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

Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, MORE STIMULUS MONEY COMING TO NEW MEXICANS BUT IS IT THE BEST WAY TO EASE THE IMPACT OF INFLATION?

Peach: 500-DOLLARS IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE MY LIFE-STYLE OR YOURS EITHER.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Gene: AND WHAT THE REPEAL OF ALBUQUERQUE'S PLASTIC BAG BAN COULD MEAN FOR WATER QUALITY IN THE CITY.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

ONE WEEK AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS LATER RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SALES ARE OFF TO A FAST START AROUND THE STATE.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAID MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL SALES TOPPED 5.2 MILLION IN THE FIRST WEEK ALONE.

WITH A FORECAST OF 318 MILLION IN SALES BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

LINE OPINION PANELISTS WILL DISCUSS WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH THE TAX REVENUE IN ABOUT 25 MINUTES.

WITH THE WEATHER GETTING WARMER, WATER ACCESS IS ONCE AGAIN TOP OF MIND FOR MUCH OF THE STATE.

IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW ENVIRONMENT REPORTER LAURA PASKUS ASKS A NATIONAL FORECAST HYDROLOGIST WHAT WE SHOULD EXPECT HEADING INTO ANOTHER DRY SUMMER.

STORM WATER IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE COULD SEE ADDED PLASTIC POLLUTION ACCORDING TO A BERNALILLO COUNTY OFFICIAL.

IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES WE'LL EXPLAIN THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CITY COUNCIL REPEALING ITS BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS.

PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO PAY RENT IN THE COUNTY ARE SCRAMBLING FOR ASSISTANCE.

THAT IS AFTER BERNALILLO COUNTY ENDED ITS MORATORIUM ON NONPAYMENT EVICTIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH.

IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND HOW TO AVOID A SURGE IN EVICTION CASES.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO GIVE RELIEF FOR OTHER RISING COSTS.

LAWMAKERS PASSED A TAX REBATE PLAN DURING A SPECIAL SESSION THAT LASTED LESS THAN 24 HOURS.

THAT MEANS MONEY IS PROBABLY COMING TO YOU IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

WELCOME TO OUR LINE PANELISTS THIS WEEK.

HELLO TO SERGE MARTINEZ, PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO LAW SCHOOL.

NEXT WE HAVE ATTORNEY SOPHIE MARTIN AND IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE ATTORNEY AND FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTINE FOX-YOUNG AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE WRAPPED UP A QUICK SPECIAL SESSION A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO ADDRESSING INFLATION.

THE LEGISLATURE'S SOLUTION, $500 TAX REBATES TO INDIVIDUAL FILERS AND $1000 TO MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINTLY.

HALF THE CASH WILL GO OUT IN JUNE AND THE REST IN AUGUST.

TAX FILERS WILL GET THE MONEY AUTOMATICALLY IN YOUR DEPOSIT IF YOU DO IT ELECTRONICALLY.

WAS GETTING THROUGH THIS SPECIAL SESSION SMOOTHLY AND ACCOMPLISHING THIS A SUCCESS BOTH FOR DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP AND HOPES FOR FUTURE BIPARTISANSHIP.

LET ME SHOW THAT TO YOU FIRST.

WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON OUR 12-HOUR SPECIAL?

Justine: IT CERTAINLY WAS SMOOTH AND ALMOST A NONEVENT NEWS-WISE.

I GUESS IF YOU LOOK AT IT IN THE LARGER CONTEXT GOING BACK TO THE LAWSUIT OVER THOSE 1.6, 1.7 DOLLARS IN FEDERAL STIMULUS, WHICH IS KIND OF THE WAY I SEE IT, WHICH REALLY CHANGED THE TONE.

OF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR HAD PLANS FOR HOW ALL THAT MONEY WOULD BE SPENT AND A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS AND DEMOCRATS, ONE FORMER DEMOCRAT, JACOB CANDELARIA, SAW IT DIFFERENTLY.

I THINK THAT REALLY SET THE TONE AND CHANGED PARAMETERS FOR WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE COULD DO AND SET THINGS UP FOR HOW THIS MONEY WILL BE SPENT DOWN THE ROAD.

SO, I GUESS, IT WAS A BIPARTISAN MOVE TO SORT OF -- I MEAN EVERYBODY SAVED FACE.

THE GOVERNOR WAS ABLE TO MITIGATE AGAINST SOME OF THE BAD PRESS AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT SHE HAD COMING OUT OF THE REGULAR SESSION WITH ALLEGATIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, HER VETO OF THE JUNIOR BILL WAS POLITICAL, ET CETERA.

I THINK IT WAS ALL KIND OF MUTED AND EVERYBODY COMES OUT BEING ABLE TO DECLARE VICTORY.

I DON'T REALLY THINK I HAVE A LOT OF OPTIMISM FOR BIPARTISANSHIP GOING FORWARD PARTLY BECAUSE I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS TRIED SORT OF IN THE VEIN OF BILL RICHARDSON LIKE MANEUVERS, YOU KNOW, TO TAKE CONTROL AND BE VERY DICTATORIAL ABOUT THE WAY THESE MONIES WILL BE SPENT, CAPITAL MONEY AND THE JUNIOR BILL.

THAT DIDN'T WORK.

SHE HAD TO STEP BACK AND IRON OUT A DEAL.

AND, SO, I THINK IT IS A TEMPORARY SORT OF DETENTE AND EVERYBODY COMES OUT OKAY.

THERE IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER FIGHT DOWN THE ROAD.

Gene: I THINK YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT.

THAT IS AN INTERESTING POINT.

LET ME TURN TO YOU ON THAT.

IT IS NOT ALL SETTLED.

LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY.

WHAT JUSTINE IS GETTING TO HERE.

THE IDEA OF WHAT MAKES IT A SUCCESSFUL SPECIAL SESSION, WHAT WORD CAN WE PUT ON THIS?

12 HOURS, NO BIG SURPRISES.

Sophie: WELL, I THINK IT COULD BE CALLED SUCCESSFUL FROM SOME PERSPECTIVES.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN FOUR DAYS INSTEAD OF ONE AND THEN THAT WOULD HAVE COST A HECK OF A LOT MORE MONEY.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN, AS JUSTINE INTIMATED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A CIRCUMSTANCE IN WHICH THE LEGISLATURE AND OBVIOUSLY THE DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE CALLED IT THEMSELVES.

AND SO THE GOVERNOR WAS ABLE TO SAVE SOME FACE AND NOT HAVE WHAT WOULD HAVE APPEARED TO BE A FULL ON REBELLION FROM MEMBERS OF HER OWN PARTY.

AND SO THAT IS SUCCESSFUL.

I THINK ULTIMATELY THIS WILL END UP HAVING BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A BLIP FOR THE RANK AND FILE VOTER.

CERTAINLY WITHIN THE POLITICAL SPHERE, THERE IS MORE TO TALK ABOUT HERE, BUT DO I THINK THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON FUTURE ELECTIONS, PROBABLY NOT, BECAUSE I THINK MOST COMMUNITIES OR MOST CITIZENS, ET CETERA, ARE GOING TO SAY, YEAH, BUT THE MONEY CAME THROUGH.

Gene: GOOD POINT THERE TOO.

LOOKING DEEPER AT THE CONTENT OF WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED, IS THIS ADEQUATE ACTION WHEN IT COMES TO INFLATION?

ARE THERE BETTER LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS OUT THERE?

500 BUCKS IS GREAT, $1000 IS GREAT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN AT THE END OF THE DAY?

Serge: GREAT QUESTION.

LET ME START BY JUST SAYING THE JUNIOR BILL THAT GOT PASSED IT HAS SOME FUNDING FOR THE LAW SCHOOL THAT I'LL BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THAT.

SO JUST WANTED TO DISCLOSE THAT AND SAY I THOUGHT THAT PART WAS A GREAT SUCCESS.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, NO, 500 BUCKS, 1000 BUCKS FOR SOME FAMILIES IT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE DEAL WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

I AM A BIG FAN OF GETTING MONEY TO PEOPLE WITH AS FEW RESTRICTIONS AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW THEM TO SPEND IT HOW THEY DECIDE THEY NEED IT.

BUT IN TERMS OF INFLATION, NO, THIS IS JUST A BLIP -- THIS IS JUST A MEREST WAVING AT EFFORT TO TRY TO ADDRESS THIS.

AND SO TO SOME EXTENT IS A LITTLE BIT FOR SHOW.

