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

Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, HIGH WINDS AND HIGH DANGER.

MULTIPLE WILDFIRES FORCES THOUSANDS FROM THEIR HOMES.

HOW A DRY OUTLOOK FOR SUMMER COULD MAKE THINGS WORSE.

PLUS.. Valencia: LATINOS ARE THE LAST GREAT WILD CARD IN THE ELECTORATE BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY THAT LAST PERSUADABLE SWING VOTER BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE THEMSELVES AS HARD PARTISANS.

Gene: HOW THE COMPLEX POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF A KEY VOTING BLOCK COULD IMPACT THE UPCOMING PRIMARIES.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST GENE GRANT.

CONGRESS IS USING NEW MEXICO AS A MODEL FOR THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING ACCESS.

A HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE MET IN SANTA FE THIS WEEK STUDYING THE STATE VOTING PROGRAM LIKE AUTOMATIC AND ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION AND EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING.

THE GOAL IS TO INSTITUTE SIMILAR PROTOCOLS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

NEW MEXICO WILL PUT THOSE SYSTEMS TO THE TEST IN A MATTER OF WEEKS.

THE JUNE PRIMARY IS INCHING CLOSER AND THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR ARE OFF AND RUNNING ON THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES I'LL ASK THE LINE OPINION PANELISTS HOW THEY SEE THE RACE SHAKING OUT.

AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

A WAVE OF CAMPAIGN ADS IS GIVING US CLUES HOW CANDIDATES ARE POLITICALLY POSITIONING THEMSELVES.

IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW, CORRESPONDENT RUSSELL CONTRERAS SITS DOWN WITH AN EXPERT AN LATINX VOTING TRENDS TO SEE HOW SOME OF THOSE TACTICS ARE BEING RECEIVED.

BUT FIRST, THE DANGEROUS SCENARIO BEING PLAYED OUT IN SEVERAL NEW MEXICO COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW.

WIND FUELED WILDFIRES BURNING OUT OF CONTROL.

THESE SATELLITE IMAGES FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CAPTURE THE SCOPE OF THE MCBRIDE FIRE IN RUIDOSO.

HUNDREDS OF STRUCTURES THERE HAVE BURNED, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED AND 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES ARE CHARRED.

OUTSIDE LAS VEGAS, THESE PHOTOS FROM THE USDA FOREST SERVICE SHOWED A MOUNTAINSIDE LANDSCAPE BURNING IN THE HERMIT'S PEAK FIRE.

THOSE BLAZES ON TOP OF THE BIG HOLE FIRE AND NOGAL CANYON FIRE ARE CAUSING CONCERNS FOR WHAT IS PREDICTED TO BE A DRY SEASON AHEAD.

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS THIS WEEK.

WE ARE JOINED BY TOM GARRITY OF THE GARRITY GROUP PUBLIC RELATIONS.

NEXT WE ARE JOINED BY REBECCA LATHAM.

SHE IS CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GIRL SCOUTS OF NEW MEXICO.

AND WELCOME BACK LAURA SANCHEZ.

ONE OF OUR REGULARS AS WELL.

ALL RIGHT, GUYS, THE MAJOR STORY DOMINATING NEW MEXICO HEADLINES ISN'T SOMETHING WE EXPECTED TO BE TALKING ABOUT IN EARLY TO MID APRIL.

SEVERAL WILDFIRES ARE BURNING IN OUR STATE RIGHT NOW, AS YOU KNOW, AND WITH A CONTINUED DROUGHT IN THE LONG-TERM FORECAST, THE SITUATION IS LOOKING BLEAK.

THAT SAID, CREWS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO CONTROL THESE FIRES.

WE WISH THEM WELL BUT SOME OF THEM ACTUALLY WERE STARTED AS PRESCRIBED BURNS.

THOSE ARE MEANT TO KEEP LARGER SCALE FIRES FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

NOW IT SEEMS LIKE WE WON'T HAVE MUCH OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO CARRY OUT THAT MAINTENANCE.

REBECCA, HOW DO WE GET TO THIS POINT?

IS IT A PRESCRIBED BURN PROBLEM SOLELY OR IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON HERE THAT EXPLODED ALL THESE FIRES ACROSS OR STATE?

Latham: WELL, WE KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT ISSUES WITH OUR CLIMATE, YOU KNOW, A DOUBLE LA NINA YEAR.

WE KNOW THAT THOSE THINGS -- IT IS BEYOND HUMAN CONTROL THAT NEW MEXICO IS IN SUCH A BAD DROUGHT STATE BUT IT IS QUESTIONABLE, THEN, WHY ARE WE STILL -- WHY HAVEN'T WE LEARNED FROM OUR MISTAKES IN THE PAST WITH REGARD TO PRESCRIBED BURNS.

THE FOREST SUPERVISOR HAS APOLOGIZED AND HAS SAID THIS WAS THEIR MISTAKE, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH COMFORT THAT BRINGS TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LIVESTOCK, WHO HAVE BEEN MOVED OUT AND SO, I THINK, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THE BEST INTENTIONS ARE THERE.

IT JUST IS ONE LESS FIRE THAT HAD TO HAVE BEEN STARTED BECAUSE WE HAVE THE OTHERS THAT WERE NOT NECESSARILY HUMAN CAUSED.

Gene: QUESTIONS COME UP A BUNCH AND I AM SURE THERE IS AN ANSWER HERE I AM NOT AWARE OF.

WHY DON'T WE DO THESE THINGS IN THE WINTER WHEN WE DON'T HAVE TO RISK THE WIND?

Tom: I DON'T KNOW.

I AM NOT -- I PUT OUT FIRES FOR A LIVING BUT NOT THESE KIND OF FIRES.

IT IS VERY TRAGIC, OBVIOUSLY TRAGIC SITUATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, THE THING WITH BACK BURNS.

BACK IN MY NEWS DAYS, I ACTUALLY COVERED SEVERAL DIFFERENT LARGE SCALE FOREST FIRES AND HAD A CHANCE TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF SETTING BACK BURNS OR TO BURN OUT THAT BRUSH.

WHILE IT IS A SCIENCE, IT IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE CERRO GRANDE INFAMOUS FIRE THAT OCCURRED IN THE MAY TIME FRAME AND SO, YOU KNOW, WHY IN NEW MEXICO THE APRIL -- MARCH, APRIL, MAY TIME FRAME INSTEAD OF, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE WINTERTIME FRAME, THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH A MUCH HIGHER PAY GRADE THAN I AM WHO HAVE ANSWERS TO THAT.

CLEARLY IT HAS IMPACTED THE STATE IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT WAYS AND NOT TO MENTION THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO HAVE LOST PROPERTY AND/OR LOST LOVED ONES IN THE PROCESS.

Gene: LAURA, INTERESTINGLY ANOTHER IMMEDIATE ISSUE IS FIRE STAFFING.

NOW WE DID TALK ABOUT THAT ON THE SHOW LAST SEASON, THE SEASON BEFORE THAT.

AND GOING -- YOU KNOW, WHAT I AM GETTING AT HERE.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH SHORTAGES FOR YEARS BUT NOW THE FEW FIREFIGHTERS THEY HAVE ARE ASKED TO WORK AN EVEN LONGER WILDFIRE SEASON.

IS OUT-OF-STATE HELP THE ANSWER?

BECAUSE THERE IS FIRES GOING RIGHT NOW IN OKLAHOMA, IN OTHER PLACES.

WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE NATIONWIDE.

HOW DO WE SOLVE THE STAFFING PROBLEM?

Laura: I THINK IT IS A CRITICAL ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT A LOT AND EVERY YEAR WE SEEM TO TALK ABOUT IT BEING A PROBLEM AND EVERY YEAR WE FACE THE SHORTAGE.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR IS IT IS HAPPENING SO EARLY.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY, IN MY RECOLLECTION, THE EARLIEST I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPENING IN THE STATE.

NORMALLY IT IS LATER IN THE SUMMER THAT WE START TO SEE THESE KIND OF WILDFIRES BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE TIMING AND THE REASON FOR THAT.

I THINK OUR WATER ISSUES ARE DEFINITELY ESCALATING.

IT IS GETTING WORSE.

SOME REPORTS SAY WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MEGA DROUGHT, THE WORST IN MODERN TIMES, WHICH WE ARE A PART OF IN THE WEST AND IT IS GOOD THAT WE ARE, AT LEAST TIMING-WISE, WE ARE NOT RIGHT NOW -- COMPETING IS NOT THE RIGHT WORD BUT COMPETING FOR SCARCE RESOURCES.

WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME POSITION WHERE CALIFORNIA IS EXPLODING ALSO WITH FIRES SO WE HAVE HAD SOME HOTSHOT CREWS COME OUT FROM CALIFORNIA TO ASSIST AND THEY HAVE THE EXPERIENCE GIVEN THEIR PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE FACED RECENTLY.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME WHEN WE HAVE ADDITIONAL REVENUES IN THE STATE.

THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE TO INCREASE THE FIRE FIGHTING PERSONNEL AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE READY TO JUMP IN WHEN THERE IS A CRISIS LIKE THIS.

Gene: DID WE MISS SOMETHING DURING THIS LAST SESSION?

WE HAD THE MONEY, WE KNEW SUMMER WAS COMING, WE KNEW THE KIND OF SUMMER WE HAD BEFORE.

DID SOMETHING GET MISSED?

Laura: I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DO FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

NOT JUST WHEN IT COMES TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR TRAINING FIREFIGHTERS AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF WATER MANAGEMENT.

THERE IS SOME PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUTTING A LOT MORE MONEY INTO INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

WE KNOW THERE IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT WAS PASSED IN LATE NOVEMBER THAT HAS MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT INCLUDES WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO THERE WILL BE A BUMP ON THAT BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE IN MANY CASES A MATCHING COMPONENT.

SOME OF THAT FUNDING GOES THROUGH EXISTING PROGRAMS SO IT IS ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDING BASED FOR EXISTING PROGRAMS BUT THEN THERE IS ALSO COMPETITIVE GRANTS THAT ARE PART OF THAT AND MANY OF THEM REQUIRE MATCHING COMPONENTS.

SO THE STATE IS IN A POSITION TO TRY TO INCREASE THAT KIND OF FUNDING AND I THINK THAT OUR LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO PAY ATTENTION MORE TO THIS PROACTIVE PREVENTIVE WORK RATHER THAN BEING REACTIVE TO THE CRISIS.

Gene: LOVE THE LAST THING YOU SAID THERE BECAUSE, REBECCA, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THERE REALLY WAS NO ROOM THIS PAST SESSION TO REALLY KIND OF SQUEEZE IN A VERY BIG DISCUSSION.

ON LAST WEEKS SHOW, FOR EXAMPLE, A HYDROLOGIST FROM THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TOLD OUR LAURA PASKUS WATER TOTALS FROM SNOW PACK MELTS AND SPRING RUNOFF ARE GOING TO REACH HISTORIC LOWS AGAIN.

FIRE LANDSCAPE, MORE PRONE TO FIRES.

EVERYBODY KNEW THIS DURING THE SESSION.

EVERYBODY KNEW THIS LAST FALL.

WHAT GOT MISSED HERE WHEN IT COMES TO RESOURCES AND MONEY?

Latham: THEY PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT AGAIN THE TIMING SEEMS QUESTIONABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING WORK ON -- THEY ARE RENOVATING EL VADO DAM WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES WITH REGARD TO OUR WATER SUPPLY.

I THINK IT IS REALLY UNNERVING FOR NEW MEXICO TO CONSISTENTLY BE IN A POSITION OF, WELL, WE'LL BE OKAY IF IT RAINS BECAUSE THAT AGAIN WE CANNOT CONTROL.

AT LEAST WE CAN'T CONTROL NOW.

LONG-TERM CLIMATE WE MAY HAVE A SHOT BUT AS FAR AS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS SUMMER, WE CAN'T CONTROL THAT.

SO, WHILE, YES, THERE ARE BIG MAJOR ISSUES AND QUESTIONS IN FUNDING PACKAGES THAT NEED TO BE DEVELOPED FOR NEW MEXICO'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, THERE ARE ALSO SOME SMALLER THINGS THEY COULD HAVE INVESTED IN DURING THIS LAST SESSION WHEN WE HAVE THIS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, ONE SHOT FLUSH WITH CASH.

A LOT OF THIS MONEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR NONRECURRING EXPENSES SO IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT SOME OF THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WEREN'T ADDRESSED.

Gene: TOM, GREAT EDITORIAL IN SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN FROM JONATHAN HAYES, AUDUBON SOUTHWEST.

HE CONTENDS THE STATE LEGISLATURE SHOULD HAVE ALLOCATED MORE OF ITS RECORD SETTING BUDGET, AS REBECCA JUST MENTIONED, TO WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

ARGUING, QUOTE, THE FATE OF THE NEXT GENERATION IS DIRECTLY TIED TO HOW THE STATE ADAPTS ITS WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT TODAY.

END QUOTE.

YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

Tom: ABSOLUTELY.

I THOUGHT THE EDITORIAL OR LETTER TO THE EDITOR WAS WELL THOUGHT OUT.

HE SHARED A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESEARCH IN THAT PARTICULAR LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

THE WATER IS A PART OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN LEAVE WATER TO PRIVATE ENTITIES TO KIND OF HANDLE BECAUSE THEN, YOU KNOW, I JUST DON'T SEE A POSITIVE OUTCOME IF THAT HAPPENS.

WE DO HAVE A LOT OF GOOD EXAMPLES, THOUGH, OF FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDED PROJECTS OUT ON THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE, SPECIFICALLY CONNECTING UTE RESERVOIR TO CLOVIS IN THAT AREA.

THAT IS A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL ACTUALLY PROVIDE THE NEEDS IN THE SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM FOR THE RESIDENTS THERE AS THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH A LOT OF OTHER DIFFERENT ISSUES INVOLVING WITH THE GROUNDWATER THERE NOW.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK TO SUPPORT WHAT LAURA AND REBECCA HAVE SAID, I THINK THAT IN DIFFERENT ASPECTS THE LEGISLATURE MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY AND FOR THAT MATTER I THINK THE GOVERNOR DID AS WELL BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR STARTED OFF BY REALLY SUPPORTING WATER IN THE VERY EARLY PARTS OF HER TERM.

IN FACT, MAKING IT A PRIORITY IN THAT FIRST YEAR WHICH IS GREAT.

IT REALLY KIND OF SET IT AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR HER AND HER ADMINISTRATION.

NOW IT IS UP TO THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK, TO REALLY KIND OF FOLLOW THROUGH AND SAY, OKAY, GREAT, LET'S MAKE SOME OF THESE THINGS REALITY.

JUST BECAUSE IT COMES FROM THE FOURTH FLOOR DOESN'T MAKE IT A GREAT IDEA, BUT IT IS AN IDEA THAT NEEDS TO BE VETTED OUT AND THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE LEGISLATURE MISSED IT FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF SESSIONS IN NOT REALLY SERIOUSLY ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF WATER IN NEW MEXICO.

Gene: LAURA, REAL QUICK, A COUPLE SECONDS HERE.

I WOULD THINK THE GOVERNOR AND EVERYBODY ELSE IS COVERED BECAUSE THORNBURG FOUNDATION AND WATER FOUNDATION DID A POLL.

75% OF NEW MEXICO VOTERS WANT ACTION TO ENSURE FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY.

75%.

IF THAT ISN'T POLITICAL COVER, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.

YOU KNOW, WHAT MORE DO THESE FOLKS NEED TO GET GOING ON THIS?

Laura: IT IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH MOM AND APPLE PIE.

EVERYBODY IS IN FAVOR OF THIS.

75% IS ASTRONOMICAL.

I THINK ANYBODY WOULD LOVE THOSE KIND OF APPROVAL NUMBERS BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, THEY HAVE PLENTY OF COVER TO DO THIS.

I EXPECT WE'LL SEE A GOOD AMOUNT OF BILLS NEXT SESSION.

WE ARE FACING A 60-DAY SESSION.

IT IS ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WILL BE ON THE AGENDA.

SO I FULLY EXPECT TO SEE A LOT OF BILLS BUT IN THE SHORT TERM WE WILL AS A STATE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO LEVERAGE SOME OF THAT FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR WATER PROJECTS BECAUSE THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF THAT ON THE FEDERAL BILL.

Gene: THAT IS GOOD POINT AND THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE STATE RUN SHELTERS FOR THE PEOPLE IN AREAS AFFECTED, OF COURSE, AND APPLIED FOR EMERGENCY FUNDING FROM THE FEDS, SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT.

DIFFICULT PROBLEM, SEEMS TO CHANGE AND WORSEN EACH YEAR.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW WE CAN BETTER ADDRESS IT.

WE'LL BE BACK IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES WITH ANOTHER DISCUSSION AT THE VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

Valencia: WE KNOW THERE IS KIND OF A BLEND OF OUTRIGHT DISINFORMATION ABOUT COVID AND ABOUT THE ELECTION AND THE ELECTION RESULTS AND THINGS RELATED TO MISLEADING PEOPLE ABOUT WHERE TO GO VOTE AND HOW TO VOTE AND THINGS ABOUT THE ELECTION.

AND THEN THERE IS OUTRIGHT KIND OF PROPAGANDA THAT WE CALL UNCONTESTED COMMUNICATION.

Gene: HERE AT NEW MEXICO PBS, THE MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO INFORM YOU, OUR VIEWERS, ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MATTER AROUND THIS STATE.

BUT WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO PASSING IMPORTANT KNOWLEDGE ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

THIS WEEK ENVIRONMENT REPORTER LAURA PASKUS TALKED WITH AN EDUCATOR IN OUR STATE WHO HELPS DESIGN LESSON PLANS FOR NEW MEXICO CLASSROOMS BASED ON THE SCIENTIFIC REPORTING IN SEGMENTS OF OUR LAND.

