR OFFICE IS LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT.

Laura: MIKE HAMMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

Hall: THANK YOU LAURA.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

Gene: APRIL FIRST, THAT IS THE DAY LEGAL RECREATIONAL CANNABIS OFFICIALLY TO BE SOLD IN NEW MEXICO.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM SIGNED A BILL MAKING IT LEGAL LAST YEAR, AS YOU KNOW, BUT RETAILERS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SELL LEGALLY.

THAT ENDS NEXT WEEK.

BRINGING BACK OUR LINE PANELISTS, NEW MEXICO IS ONE OF 18 STATES TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND NOW FIRST LEGAL SALES ARE ALMOST HERE.

WE'LL GET INTO SOME SPECIFICS OF SOME LINGERING CONCERNS LIKE THE IMPACT ON MEDICAL SUPPLIES, WATER RIGHTS AND USAGE, AND TAX REVENUE.

LET'S START SIMPLY.

DAN, IS NEW MEXICO READY AFTER ALL THIS?

WE HAVE BEEN GOING AT THIS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I REMIND PEOPLE ONE OF THE FIRST IDEAS WAS TO SELL MARIJUANA HERE IN STATE RUN SHOPS.

THAT DIED THANK GOD.

ARE WE READY TO DO THIS, DANIEL FOLEY?

Dan: I AM NOT SURE WHETHER YOU WOULD SAY WE ARE READY TO DO IT OR NOT.

IT IS GOING TO BE DONE.

AND THE REASON I TAKE THAT APPROACH, GENE, IS WE HAVE NOT -- WE HAVEN'T HANDLED DWI'S VERY WELL IN THE STATE AND WE ARE STILL LEADING IN GETTING THAT STUFF WITH THAT INDUSTRY.

I DO THINK THAT IT IS A UNIQUE QUESTION, RIGHT?

AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FOR LESS GOVERNMENT CALLING FOR MORE REGULATION, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE GOT A LOT OF FOLKS WHO NORMALLY CALL FOR REGULATION WHO ARE CALLING FOR LESS REGULATION.

I WAS WATCHING LAST NIGHT AND THERE WAS AN INTERESTING SCENARIO.

AS A DISCLAIMER, TOO, IN MY PRIVATE LIFE I ACTUALLY HAVE SOME CLIENTS THAT ARE IN THE CANNABIS BUSINESS.

WE DO INSURANCE FOR THEM.

IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE ARE LATE TO THE PARTY, RIGHT?

WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE THERE WAS A REAL PUSH FROM GARY JOHNSON SAYING LET'S BE FIRST AND WE COULD HAVE THIS TOURISM SECTION, BUT NOW EVERYBODY AROUND US HAS IT LEGALIZED.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE FLOWING OVER HERE TO DO IT.

NOW, YOU MAY SEE A WINDFALL IN SOUTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO WHERE FOLKS FROM TEXAS ARE COMING ACROSS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE IT IN TEXAS LEGALIZED YET.

I AM NOT SURE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED, WE GET VERY LITTLE -- IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO HAVE SOMEONE DO A REPORT.

WE SEE VERY LITTLE ON WHAT THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO BE OUT DOING ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE, THE TESTING PERSPECTIVE.

I KNOW IN SOME INSTANCES THE DEPARTMENT OF AG, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY WOULD TELL YOU MENTALLY THEY ARE READY, PEOPLE WISE THEY MAY NOT BE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FOLKS OUT THERE TO DO THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

SO, I AM FEARFUL THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TOPICS WHERE, WE PROBABLY SHOULDN'T GET THE ROLLOUT WRONG.

IT IS SORT OF LIKE OPENING UP A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE TWO EMPLOYEES OPEN THE DOOR AND HAVE 7,000 PEOPLE SHOW UP THE FIRST DAY.

IT'S PROBABLY BETTER AT THE BEGINNING TO HAVE MORE EMPLOYEES THAN YOU NEED.

I AM NOT SURE WE ARE TAKING THAT APPROACH IN NEW MEXICO WHEN IT COMES TO ENFORCEMENT, TESTING, REGULATORY SIDE.

HELPING PEOPLE GET THE LICENSES THROUGH, TRAINING.

I AM JUST NOT SURE WE HAVE INVESTED ON THE FRONT END.

Gene: LET ME ADD TO THAT.

INTERESTING POINT.

KRISTEN THOMPSON, WE HAVE HAD HER HERE ON OUR SHOW.

SHE IS DIRECTOR OF CANNABIS CONTROL DIVISION FOR NEW MEXICO REGULATION AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE INCREASING NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES DOUBLING FROM 12 TO 24 TO PROVIDE BETTER SUPPORT FOR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, DAN.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT 24 NUMBER IS ACTUALLY THE RIGHT NUMBER.