I THINK A REAL SOLUTION WOULD BE TO PROVIDE REAL RELIEF TO FOLKS IN THE FORM OF, YOU KNOW, LONGER -- DIFFERENT PLAN TO GET MORE INCOME INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED IT, MORE MONEY, AND TO BE ABLE TO REALLY ADDRESS THE WAY THAT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE BEING HARD HIT BY THIS CURRENT SITUATION.

Gene: SERGE, SPEAKING OF FAMILIES, INTERESTING LITTLE NOTE HERE.

IT ALSO INCLUDED MONIES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO SUPPORTERS SAY ARE ALSO PAYING TAXES AND DESERVE THE RELIEF.

IS THAT A GENERALLY AGREED, YOU KNOW, YES?

HOW ABOUT FOR YOU?

IS THAT OKAY FOR YOU?

Serge: ABSOLUTELY GREAT FOR ME.

IT IS A BIT OF A MYTH THAT UNDOCUMENTED FOLKS DON'T PAY TAXES.

MANY OF THEM HAVE MONEY WITHHELD FROM THEIR WAGES ALL THE TIME, ANY TIME THEY WORK, AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY WAY TO GET AT THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS THAT SYSTEM BUT, YOU KNOW, FOLKS WHO DON'T FILE INCOME TAX RETURNS STILL ARE PAYING TAXES IN THE FORM OF SALES TAXES, THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO PROPERTY TAXES THAT ARE BEING PAID.

IT IS A MISTAKE TO SAY THESE PEOPLE ARE FREE LOADING, RIGHT.

AND FOLKS WHO DON'T EARN ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY TAXES, THAT IS THE WAY A PROGRESSIVE TAX SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO WORK AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP THE MOST.

AND, FINALLY, WHERE IS THIS MONEY GOING TO GO?

WE PUT THIS MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF NEW MEXICANS.

GUESS WHERE IT GOES?

INTO NEW MEXICO.

AND I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE MISTAKE TO POINT FINGERS AND SAY WE ARE GIVING OUT, YOU KNOW, TAX REBATES OR MONEY FOR YOU AND YOU AND YOU BUT NOT FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE JUST NOT RIGHT.

IF THE RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL THE BOATS, THEN ALL THE BOATS IN NEW MEXICO NEED LIFTING RIGHT NOW.

Sophie: GENE, IF I COULD ADD ONE THING.

ONE THING THAT I WANTED TO SAY THAT REALLY STRUCK ME ABOUT WHAT SERGE WAS TALKING ABOUT WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED WHO COULD ACCESS FUNDS, IS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER FOR IT.

AND THAT MAKES SENSE ON SOME LEVEL.

HOW DOES THE STATE GET THE MONEY TO YOU IF IT DOESN'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, I DO FEEL SOME CONCERN THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIVING OFF THE BOOKS, SO TO SPEAK, MAY NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT REGISTRATION PROGRAM, MAY NOT WISH TO NOTIFY THE STATE WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY ARE.

Gene: IT IS AN ISSUE HERE.

IT REALLY IS.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY TO GO AROUND.

PEOPLE MAKE INTERESTING CHOICES.

JUSTINE, I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU IN THE SPOT ALWAYS HAVING TO DESCRIBE THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THIS, BUT I AM INTERESTED IN THIS.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE REPUBLICAN ON THE SENATE SIDE OPPOSED TO ANY OF THIS AND NOT MANY ON THE HOUSE SIDE EITHER.

I HEAR YOUR POINT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER ABOUT IT DOESN'T REALLY BODE ANYTHING FOR BIPARTISANSHIP.

WAS THIS JUST THE FACT, I NEED TO GET MY MONEY THAT I PROMISED MY CONSTITUENTS, AND GET OUT OF TOWN?

IS THAT BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE FROM REPUBLICANS AS WELL?

Justine: I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE CAUCUS OR FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS ANYMORE TO BE FRANK, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANYTHING TERRIBLY CONTROVERSIAL, FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT SERGE SUPPORTS -- FIRST, MANY OF THE SAME REASONS THAT SERGE SUPPORTS SEEING THE MONEY GO OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS A PARTISAN ISSUE AT ALL.

EVEN PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN LIMITED GOVERNMENT THINK THAT THE FUNDS ARE BETTER IN THE HANDS OF INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED THE MONEY FOR.

AND I, FOR ONE, AM GLAD THAT POT OF MONEY WASN'T SPENT ON SOME LARGE RECURRING PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE FUTURE FUNDS FROM TAX COFFERS SO I DON'T THINK IT WAS TERRIBLY CONTROVERSIAL.

I DO THINK PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WOULD SCORE POLITICAL POINTS BY HANDING OUT STIMULUS MONEY AND, OF COURSE, VIRTUALLY EVERY SPECIAL SESSION EVERYTHING IS KIND OF GREASED BEFOREHAND.

Gene: WHAT DO YOU MAKE ABOUT THE IDEA OF LETTING THESE PAYMENTS OUT ON THE TIMING?

I MEAN RIGHT AROUND THE PRIMARY, JUNE 7, AND THEN THE OTHER CHECKS COMING AROUND IN GENERAL IN NOVEMBER?

IS THAT A POLITICAL MOVE?

I MEAN WHY NOT JUST GIVE ALL THE MONEY AT ONCE.

Justine: YEAH IT IS.

Gene: I LOVE THAT ANSWER.

SERGE, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

TOO POLITICAL FOR WORDS OR TIMING IS JUST RIGHT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Serge: IT IS CLEARLY -- IT IS TOO POLITICAL FOR WORDS, BUT I MEAN THIS IS NOT SUBTLE AND, YOU KNOW, I AM OKAY WITH THAT IN SOME CASES AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

Gene: SOPHIE, THERE HAS BEEN SOME TALK OUT THERE THAT WE COULD BE, SINCE WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY AND POTENTIALLY A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN OVER THE YEARS, WE COULD END UP LOOKING LIKE ALASKA AT SOME POINT WHERE PEOPLE END UP GETTING CHECKS ANNUALLY FROM ALL THIS MONEY.

COULD YOU EVER IMAGINE A SCENARIO LIKE THAT IN NEW MEXICO?

Sophie: I CAN IMAGINE IT BUT YOU KNOW THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SOME TIME KNOW THAT OUR FORTUNES RAISE AND FALL.

WE HAVE HAD SOME AWFULLY LEAN YEARS AND I THINK IT WOULD TAKE A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE THIS LEGISLATURE WAS PREPARED TO DO -- TO ENTERTAIN SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WOOHOO, MONEY FOR EVERYONE.

ALASKA IS REALLY INTERESTING, BUT I DON'T THINK WE ARE THERE YET.

WE DO STILL HAVE THINGS WE NEED TO FUND IN THIS STATE AND THAT WE NEED GOVERNMENT TO FOCUS ON.

SO I IMAGINE THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE DEBATE THERE TOO.

Gene: EXACTLY RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT DISCUSSION.

WE'LL CHECK BACK IN WITH YOU IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT THE SUCCESSES AND ISSUES THAT CAME IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LEGAL RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SALES IN NEW MEXICO.

FIRST, AN EXPERT PERSPECTIVE ON THE PLAN TO SEND 500-DOLLARS TO EACH NEW MEXICAN.

I AM PLEASED TO BE WELCOMING DR. JAMES PEACH, PROFESSOR EMERITUS FROM THE NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY, WHERE HE TAUGHT ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BEFORE RETIRING.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT, FIRST OF ALL.

GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU, DR. PEACH.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT OUTCOME OF THE SPECIAL SESSION JUST WRAPPED UP THIS WEEK.

DECISION BY THE LEGISLATURE TO SEND EITHER 500 OR 1000 TO SINGLES OR COUPLES OUT THERE, FILING JOINTLY.

THE GOAL IN THE SESSION WAS TO EASE THE BURDEN OF RISING CONSUMER COSTS.

DOES THIS DO THAT IN YOUR VIEW?

Peach: IT WILL HELP.

FAR BETTER THING TO DO THIS THAN HAVE ADDITIONAL TAX CUTS.

WE WILL NEED THE TAX REVENUE AT SOME POINT GIVEN THE VOLATILITY IN OIL PRICES.

Gene: IS THAT NUMBER ACCEPTABLE TO YOU?

DID YOU HAVE A NUMBER IN YOUR OWN MIND THAT YOU THOUGHT, WELL, MAYBE THIS MIGHT HELP?