AS MOLLY PARSONS TELL US, THOSE RESOURCES ARE PERFECT FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NEW MEXICO'S RICH ENVIRONMENT.

Laura: JUST SO YOU'LL KNOW, AT NMPBS, WE HAVE BEEN TURNING OUR LAND SEGMENTS INTO EDUCATIONAL LESSON PLANS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND MOLLY IS THE BRAINS BEHIND ALL OF THAT, SHE IS THE ONE WHO TURNS OUR CONTENT INTO SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

WE HAVE GOT TWO LESSON PLANS OUT THERE SO FAR.

CAN YOU TELL PEOPLE WHAT THOSE ARE AND HOW THEY MIGHT FIND THEM?

Parsons: YEAH, SO, ABSOLUTELY.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE RESOURCE ONLINE CALLED PBS LEARNING MEDIA.

AND THIS IS A PLACE WHERE TEACHERS CAN GO AND DOWNLOAD LESSON PLANS AND STUDENT MATERIALS THAT WILL MATCH UP WITH VIDEOS CREATED BY VARIOUS PBS-RELATED ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

BUT, THIS IS A REALLY SPECIAL ONE.

IT IS REALLY FOCUSED ON NEW MEXICO.

IF YOU GO TO PBSLEARNINGMEDIA.ORG AND THEN SEARCH FOR OUR LAND, YOU'LL PULL UP A SERIES OF DIFFERENT LESSONS.

THE MOST RECENT ONE THAT WE POSTED IS THREE LESSONS ON THE IMPACT OF WILDFIRES ON FORESTS WHICH IS, AS WE ALL KNOW, A REALLY RELEVANT TOPIC RIGHT NOW.

Laura: I AM CURIOUS.

THERE IS ALL SORTS OF AGE RANGES.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO FOCUS ON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THESE LESSON PLANS?

Parsons: IT WAS SOMETHING, AFTER CONVERSATIONS WITH LAUREL, WHO IS ALSO NEW MEXICO PBS, THERE IS SOMETIMES A LACK OF RESOURCES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND SO THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE RELEVANT THAT STUDENTS CAN SEE AND TOUCH AND RELATE TO.

SO IT IS REALLY JUST A GOOD FIT FOR KIDS OF THAT AGE.

Laura: I KNOW AS A KID AND EVEN NOW AS A GROWN UP, I WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET OUTSIDE AND AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER OR MY DESK.

I AM CURIOUS, ASIDE FROM LIKE THE GETTING OUTSIDE ASPECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY MAYBE FOR THIS MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE GROUP AND REALLY WHY IT MATTERS FOR NEW MEXICO STUDENTS?

Parsons: SO, MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS TEND TO BE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT JUSTICE.

THEY CARE A LOT ABOUT WHAT IS FAIR AND UNFAIR.

AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS ONE OF THOSE TOPICS THEY TEND TO GRAVITATE TOWARDS BECAUSE IT RELATES TO BOTH WHAT IS FAIR AND UNFAIR FOR PEOPLE BUT ALSO WHAT IS FAIR AND UNFAIR FOR THE WORLD AROUND US.

KIDS HAVE A LOT OF EMPATHY AT THAT AGE.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS GET A BAD RAP BECAUSE WE ALL REMEMBER HOW HARD IT WAS TO BE THAT AGE BUT THEY ARE AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO THAT REALLY DO CARE ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND US, THAT WANT TO LEARN ABOUT IT, THAT WANT TO ENGAGE WITH IT AND ONE OF THE REALLY COOL THINGS ABOUT NEW MEXICO IS WE HAVE SUCH A WIDE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL, DIFFERENT GEOLOGICAL SETTINGS THAT WE CAN EXPLORE AND SEE ALMOST EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE.

YOU LOOK AROUND AND YOU CAN SEE MOUNTAINS AROUND AREAS.

YOU CAN SEE DRY AREAS.

SO, IT IS AN AMAZING PLACE FOR KIDS TO GET TO EXPLORE.

Laura: YOU HAVE BEEN IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR A LONG TIME.

I AM CURIOUS THERE ARE THOSE TEACHERS AND PARENTS OUT THERE WHO SAY, CLIMATE CHANGE IS TOO SCARY.

FOREST FIRES, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE TOPICS THAT ARE TOO BIG AND TOO SCARY.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE PARENTS OR EDUCATORS?

Parsons: I THINK, FIRST, YOUR KIDS KNOW ABOUT THESE THINGS ANYWAY, RIGHT?

THEY ARE HEARING ABOUT IT AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES KIDS FEEL VERY POWERLESS IN THE FACE OF THESE ISSUES ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE JUST BEING TOLD ABOUT IT ON THE NEWS, THEY HEAR SOME STORY IN PASSING AND, YOU KNOW, IT IS THE END OF THE WORLD AND I THINK BY ACTUALLY LEARNING ABOUT IT AND LEARNING THE CAUSES, LEARNING THE EFFECTS, AND THEN LEARNING WHAT STUDENTS CAN ACTUALLY DO TO MAKE CHANGES IN THEIR OWN LIVES TO THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE, TO THINK ABOUT ADAPTATIONS AND MITIGATIONS, WE ARE EMPOWERING THEM, SO, YOU KNOW, LIKE MOST SCARY TOPICS YOU CAN'T JUST HIDE IT FROM KIDS.

THEY ARE GOING TO LEARN ABOUT IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE THEM ENGAGE WITH REAL FACTS, WITH THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AROUND US IN OUR ENVIRONMENT, I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

Gene: WE ARE JUST WEEKS AWAY FROM THE UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION.

THE BIG RACE IS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR.

JAY BLOCK, REBECCA DOW, MARK RONCHETTI, GREG ZANETTI AND ETHEL MAHARG ARE POSITIONING THEMSELVES FOR THE VOTE IN JUNE.

LET'S GO TO OUR LINE PANELISTS TO DISCUSS HOW THINGS ARE SHAPING UP.

WE WILL GET TO THE PUBLIC FORUM LAST WEEK IN ALBUQUERQUE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

LET'S START WITH NEW FUND RAISING TOTALS.

REPUBLICAN MARK RONCHETTI HAS A WIDE LEAD OVER HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS.

RAISING MORE THAN TWO MILLION IN THE MOST RECENT REPORTING PERIOD.

HE HAS MORE THAN A MILLION-AND-A-HALF LEFT TO SPEND, THAT IS THE BIG DEAL THERE.

LET ME START WITH LAURA, OUR POLITICO ON THE PANEL TODAY.

HOW MUCH OF AN ADVANTAGE IS THAT OVER OTHER GOP CONTENDERS.

WE'LL GET TO THE NAMES IN A SECOND, BUT THAT IS A BIG GAP TO HAVE ON HAND.

Laura: SURE.

ALL OTHER THINGS SORT OF SET ASIDE, THE MONEY RACE IS A HUGE ISSUE.

IT DOES TWO THINGS.

IT SIGNALS THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO RAISE MONEY SO YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PERSUADE A BASE OF SUPPORT TO INVEST IN YOU.

I THINK THAT SENDS A SIGNAL NOT JUST TO VOTERS BUT MORE SO TO OTHER POTENTIAL, OTHER DONORS AS WELL, AND SUPPORTERS.

SO, YOU HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT BOTH IN STATE LOCALLY BUT ALSO NATIONALLY.

IT HAS A DOMINO EFFECT WHEN YOU RAISE THAT MUCH MONEY.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS IT GIVES YOU -- REALITY IS IT GIVES YOU A BIGGER WAR CHEST TO BE ABLE TO USE FOR ADS.

I EXPECT TO SEE A LOT MORE ADS IN COMING WEEKS.

WE ALREADY HAVE SEEN AT LEAST I THINK ONE OR TWO OUT THERE FOR RONCHETTI BUT WE ARE GOING TO EXPECT A LOT MORE OF THOSE ADS.

WE SEE THE TRADITIONAL INTRODUCTORY ONES WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT HIMSELF AND HIS AGENDA.

WE'LL SEE SOMEWHERE THERE IS OTHER PEOPLE SORT OF, YOU KNOW, ENDORSING HIM OR SPEAKING FOR HIM AND TALKING ABOUT HIM BEING THE GREATEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD.

THAT KIND OF AD AND PROBABLY WE'LL SEE NEGATIVE ADS.

THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE HIMSELF AND ATTACK SOME OF HIS OPPONENTS.

SOME FAR, THEY HAVE TAKEN AIM AT CURRENT INCUMBENT GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM AND ALSO THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO GET ON THE NATIONAL BORDER PROBLEMS KIND OF THREAD BUT THERE IS STILL GOING TO HAVE TO BE A WAY TO DISTINGUISH THEM.

I'LL EXPECT TO SEE SOME NEGATIVE ADS AS WELL.