THIS IS GOING TO BE SORT OF FEELING OUR WAY ALONG HERE.

KRISTELLE, NATIONAL NONPROFIT DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE, THAT IS ONE OF THE GROUPS CONCERNED ABOUT PRODUCT AVAILABILITY.

RIGHT.

IF THERE IS A RUSH ON RECREATIONAL, BUSINESSES WON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO COVER MEDICAL.

IS THAT A LEGIT CONCERN FROM WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GLEAN?

Kristelle: IT IS.

I HAVE WORKED IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY BEFORE WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT DISPENSERS AND PRODUCERS, EVEN WENT UP TO NEVADA TO RESEARCH THE CANNABIS WORLD AND SPOKE AT A COUPLE OF CANNABIS CONFERENCES.

IS IT A LEGITIMATE CONCERN JUST BECAUSE OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND WE'LL BE SEEING.

IT COULD BE A GREAT SALES TACTIC FOR A PRODUCER OR FOR A DISTRIBUTOR IS ACTUALLY PRIORITIZING THE MEDICAL.

BECAUSE, LET'S LOOK AT IT THIS WAY.

MEDICAL -- IF YOU REALLY WANTED CANNABIS, YOU'RE ABLE TO GET IT WITHOUT A MEDICAL CARD.

IT WASN'T DIFFICULT TO GET A MEDICAL CARD HERE IN TOWN, BECAUSE THE CNP'S AND DOCTORS WOULD WRITE THAT.

BUT, YES, IT IS MORE CONCERNING IN TERMS OF INVENTORY FOR THOSE THAT ACTUALLY NEED CANNABIS TO JUST SIMPLY EAT BECAUSE OF CHEMOTHERAPY OR BECAUSE OF SEIZURES OR EPILEPSIES, THE ACTUAL MEDICAL NEEDS.

SO THE RIGHT THING FOR A BUSINESS TO DO IS TO ACTUALLY SECTION OFF SOME OF THEIR INVENTORY FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS OR SOME TO CHOOSE TO STAY MEDICAL, WHICH MANY OF THE DISPENSARIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY HERE RIGHT NOW, WITH CHAINS, LIKE ORGANICA, LIKE ULTRAHEALTH, ET CETERA, SOME OF THOSE ACTUALLY -- NOT ONLY IS THIS THE DAY THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR RECREATIONAL CANNABIS, HOWEVER, ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT NOBODY TALKED ABOUT THAT I HAVE HAD TO LOOK AT FROM A CRISIS PERSPECTIVE IS ACTUALLY AS WE GROW AND AS WE SCALE, WE ARE LOOKING AT HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE AND KEEPING CANNABIS GOING IN TERMS OF -- KEEPING CANNABIS GROWING AND GROWING CORRECTLY, SOMETIMES PESTICIDES ACTUALLY COME INTO IT.

AND THAT IS A CONVERSATION NONE OF US HAVE ACTUALLY HAD, THAT IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY PUT THE WRONG PESTICIDE TO HELP INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF CANNABIS THAT YOU PRODUCE OR TO PROTECT THE AMOUNT OF CANNABIS THAT YOU GROW FROM HARMFUL BUGS OR FROM JUST THE CROP BEING EATEN BY JUST THE NATURAL WAY OF THINGS HAPPENING, PESTICIDES CAN BE INCREDIBLY PROBLEMATIC FOR OUR CROPS HERE, ESPECIALLY WITH HOW SMALL THAT WE HAVE, THE CROP COUNT, CURRENTLY IN NEW MEXICO.

I ACTUALLY FORESEE, YES, WE HAVE GOT THE SOCIAL JUSTICE COMPONENT OF IT.

YOU HAVE INVENTORY.

BUT PESTICIDES IS A TOPIC WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IN ANY OF THE CONFERENCE CONVERSATIONS AND PEOPLE COULD DIE IF THEY ARE SMOKING CANNABIS WITH THE WRONG CHEMICAL.

Gene: IT GOT VERY LITTLE PLAY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE DEBATE.

IT CAME UP MAYBE A COUPLE OF TIMES.

YOU REALLY DIDN'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT IT AT ALL.

DAVE, LET ME EXTEND KRISTELLE'S POINT HERE.

RETAILERS ARE REQUIRED TO SET ASIDE 20% OF THEIR PRODUCTS FOR MEDICAL USE.

KRISTELLE IS MAKING AN INTERESTING CASE THAT PERHAPS THERE MIGHT BE A SECOND SAFETY NET NECESSARY HERE, BECAUSE SHOULD IT BE 23%, SHOULD IT BE 40%, I MEAN, I THINK -- Dave: I THINK ALL OF THESE THINGS WILL HAVE TO BE DECIDED.