IS $500 APPRECIABLY GOOD IN YOUR VIEW?

Peach: CERTAINLY.

THAT WILL BE A BIG HELP FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY AT THE LOW END OF THE INCOME DISTRIBUTION.

$500 IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE MY LIFE-STYLE OR YOURS EITHER, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE IT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Gene: IN COMPARISON, THE MOVE IS ALONG THE SAME LINES AS THE FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECKS WE RECEIVED THE LAST TWO YEARS.

BUT THOSE DIDN'T STOP THE INFLATION WE ARE SEEING NOW.

ARE THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS WE CAN TAKE NOW TO HELP PREVENT A FUTURE SPIKE IN INFLATION?

Peach: THERE IS VERY LITTLE THAT CAN BE DONE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

ALMOST NOTHING.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THE MEASURES THAT ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE, RAISING INTEREST RATES AND REDUCING THE BALANCE OF THE BANK MAY HELP A LITTLE BIT.

A LOT OF INFLATION HAS TO DO WITH THINGS THAT ARE NOT THE TYPICAL BAILIWICK OF MONETARY POLICY.

AND THAT INCLUDES OIL PRICES WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFECTED DRAMATICALLY BY THE WAR, RUSSIA'S WAR ON THE UKRAINE.

AND AUTOMOBILE PRICES WHICH A LOT OF THAT IS DUE TO THE -- AND FOOD PRICES ARE, OF COURSE, GOING UP AND A LOT OF THAT HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED.

Gene: WHAT COULD BRING DOWN INFLATION IN YOUR VIEW AT THIS POINT?

LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THERE IS A LOT OF FACTORS OUT THERE CAUSING THIS PRESSURE.

IS THERE ANY ONE THING WE CAN LOOK AT TO EASE INFLATION AT THIS POINT?

Peach: A GOOD PART OF THE INFLATION IS DUE TO TWO THINGS.

IT IS DUE TO ENERGY AND INCREASE IN AUTOMOBILE PRICES.

AS THE TECH SHORTAGES EASE A LITTLE BIT, AND THERE ARE SIGNS IT IS GOING TO EASE, AUTOMOBILE PRICES SHOULD AT LEAST QUIT RISING AS RAPIDLY AND THAT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON USED CAR PRICES.

ENERGY MARKETS ARE ALWAYS VOLATILE.

THERE IS A WHOLE HISTORY OF THE OIL INDUSTRY AND ITS VOLATILITY IN CRUDE OIL PRICES.

THERE IS VERY LITTLE THAT WE CAN DO AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED 180 MILLION BARRELS, A MILLION BARRELS A DAY, FOR 180 DAYS FOR RELEASE FROM THE PETROLEUM RESERVE.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT INTERNATIONAL PRICES FOR CRUDE OIL VERY MUCH.

Gene: WE ARE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF PRICE DROP THOUGH.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO?

Peach: OIL MARKETS ARE SO SKETCHY THESE DAYS THAT EVEN SLIGHT CHANGES IN CRUDE OIL STOCKS, SLIGHT CHANGES IN RUMORS.

YOU KNOW, WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE BRIEFLY $130 A BARREL ONE DAY ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, HEY, WE HAVE $95 DOLLAR OIL, IT IS A REMARKABLE THING HOW THOSE MARKETS CAN CHANGE ON RUMOR, SOMETIMES ON FACTS, BUT, WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE FUTURE IS CONTINUED VOLATILITY.

Gene: DR. PEACH, WHEN CAN WE SEE SOME RELIEF HERE IN YOUR VIEW?

THIS IS MY LAST QUESTION, YOU KNOW, ON INFLATION, PRICES, EVERYTHING ELSE.

WHAT IS OUT THERE THAT WILL GIVE US RELIEF AND WHEN?

Peach: SOME OF THE PRESSURES WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, ENERGY, AUTOMOBILE, SOME OF THAT WILL GO AWAY PROBABLY BY THE END OF THE SUMMER.

AND I WOULD THINK CERTAINLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WE SHOULD BE WELL ON OUR WAY TO RETURNING TO SOME SORT OF BETTER OUTLOOK ON INFLATION.

Gene: DR. JAMES PEACH, PROFESSOR EMERITUS NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUICK TIME TODAY.

HOPE WE CAN STOP IN WITH YOU AND DISCUSS THIS AS THE SUMMER AND THE END OF YEAR GETS A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, SEE WHERE WE ARE.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY.

Goodbody: IT IS NOT JUST SIMPLY, OH, THERE IS LESS SNOW SO WE HAVE LESS WATER.

THERE IS OTHER PROCESSES IN PLAY HERE RELATED TO FORESTS, TRANSPIRATION AND EVAPORATION AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITIONS COMING INTO A SEASON THAT SEEM TO BE EXACERBATED RECENTLY WITH, YOU KNOW, MULTIPLE YEARS OF DRY CONDITIONS.

Gene: THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE'S BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS IS NO MORE.

CITY COUNCIL ORIGINALLY VOTED TO REPEAL THE BAN LAST MONTH BEFORE MAYOR KELLER VETOED THE MOVE.

THEN EARLIER THIS WEEK THE COUNCIL VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE VETO WIPING THE BAN FROM THE BOOKS CITING EXTRA COSTS FOR CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SAY IT IS A STEP BACKWARDS AND AS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER LAURA PASKUS SHOWS US, WATER OFFICIALS WORRY IT COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN POLLUTION.

Laura: THAT PHOTO BEHIND YOU, CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT WE ARE SEEING THERE?

Bronson: THAT IS A STORM WATER OUTFALL.

I BELIEVE THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE.

THE WAY THE STORM WATER SYSTEMS WORK IN OUR AREA, LIKE IN THE GREATER ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA, WE HAVE A LOT OF INTERCONNECTED.

THERE ARE PLACES THAT ARE UNINCORPORATED BERNALILLO COUNTY, PLACES THAT ARE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND PLACES THAT ARE FLOOD CONTROL AUTHORITY, BELONG TO THEM, AND THEY ALL INTERLINK.

SO WE GO -- IT GOES BERNALILLO COUNTY, GOES INTO THE CITY THEN GOES TO AMAFCA AND THEN GOES INTO THE COUNTY AND GOES BACK OUT.

EVEN THOUGH -- IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.

THE SYSTEMS ARE ALL TANGLED UP TOGETHER SO THIS PARTICULAR OUTFALL BELONGS TO THE CITY BUT IT LIKELY HAS INPUTS FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THIS PERMIT.

SO THIS OUTFALL GOES DIRECTLY INTO THE RIO GRANDE AND WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS A BIT OF A SCREEN ON THERE AND IT HAS CAUGHT SOME OF THESE BAGS.

PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTORS TO PLASTIC POLLUTIONS ALONG WITH POLYSTYRENE PACKAGING, ALL SORTS OF PLASTICS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STREAM OF WASTE.

Laura: SO, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE WATER PROTECTION ADVISORY BOARD WROTE TO ALBUQUERQUE OFFICIALS URGING THE CITY COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER ITS EARLIER REPEAL OF THE ORDINANCE.

AND IN THAT LETTER, THEY WROTE THAT THE CITY COLLECTS ANNUALLY -- OR ANNUALLY THE CITY COLLECTS AND DISPOSES OF ABOUT FIVE SEMI TRUCK LOADS OF PLASTIC BAGS FROM DRAINS AND THEY WROTE THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE PLASTIC BAGS THAT ARE COLLECTED FROM DRAINS BY OTHER ENTITIES.

IS THAT AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE SCALE OF THIS WASTE?

Bronson: YEAH.

SO, ALL OF THE ENTITIES THAT HAVE STORM WATER SYSTEMS, WE CLEAN THEM OUT.

WE HAVE TO COLLECT THIS WASTE AND WE ALL TRACK IT AS PART OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE PERMIT AND THAT IS PRETTY ACCURATE.

A LARGE PORTION OF THE MATERIAL THAT IS COLLECTED IS SEDIMENT AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT PLASTICS ARE A BIG PART OF THAT, THE TRASH PORTION OF IT.

PLASTIC BAGS AND WATER BOTTLES, PACKAGING, ALL OF THAT IS THERE AND THEN IT BREAKS DOWN.

EVEN THOUGH A LARGE PORTION OF THAT IS SEDIMENT YOU MAY HAVE A LOT OF WHAT WE CALL MICRO PLASTICS IN THERE, BECAUSE PLASTICS BREAK DOWN OVER TIME WHEN EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT AND BECOME SMALLER PIECES.