Gene: TOM, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, LAURA JUST MENTIONED CANDIDATES ARE ALSO MAKING A PUSH ON ADVERTISING AND A WAVE OF NEW ADS.

ONE PARTICULARLY POLARIZING SHOWS REBECCA DOW AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER TALKING ABOUT BUILDING MR. TRUMP'S WALL.

SHE IS TRYING TO PULL IN VOTERS FROM THE FAR RIGHT, BUT IT DOESN'T SORT OF MATCH WITH HER HISTORICAL IDEOLOGY.

I THINK WE CAN ALL SEE WHAT THE MOVE IS HERE, BUT CURIOUS YOUR OPINION WHETHER ITS CHANCES FOR SUCCESSOR ARE VIABLE.

Tom: WELL, SHORT ANSWER IS YES.

IT IS VIABLE.

A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DEPTH ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, WITH THE FINANCIAL GAP OF REBECCA DOW RAISING 750,000 TO RONCHETTI 2.1 MILLION, ONE OF THE VERY QUICKEST WAYS TO CLOSE THAT GAP IS WITH AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION, IF NOT DONALD HIMSELF.

THAT WILL BE A BENEFIT TO HER OR TO ANYONE WHO GETS THAT PARTICULAR ENDORSEMENT TO GET TO THE PRIMARY, BUT IT WILL BE THE DEATH NAIL IN THE GENERAL ELECTION AND SO IT IS REALLY KIND OF ONE OF THOSE CATCH 22'S BECAUSE I THINK THE SUCCESSFUL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, WHETHER IT IS MR. ZANETTI, MR. BLOCK OR MR. RONCHETTI OR MS. DOW, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO NEED TO SHOW THEY CAN BRING THE BASE WITHOUT GOING TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT AND SO THEY HAVE TO REALLY MAINTAIN THAT MIDDLE GROUND AND THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

Gene: LAST POINT ON MONEY HERE.

OUR SITTING GOVERNOR HAS 3.8 MILLION ON HAND RIGHT NOW.

BUT AS A REMINDER, SHE SPENT 9.5 MILLION IN THAT 2018 VICTORY.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY THROWN AROUND IN THIS CASE NO MATTER WHO THE REPUBLICANS PUT UP.

ARE WE IN A NEW TERRITORY HERE WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCING POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS HERE?

HAVE WE TURNED A CORNER WE ARE NEVER GOING BACK ON?

Latham: WELL, NATIONWIDE, STATES HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TALKING ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS CAMPAIGN FINANCING AND I REALLY AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PROCESS THAT REQUIRES CANDIDATES TO DISCLOSE WHERE DONATIONS ARE COMING FROM BECAUSE I THINK THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES AND ALSO IS JUST A DISGUSTING DISPLAY OF HOW MUCH MONEY IS FUELING POLITICAL ELECTIONS AND THEN IT MAKES YOU QUESTION, LIKE, WHY ARE PEOPLE -- YOU KNOW -- IS IT ALL FOR THE RIGHT REASONS OR IS IT ALL FOR MONEY?

IT IS GOING TO BE BIG.

I MEAN YOU SEE EVEN ON THE NATIONAL SPECTRUM YOU SEE ATTENTION BEING GIVEN TO THE SOUTHERN PART OF NEW MEXICO AND THAT HOUSE RACE.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY IN THAT RACE TOO TRYING TO UNSEAT REPRESENTATIVE HARRELL, SO, YES, I THINK WE HAVE TURNED A CORNER.

I THINK IT SPEAKS VOLUMES THAT RONCHETTI HAS OUTRAISED THE OTHER CONTENDERS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

HE IS CLEARLY NOT THE FAVORITE FOR THE PARTY BUT MAYBE THAT IS WHAT THE PARTY NEEDS.

Gene: INTERESTING POINT THERE.

TOM, BACK AT THAT FORUM LAST WEEK I MENTIONED SETUP IN FRONT OF 275 VOTERS IN ALBUQUERQUE.

EACH CANDIDATE SHARED THEIR PLATFORM AND PERHAPS THE MOST SPECIFIC WAS ETHEL MAHARG.

SHE IS A FORMER MAYOR OF CUBA.

SHE IS RUNNING ON AN ANTI-ABORTION AGENDA AND ABORTION IS A KEY ISSUE FOR THE RACE FOR REPUBLICAN YVETTE HARRELL'S NEWLY DRAWN SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, JUST MENTIONED.

DOES THIS ISSUE FAVOR EITHER PARTY HERE IN NEW MEXICO?

ABORTION CAN SOMETIMES BE A BIG ONE, DEPENDING.

Tom: IT IS DEFINITELY VIEWED, AS AMONG REPUBLICAN CIRCLES, AS SOMETHING THAT IS -- WILL BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AROUND A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.

REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE AS FAR AS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RATHER IS SOMETHING THAT WILL MOTIVATE THE BASES ON BOTH SIDES.

THE QUESTION IS, WHEN WE GET DOWN TO THE ABORTION RIGHTS ISSUE, IT IS REALLY MORE OF AN ISSUE IN THIS PARTICULAR POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE JUDICIARY AND SELECTION OF THE COVETED SUPREME COURT NOMINEES.

I KNOW THAT PLAYS MORE INTO THE ROLE OF YVETTE HARRELL IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BUT REALLY FOR A CANDIDATE WHO WANTS TO USE THAT AS A PLATFORM, ABORTION, TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE GENERAL ELECTION, I THINK THAT A GOOD WAY TO WEDGE THAT OR TO MOVE IT OVER IS TO FOCUS ON THE JUDICIARY ASPECT BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL MOTIVATE A BASE BUT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE A WEDGE ISSUE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

DURING THE FORUM, LAURA, ALL THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES SAID THEY SUPPORTED PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING.

AND THAT WAS WHILE CONGRESS WAS IN NEW MEXICO TO STUDY THE UNIQUE ACCESS OUR ELECTION SYSTEM PROVIDES AND GETTING LAUDED FOR IT.

UP AND DOWN.

DO NEW MEXICANS WANT MORE REQUIREMENTS AT POLLS?

ARE WE SETTLED WITH THIS IDEA OF, YOU KNOW, VOTER ID AND ALL THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THAT FOR A LONG TIME HERE.

Laura: I AM NOT SURPRISED TO SEE ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WILL SUPPORT THAT.

THAT IS DEFINITELY -- Gene: NO ONE IS GOING TO NOT SUPPORT IT, IN OTHER WORDS, RIGHT?

Laura: NOT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

YOU KNOW, IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF BOTH PARTIES DO THIS.

DURING THE PRIMARY THEY PLAY TO THEIR BASE.

THEY GO TO THE EXTREMES.

AND THEN DURING THE GENERAL THEY HAVE TO RUN BACK TO THE MIDDLE TO GET INDEPENDENTS AND CROSSOVER VOTES IN ORDER TO WIN.

YOU SEE IT ON BOTH SIDES.

I AM NOT SURPRISED BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS A SETTLED ISSUE.

FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE DEMOCRAT LEANING STATE AND WE HAVE INDEPENDENTS WHO ALSO WILL SWING AN ELECTION AND MANY OF THEM DON'T FEEL LIKE WE NEED MORE RESTRICTIONS IN TERMS OF PHOTO ID'S AT THE POLLS.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE WEIRD NEW MEXICAN, LIKE OR WEATHER, WE ARE KIND OF DIFFERENT ABOUT STUFF ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

BUT WHAT IS INTERESTING TO ME NOW WITH THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL LINE, WE ALWAYS CALL IT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT, RIGHT, AND THE NORTHERN DISTRICT.

I AM ON THE WESTSIDE OF ALBUQUERQUE AND I AM NOW PART OF THAT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TOO.

THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF ALBUQUERQUE PRECINCTS THAT ARE NOW PART OF THAT DISTRICT.

WHAT KIND OF EFFECT THAT WILL HAVE, I AM NOT SURE, BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING TO END UP SEEING A DIFFERENT KIND OF TURNOUT FOR THAT DISTRICT, BY DESIGN PROBABLY, IN THE GENERAL AT LEAST.

Gene: THAT IS GOING TO BE FASCINATING.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

A COUPLE MORE HITS I WANT TO GET ON.

THE GOP IS CERTAINLY THE PARTY TO WATCH THIS PRIMARY, SO MUCH ACTION, BUT SIGNS OF POTENTIAL RIFTS BETWEEN DEMOCRATS IN SANTA FE.

WE HEARD REPORTS OF BITTERNESS LINGERING OVER THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF THAT FIFTY MILLION DOLLAR SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET BILL.

NOW THERE IS NEW LAWSUITS FROM STATE SENATOR JACOB CANDELARIA AGAINST SENATE PRO TEM MIMI STUART ALLEGING RETALIATION OVER A WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION INVESTIGATION.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE DEMOCRATS IN NOVEMBER OR EVEN BEFORE?

Tom: WELL, IT MAKES FOR A LOT OF INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

I'LL SAY THAT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, HOW IT IMPACTS THE RACES, IT DOESN'T IMPACT.

