>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU >> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS.
LAWMAKERS HAVE JUST 30 DAYS TO BALANCE A 13 BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET AND TACKLE AN AMBITIOUS GOVERNOR'S AGENDA.
>> Governor: ENOUGH.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK WE ARE GOING TO DO.
ALL THE OTHER STUFF, THE JOBS, THE FUTURE, THE HOMES, THE EDUCATION; MEANINGLESS IF WE CAN'T KEEP NEW MEXICANS SAFE.
>> Lou: REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERS REACT TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM'S ROAD MAP FOR THE SESSION.
NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.
I AM SENIOR PRODUCERS DIVIZIO.
NEW MEXICO'S 30-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS UNDERWAY IN SANTA FE.
THE GOVERNOR CLOSED HER 51 MINUTE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY WITH A LENGTHY PLEA FOR REFORMS ON GUN CONTROL AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
TODAY WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SPEECH AS POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND ASKS A SPECIAL PANEL OF JOURNALISTS COVERING THIS YEAR'S SESSION WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR STATE'S LAWMAKERS.
THEN LATER IN SHOW OUR SHOW GWYNETH GATHERS RESPONSES FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN BOTH CHAMBERS, SENATE MINORITY LEADER GREGORY BACA AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER REPRESENTATIVE T. RYAN LANE.
EACH SHARE THEIR PRIORITIES IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, BUT, FIRST, WE'LL EXAMINE KEY MOMENTS DURING THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS, INCLUDING HER REACTION TO THE THREE DIFFERENT PROTESTS THAT INTERRUPTED HER SPEECH.
>> Gwyneth: THANKS LOU.
JOINING ME TODAY ARE TRIP JENNINGS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH AND JESSICA ONSUREZ, NEWS DIRECTOR FOR SEVERAL OF GANNETT'S NEWSPAPERS IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO.
GLAD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE TODAY.
IN THIS FIRST SEGMENT WE ARE GOING TO PLAY A SERIES OF CLIPS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SHE SAID.
LET'S GET TO IT.
WE ALL SAW THAT SOUND BYTE FROM THE OPENING OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, THE ONE WHERE SHE SAID NONE OF THE REST OF THIS SESSION'S WORK MATTERS UNLESS THE STATE IS A SAFE PLACE FOR THE RESIDENTS.
TRIP, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR, BUT, HOW DO YOU EXPECT SOME OF HER MORE CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSALS TO PLAY OUT THIS SESSION?
>> Trip: WELL, YOU KNOW, I WAS REVIEWING THE SPEECH.
I WAS UP THERE TUESDAY AND ALSO LOOKING AT THE POLITICAL COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, YOU KNOW.
BASICALLY THE DEMOCRATS ARE HANDILY IN CHARGE, 45 SEATS OUT OF 70 IN THE HOUSE AND 47 -- I AM SORRY 27 OUT OF THE 42 IN THE SENATE.
AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY ROBUST DEBATE ON LIKE ASSAULT RIFLE BAN, ON A 14-DAY WAITING PERIOD.
EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, WIDE MARGINS OF DEMOCRATIC CONTROL IN THE LEGISLATURE, THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE -- I THINK SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SEE IT AS THE POLITICAL BREAKDOWN OF DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS.
THAT IS NOT THE CASE IN NEW MEXICO.
IT IS GOING TO BE A REALLY ROBUST DEBATE HERE.
>> Gwyneth: THERE IS MORE DIVISION IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ABOUT THIS.
MAYBE THERE IS LESS THAN THERE USED TO BE BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF DIVISION.
WE HAVE URBAN VERSUS RURAL REPRESENTATIONS, THINGS LIKE THAT, RIGHT?
JESSICA, DURING LAST YEAR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS THE GOVERNOR GOT A STANDING OVATION WHEN SHE CALLED FOR AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.
THIS YEAR SHE GOT A SIMILAR APPLAUSE BREAK FOR HER PUBLIC SAFETY PACKAGE.
BUT, HAS THE CONVERSATION CHANGED ABOUT THE TOPIC OF GUN CONTROL IN THE PAST YEAR?
HOW IS THIS RESONATING IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO TOO?
>> Onsurez: IF YOU LOOK AT SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, AND THIS GOES BACK TO THE POINT YOU WERE MAKING URBAN VERSUS RURAL, OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES WE SEE GUNS AS A CULTURAL, HISTORIC SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF BANS YOU'RE GOING TO GET AN EMOTIONAL REACTION AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE SENSE THAT THE POLITICOS IN SANTA FE ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO INTERRUPT WHAT WE SEE AS PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIFE.
BUT I THINK TO YOUR QUESTION, THIS LAST YEAR HAS SHIFTED THAT CONVERSATION A BIT BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN, IN OUR SMALLER RURAL COMMUNITIES, THE IMPACTS OF GUNS.
LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED UP IN FARMINGTON, THE MASS SHOOTING WHERE A HIGH SCHOOLER, YOU KNOW, IN A MATTER OF MINUTES WAS ABLE TO CAUSE MASSIVE DESTRUCTION INCLUDING KILLING THREE PEOPLE AND WOUNDING A FARMINGTON POLICE OFFICER.