I WILL SAY THIS, PROHIBITION WAS ENDED BY FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT IN 1932 ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, RIGHT?

WE ARE NOW 2022, COMING UP ON 100 YEARS, AND THERE IS STILL A LOT OF CHANGE AND THERE IS A LOT OF LIKE WHO GETS TO SELL BOOZE, WHO DOESN'T GET TO SELL BOOZE.

SOMETIMES IT IS CONTROLLED STATE BY STATE OR COUNTY BY COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, TOWN BY TOWN.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF PLAYERS THAT HAVE REGULATORY AUTHORITY HERE.

I THINK NEW MEXICO, LOOK, IT IS A CASH CROP.

I THINK IT IS GOOD IF WE CAN GROW IT HERE, GOOD IF WE CAN SELL IT HERE AND IT IS ANOTHER EXPANSION OF THE ECONOMY.

I THINK NEW MEXICO COULD -- IF WE CAN GET THE EQUIVALENT OF HATCH GREEN CHILE IN HATCH IN CANNABIS, I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE GOOD FOR THE STATE.

AND WE SHOULD WORK TO DO THAT.

Gene: DANIEL, ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WITH CANNABIS NO DOUBT.

SPECIFICALLY WATER USE.

WATER RIGHTS GROUPS LIKE THE NEW MEXICO ACEQUIA ASSOCIATION, LOBBIED TO PROTECT WATER SOURCES.

DIDN'T PASS REGULAR SESSION EITHER.

SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE RECREATIONAL ROLLOUT?

Dan: I THINK, PART OF THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE CANNABIS FROM IMPACTING -- Gene: STILL WITH US?

Dan: YOU GUYS MUTED ME.

I GOT MUTED BY THE HOST.

I DIDN'T THINK I SAID SOMETHING BAD.

Gene: SORRY.

Dan: WE GOT TWITTER OVER THERE CENSORING ME, TAKING ME OFF.

I AM GETTING NERVOUS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS EARLY ON WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT THIS EVEN BACK WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS IT WAS AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE FELT THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, RIGHT?

WHETHER IT WAS ACEQUIA FOLKS, WATER FOLKS, PESTICIDES, NEIGHBORHOODS.

A LOT OF THIS STUFF IS JUST GOING TO TAKE, LIKE A LOT OF THINGS, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND THEN MAKE CORRECTIONS AS TIME GOES ON.

ONE OF THE THINGS WITH A LOT OF THESE GROWS, I THINK ONE OF THE IDEAS BEHIND LIMITING THE SIZE WAS TO HELP CONTAIN THE GROWTH PATTERN OF THE PRODUCT, YOU KNOW, LIKE LOTS OF FOLKS ARE GROWING IT INDOORS.

LOTS OF PLACES ARE GETTING OLD WAREHOUSES AND GROWING IT INDOORS SO THEY ARE ABLE TO RECYCLE THE WATER AND DO THINGS FAR DIFFERENT THAN IF THEY WENT OUT AND PLANTED 2,000 ACRES OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND WATERING IT THROUGH A PROCESS THAT WAS LETTING THE RUNOFF GO BACK INTO THE DITCHES OR BACK INTO THE GROUND.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF VALID QUESTIONS THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST KIND OF -- EVEN THE LEGISLATORS -- SOMEONE COMES IN AND RAISES A POINT, JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T ACT ON IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DON'T AGREE WITH THEM.

LOTS OF TIMES YOU INTRODUCE SOMETHING -- LOTS OF TIMES IT IS LIKE, HEY, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION FOR YOU US TO DO SOMETHING, LET'S WATCH AND WE'LL TAKE ACTION WHEN WE NEED TO.

Gene: NOT UNUSUAL.

I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT.

THERE IS ONE THING THAT INTERESTS ME A LOT.

THERE HAVE BEEN 225 LICENSES ISSUED.

225 SO FAR.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ALL OPEN ON APRIL 1, CERTAINLY, BUT CAN WE MANAGE THAT?

ARIZONA OPENED, I THINK, LIKE 70.

MASSACHUSETTS ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER, IF NOT LESS.

IS THIS MANAGEABLE, REALLY, 225 LICENSES?

Dave: NO.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY SHOULDN'T TRY AND I THINK THAT IS ONE THING YOU'RE GOING TO SEE.

IN SOME WAYS, I MEAN, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT PROTECTED MARKETS AND PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHATEVER.

IF YOU HAVE 225 OF THESE BUSINESSES OPENING AND IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT ONLY 50 OF THEM ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY, YOU KNOW, THE MARKET WILL SHAKE OUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR THEY WON'T.