I THINK, AS SERIOUS AS THE ALLEGATIONS ARE AND ISSUES ARE, I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS REALLY MORE OF JUST, YOU KNOW, HEY, DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS, DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THAT.

I THINK WHAT WILL BE INTERESTING AS FAR AS ONE OF THE RACES TO WATCH WILL BE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE, I BELIEVE, WITH BRIAN COLON AND THEN ALSO WITH THE ALBUQUERQUE -- Gene: TORREZ.

Tom: YEAH, SO, THAT I THINK WILL BE ONE OF THE KEY DEMOCRAT RACES THAT I AM GOING TO BE WATCHING JUST BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE YOU'LL KIND OF SEE THE MODERN DAY CLASH OF THE TITANS.

THAT WILL BE A FUN RACE BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE SURFACING RIGHT NOW WILL IMPACT THAT UNLESS EITHER ONE OF THEM ARE SOMEHOW INVOLVED, WHICH I HAVEN'T HEARD.

Gene: REBECCA, ANY BOUNCE FOR DEMOCRATS?

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, ARE WE OVER THAT BABY BUDGET 50 MILLION-DOLLAR KERFUFFLE.

ARE WE PAST ALL THAT AT THIS POINT?

Latham: I DON'T THINK THEY ARE PAST IT.

I THINK THEY BROUGHT IT UP IN THE SPECIAL TOO.

AND I THINK WE DO SEE MORE EVIDENCE OF DISSENTION AMONG THE RANKS THAT THERE IS NO REAL, LIKE, WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, SINGING FROM THE SAME SHEET OF MUSIC.

YOU HAVE YOUR MOST PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS AND THEN YOU HAVE YOUR MORE TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATS AND WE HAVE SEEN HOW, YOU KNOW, THEY STARTED TO DIVIDE A FEW YEARS AGO IN ORDER TO TACKLE SOME LEGISLATIVE RACES AND GET OUT SOME OF THE LONG-SEATED REPUBLICANS WITH MORE PROGRESSIVE MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SO, LIKE, MAYBE A BEAST HAS BEEN CREATED AND THEY MIGHT JUST NEED TO STAY DIVIDED IN ORDER TO SEE HOW THIS SHAKES OUT.

Gene: LAURA YOU WANT 20 SECONDS ON WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE?

WILLING TO GIVE YOU A SHOT HERE IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO -- Laura: THAT IS A LOADED QUESTION.

ISN'T IT?

I DON'T HAVE A -- Gene: STAY AWAY FROM THAT AG'S RACE.

Laura: WELL, DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE AG'S RACE.

OKAY.

BUT THAT ASIDE, YOU KNOW, IT IS UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE I AM A BIG FAN OF THE SENATE.

I HAVE A PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THE SENATE OVER THE HOUSE.

I THINK IT IS THE UPPER HOUSE OF ANY GOVERNING BODY.

THERE IS MUCH MORE DECORUM AND I FEEL LIKE THERE IS MUCH LESS IN THIS GROUP OF FOLKS.

THERE IS SO MUCH MUD SLINGING AMONG SENATORS, I MISS KIND OF THE LEVEL OF RESPECT THAT THEY USED TO HAVE.

I JUST FEEL LIKE THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH TURMOIL RECENTLY AND IT MUST BE VERY SAD.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT THAT AND UNFORTUNATELY I LOOK AT THAT AND NOW I AM THINKING THE HOUSE SEEMS TO HAVE IT A LOT BETTER IN SOME WAYS, HAVE THEIR STUFF TOGETHER A LITTLE BIT MORE.

THAT MAKES ME SAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT I THINK WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THIS RIFT UNTIL PEOPLE START TO GET UNSEATED, WHETHER IT IS ONE SIDE, PROGRESSIVES VERSUS THE OTHER MORE MODERATE DEMOCRATS, EITHER SIDE, UNTIL WE GET MORE PEOPLE IN THOSE RANKS, WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THIS.

Gene: SOMEONE HAS TO WIN SOMETHING AS THEY SAY IN POLITICS IN ORDER FOR THAT CHANGE TO HAPPEN.

THANK YOU ALL.

WE'LL BE WATCHING POLITICAL LANDSCAPES CLOSELY IN THE COMING WEEKS.

ONE OF THE KEY VOTING BLOCKS IN JUNE AND NOVEMBER WILL BE THE LATINO ELECTORATE.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, CORRESPONDENT RUSSELL CONTRERAS SPOKE WITH AN EXPERT ON VOTING TRENDS TO FIND OUT HOW THE POLITICAL STRATEGIES WE ARE SEEING COULD PLAY OUT IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

Russell: STEPHANIE VALENCIA, THANK FOR JOINING US TODAY.

Valencia: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

Russell: BEFORE WE GET INTO THE 2022 MIDTERMS, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION.

WE KNEW THAT MORE LATINOS VOTED FOR TRUMP THAN EXPECTED DESPITE HISTORIES OF MAKING RACIST STATEMENTS AND ANTI-LATINO REMARKS.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Valencia: SO, THERE ARE QUITE A FEW NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE BELIEVE HAPPENED.

FIRST IS LATINOS ARE THE FASTEST GROWING PART OF THE POPULATION AND ELECTORATE, YET 50% OF LATINOS STAYED ON THE SIDELINES IN 2020 DESPITE RECORD TURNOUTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WE SAW THE LARGEST SWING OF ANY OTHER GROUP TOWARD TRUMP AMONG LATINOS.

SO THE QUESTION IS WHY?

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS WE BELIEVE.

ONE PRIMARY REASON COMES DOWN TO HOW LATINOS WERE EXPERIENCING COVID AND THE ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN.

WE KNOW LATINOS ARE VERY MUCH OVER-POPULATED IN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND ESSENTIAL WORKER WORK FORCE AND SO WHETHER YOU ARE WORKING AT A HOSPITAL AS A CAREGIVER OR WHETHER YOU'RE PROVIDING SOME OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICE LIKE AT A RESTAURANT, LATINOS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY THOSE ECONOMIC IMPACTS, ALSO AS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

SO THE WAY LATINOS WERE LOOKING AT AND EVEN TO THIS DAY, AS WE THINK ABOUT THE ELECTION IN 2022, REALLY HOW THEY EXPERIENCED THE ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN FROM COVID, HOW THAT RELATES TO THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS AND ULTIMATELY HOW THEY THOUGHT TRUMP WAS HANDLING THE ECONOMY AT THE TIME.

IF YOU ALSO THINK ABOUT IT IN 2016 AND IN 2018 WE WERE LARGELY TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

IMMIGRATION WAS A CENTRAL CHARACTER IN THE 2016 AND 2018 ELECTIONS.

IN 2016 TRUMP STARTED HIS CAMPAIGN BY TARGETING LATINOS AND MEXICANS AS RAPISTS AND MURDERERS AND A LOT OF HIS CAMPAIGN RHETORIC REVOLVED AROUND OTHERING AND TARGETING LATINOS AS RAPISTS AND MURDERERS.

THEN YOU GO TO 2018, AND THE 2018 MIDTERMS.

THAT WAS THE HEIGHT OF THE FAMILY SEPARATION CRISIS.

SO FAMILIES BEING SEPARATED AT THE BORDER WERE REALLY COLORING AND CLOUDING THE WAY THAT VOTERS WERE LOOKING AT HOW WE HANDLED IMMIGRATION IN THIS COUNTRY AND REALLY HOW TO LOOK AT TRUMP AND REPUBLICANS.

SO, SHIFT TO 2020, HERE WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PANDEMIC FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING REAL PAINS IN THEIR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES AND SO WE WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

AND NOT TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION AT THAT POINT AND REALLY KIND OF JUST EXPERIENCING THE ELECTION IN THAT MOMENT IN THE ELECTION THROUGH THE LENS OF HOW PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING COVID AND THE COVID-RELATED ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN WAS A PRIMARY REASON WE BELIEVE THAT LATINOS MOVED TO TRUMP.

THAT COUPLED WITH WHAT WE CALL UNCONTESTED COMMUNICATION AND DISINFORMATION.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS KIND OF A BLEND OF OUTRIGHT DISINFORMATION ABOUT COVID AND ABOUT THE ELECTION AND THE ELECTION RESULTS AND THINGS RELATED TO MISLEADING PEOPLE ABOUT WHERE TO GO VOTE AND HOW TO VOTE AND THINGS ABOUT THE ELECTION.

AND THEN THERE IS OUTRIGHT KIND OF PROPAGANDA THAT WE CALL UNCONTESTED COMMUNICATION WHERE REPUBLICANS WERE COMMUNICATING AND THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN WAS COMMUNICATING VERY EFFECTIVELY WITH LATINO VOTERS PARTICULARLY AROUND MESSAGES AROUND THE ECONOMY THAT REALLY PULLED THEM TO THEIR SIDE.

Russell: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MISINFORMATION.

HE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN TARGETING LATINOS.