SO THAT BECOMES PART OF THAT WASTE STREAM AS WELL THAT GETS INTO OUR EARTH.

Laura: CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

WE SEE, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE VISUAL BEHIND YOU IS VERY OBVIOUS.

WE SEE PLASTIC BAGS STUCK TO CACTUS AND FENCES ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE BITS THAT WE CAN'T NECESSARILY SEE?

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THOSE?

Bronson: SO, WHEN PLASTICS ARE BREAKING DOWN, THEY ALSO LEACH OUT TOXINS IN THERE.

THERE ARE VARIOUS TYPES OF TOXINS THAT COME WITH PLASTIC, A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHEMICALS, BUT WE KNOW A LOT OF THEM REALLY IMPACT HUMAN AND WILDLIFE HEALTH.

AND THEY ARE LINKED TO, YOU KNOW, CANCERS AND RECEPTORS AND HORMONAL DISRUPTION AND THERE IS ALL SORTS OF THINGS WE HAVE LINKED THESE TOXINS AND PLASTICS TO.

SO THAT GETS INTO THE WATER.

IT GETS IN WHEN IT BECOMES SMALLER PIECES.

ANIMALS CAN EAT IT.

THE REAL BIG PROBLEM WITH THAT, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS TOXINS IN THERE BUT ALSO THEIR BODIES, WE CAN'T DIGEST PLASTIC SO WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS PLASTIC GETS LODGED IN THEIR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

Laura: I FEEL LIKE OUR CITY'S PLASTIC BAG BAN WAS COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT WAS PASSED IN 2019 BUT THEN IT WAS KIND OF PULLED BACK BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND JUST SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, IN PARTICULAR, BUT DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF HOW SOMETHING LIKE THE CITY'S PLASTIC BAG BAN CAN REDUCE THIS WASTE STREAM THAT YOUR HAVING TO DEAL WITH?

Bronson: YEAH.

I THINK YOU CAN LOOK.

THERE ARE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE IN OTHER CITIES THAT HAD PLASTIC BAG BANS SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY OF SAN JOSE SAW A REDUCTION IN PLASTIC BAG LITTER FROM WHAT HAD BEEN 12% OF THEIR TRASH IN 2010 TO 4% IN 2012 JUST FROM HAVING THE PLASTIC BAG BAN AND THAT IS CONSIDERABLE.

WE ARE SEEING THAT IN OTHER -- WE ARE SEEING THAT IN OTHER PLACES.

THE BAY AREA HAS DONE A LOT OF STUDIES.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THOSE.

BUT A LOT OF THE PLACES THAT HAVE THESE BANS WE DO SEE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN PLASTIC WASTE.

Gene: $318 MILLION, THAT IS THE NUMBER GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM EXPECTS RECREATION CANNABIS SALES TO REACH BY THE END OF THE YEAR AFTER WHAT SHE CALLS A SUCCESSFUL OPENING WEEKEND FOR LEGALIZATION.

IF THAT ESTIMATE PANS OUT, THE STATE WOULD RECEIVE MILLIONS IN TAX REVENUE SENDING EVEN MORE CASH TO LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES WHERE SHOPS ARE UP AND RUNNING.

WELCOME OUR LINE PANEL BACK FOR A LOOK BACK AT OPENING WEEK.

5.2 MILLION ON OPENING WEEKEND, ALMOST THREE-AND-A-HALF OF THAT RECREATIONAL USE.

PREDICTIONS OF MORE THAN 300 MILLION IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS.

DOES THE GOVERNOR HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE CELEBRATING THESE NUMBERS.

IS SHE ON THE RIGHT TRACK HERE?

Sophie: I CAN'T PREDICT EXACTLY HOW SALES WILL WORK.

MY EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY IS THAT YOU OFTEN GET A BUMP ON YOUR OPENING WEEKEND.

SO, IT IS NOT, YOU KNOW -- I AM NOT ABLE TO DO THE FULL PREDICTIONS MYSELF.

BUT IT DOES SEEM LIKE IT WAS A PROMISING START AND I THINK IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING A LOT OF COVERAGE ABOUT THIS HAS REALLY FOCUSED ON THE BORDER WITH TEXAS, WHICH IS THE LARGEST STATE THAT DOES NOT ALLOW CANNABIS -- DOESN'T HAVE LEGALIZATION WITHIN THE STATE.

AND HERE WE HAVE THAT NICE BORDER AND I AM SURE FOLKS IN CLOVIS ARE HAPPY RIGHT NOW ABOUT THOSE SALES.

Gene: INTERESTING.

THE WORD TRANSPARENCY COMES UP HERE WITH ALL THIS MONEY COMING IN.

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH TRANSPARENCY ON HOW THIS MONEY IS EITHER BEING RECEIVED, HOW IT IS GOING TO BE SPENT?

WHAT IS YOUR GUT TELLING YOU AT THIS POINT?

Serge: TRANSPARENCY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT COMES TO MIND WITH THIS, RIGHT.

I MEAN, WE DO KNOW THAT IT IS BRINGING IN A LOT OF MONEY, PROBABLY RAISING FOLKS' EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT WE CAN EXPECT, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN CLEAR ON HOW IT IS BEING ACCOUNTED FOR AND DISTRIBUTED OR WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

LIKE SOPHIE SAID, WOOHOO, THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY.

AND I AM NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT BUT I DO THINK THIS IS BARELY A YEAR SINCE THEY PASSED -- SINCE THIS WAS PASSED AND WE'RE VERY MUCH AT THE BEGINNING STAGES OF SEEING HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.

I AM OPTIMISTIC BUT, YOU KNOW, I DO THINK IT IS A LITTLE BIT SOON TO SAY, YES, THIS HAS SOLVED LOTS OF PROBLEMS AND WE'LL ALL BE ABLE TO BE HAPPY.

JUST IN TERMS OF THE LICENSING AND SEEING HOW IT HAS BEEN -- MICRO BUSINESSES -- MICRO GROWERS, RATHER, THEY ARE MAKING NOISE ABOUT BEING LEFT OUT, HAVING UNFAIR OR UNREASONABLE OBSTACLES RAISED, RIGHT?

WE ARE VERY MUCH IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF THIS AND SO MUCH NEEDS TO BE WORKED OUT.

I FEEL LIKE DECLARING, YES, THIS IS GOING CHANGE IT LIKE A BASEBALL TEAM WINNING ITS FIRST TWO GAMES AND SAYING, WELL, WE ARE ON PACE TO GO 162 AND 0, OR WHATEVER THAT IS.

Gene: THANK YOU.

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

JUSTINE, INTERESTINGLY, I APPRECIATE WHAT SERGE BROUGHT UP MICRO PRODUCERS.

ONE OF THE CONCERNS, THESE BUSINESSES AREN'T ALLOWED TO HAVE MORE THAN 200 FULL-GROWN PLANTS AT A TIME.

THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BUY WHOLESALE PRODUCT TO SELL BACK TO THE PUBLIC.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SMALLER BUSINESSES TRYING TO COMPETE WITH BIG MONEY OPERATIONS THAT WE KNOW ARE PUTTING THE CLAMP DOWN ON RIGHT NOW.

Justine: IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN BUT, FIRST, THOUGH, I AM READY TO DECLARE VICTORY.

I THINK HERE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE HIT ON A RENEWABLE GREEN RESOURCE AND WITH ESTIMATES LIKE THIS I THINK WE HAVE FOUND A WAY TO PAY FOR ALL THE FREE COLLEGE THAT NOBODY KNEW HOW TO PLUG THAT HOLE.

AND, THEN, HEY, ALL THESE STONER COLLEGE KIDS ARE GOING TO HAVE MONEY JIGGLING AROUND IN THEIR POCKETS AND THEY CAN BUY MORE WEED.

AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS UNWILLINGLY HIT UPON A SELF SUSTAINING ECONOMIC MODEL WITH A RENEWABLE RESOURCE.

I DON'T KNOW.

OBVIOUSLY, A LOT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

I THINK, GENE, YOU HIT ON, AS FAR AS THE MECHANICS ARE CONCERNED, EXACTLY WHAT THE REAL ISSUE WILL BE AS NEW PRODUCERS GET IN THE GAME AND WE SEE WHAT WE ARE REALLY WORKING.