AND I AM ALL ABOUT LIKE I THINK WE SHOULD MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, YET WE HAVE DONE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF -- ARIZONA HAS OPENED SO MANY FEWER AND THEY ARE SUCH A LARGER STATE POPULATION WISE, MIGHT GIVE ONE PAUSE.

WE'LL SEE.

WE ARE TWO WEEKS AWAY, WE ARE GOING TO FIND OUT.

THAT IS ALL WE CAN SAY.

Gene: ONE QUICK QUESTION, ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

WHAT DOES THIS DO TO THE BLACK MARKET HERE IN NEW MEXICO?

IS THERE GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN YOUR VIEW?

I AM NOT ASKING YOU TO BE THE ALL THINGS GURU, ALL THINGS MARIJUANA ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT THIS IS A DEBATABLE QUESTION WHETHER THIS IS GOING TO HELP ON THAT SIDE OF THINGS.

Kristelle: THE TOXICITY IS ACTUALLY WHERE THE BLACK-MARKET WILL BENEFIT FROM IT IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT, HOW STRONG CANNABIS IS AND WHAT ARE YOU ALLOWED LEGALLY TO SELL.

SO, IF THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY WANT A MORE POTENT TYPE OF CANNABIS, THEY ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR THE BLACK-MARKET.

AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS A PROBLEM WITH MEDICAL CANNABIS AND STILL IS TODAY.

SO, THE BLACK-MARKET WILL START TO SEE AN EFFECT OF THIS, BUT WHETHER OR NOT IT IS REGULATED CORRECTLY OR NOT, WE'LL SEE.

Gene: THERE WE GO.

APRIL 1.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR PANELISTS.

THESE ARE ALL TOPICS YOU CAN HEAR ABOUT ON THE POD CAST GROWING FORWARD.

NOW, IN COLLABORATION WITH NEW MEXICO POLITICAL REPORT, CORRESPONDENT MEGAN KAMERICK EXPLORES THE FUTURE OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

YOU CAN FIND GROWING FORWARD ANYWHERE YOU GET YOUR POD CASTS.

RIGHT.

NOW, HERE IS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER LAURA PASKUS.

Laura: THE RIO GRANDE, THE LARGEST RIVER IN OUR STATE WORKS SO HARD FOR US.

IT PROVIDES WATER FOR DRINKING AND IRRIGATION AND IT ALSO TAKES OUR STORM WATER AND OUR WASTE.

ONE PLACE YOU CAN SEE THIS DYNAMIC AT WORK IS IN CORRALES.

AFTER A STORM, RUNOFF CHURNS DOWN THE HARVEY JONES CHANNEL AND EVERYDAY FOUR TO FIVE MILLION GALLONS OF TREATED WASTE WATER POUR FROM THE CITY OF RIO RANCHO INTO THE RIVER.

NOW, A NEW PROJECT IS IMPROVING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUTTING THAT WATER TO BETTER USE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

Hurteau: THIS AREA LEFT UNMANAGED HAD THIS IS VERY HIGH BANK OF SEDIMENT THAT HAD ACCUMULATED IN THIS SITE AND WAS GROWING MOSTLY INVASIVE SPECIES.

SO, IT WASN'T CREATING AND MAINTAINING VALUABLE HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE AS IT WAS.

AND, SO, AT THAT POINT IT IS UP TO US TO SORT OF INTERVENE AND TRY TO RECREATE THE PROCESSES THAT WILL ALLOW FOR NATURAL SYSTEMS TO FUNCTION AND FLOURISH.

Gatterman: WE WORKED FOR A WHILE NOW TO ELIMINATE FLOODING POTENTIAL IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE VILLAGE OF CORRALES DUE TO THE HARVEY JONES CHANNEL AND IMPOSED A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS UPSTREAM IN THE CONCRETE CHANNEL AND DONE SOME RECONFIGURATION OF THE CHANNEL.

AND THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT HELPS US FINALLY EVACUATE ALL OF THE WATER OUT OF THE CHANNEL AFTER A RAINSTORM.

THE ARROYO BOTTOM ARE A FANTASTIC WAY TO CONVERT STORM WATER INTO GROUNDWATER SO A WAY TO CAPTURE AND WE INJECT IT INTO THE GROUNDWATER AQUIFER.

Hurteau: WITH THE REALIGNMENT OF THE WASTEWATER OUTFALL, REALLY, THE BENEFIT IS THAT WE ARE KEEPING THE SOIL MICROBES ALIVE AND THAT IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS WITH GREEN STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT IS WHERE THE HEALTHY BACTERIA AND FUNGI ARE ABLE TO CAPTURE AND BREAK DOWN THE POLLUTANTS THAT WOULD COME IN THE STORM WATER AND SO THAT THEY CAN TRAP THOSE POLLUTANTS AND BREAK THEM DOWN BOTH CHEMICALLY AND PHYSICALLY SO THAT THOSE POLLUTANTS AREN'T REACHING THE RIO GRANDE AND AFFECTING OUR BEAUTIFUL RIVER.