WE SAW THE JORGE MASVIDAL, THE MMA FIGHTER, PUT OUT ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR VIDEOS EVER ON YOUTUBE AND BASICALLY WAS MAKING FUN OF JOE BIDEN DANCING TO A SONG.

WHY WAS THIS VOTING BLOCK SO TARGETED WITH MISINFORMATION.

Valencia: SO I WANT TO DISTINGUISH.

THERE IS A VERY BLURRY AND FINE LINE BETWEEN WHAT WE CALL UNCONTESTED COMMUNICATION AND POLITICAL PROPAGANDA WHICH I PUT THE JORGE MASVIDAL VIDEO IN AND OUTRIGHT MISINFORMATION.

MISINFORMATION IS PURPOSEFULLY TRYING TO MISLEAD AND PRESENT LIES WHETHER IT IS ABOUT THAT COVID VACCINE IS PUTTING A MICROCHIP IN YOUR BODY OR THAT BILL GATES IS GOING TO OWN ALL OF US IF YOU GET THE COVID VACCINE.

THAT IS OUTRIGHT DISINFORMATION.

THERE IS LIKE FACTS BEHIND THAT NOT BEING TRUE.

JORGE MASVIDAL MAKING FUN OF JOE BIDEN OR QUITE FRANKLY IN THAT SAME VIDEO, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR VIDEOS THAT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN RELEASED IN HIS ENTIRE CAMPAIGN, NOT JUST TARGETING LATINOS BUT IN THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN, HE POSTED THAT VIDEO ON THE YOUTUBE MASTHEAD TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND AGAIN GOT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF VIEWS.

IT WAS REALLY ABOUT TARGETING LATINOS TO SAY DEMOCRATS WERE TAKING YOU FOR GRANTED.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE LINES FROM THAT VIDEO THAT I THINK RESONATED WITH A LOT OF LATINOS IS WHY WOULD YOU CHANGE THE QUARTERBACK WHEN YOU ARE WINNING SUPER BOWL.

AGAIN, THAT NOTION OF THE ECONOMY WAS DOING WELL, TRUMP WAS HANDLING THE ECONOMY, WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO REOPEN THE ECONOMY DURING COVID, MANY LATINOS RELATED TO THAT.

AND THERE IS A LOT ABOUT KIND OF THIS IMAGE OF WHO TRUMP WAS TO LATINOS IN A LOT OF REGARD RELATED TO ECONOMIC SUCCESS THAT I THINK IS ALSO SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHETHER IT WAS UNIQUE TO HIM OR WHETHER THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE KIND OF TRANSFERRED TO OTHER REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES IN THE FUTURE.

Russell: SO, THE QUESTION IS WHY DIDN'T DEMOCRATS THWART THIS MISINFORMATION?

WHAT DID THEY DO?

WHY DID THEY FAIL?

Valencia: WELL, I THINK THERE IS AN ASYMMETRY IN HOW REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE THINKING ABOUT REACHING VOTERS GENERALLY, BUT SPECIFICALLY LATINO VOTERS.

FOR EXAMPLE, I WILL SAY, IN SOUTH FLORIDA WHERE THERE IS KIND OF AN EXAMPLE NO.

1 OF CREATING A DISINFORMATION AND UNCONTESTED ECOSYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES OWN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT RADIO STATIONS IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

FOR EXAMPLE, DEMOCRATS SPENT 15 MILLION-DOLLARS IN THE LAST 30 DAYS OF THE ELECTION IN 2020 IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA MEDIA MARKET ALONG PAID MEDIA, SO THAT IS RADIO AND TELEVISION, NOT JUST TARGETING LATINOS BUT JUST TO ILLUSTRATE THIS POINT.

IN APRIL OF THIS PAST YEAR, CONSERVATIVE ALIGNED FORCES BOUGHT A RADIO STATION IN THAT SAME MEDIA MARKET FOR $350,000.

SO, REPUBLICANS ARE AND CONSERVATIVES ARE THINKING ABOUT BUILDING NETWORKS OF COMMUNICATION TO COMMUNICATE WITH LATINOS YEAR ROUND AND DEMOCRATS ARE STILL BUYING PAID MEDIA THAT I GUARANTEE NO LATINO IN SOUTH FLORIDA REMEMBERS ANY ONE OF THOSE ADS IN THE LAST 30 DAYS OF THE ELECTION THAT DEMOCRATS BOUGHT.

THEN, THERE IS ALSO THINGS LIKE THE INITIATIVES HERE IN NEW MEXICO THAT ARE VERY IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE IN COMMUNITIES YEAR ROUND, COMMUNICATING A MESSAGE AROUND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, AROUND SMALL BUSINESS, AROUND A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO CONSERVATIVE VALUES.

AND THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY, THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, DESPITE HIS TERRIBLE MESSAGING TARGETING LATINOS IN 2016 AND 2018, REALLY PROBABLY INVESTED THE MOST AMOUNT OF MONEY AND RESOURCES TO REACH, COMMUNICATE AND PERSUADE LATINOS THAN ANY OTHER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN HISTORY.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW THEY WERE REACHING LATINOS THROUGH YOUTUBE LIKE THE JORGE MASVIDAL VIDEO TO ANY NUMBER OF OTHER STRATEGIES THEY WERE USING.

THEY MADE A REAL EFFORT AND WE SAW THAT EFFORT PAY OFF FOR THEM.

Russell: MOVING TO MIDTERMS, REPUBLICANS HERE IN NEW MEXICO ARE RUNNING HIGHEST NUMBER OF HISPANIC CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE SEATS, STATE LEGISLATIVE SPOTS, THAN ANY TIME IN THEIR HISTORY.

SOUTH TEXAS, WE ARE SEEING A MOVE MORE TO THE REPUBLICANS, WHICH WAS A TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATIC AREA.

ARE WE SEEING A SHIFT IN STRONGLY HISTORIC DEMOCRATIC AREAS AND WHY?

Valencia: WHAT WE ARE SEEING, NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN KIND OF A BELL WEATHER AND BATTLE GROUND FOR THIS TO PLAY ITSELF OUT.

WE KNOW NEW MEXICO IS ONE OF THE FIRST STATES IN THE COUNTRY THAT WAS PREDOMINANTLY HISPANIC BESIDES CALIFORNIA.

THIS WAS A REAL BATTLE GROUND STATE THAT MOVED TO BEING BLUE.

THEN WE SAW THE REST OF THE WEST KIND OF FOLLOW SUIT.

AND I THINK WHAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HERE AGAIN IS THERE ARE A NUMBER OF POLICIES THAT I WOULD ARGUE ARE KIND OF MORE DEMOCRATIC AND PROGRESSIVE.

TAKE EDUCATION POLICY OR HEALTHCARE POLICY OR EVEN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT JOE BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION HAVE DONE ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND GROWING SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE VERY DEMOCRATIC AND PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE.

THE QUESTION IS WILL DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVES GO AND COMMUNICATE THAT MESSAGE TO HISPANIC VOTERS IN THIS STATE.

AS YOU CAN SEE BY RECRUITING A NUMBER OF OTHER HISPANIC CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY SEEN MORE CONSERVATIVE SUCH AS BUSINESS ISSUES AND OTHER KINDS OF ISSUES THAT ARE MORE SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE, SAY, ABORTION, OR THINGS LIKE THAT, LATINOS TEND TO BE MORE KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE ON SOME OF THOSE ISSUES THAN I THINK PEOPLE TEND TO BELIEVE.

AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AS A NATIONAL TREND, AND I WOULD SAY IT IS TRUE HERE IN NEW MEXICO, IS HISPANIC VOTERS DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO BE CAST TO EITHER PARTY.

LIKE YOU HAVE POLLS ON BOTH SIDES WHO ARE HARD CONSERVATIVES AND HARD KIND OF DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVES, BUT THE LIONS' SHARE OF LATINO VOTERS AND HISPANIC VOTERS IN THIS STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY KIND OF COUNT THEMSELVES IN THE MIDDLE.

IT IS INTERESTING THAT BOTH PARTIES WILL HAVE, LIKE I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY, LATINOS ARE THE LAST GREAT WILD CARD IN THE ELECTORATE BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY THAT LAST PERSUADABLE SWING VOTER BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE THEMSELVES AS HARD PARTISANS.

THEY TRULY SEE THEMSELVES AS INDEPENDENTS AND IN THE MIDDLE.

Russell: WE HAVE HERE A GOVERNOR'S RACE TO CHALLENGE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

ONE PARTICULAR CANDIDATE, GOP CANDIDATE REBECCA DOW IS KNOWN AS A MODERATE.

SHE JUST RELEASED A VIDEO SOME CRITICS ARE CALLING RACIST.

SHE IS ON THE BORDER.

SHE IS TALKING ABOUT RADICAL SOCIALISTS CROSSING OVER SUNLAND PARK OR SOMEWHERE.

AND SHE VOWS TO BUILD A WALL.