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ISSUE WITH THE MARIJUANA PROGRAM, WHETHER IT IS MEDICAL OR NOW RECREATIONAL, HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER ALL THIS AND STILL LET THE MARKET WORK.

I WOULD SAY GIVEN THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR 23 YEARS, YOU KNOW, SINCE GARY JOHNSON CAME OUT AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF LEGISLATORS AT THAT TIME WERE READY TO GO FORWARD WITH IT.

WE SEEM TO BE STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

SO I GUESS I AM NOT THAT OPTIMISTIC THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE A REALLY ROBUST MARKET IN PLACE.

AND SEE THE KIND OF RETURNS THAT ARE PREDICTED BUT I HOPE THAT THE MARKET IS ALLOWED TO OPERATE.

Gene: APPRECIATE THAT POINT AND SOPHIE LET ME CONTINUE ON, THE MARKET ALSO INCLUDES OTHERS WHO ARE NOT QUITE SO OFFICIAL, IF YOU GET MY DRIFT HERE.

I AM INTERESTED TO SEE AS THE WEEKS GO BY IF OUR MARKET OF NEW MEXICO GETS FLOODED WITH CHEAP CANNABIS, ILLEGAL CANNABIS, NOT THROUGH OUR STATE STORES AND WHAT THAT DOES TO PRICING AND DEMAND AND ALL THAT KIND OF THING.

IT IS GOING TO BE INTERESTS AS THE WEEKS GO ON TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

WITH SO MUCH MONEY HEADED TO THE STATE, WAS ENOUGH THOUGHT GIVEN TO CREATING THAT SAME OPPORTUNITY FOR NATIVE TRIBES HERE?

ARE THEY GETTING IN ON THE LARGESS AT THIS POINT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE?

Sophie: IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE TRIBAL PROPERTIES FALL UNDER FEDERAL MARIJUANA LAW AND SO THERE IS A REAL DISTINCTION THERE BETWEEN WHAT IS POSSIBLE ON NON-TRIBAL LAND AND WHAT IS POSSIBLE ON TRIBAL LAND.

SO, I THINK THAT IS A REAL -- IT IS SOMETHING THAT FOLKS NEED TO KEEP IN MIND.

IT IS A REAL ISSUE.

THE OTHER THING I DID WANT TO BRING UP, AND I THINK THIS WILL HAVE IMPACT BOTH -- IT WILL HAVE IMPACT ON NON-TRIBAL BUT ALSO ON TRIBAL LAND, IS THE DECRIMINALIZATION ELEMENT AND THE EXPUNGEMENT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING OF PAST CRIMINAL RECORDS RELATING TO MARIJUANA POSSESSION.

AND, SO, I MEAN, I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG RELIEF AS THAT ROLLS OUT AND AS THOSE EXPUNGEMENTS HAPPEN.

I SHOULD SAY LESS OF AN ISSUE BECAUSE OF TRIBAL LAW ISSUES, BUT CERTAINLY WITHIN THE STATE THOSE EXPUNGEMENTS ARE GOING TO BE HUGE.

Gene: WE HAVE TO GET LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS DISCUSSION, NO DOUBT.

THERE IS CONCERN OUT THERE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WHEEL EVEN MORE ADDLED, IF I CAN USE A WORD HERE, THAN BEFORE.

OTHER IDEA OF COURSE IS THAT OFFICERS ARE GOING THROUGH TRAINING, WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

THEY NEED TO BE A STEP AHEAD OF THIS, DON'T THEY?

THIS JUST CAN'T HAPPEN IN ISOLATION WITHOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT BEING READY TO DO THEIR THING.

Serge: I AM A LITTLE BIT UNSURE ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT IS NOT LIKE CANNABIS WAS NOT HERE IN NEW MEXICO BEFORE.

AND I WONDER HOW MUCH OVERLAP THERE IS BETWEEN THE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE CAUTIOUS ENOUGH TO WAIT FOR IT TO BE LEGAL BUT THEN ARE COOL AT DRIVING WHILE USING CANNABIS.

THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, A RECENT STUDY I SAW OUT OF COLORADO SAID THAT LIKE 40% OF THE RECREATIONAL USERS THEY ASKED THOUGHT CANNABIS DIDN'T IMPAIR THEIR DRIVING AT ALL, RIGHT.

AND SO IT IS A PROBLEM.

I DON'T WANT TO POOH-POOH IT, RIGHT?

THE MORE AVAILABLE IT IS THE MORE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE IT IS, THE MORE PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH IT AND START TO SAY, OH, THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE.

Gene: CAN I THROW IN THAT LEGAL MARIJUANA IS MUCH STRONGER THAN A LOT OF STREET WEED.

YOU CAN BUY TWO OUNCES AT A TIME, YOU KNOW.

THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT SIT THERE AND JUST TRY TO POUND WEED AND YOU GOT A PROBLEM SUDDENLY.

Serge: I THINK IT IS -- THE PERSON WHO FIGURES OUT A REALLY SOLID RELIABLE TEST FOR THIS IS GOING TO BE IN A GOOD PLACE BUT I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE AND CREATE EDUCATION ABOUT YOU ACTUALLY DON'T DRIVE BETTER WHEN YOU ARE HIGH AND THAT YOU CAN -- IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT ALCOHOL.

BUT MAKING SURE THAT USE IS NOT IMPAIRMENT, JUST LIKE WITH ALCOHOL.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOING TO THE BAR AND HAVING A GLASS OF WINE AND POUNDING SHOTS, RIGHT?

THE SAME WITH CANNABIS.

I DON'T ENVY THE TASK BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT AND FOCUS ON NOT JUST SAYING ANYBODY WHO USES IS, THEREFORE, IN THE SIGHTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHATNOT.

BECAUSE IT IS DECRIMINALIZED FOR A REASON.

Gene: JUSTINE, WE ALSO HAD A SITUATION MORE THAN A DOZEN STUDENTS NEEDING MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER APPARENTLY ACCIDENTALLY EATING SOME EDIBLES.

YOU KNOW, IS IT GOING TO BE THROUGH EDUCATION FOR PARENTS.

WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN HERE TO KEEP SOMETHING LIKE THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?

Justine: I HATE TO BE NEGATIVE ABOUT IT.

I THINK WE HAVE DONE ALL THE EDUCATION YOU CAN IMAGINE ON ALCOHOL USE AND THAT HASN'T DONE A WHOLE LOT WITH OUR ALCOHOL PROBLEM IN THE STATE.

I THINK ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU POINT TO, THESE ARE ISSUES THAT COME OUT OF GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION.

WE HAVE A PARTIAL DECRIMINALIZATION.

WE HAVE THE GOVERNMENT INTERFERING.

YOU TALK ABOUT STREET WEED DIDN'T DO THIS TO PEOPLE.

AND, NOW WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE DO HAVE REALLY A VERY STRONG SUBSTANCE AND IT IS GOING TO BE HIGHLY AVAILABLE.

I THINK IT HAS GOT TO SETTLE OUT.

IT IS A COMPLICATED PROBLEM WHERE YOU HAVE THE BLACK-MARKET.

YOU HAVE THIS NEW LEGAL MARKET AND EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO WORK IT OUT AND THINGS LIKE THIS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN AND IN A YEAR OR SO, I THINK, WE'LL BE SITTING HERE REALIZING THAT IT HAS CALMED DOWN AND NOT SO NEW AND PEOPLE HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO MANAGE IT.

Gene: JUSTINE, IT IS TAXED PRETTY HEAVILY AND THERE IS MORE TAX COMING ON IT AS THE YEARS GO BY.

IS THERE A POINT OF NO RETURN ON PRICE WHEN IT COMES TO LEGAL CANNABIS WHERE IT IS JUST TOO MUCH AND THE BLACK-MARKET IS JUST READY, WAITING.

Justine: ABSOLUTELY THERE IS.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE DIMINISHING RETURNS.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THAT POINT IS.

I AM SURE STUDIES OUT OF COLORADO HAVE REVEALED THAT AND OUT OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON.

AND ALSO AS WE SEE THE PROLIFERATION AROUND THE COUNTRY, WHERE THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE LOCAL MARKETS WHERE IT BECOMES SO WIDELY AVAILABLE, BUT, YES, IT IS GOING TO DIMINISH.

THAT IS WHY I DON'T THROW A LOT OF STOCK IN THESE ESTIMATES.

Gene: YEAH, INTERESTING POINT.

NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO SPEND $200 EVERY TWO WEEKS ON THIS STUFF.