Gatterman: YOU HAVE THE INTERSECTION OF ALL SORTS OF RESOURCES.

IN THIS CASE WE HAVE THE RIVER, WE HAVE THE HARVEY JONES CHANNEL, WE HAVE THE SEWER EFFLUENT LINE FROM THE CITY OF RIO RANCHO AND WE BRING ALL THOSE TOGETHER INTO A LOCATION WHERE WE COULD HAVE THIS TYPE OF FACILITY OR THIS TYPE OF RESTORATION OF WETLANDS AND MAKE ALL THOSE RESOURCES WORK TOGETHER.

SO WORK WITH YOUR PARTNERS.

Hurteau: IT IS MY HOPE THESE AREAS BECOME BREEDING GROUND FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND OTHER WILDLIFE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE BOSQUE.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SILVERY MINNOW THAT WERE FOUND JUST DOWNSTREAM OF WHERE WE ARE STANDING.

SO HOPEFULLY THIS AREA WILL BECOME A BACK WATER HABITAT AND POTENTIALLY BREEDING HABITAT FOR THAT SPECIES AS WELL AS TONS OF OTHER BIRDS AND WILDLIFE.

THERE IS LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY TO REPLICATE THIS PROJECT UP AND DOWN THE RIO GRANDE, PARTICULARLY IN PLACES WHERE YOU HAVE OUTFALL OF A PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY THAT WILL HELP MAINTAIN THE VEGETATION AND HEALTHY SOILS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THE NATURAL FILTERING THAT HAPPENS IN WETLANDS.

Gene: WELCOME BACK TO THE LINE OPINION PANELISTS FOR ONE FINAL DISCUSSION.

A SCANDAL IN SANTA FE IS GROWING FAST.

THIS WEEK WE LEARNED ABOUT NEW ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND BULLYING INVOLVING STATE SENATOR DANIEL IVEY-SOTO.

COMMON CAUSE NEW MEXICO AND OTHER GROUPS ISSUED A SECOND OPEN LETTER TO STATE SENATORS, DETAILING MORE COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED HARASSMENT, GENDER-BASED BULLYING AND INAPPROPRIATE ADVANCES.

THAT IS AFTER THEIR FIRST LETTER LAST MONTH WHERE ONE FEMALE LOBBYIST LAID OUT SPECIFIC ACCUSATIONS OF INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING, HARASSMENT AND BULLYING.

IT IS WORTH POINTING OUT, WE ARE TAPING THIS ON THURSDAY AND AS OF THIS MOMENT, SENATOR IVEY-SOTO REMAINS A SENATOR.

GIVEN THESE NEW ACCUSATIONS, DANIEL, AS AN EX SENATOR YOURSELF, SHOULD HE STEP DOWN?

Dan: FIRST OF ALL, GENE, I WAS FROM THE SMARTER SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

I WAS A REPRESENTATIVE SO THE BRAINS AND GREATER BASKETBALL RECORD RESIDED WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE SO I WANT TO GO ON RECORD WITH THAT.

AT SOME POINT, I MEAN, THAT IS ALWAYS AN INDIVIDUAL QUESTION, RIGHT?

IT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE PARTY IS TELLING HIM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE LEADERSHIP IS TELLING HIM.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SENATOR IVEY-SOTO IS REACHING AN UNTENABLE POSITION RIGHT NOW.

THERE IS JUST -- IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE.

BACK IN THE DAYS YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH THESE TYPES OF THINGS, ACCUSATIONS, BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL BUBBLE UP THERE.

YOU HAD A FEW MEDIA GUYS, A COUPLE OF STATE-WIDE NEWSPAPERS.

IF YOU WERE ABLE TO GET YOUR LOCAL HOMETOWN REPORTER TO UNDERSTAND YOU ARE NOT A BAD GUY, YOU COULD SURVIVE.

BUT NOW WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND THINGS LIKE THIS, IT IS JUST WAY TOO MUCH.

WHEN I SAY SURVIVE, I DON'T MEAN FROM A SCANDAL OF HARASSING PEOPLE.

I AM SAYING, YOU THINK ABOUT PEOPLE THAT GOT DUI'S OR HAD ISSUES UP THERE AND IT NEVER AFFECTED THEM LATER ON.

TODAY, I JUST THINK HE IS IN A PLACE NOW WHERE I DON'T THINK THAT HE HAS GOT ANYBODY ADVOCATING ON HIS BEHALF ON THE ELECTIVE SIDE AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT WHEN THEY GO INTO COMMITTEE TO SAY, LISTEN, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE.