NOW THIS TACTIC HAS NOT WORKED IN PLACES LIKE NEW MEXICO AND NEVADA IN THE PAST BECAUSE THESE ARE -- NEW MEXICO IS THE STATE WITH THE MOST HISPANIC RESIDENTS.

WILL THIS WORK THIS TIME IN THIS CLIMATE, THIS ANTI-IMMIGRANT I AM HERE FOR STRONG BORDER SECURITY TACTIC?

Valencia: IT IS REALLY INTERESTING BOTH AGAIN NATIONALLY AND AGAIN SPECIFICALLY TO NEW MEXICO, WHAT YOU SEE AMONG HISPANIC VOTERS IS A DESIRE FOR A VERY BALANCED APPROACH TO HANDLING THE BORDER AND HANDLING REALISTIC IMMIGRATION REFORM POLICY.

YOU KNOW, TWO OR THREE THINGS WE HAVE SEEN POLL POORLY AMONG HISPANIC VOTERS AT LARGE ARE THE WALL AND SEPARATING FAMILIES.

SO, THOSE TWO TRUMP ERA POLICIES, ESPECIALLY, PEOPLE SEE IT AS A MASSIVELY TERRIBLE USE OF RESOURCES.

AND SO, AGAIN, I WOULD PUT HISPANIC VOTERS IN A VERY PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK ON THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION.

THEY WANT TO SEE THE BORDER MANAGED WELL AND IS SECURE.

AND WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OBVIOUSLY GIVEN THE ROLE THAT NEW MEXICO PLAYS IN THE BORDER COMMUNITIES, THERE IS IMPORTANT ECONOMIC WORK THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN HAVING GOODS AND PEOPLE MOVE BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE BORDER, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE A MEASURE OF WHAT SECURITY IS FOR THE BORDER.

THAT BEING SAID, HISPANIC VOTERS ALSO WANT TO SEE FAIR TREATMENT OF THE 10 TO 12 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION AND SEE THAT THEY ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND THERE IS A PROCESS FOR THEM.

AND THAT THERE IS A PROCESS FOR MOVING FORWARD IN HOW PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER IN THE FUTURE OR DESIRING TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY, THAT THERE IS A FAIR WAY TO TREAT THEM AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE.

SO, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS IN THAT CASE, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

OBVIOUSLY THAT MAY HELP HER TURNOUT, HER HARD CORPS REPUBLICAN AND CONSERVATIVE BASE TO GET THROUGH THE PRIMARY, BUT THE QUESTION IS WHEN SHE GETS TO THE GENERAL, THE BROADER ELECTORATE IS NOT REALLY ALIGNED IN THAT REGARD.

Russell: LAST 20 SECONDS.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN THIS PRIMARY ELECTION?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Valencia: I AM LOOKING TO SEE, ONE, HOW HISPANIC VOTERS -- WHAT THEIR TOP ISSUES ARE IN THIS ELECTION.

I THINK THE ECONOMY, INFLATION, PRICE CONTROL, PEOPLE GETTING BACK TO WORK, PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO HIRE WORKERS, THOSE ARE ALL REALLY IMPORTANT LENSES TO SEE HOW HISPANIC VOTERS ARE GOING TO BE TREATING AND WHO THEY FEEL LIKE CAN BETTER HANDLE THE ECONOMY AND BETTER HANDLE THE ECONOMIC REOPENING, MOVING FORWARD.

THE OTHER PIECE IS WHERE WE SEE HISPANIC MEN.

AND A LOT OF OUR POLLING IN 2020 WE DID SEE SHIFTS AMONG HISPANIC MEN OVERALL.

I AM EAGER TO SEE WHERE THOSE NUMBERS ARE SHIFTING IN NEW MEXICO.

AS I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, I'LL END WITH THIS, THAT NEW MEXICO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BELL WEATHER.

SO GOES NEW MEXICO SO GOES THE REST OF THE WEST MANY YEARS LATER.

SO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NEW MEXICO COULD BE VERY MUCH A PREDICTOR FOR WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE REST OF THE SOUTHWEST IN THE FUTURE.

Russell: THANK YOU STEPHANIE VALENCIA CO-FOUNDER OF EQUIS LABS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

Valencia: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Gene: WELCOME BACK ONCE MORE TO OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS.

OUR FINAL TOPIC THIS WEEK IS A PROPOSAL INCLUDED IN ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR TIM KELLER'S BUDGET PLAN.

IT CALLS FOR DESIGNATED HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN THE CITY ESSENTIALLY CONSOLIDATING THE SMALLER GATHERING SPOTS THAT ARE SPREAD ACROSS RIGHT NOW, YOU SEE THEM ALL, RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HOPES IT WILL MAKE THE CITY SAFER, EASIER TO GET RESOURCES TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

IS THIS A FEASIBLE SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESS ISSUE IN THE CITY?

IT IS NOT A NEW IDEA BUT AGAIN IN ALBUQUERQUE, SOMETIMES, OUTSIDE IDEAS DON'T WORK SO WELL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS ONE?

Tom: THIS IS THE ONE ISSUE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DEFINE ALBUQUERQUE BECAUSE IT IS THE FIRST THING THAT A LOT OF FOLKS SEE ON THEIR WAY TO WORK.

IT IS THE FIRST THING TOURISTS SEE.

IT WILL KEEP BUSINESSES FROM RELOCATING TO THE ALBUQUERQUE AREA.

I THINK LET'S GIVE IT A SHOT.

I KIND OF LIKE THE IDEA OF IT AND I LIKE ALSO -- I KNOW IT IS ON THE LIST OF THINGS WE MIGHT POTENTIALLY TALK ABOUT HOW THIS HOPE VILLAGE -- I THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE A PUBLIC AND A PRIVATE SOLUTION.

Gene: GO AHEAD AND SPEAK TO HOPE VILLAGE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO.

Tom: YEAH, SO, ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WAS SENT OVER LATE IN THE DAY WAS ON HOPE VILLAGE, WHICH IS ACTUALLY A NONPROFIT THAT BRINGS IN SERVICES.

IT IS FUNDED BY A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT MORTGAGE FINANCE AUTHORITIES.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE CREATING SERVICES, ITS INFRASTRUCTURE BRICK AND MORTAR AND IT SERVES HOMELESS POPULATIONS.

IT IS REALLY IN A WAY I THINK THE MINI VERSION OF WHAT THE GATEWAY CENTER HOPES TO BE SOME DAY.

JUST BECAUSE IT WAS MOTIVATED BY WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE PRIVATE SECTOR INTERESTS, IT GOT QUICKER THAN WHAT WE ARE SEEING HAPPEN OR NOT HAPPEN AT GATEWAY CENTER.

OVERALL, WHAT THE MAYOR PROPOSED IN HIS APPROACH OF FUNDING ALL OF THIS, I REALLY LIKE IT.

THERE IS SO MUCH ABOUT THIS THAT A LOT OF US JUST DON'T KNOW ALL THE BEHIND THE SCENE STUFF THAT IS TAKING PLACE AND IT IS NOT A PERFECT SYSTEM.

I AM NOT BEING AN APOLOGIST FOR THE EFFORTS SO FAR BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF SHORTCOMINGS, BUT I ALSO KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF THAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT IS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES TO ADDRESS AND FIX THIS ISSUE.

IT IS GOVERNMENT SO IT IS NOT GOING TO BE PERFECT.

BUT OVERALL, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, GENE, MY APOLOGIES FOR GOING OFF ON A RANT THERE.

I DO LIKE IT.

I THINK THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL IS WORTH CONSIDERING AND WORTH A SHOT IN ADDITION TO A LOT OF OTHER ITEMS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

Gene: LAURA, THESE EMPTY LOTS, THESE DIRT LOTS, WILL ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 40 PEOPLE, ALSO PORTA-POTTIES, ALL KINDS OF OTHER SERVICE.

THE CITY OF SANTA FE IS CONSIDERING A SIMILAR PLAN AND WE TALKED ON THIS SHOW TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO THAT LAS CRUCES HAS ALREADY DONE IT.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LA MESILLA COMMUNITY OF HOPE SAYS IT HAS BEEN LARGELY SUCCESSFUL DOWN THERE SO FAR WITH FEWER COMPLAINTS FROM BUSINESSES ABOUT LOITERERS.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE.

IS THIS PROBLEM THE SAME IN EACH CITY TO MAKE IT WORK IN ALBUQUERQUE?

Laura: THIS IS A TOUGH ONE FOR ME, MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE TERM ENCAMPMENTS.

TO ME, THE INTERMENT CAMPS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A TERRIBLE RECORD OR TERRIBLE HISTORY HERE IN NEW MEXICO EVEN AS FAR AS JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMPS DURING WORLD WAR II, AND TO ME THE TERM ENCAMPMENT MEANS THE GOVERNMENT ROUNDS PEOPLE UP AND PUTS THEM IN A DESIGNATED SPOT.

IT IS VERY DISTRICTS -- Gene: THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

Laura: IT IS VERY DISTRICT 9, IF ANYBODY KNOWS THAT MOVIE.