WE'LL BE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS SURROUNDING LEGALIZATION.

ALSO BE SURE TO LISTEN TO THE NEW MEXICO PBS POD CAST, GROWING FORWARD.

MADE IN COLLABORATION WITH NEW MEXICO POLITICAL REPORT AND KUNM.

CO-HOST MEGAN KAMERICK AND ANDY LIMON EXPLORE THE WIDE-RANGING ASPECTS OF LEGALIZATION INCLUDING A CRIMINAL EXPUNGEMENT RECENTLY MENTIONED, WATER RIGHTS AND THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF INDOOR GROW OPERATIONS.

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

WE'LL BE BACK WITH THE LINE WITH ONE FINAL DISCUSSION ON EVICTIONS IN JUST ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

WE ARE ALL HAPPY SPRING IS WELL ON ITS WAY.

THINGS ARE STARTING TO GREEN UP AND BLOOM OUT THERE.

WHICH MEANS IT IS TIME TO PAY EVEN CLOSER ATTENTION TO THE RIO GRANDE'S SPRING AND SUMMER FLOWS.

ENVIRONMENT REPORTER LAURA PASKUS CHECKS IN WITH A FORECAST HYDROLOGIST TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH SNOW PACK AND DOWNSTREAM RIVER FLOWS THIS SPRING.

AND AS HE TELLS US, NORMAL DOESN'T MEAN THE SAME THING IT USED TO.

Laura: ANGUS GOODBODY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

Goodbody: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

A PLEASURE BEING HERE.

Laura: SO THE NRCS, THAT IS THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, ISSUES SPRING FORECASTS FOR WESTERN RIVERS INCLUDING THE RIO GRANDE.

HOW DOES THE RIO GRANDE LOOK THIS SPRING?

Goodbody: THIS SPRING WE ARE LOOKING AT BELOW MEDIAN STREAM FLOW FOR MOST OF THE WATERSHEDS IN THE RIO GRANDE.

IT DEPENDS A BIT ON WHICH PART WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

AS A WHOLE, THE MAIN STEM DOWN IN CENTRAL NEW MEXICO IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A LITTLE LESS THAN 70% OF MEDIAN.

AND THAT WOULD BE FOR THE APRIL THROUGH JULY RUNOFF PERIOD.

BUT THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF VARIABILITY.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE HEAD WATERS IN COLORADO PROBABLY ARE IN THE BEST SHAPE RIGHT NOW.

SO, STILL NOT AT MEDIAN OR TYPICAL VALUES BUT NOT SO FAR BELOW.

Laura: WHEN YOU ARE COMPILING THESE FORECASTS, WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT FACTORS YOU CONSIDER?

Goodbody: SO, OUR FORECAST MODELING SYSTEM IS A STATISTICAL METHOD THAT WE USE.

WE ALSO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH NOAA, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, AND THEY USE A PROCESS SIMULATION MODEL SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE A FEW DIFFERENT SOURCES OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US.

I'LL TALK ABOUT THE NRCS MODELING SYSTEM.

AGAIN, WE REALLY RELY MOSTLY ON HISTORICAL AND CURRENT OBSERVATIONS OF SNOWPACK AND PRECIPITATION.

AND WE COLLECT MOST OF THAT DATA THROUGH THE SNOTEL NETWORK, WHICH IS OUR HIGH ELEVATION MOUNTAIN GROUND-BASED OBSERVING SYSTEM.

Laura: SO, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW SNOWPACK RELATES TO STREAM FLOW AND ALSO HOW THAT HAS KIND OF CHANGED?

Goodbody: SURE.

SO, IN A LOT OF THE WESTERN U.S., WE DEPEND ON WATER FROM THE MOUNTAINS AND THAT WATER IS LARGELY SOURCED AS SNOWPACK.

SO, ACCUMULATING THROUGH THE WINTER WE TEND TO HAVE DEEP SEASONAL SNOWPACKS THROUGH A LOT OF THE UPPER RIO GRANDE BASIN AND ALSO IN NEW MEXICO IN THE HIGHER PEEKS OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTOS AND OTHER HIGH MOUNTAINS IN THAT AREA LOCALLY.

SO, THE WHOLE PREMISE FOR BEING ABLE TO FORECAST IS THE FACT THAT WE DO ACCUMULATE THIS SNOWPACK HIGH UP IN THE MOUNTAIN AHEAD OF TIME, SO WE ARE ABLE TO ASSESS EXACTLY HOW MUCH IS UP THERE, OR AT LEAST AN INDEX OF HOW MUCH IS UP THERE.

AND THEN WE KNOW THAT THAT IS GOING TO RUN OFF LATER IN THE SPRING TIME ONCE THE TEMPERATURES WARM UP, ET CETERA.

SO, IT IS REALLY BASED ON THAT NATURAL SNOWPACK RESERVOIR THAT CAN BE MEASURED IN ADVANCE TO GIVE US INDICATION OF WHAT TO EXPECT LATER IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER RUNOFF SEASON.

Laura: ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT A BUNCH ON OUR SHOW IS HOW EVEN A NORMAL OR ABOVE-AVERAGE SNOWPACK DOESN'T NECESSARILY TRANSLATE TO ROBUST DOWNSTREAM FLOWS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THAT IS?

Goodbody: SURE.

YOU ASKED ABOUT THE CHANGE TOO IN THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.

SO THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE AMOUNT OF SNOW WE HAVE IN OUR MOUNTAINS IS CHANGING AND HAS CHANGED CONSIDERABLY IN THE LAST FEW DECADES.

WE CAN DETECT THAT JUST WITH OUR GROUND-BASED MEASUREMENTS.

THERE IS ALSO A FEEDBACK BETWEEN HOW MUCH SNOW IS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND WHAT ACTUALLY RUNS OFF.

AND ITS NOT JUST SIMPLY, OH, THERE IS LESS SNOW SO WE HAVE LESS WATER.

THERE IS OTHER PROCESSES IN PLAY HERE RELATED TO FORESTS TRANSPIRATION AND EVAPORATION AND SOIL MOISTURE CONDITIONS COMING INTO A SEASON THAT SEEM TO BE EXACERBATED RECENTLY WITH MULTIPLE YEARS OF DRY CONDITIONS.

SO WE HAVE DEFICITS ENTERING THE SEASON THAT MAY BE LARGER THAN WHAT WE ARE USED TO EVEN IN THE MORE RECENT HISTORIC RECORD.

SO, I WILL SAY, YEAH, SO, IF YOU THINK ABOUT LESS SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS OBVIOUSLY THAT IS GOING TO MEAN LESS VOLUME.

IT ALSO CAN MEAN DIFFERENT TIMING OF THE RUNOFF AS WELL.

THIS IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE WE HAVE BUILT OUR SYSTEMS AROUND EXPECTATION OF RUNOFF AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR.

SO POTENTIALLY AS WE HAVE WARMING AND MAYBE MORE OF THE STORMS IN THE WINTER TRANSITION TO MORE LIQUID PRECIPITATION RATHER THAN SNOW, WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A SIMILAR AMOUNT OF RUNOFF BUT COMING AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR.

NOW THAT IS NOT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IN THE MOST RECENT DECADE IN THE RIO GRANDE.

IN GENERAL, IT HAS BEEN JUST QUITE DRY SO OVERALL THE MAIN FORCE FOR RUNOFF IS HOW MUCH PRECIPITATION OF ANY VARIETY THAT WE GET THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

AS LONG AS THAT REMAINS LOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE LOW RUNOFF.

I GUESS TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE STREAM FLOW AND WE DO SEE -- WE HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION.

EVERY 10 YEARS WE UPDATE OR STREAM FLOW NORMALS AND BASICALLY THAT IS A 30-YEAR AVERAGE IN MEDIAN THAT WE CALCULATE FOR THE SEASONAL TARGET PERIODS THAT WE FORECAST FOR.

AGAIN, THAT IS TYPICALLY EITHER APRIL-JULY OR MARCH-JULY ARE THE STANDARD TARGET PERIODS IN THE RIO GRANDE.

WHAT WE DID SEE ACROSS THE BOARD IN THIS RECENT UPDATE WAS LESS TOTAL VOLUME OF WATER RUNNING OFF DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.

SO, OUR ACTUAL NORMALS HAVE LOWERED WHICH MEANS THAT OUR INTERPRETATION OF 100% OF NORMAL IS ACTUALLY LESS THAN IT WAS FOR THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS.