THE OTHER THING THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT IS THAT PEOPLE AREN'T THINKING ABOUT REGARDLESS OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, AGAIN, I FEEL FOR EVERYONE THAT IS INVOLVED IN THIS SITUATION, VICTIMS, PEOPLE, ACCUSERS, SENATOR IVEY-SOTO AS WELL.

EVERYBODY HAS TO BE THOUGHT OF.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE TO ALSO SAY IT IS A PRETTY SAFE DEMOCRAT DISTRICT, I BELIEVE, THAT HE WAS A SENATOR.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW HE IS GOING TO GET PRIMARIED AND YOU'RE JUST NOT SURE THAT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY WILL SAY, WE WANT TO SPEND A BUNCH OF MONEY PROTECTING YOU OR KNOCKING YOU OUT.

THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DO IT.

I THINK YOU SEE LEADERSHIP DIG THEIR HEELS IN, IF IT WAS MORE OF A SWING SEAT ON EITHER SIDE SAWING WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT VOTE.

WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN AND YOU'RE FROM A VERY SAFE SEAT FOR THAT PARTY, IT IS EASY FOR THE PARTY TO SAY, IT IS TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE.

Gene: DAN, YOU ARE A FORMER HOUSE MINORITY WHIP.

DIDN'T MEAN TO PUT ON THE SENATE SIDE THERE.

BUT, KRISTELLE, THE SENATE IS CONDUCTING A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE COMPLAINTS BUT BEYOND THAT WE DON'T HAVE MANY DETAILS BECAUSE ACCORDING TO POLICY AT ROUNDHOUSE INVESTIGATIONS INTO HARASSMENT COMPLAINTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL.

DOESN'T IT SEEM LOGICAL THAT THE STATE'S ETHICS COMMISSION SHOULD HANDLE CASES LIKE THIS.

Kristelle: ABSOLUTELY, IN TERMS OF THE POTENTIAL PART OF IT, BUT YOU HAVE TO THINK OF, YOU KNOW, COMING FROM THE LENS OF TRANSPARENCY, AND I HOPE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN WILL BE PROUD OF ME TO SAY THIS, IT IS LIKE YOU HAVE TO PROTECT -- THERE IS A TIME FOR TRANSPARENCY AND A TIME TO PROTECT VICTIMS FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS.

I UNDERSTAND THE ETHICS COMMISSION SHOULD REALLY EVALUATE THE SCENARIO, THE SITUATION, BUT FROM A HIGHER LEVEL PERSPECTIVE, NOT NECESSARILY THE DETAILS OF THE ACCUSATION, BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO RETRIGGER ANYBODY THAT HAD DEALT WITH THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT, THE UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS, ET CETERA.

I AM SORRY, I HAVE TO GO BACK TO, DAN, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF YOUR INSIGHT, YOU'RE WAY SMARTER THAN ME, AND I'LL PROBABLY BE THE ONLY PERSON SAYING THIS, YOU'RE WAY SMARTER THAN ME WHEN IT COMES TO THE POLITICS OF POLITICS, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND GENDER-BASED, NEGATIVELY GENDER-BASED ACCUSATIONS, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THOSE COME FIRST.

THE VICTIMS, THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN HARASSED, HAVE TO COME FIRST IN THE SITUATION, ESPECIALLY SINCE EMERGE NEW MEXICO IS INVOLVED NOW AND COMMON CAUSE, AMONG OTHER NONPROFITS, THAT ARE VERY CLOSELY ALIGNED.

YES, IF HE DECIDES NOT TO RESIGN, THAT IS HIS PREROGATIVE, BUT WITHOUT A DOUBT HE IS GOING TO BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED ON THE NEXT ELECTION THAT HE HAS.

Gene: IF HE DOESN'T RESIGN, SHOULD THE SENATE MOVE TO EXPEL HIM?

Kristelle: YOU KNOW, I WILL LET HIM, SENATOR IVEY-SOTO DIG HIS OWN GRAVE.

THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT HIS INTERVIEWS AND THE WAY HE IS HANDLING THE SITUATION, AS A PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL, I APPLAUD THE FACT HE SAID, HE IS NO COMMENT KIND OF GUY, BUT I HAVE A TENDENCY LIKE HIM, WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO COME OUT OF IT, HE IS MAKING THINGS WORSE FOR HIMSELF.

SO IF HE DOESN'T RESIGN, HE IS JUST GOING TO KEEP DIGGING THAT HOLE.

END OF DISCUSSION.

Dan: I GOT TO ASK, KRISTELLE, DID YOU THINK THAT I SAID WE SHOULDN'T BE SUPPORTING THE VICTIMS.