BUT I DON'T LIKE THAT TERM AND I THINK WE HAVE TO RETHINK HOW THEY ARE REFERRING TO THIS IDEA.

BUT, THAT BEING SAID, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH HOMELESSNESS IN ALBUQUERQUE.

THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THAT.

IT IS A REALITY THAT HITS YOU IN THE FACE ANY TIME YOU PASS CORONADO PARK ON SECOND AND I-40 BASICALLY.

YOU CAN SEE IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF THAT POPULATION THAT SIMPLY IS NOT READY TO BE IN A HOME OR STRUCTURE WITH FOUR WALLS.

SOME KIND OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING MAKES SENSE BUT HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE SET UP AND WHERE IT IS DESIGNATED IS A HUGE DEAL FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, FOR RESIDENTS AND JUST FOR IN TERMS OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.

AGAIN, KEEPING PEOPLE IN A DESIGNATED AREA, HOW DO YOU ENFORCE THAT AND WHAT ARE THE MEASURES USED.

THERE COULD BE ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH ENFORCEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTACTS AND OTHER THINGS.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

Gene: A LOT OF RESOURCES ARE NEEDED FOR SURE.

REBECCA, INTERESTINGLY, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE OR MAYOR SAYS IT IS PLANNING ON HOLDING PUBLIC FORUMS TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.

AND THIS IS WHAT REALLY INTERESTS ME BECAUSE I AM TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE A HECK OF A SALES JOB BY THIS MAYOR.

I AM REALLY CURIOUS IF HE IS GOING TO PUT HIS FACE AT THE FRONT OF IT OR SOME DESIGNATED CITY DWEEB OR IS IT GOING TO BE HIS IDEA BECAUSE WHERE THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE LOCATED, IT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE ISSUE FOR PEOPLE.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS IS GOING TO GO GOING FORWARD WITH PUBLIC FORUMS AND THE LIKE?

IS THAT THE BEST WAY TO GO HERE?

Latham: I THINK PUBLIC FORUMS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO GO.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE SEEN ELIZABETH OLGUIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR WITH THE CITY WHO OVERSEES SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, LIKE, YOU'LL SEE HER SPEAKING PUBLICLY ABOUT THIS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A BIPARTISAN MEASURE.

I HAVE HEARD COUNCILOR BASAN SPEAKING ABOUT THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE TOO AND SO NOW IT IS PICKING UP STEAM WITH THE MAYOR AND HIS BASE PUTTING IT TOGETHER.

I THINK THERE IS KIND OF ONE THING THAT WE ARE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO REALIZE, THERE IS THIS HIERARCHY OF SOLUTIONS.

THERE IS THE GATEWAY CENTER WHICH IS UTOPIA, LIKE THAT IS WHERE WE ALL WANT TO BE.

THERE IS TINY HOUSES WHICH COMMISSIONER O'MALLEY SAID THIS WEEK, YOU KNOW, THIS DIDN'T WORK OUT LIKE I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO.

THERE IS THE SAFE OUTDOOR SPACES WHICH IS WHERE THE ENCAMPMENTS ARE, WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT, LIKE CAMPS IN LAS CRUCES AND THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THE LANDS USE PLANNING COMMITTEE ACTUALLY DISCUSSED AND APPROVED AND WILL TAKE TO COUNCIL, THE IDEA OF CONVERTING OLD HOTELS INTO SOME RAPID REHOUSING OR RAPID TEMPORARY HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS AND WHAT THEY EXPECT AFTER VOTING YEARS AGO TO FUND THE GATEWAY CENTER, THEY EXPECT THE GATEWAY CENTER, LIKE RIGHTS NOW.

THE PUBLIC EXPECTS THAT TOMORROW THERE WILL BE NO MORE HOMELESS PROBLEM IN ALBUQUERQUE.

AN THAT IS NOT REALISTIC.

SO I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE MAYOR TO STRESS THIS IS NOT THE FINAL FIX.

THIS IS STEP ONE.

WE CAN'T GO FROM ZERO TO GATEWAY CENTER.

WE HAVE TO GO FROM ZERO TO SOMETHING SO THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY THE SUBGROUP OF THAT POPULATION WHO IS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHO WANT TO GET HELP.

LIKE LAURA MENTIONED, NOT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IS READY TO ACCEPT ASSISTANCE SO IT HAS TO BE A MULTI APPROACH THING.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO NEED HELP AND CANNOT GET TO HELP BECAUSE IT IS A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY ARE LIVING IN.

SO, HAVING SOME MORE OPTIONS FOR THEM, STEP 1, JUST IDENTIFY THAT GROUP, GET THEM SERVICES, GET THEM HELP AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO DISCUSSION.

Gene: INTERESTING HEADLINE IN THE JOURNAL EARLY MARCH, QUOTE, LIBERAL U.S. CITIES CHANGE COURSE, NOW CLEARING HOMELESS CAMPS."

I'LL REMIND YOU THE MAYOR OF PORTLAND RAN ON THE ISSUE OF ENCAMPMENTS.

THE MAYOR OF SAN FRANCISCO LAYING OUT ALL KINDS OF TOUGH LANGUAGE ABOUT HOMELESS THERE TOO.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

THERE HAS BEEN SOME FLIP ABOUT HOW WE VIEW THE HOMELESS AND WE ARE SORT OF PAST THE SWEEPING ENCAMPMENTS OUT AND TAKING ALL THEIR STUFF AND SHOPPING CARTS AND THROW IT AWAY.

WE ENTERED SOME KIND OF NEW TERRITORY HERE WHERE POLITICIANS ARE BENDING TO THE WILL OF THE PUBLIC?

AM I RIGHT ON THIS?

BY CLEARING HOMELESS FOLKS OUT OF HIGH PROFILE AREAS.

Laura: THIS IS NOT A NEW APPROACH.

I THINK LA DID THIS WHEN THEY ESTABLISHED SKID ROW HOWEVER LONG AGO BY MOVING PEOPLE INTO A SPECIFIC AREA, KIND OF OUTSIDE THE VIEW OF FOLKS IN THE 310 AREA CODE, TO THE WESTSIDE OF LA.

THIS HAPPENS IN EVERY CITY.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING THAT IS NEW HERE IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU READ IN THE HEADLINE, PERCEIVED LIBERAL COMMUNITIES ARE NOW SEEING THAT IS NOT OKAY BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING THEIR ABILITY TO ATTRACT TOURISTS, TO INCREASE REVENUE FOR THEIR LOCAL BUSINESSES, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A NEXUS WITH MENTAL HEALTH THERE AS WELL AS CRIMES.

AND SO I THINK WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE KIND OF NOT TAKE THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH OF, WELL, JUST -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE APPROACH HAS BEEN BUT IT OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN JUST LEAVE ENCAMPMENTS OR CAMPS SET UP BY THE HOMELESS, LEAVE THEM BE.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS REALISTIC.

VOTERS ARE NOT OKAY WITH THAT.

BUT BACK TO YOUR COMMENT EARLIER ABOUT ALBUQUERQUE AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE DCD, THE DESIGNATED CITY DWEEB, I THINK THAT THE MAYOR HAS TO BE THE ONE TO PUT HIS FACE ON THE CAMPAIGN.

I DON'T THINK A DCD IS GOING TO WORK THIS TIME AROUND.

HE HAS TO BE THE ONE THAT PROVIDES THE LEADERSHIP BECAUSE THERE IS A BROAD, SWEEPING CHANGE THAT NEEDS TO OCCUR TO ADDRESS THIS.

Gene: AND THE IDEA THAT UNDER A MILLION DOLLARS IN BUDGET.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

THANKS AGAIN TO THE LINE PANEL AS ALWAYS.

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

I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A WILDFIRE, NEVER LOST A HOME OR A BARN OR A SHOP BUT A LARGE NUMBER OF US HAVE NOTABLY OVER THE LAST WEEK.

THE WORRY IS THE PROSPECT OF EVEN MORE LOSS THIS SUMMER.

WHILE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS AHEAD FOR THE SUMMER, PARTICULARLY MONSOON SEASON, THIS WE DO KNOW, WE NEED TO BE PREPARED.

I AM TALKING WELL BEYOND INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, AS IMPORTANT AS THAT IS.

NOW THAT I MENTION IT, IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST SUMMER AS A HOMEOWNER IN THE TREE LINE HERE, PLEASE DO TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN HOW TO FIREPROOF YOUR PROPERTY.

AS YOU HEARD DURING THE VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSION, WE NEED RESOURCES AND WE NEED THEM NOW.

HOW WE STITCH THIS ALL TOGETHER, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL AVAILABLE FEDERAL RESOURCES, THAT IS GOING TO BE A TRICK.

FOR SOME OF US, THE LOSS OF A HOME FROM FIRE WILL BE A HORRIBLE REALITY.

SO THE BEST WE CAN DO IS STRIVE TO KEEP THE LOSS AS MINIMAL AS POSSIBLE STATE-WIDE.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK IN FOCUS.