Laura: I THINK SO MANY OF US WANT TO KNOW OR UNDERSTAND HOW MANY GOOD YEARS WOULD WE NEED TO EVER CATCH UP?

Goodbody: HONESTLY, IF THINGS WERE WETTER IN THE RIO GRANDE, IT WOULDN'T NECESSARILY TAKE THAT LONG TO CATCH UP.

I MEAN, THE BIG QUESTION IS, IS THAT ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN?

AND, AGAIN, I DO TEND TO LOOK TO HISTORY.

I KNOW WE ARE IN A TIME OF GREATER UNCERTAINTY WITH WHAT THE CLIMATE WILL BE DOING IN THE NEXT DECADE OR DECADES.

HOWEVER, WE CAN LOOK BACK, PARTICULARLY AT OUR STREAM FLOW RECORDS, WHICH IN THE RIO GRANDE AREA HONESTLY GO BACK 100 YEARS OR MORE IN SOME CASES AND GET AN IDEA OF WHAT HAVE THINGS BEEN LIKE IN THE PAST.

SO, AS I MENTIONED, WE UPDATE OUR NORMALS EVERY 30 YEARS.

I HAVE ACTUALLY GONE BACK 80 YEARS AND LOOKED AT 30-YEAR INCREMENTS THROUGH TIME TO SEE WHAT THOSE CYCLES HAVE LOOKED LIKE.

THE REALITY IS THE RIO GRANDE HAS ALWAYS GONE THROUGH LONG CYCLICAL PERIODS OF WETTER AND DRYER PERIODS.

IN A SENSE WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED.

OF COURSE, THE REASONS WE MAY BE EXPERIENCING, MAY BE UNPRECEDENTED, SO OF COURSE THAT IS THE CONCERN RIGHT NOW.

Gene: LIFE IS SLOWLY STARTING TO MOVE BACK TOWARDS A PRE-PANDEMIC NORMAL BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR SOME THAT MEANS RETURNING TO THE HARSH REALITY OF NONPAYMENT EVICTIONS.

BERNALILLO COUNTY ENDED ITS MORATORIUM ON APRIL 1 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

LET'S BRING IN THE LINE OPINION PANEL TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THIS.

WE ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE WHAT LANDLORDS DO IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BUT WE KNOW THERE WERE A FEW DOZEN EVICTION HEARINGS SCHEDULED AT THE METRO COURT IN ALBUQUERQUE AND THAT IS ACCORDING TO SOURCE NEW MEXICO.

HERE IS THE QUESTION, ARE LANDLORDS, SOPHIE, GOING TO RUSH TO EVICT TENANTS NOW THAT THE STAY IS OVER?

Sophie: IT IS WORTH NOTING WHILE EVICTIONS HAVE RESUMED IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE THERE IS KIND OF A ROLLING RESUMPTION.

EACH MONTH ON THE FIRST WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE PARTS OF THE STATE WHERE THE MORATORIUM IS LIFTED.

WE HAVEN'T, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, SEEN A MAD RUSH TO THE COURTHOUSE.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AND IT MAY BE THAT IN SOME AREAS OF THE STATE THAT THE BACKLOG, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO PUT IT, IS MORE INTENSE THAN IN OTHERS.

IT IS HARD TO SAY RIGHT NOW BUT, YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY I WILL SAY ONE OF MY FELLOW PANELISTS GAVE A GREAT INTERVIEW RECENTLY ABOUT THIS AND TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THE EVICTION BACKLOG MAY HAVE ALREADY KIND OF RUN ITS COURSE, MAY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE WERE OTHER WAYS TO REMOVE TENANTS EVEN IF YOU COULDN'T DO IT ON THE BASIS OF NONPAYMENT.

I AM GOING TO KIND OF THROW THAT TO SERGE.

Gene: THAT IS AN INTERESTING POINT THERE.

Serge: I DO THINK IT IS A MISTAKE TO SAY -- THERE IS THIS APPREHENSION THAT I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE THAT THERE WERE NO EVICTIONS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF EVICTIONS, THEY JUST WEREN'T FOR NONPAYMENT IN COURT.

RIGHT.

YOU COULD GET EVICTED FOR VIOLATING THE LEASE IN SOME OTHER WAY OR THE LANDLORD COULD SAY I AM NOT RENEWING THIS LEASE AND YOU HAVE TO GET OUT.

HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF NEW MEXICO FAMILIES LOST HOMES BECAUSE OF THAT?

WE DON'T KNOW.

THEY NEVER WENT THROUGH THE EVICTION COURTS BECAUSE AS SOON AS THE SUPREME COURT STEPPED IN, WHICH BY THE WAY, MORE POWER TO THEM, I APPRECIATE THEIR FOCUS ON THIS, RIGHT, IT NO LONGER BECAME THIS EFFICIENT EVICTION MACHINE SO YOU HAVE TO LOOK TO OTHER AVENUES BUT, YEAH, IF WE ARE SAYING, THE DAM IS ABOUT TO COME DOWN AND THERE WILL A WAVE, I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE CASE BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF LEAKS IN THE DAM FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT HAS ALLOWED ANYBODY WHO HAS A LITTLE BIT OF SAVVY TO GET RID OF JUST ABOUT ANY TENANT THEY WANTED TO GET RID OF, EVEN IF THEY HAD TO SORT OF DECIDE THE ACTUAL RATIONALE.

Gene: LET ME STAY WITH YOU ON THIS.

IT IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND RECOGNIZED YOUR DEPARTMENT, UNM LAW, FOR ITS RAPID RESPONSE ADDRESSING THE PANDEMIC HOUSE AND EVICTION CRISIS.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THAT HONOR WAS LIKE AND WHAT YOU, YOUR COLLEAGUES, YOUR STUDENTS, WHAT DID YOU GUYS DO TO KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED.

Serge: WE WERE REALLY HONORED TO HAVE THAT RECOGNITION AND THERE WAS SO MUCH FOCUS RECENTLY ON HOUSING STABILITY AND THE ROLE THAT LAWYERS AND LAW PROFESSIONALS AND LAW STUDENTS CAN PLAY IN HELPING PEOPLE REMAIN STABLY HOUSED.

I'LL BE HONEST, WE WERE DOING THIS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WE ARE GOING TO KEEP DOING THIS, RIGHT.

WE SORT OF INCREASED OUR EFFORTS TO TRY TO WORK WITH FOLKS AROUND THE STATE AROUND GETTING FOLKS ACCESS TO THE ASSISTANCE THERE IS AND MAKING POLICY CHANGE.

BUT HOUSING WAS A HOUSING CRISIS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND POST PANDEMIC AND WE ARE STILL WORKING ON IT.

IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE YOUR WORK RECOGNIZED.

MY AMAZING STUDENTS HAVE BEEN THROWING THEMSELVES INTO THIS FROM DAY ONE OF THEM HEARING ABOUT THIS BUT ESPECIALLY THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS OF THE PANDEMIC, THEY WERE, WHAT CAN WE DO AND HOW CAN WE DO IT?

AND THE CAST HAS CHANGED BUT THE SPIRIT OF DIVING IN AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE FOLKS DON'T LOSE THEIR HOUSING DURING THIS TIME HASN'T LET UP.

I HAVE BEEN REALLY PROUD OF THEM.

Gene: GOOD FOR YOU.

CONGRATS TO YOU AND ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES AND THE STUDENTS ON THAT.

THAT IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL.

GOOD FOR YOU GUYS.

JUSTINE, QUESTION HERE, FOR THOSE PEOPLE FACING EVICTION, THERE IS FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT.

WE ALL KNOW IF IT GOES UNUSED, THE STATE HAS TO RETURN THAT MONEY TO WASHINGTON.

SO, MY BEEF HERE, IS THERE ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT IS OUT THERE?

SHOULD THE CITY OR STATE BE DOING MORE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE.

YOU LOOK AROUND ALBUQUERQUE, YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF PAID NOTICES SAYING IF YOU NEED HELP, COME OVER HERE.

SHOULD WE DO MORE?

Justine: IT IS A LITTLE HARD TO KNOW AND AS SERGE SAID THIS IS NOT A NEW PHENOMENON.

IT SOUNDS LIKE AND THE HOPE IS MAYBE WE HAVE BECOME MORE EFFICIENT AT CONNECTING PEOPLE WHO NEED RESOURCES WITH RESOURCES.

MAYBE THE GOVERNMENT HAS GOTTEN BETTER AT TARGETING FOLKS WHO REALLY DO NEED HELP.