Kristelle: NO, NO.

THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID.

WHAT I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THE POLITICS OF IT AND I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING THAT INSIGHT, BUT I DON'T THINK HE IS GOING TO CONTINUE IN HIS SEAT BECAUSE THE VICTIMS' VOICES ARE GOING TO BE LOUDER THAN THE POLITICAL VOICES.

Dan: I GOT YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.

I AM NOT ADVOCATING OR SAYING HE SHOULD GET AWAY WITH THIS.

I FEEL FOR ALL THE VICTIMS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD.

I THINK LOTS OF TIMES, YEAH, I WAS JUST TRYING TO GIVE AN INSIDE PERSPECTIVE OF THE POLITICS KNOWING THAT THAT IS SOMETHING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

Gene: INTERESTING POINT THERE.

DAVE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED COMMON CAUSE NEW MEXICO.

I LOVE THIS POINT.

SHE SAYS THERE IS A BROADER TOXIC CULTURE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE WHEN IT COMES TO LAWMAKER INTERACTIONS WITH LOBBYISTS THAT INCLUDES DRINKING, AND THE IMPORTANT PART TO ME, AN EXPECTATION OF SOME LEVEL OF HARASSMENT OR BULLYING.

NOW I THINK THAT IS REALLY GETTING DOWN TO THE NUT OF IT TO ME, THAT WE HAVE THIS SYSTEM NOW WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS IS THE WAY IT GOES DOWN, YOU SHOULD EXPECT A HARD TIME HERE.

YOU KNOW.

THAT HAS GOT TO GO SOMEHOW.

I AM INTERESTED IN YOUR TAKE ON THAT.

Dave: I THINK A LOT OF THIS IS GENERATIONAL.

DANIEL IVEY-SOTO IS A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER THAN I AM AND I THINK IF YOU SPEND ANY TIME SPEAKING TO MILLENNIALS, LIKE, THEY ARE SO IN TUNE WITH WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY EXCUSES FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE.

IF THERE IS A CULTURE IN THE LEGISLATURE AND IN THE ROUNDHOUSE AND BODY POLITIC IN SANTA FE THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS USE YOUR VOTE, GET YOUNGER PEOPLE, GET MORE WOMEN IN THERE AND THAT IS GOING TO SOLVE IT AS MUCH AS ANYTHING.

Kristelle: I WANT TO COMMENT ON THE TOXIC CULTURE TOO.

I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WHEN I FIRST STARTED GOING AROUND THE ROUNDHOUSE AND AS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL, JUST SIMPLY COMPLIMENTING THE WORK, IT IS ALL A GAME.

IT IS ALL A SHOW TO ACTUALLY SEE AND CONNECT AND GET TO KNOW PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO I CAN UNDERSTAND -- I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND WHERE HEATHER IS COMING FROM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMON CAUSE NEW MEXICO, BUT WHAT DAVE SAID, IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF OLD SCHOOL WAY OF THOUGHT BUT IT GOES BACK TO THE CONVERSATION WE WERE ALL HAVING VERY CANDIDLY, HOW DO YOU MODERNIZE THE LEGISLATURE SO YOU'RE NOT JUST WINING AND DINING ALL THE TIME.

YOU'RE ACTUALLY MAKING EFFECTIVE WORK, INCLUDING ON THE DOWN TIME.

IT IS NOT JUST ALWAYS ABOUT PARTYING.

EVERYBODY LOVES A GOOD PARTY.

I KNOW I DO, BUT IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT CULTURE WHENEVER YOU'RE LOBBYING, AND I RESPECT THAT, TO COME TO LIGHT INSTEAD OF BEHIND THE SCENES.

Gene: DANIEL, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE IDEA IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT MR. IVEY-SOTO WAS CRACKING OPEN BOTTLES OF WINE AND KILLING BOTTLES OF WINE WITH THE LOBBYISTS IN HIS OFFICE.

I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO WHAT IS COMMON.

IS THAT NOT A SIGN THAT WE NEED TO BE MORE PROFESSIONAL HERE?

THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WOULD LOOK AT THAT FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM RIGHT THERE.

YOU GOT PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE IT IS OKAY TO GET DRUNK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY AND THEN THINGS HAPPEN, AS WE KNOW, WHEN THERE IS ALCOHOL INVOLVED.

YOU'RE A FORMER LEGISLATOR, SHOULD ALL THESE THINGS BE BANNED OFFICIALLY?

Dan: I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU BAN ALL THESE THINGS, RIGHT?

THE ANSWER ISN'T BANNING ALL THE STUFF.

THE ANSWER IS BETTER CHOICES, RIGHT?