ANECDOTALLY IN MY PRACTICE, I THINK THAT IS TRUE.

I MEAN, I HAVE HAD CLIENTS WHO HAVE NOT HAD TOO MUCH TROUBLE GETTING ASSISTANCE AND I THINK THERE IS A REPORT IN THE JOURNAL TODAY ABOUT FUNDING GOING OUT.

I GUESS IT IS A LITTLE TOO EARLY TO TELL HOW MUCH BETTER WE HAVE GOTTEN AT IT, BUT I DO THINK COVID HAS THROWN A SPOTLIGHT ON THIS LONG-STANDING PROBLEM AND DIFFICULTY AND I GUESS I HOPE THAT RATHER THAN JUST CREATE A NEW ENTITLEMENT FOR THE SAKE OF CREATING IT OR THROWING MONEY AT THE PROBLEM, THAT WE ARE GETTING BETTER AT REALLY IDENTIFYING THE BEST WAY TO GET RESOURCES TO PEOPLE.

A MORATORIUM IS ONE THING BUT ACTUALLY FIGURING OUT HOW TO HELP PEOPLE GET STABILIZED WHO NEED IT AND PEOPLE LIKE AT SERGE'S CLINIC AND THE LAWYERS AND STUDENTS AND OTHER FOLKS WHO WORK ON THIS AND EXPERTS IN THIS AREA, I HOPE, ARE GETTING HEARD, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO THE LEGISLATIVE FIXES AND CHANGES BECAUSE THE MONEY NEEDS TO GET IN THE RIGHT HANDS IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING IT.

Gene: THE IDEA OF IT GOING BACK TO WASHINGTON JUST GIVES ME A STOMACH ACHE.

WE GOT TO SPEND THIS MONEY.

SOPHIE, INTERESTING, PRETTY SURE YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS.

THERE IS ALBUQUERQUE ADVOCACY GROUP CALLING FOR RENT CONTROL.

AN AMAZING SITUATION WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE.

SHOULD CITIES IN NEW MEXICO CONSIDER SUCH DRASTIC ACTION CONSIDERING OTHER RISING COSTS?

Sophie: OKAY, SO, I WILL SAY RENT CONTROL CAN BE QUITE COMPLEX AND SO I WOULD SAY IT IS NOT A QUICK FIX.

IT IS NOT EVEN NECESSARILY A SURE THING.

WE SEE IN CITIES THAT HAVE HAD RENT CONTROL FOR A LONG TIME, NEW YORK CITY COMES TO MIND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, THAT SOMETIMES THERE ARE SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

BUT GIVEN THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL OPTIONS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE AND THAT CERTAINLY IS ONE OF THEM.

Gene: LET ME GET YOU A CUT ON THAT.

RENT CONTROL.

DYING TO HEAR YOUR OPINION ON THIS SUBJECT.

Serge: FIRST THING YOU HEAR ABOUT IT WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT, THERE IS A STATE LAW PROHIBITS ANY MUNICIPALITIES FROM IMPLEMENTING THIS.

I HAVE ANALYZED THAT AND I THINK IT IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE HOME RULE PROVISIONS OF OUR CONSTITUTION.

SO, I THINK AS -- LIKE SOPHIE IS SAYING, TRY IT.

SHOULDN'T TAKE ANY OPTIONS OFF THE TABLE.

RENT CONTROL IS OFTEN A DIRTY WORD IN SOME QUARTERS AND CERTAINLY HAS HAD -- WHATEVER POSITION YOU WANT TO SUPPORT, YOU CAN POINT TO EVIDENCE TO THAT EFFECT, BUT I DO THINK IT CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO KEEP PEOPLE -- TO STOP DESTABILIZING HOUSING AND ALLOW FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE, BUILD UP SOME POLITICAL CAPITAL FOR WHERE THEY ARE, HAVE SOME STABILITY THAT HELPS THEM WITH WORK, EDUCATION AND WHATNOT, AND TO SORT OF DE-COMMODIFY HOUSING A LITTLE BIT.

AND SO I AM INTRIGUED BY IT.

I DO KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE, MASSIVE BATTLE IF ANYONE WANTED TO TRY IT, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS LEGAL COVER FOR IT DESPITE WHAT OUR STATE STATUTES SAY ABOUT THAT.

Gene: THAT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING CHANGE OF EVENTS THOUGH.

I HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WITH FOLKS AND FOLKS ARE CONVINCED THE STATE WOULD NOT ALLOW IT.

THAT WOULD BE A VERY INTERESTING CHANGE IF YOUR RESOURCE SHOWS OTHERWISE.

THAT IS FASCINATING.

JUSTINE, LET ME JUMP TO YOU FOR A QUICK SECOND.

IT'S NOT JUST A NEW MEXICO PROBLEM.

OUR STATE JUST BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN ITS SHARE OF COST BURDEN RENTERS WHO DEVOTE ABOUT 1/3 OF THEIR INCOME TO HOUSING COSTS.

SOME PEOPLE, IT'S JUST NOT SUSTAINABLE TO HAVE SO MUCH OF OUR MONEY GOING TO KEEP A ROOF OVER OUR HEAD.

IS THERE A FEDERAL SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING PROBLEM THAT KIND OF COVERS THAT A LITTLE BIT?

Justine: NO, IT IS A COMPLICATED PROBLEM THAT RELATES TO OUR TAX BURDEN AND THE COST OF LIVING HERE AND TEMPORARY BAND-AIDS, WHICH NEVER REMAIN TEMPORARY, LIKE RENT CONTROL AND CHANGING THE REGULATORY LANDSCAPE, WILL ONLY MAKE IT MORE COMPLICATED AND DESTABILIZE HOUSING IN THE LONG-TERM.

SO, NO, I DON'T THINK THERE IS A FEDERAL SOLUTION.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK BACK AT ALL THE TRADITIONAL WAYS TO LET THE MARKET WORK, YOU KNOW, TO PERMIT JOB GROWTH AND TO DEAL WITH THE SOCIAL FACTORS AND INFLUENCES THAT MAKE IT HARD FOR FOLKS TO MAKE IT.

IT IS A LONG LIST BUT NO THE FEDS CAN'T FIX THAT PROBLEM.

Serge: SO, I MEAN, I 100% AGREE WITH JUSTINE THAT THERE HAS TO BE A COMPLEX RESPONSE TO THIS.

LIKE, RENT CONTROL IS PROBABLY A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT JUSTINE IS SAYING, RIGHT, SHORT TERM IS A MYTH, BUT THAT WOULD GO HAND IN HAND WITH CREATING MORE HOUSING, CREATING MORE PUBLIC HOUSING, CREATING MORE ACCESS TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND WHATNOT AND NO ONE THING -- THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SILVER BULLET.

IT REQUIRES COMPLEX, SUSTAINED, THOUGHTFUL, INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO IT BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO APPROACH IT.

I HAVE ARTICULATED THOUGHTS AND PLANS MANY TIMES.

NO ONE HAS TAKEN ME UP ON IT.

Gene: YOU ARE SO FAR AHEAD OF THE GAME, MAN.

WE ARE CATCHING UP TO YOU.

THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR LINE PANEL AS ALWAYS, THIS WEEK.

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

I SUPPOSE THE IDEA OF KIDS IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE RIDING AROUND IN DRIVERLESS ELECTRIC VEHICLES WHILE SMOKING CANNABIS ISN'T THAT FARFETCHED WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW QUICKLY OUR WAY OF LIFE IS FLIPPING OVER.

FREE COLLEGE, THAT IS A THING NOW.

THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH UNTHINKABLE NOT TOO LONG AGO.

AND THAT LIST OF PREVIOUSLY UNTHINKABLE IS GROWING SEEMINGLY WEEKLY.

CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HAS ARRIVED AND A PRETTY HEALTHY EARLY HAUL FOR A STATE ALREADY BULGING WITH CASH.

IT WASN'T THAT MANY YEARS AGO WE WERE CONSIDERING THE UNTHINKABLE TO SOME, TAPPING OUR RAINY DAY FUND.

AS YOU HEARD THE PANEL, WE ALL HAVE SOME SWEET FOLDING MONEY HEADED OUR WAY TO PAY FOR GASOLINE.

WAS THAT EVEN A REMOTE POSSIBILITY ONE ADMINISTRATION AGO?

THINGS CHANGE.

AS 80'S POP STAR PUT IT SO WELL, MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK IN FOCUS.