KNOW WHO YOU ARE ELECTING THAT WILL MAKE BETTER CHOICES.

Kristelle: 100%.

Dan: A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE ONCE TOLD ME WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED, AND I TRIED TO LIVE BY THIS UP THERE.

NOT THAT I WAS ANY MAGNET FOR ATTRACTING PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME SPEND TIME ALONE WITH ME.

I WAS SORT OF OSTRACIZED, BUT I TRIED TO LIVE MY LEGISLATURE CAREER BY THE BILLY GRAHAM RULE.

PEOPLE USED TO ASK BILLY GRAHAM ALL THE TIME, HOW HAVE YOU MAINTAINED A SCANDAL-FREE LIFE BACK IN THE 80'S WHEN ALL THESE SCANDALS WERE COMING UP.

HE SAID, YOU KNOW, I HAVE THE BILLY GRAHAM RULE.

I AM NEVER ALONE IN A ROOM WITH THE DOOR CLOSED WITH A SINGLE WOMAN UNLESS IT IS MY WIFE.

I MADE A POINT WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT, YOU KNOW, IF ANYBODY CAME TO SEE ME, I TRIED MAN, WOMAN, CONSTITUENT, NON-CONSTITUENT, I ALWAYS HAD A STAFFER IN THERE WITH ME FOR LENGTH OF THAT CONVERSATION AND IT WAS RARE THAT YOU WOULD SHUT THE DOOR.

OBVIOUSLY IF A FRIEND COMES IN.

Gene: WHAT ABOUT THE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE NOT AS CONSCIENTIOUS, DAN?

I LOVE THE STORY, BUT WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO GET LOADED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY?

Dan: THEY ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

WHAT WE HAVE TO REALIZE IS ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

RIGHT?

I AM HAVING THIS CONVERSATION NOW WITH FRIENDS OF MINE ABOUT -- Gene: ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE PERSONALITIES WHEN THEY ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

Dan: YOU SHOULD GET TO KNOW THEM.

HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW IT?

THERE IS PLENTY OF INDICATORS, THERE IS PLENTY OF WAYS TO GET TO KNOW PEOPLE.

YOU CAN LOOK AT WHO IS SUPPORTING THEM, WHERE THEY WORKED, WHO THEY ARE RUNNING WITH, WHAT THEIR PLATFORMS ARE.

I AM NOT SAYING YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS THE FIRST TIME.

THERE IS GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY COMING UP HERE SHORTLY, I AM NOT PICKING ON SENATOR IVEY-SOTO, THERE IS GOING TO BE A SITUATION COMING UP SHORTLY WHERE HE MAY SAY, I AM NOT GETTING OUT.

WE'LL KNOW LOUD AND CLEAR WHAT HIS CONSTITUENTS THINK, RIGHT?

WE KNEW WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT GOT IN TROUBLE AND THEY GOT REELECTED.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT IS OUR JOB TO TRY TO PUT A BUBBLE AROUND EVERYBODY AND SAY WE HAVE TO HAVE RULES TO PROTECT PEOPLE.

PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO BE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE VOTING FOR, WHAT THEY ARE GETTING IN THEIR LEGISLATOR AND MAKING HONEST, CONSCIENTIOUS DECISIONS ABOUT THAT.

Gene: THANKS TO THE LINE PANELISTS AS ALWAYS THIS WEEK.

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

DID YOU HAPPEN TO CATCH THAT FASCINATING STORY BY DAN BOYD IN THE JOURNAL THIS PAST WEEKEND ON THE BIZARRE WORLD SITUATION OF HOW MUCH MONEY IS COMING INTO STATE COFFERS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF HIGH GAS PRICES?

IT IS A GREAT READ AND INSTRUCTIVE ONE.

AND IT PUTS IN RELIEF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GLOBAL PRICING AND LOCAL FORTUNE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IS SIMPLE, EVERY DOLLAR INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE PRICE OF OIL MEANS AN ADDITIONAL 30 MILLION-DOLLARS FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

AND THE MONEY IS POURING IN.

IN FACT, IT IS COMING INTO THE NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD TRUST FUND SO QUICKLY, IT COULD BE WORTH TWO-AND-A-HALF BILLION BY MID SUMMER AND FOUR BILLION BY NEXT YEAR.

ALL THIS WHILE LAWMAKERS TRY AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GIVE YOU A BREAK AT THE PUMP.

THAT BABY BUDGET BILL IS ONE THING.

LEGISLATORS WATCHING NEW MONEY PILE UP IS ANOTHER THING ALTOGETHER.

AS A CERTAIN TELEVISION FROG WE ARE KIND OF FOND OF AROUND HERE ONCE SAID, IT ISN'T EASY BEING GREEN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK, IN FOCUS.