WE HAVE SEEN GUNS TURNED ON CHILDREN IN COMMUNITIES NOT ONLY IN ALBUQUERQUE, BUT IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, THERE AS WELL.
SO, IT OPENS A DOOR FOR PEOPLE TO BE MORE -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY ENTHUSIASTIC BUT MORE OPEN TO HAVING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT GUNS AND GUN SAFETY.
AND WHEN YOU USE THE TERM AUTOMATIC WEAPONS OR ASSAULT RIFLES OR ASSAULT WEAPONS, THAT IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE CATCH PHRASES THAT IS GOING TO STIR UP THE BLOOD.
I THINK, YEAH, WHEN YOU SEE APPLAUSE FOR COMMENTS LIKE THAT COMING FROM THE GOVERNOR YOU DEFINITELY SEE THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR HER AND HER ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHER.
>> Gwyneth: LET'S SHIFT GEARS NOW FOR A MINUTE AND LOOK AT THE STATEMENTS ON PUBLIC EDUCATION.
>> Governor: WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND THE PRIORITY HERE IS OUR KIDDOS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
IT IS TIME FOR NEW MEXICO, IN THE SAME WAY THAT WHEN WE PUT OUR MINDS TO ANYTHING, WE BECOME THE BEST AT IT IN THE COUNTRY.
WHY WOULDN'T WE HAVE THE BEST PUBLIC EDUCATION OUTCOMES BAR NONE IN THE COUNTRY?
WELL, THAT IS MY GOAL AND I HOPE THAT IT IS YOURS TOO.
>> Gwyneth: AS A STATE, NEW MEXICO IS NOT CURRENTLY NEAR THE TOP OF ANY OF THESE PUBLIC EDUCATION LISTS.
WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM.
NOW THE GOVERNOR DID MENTION THAT WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS ON READING, A 4 TO 5% INCREASE IN GRADES 3 THROUGH 8.
BUT WHEN SHE SAID SHE WANTED US TO BE FIRST IN EDUCATION, IS THIS A SETUP FOR DISAPPOINTMENT?
I DON'T KNOW, I AM GOING TO YOU TRIP.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> Trip: I THINK THIS IS MY 19TH SESSION COVERING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE AND BASICALLY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS AND I AM NOT TRYING TO DIMINISH OR DISCOUNT WHAT SHE SAID, BUT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW HAS BEEN A SUCCESSION OF GENERATIONS.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU SOLVE IN FOUR YEARS, IN TWO YEARS.
THIS IS LIKE A GENERATIONAL CHALLENGE FOR -- YES, THERE IS GOING TO BE WORK THAT IS DONE AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL BUT SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE -- HOW DO YOU IMPLEMENT LIKE NEW PROGRAMS, MONEY GOING INTO SCHOOLS.
DO YOU CREATE A PIPELINE FOR MORE, I AM GOING TO SAY, INDIGENOUS TEACHERS.
THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS TO THIS VERY DEEP COMPLEX CONVERSATION.
>> Gwyneth: I HAVE HEARD -- WE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR AND I HEARD FROM THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER RYAN LANE SIMILAR TALK ABOUT LITERACY AND A FOCUS ON LITERACY.
DO YOU THINK THERE COULD BE PROGRESS THERE?
>> Trip: YES, BUT, AGAIN, IT IS GOING TO BE -- IT IS GOING TO TAKE YEARS.
I THINK WHEN YOU SEE A SPEECH LIKE A STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH, THIS IS TRYING TO CREATE MOMENTUM, TRYING TO CREATE, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A MESSAGING THAT IS GOING ACROSS, SPEAKING OF LIKE, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE OVATION AROUND GUNS, 31 SECONDS, I COUNTED.
PEOPLE STOOD UP.
THAT IS AN OLD NEWS REPORTER COUNTING THE SECONDS BUT CREATING -- IT IS A MARKETING.
THEY ARE TRYING TO CREATE THIS MOMENTUM IN THE LEGISLATURE AT THE SAME TIME ANYBODY FOLLOWING THESE ISSUES, KNOWS THAT EDUCATION, LIKE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT THE LEGISLATURES TACKLE, EXTRAORDINARILY COMPLEX, COMPLICATED, GENERATIONS OF EFFORT.
MONEY BUT ALSO CURRICULUM, ALSO, I MEAN THERE IS SO MANY ASPECTS.
>> Gwyneth: AND YET POLITICIANS WANT IMMEDIATE RESULTS THAT THEY CAN CAMPAIGN ON, RIGHT?
YEAH AND THE GOVERNOR ADDRESSED THE STATE'S HOUSING CRISIS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE SPEECH, KITCHEN TABLE ISSUE.
LET'S TAKE A LISTEN TO THIS ONE.
>> Governor: YET TOO OFTEN, HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS STALLED BY A COMPLICATED WEB OF ZONING AND PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS THAT VARY FROM CITY TO CITY AND COUNTY TO COUNTY.
TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE WE NEED TO FUND DEVELOPMENT, SMART, FAIR, EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THEN WE NEED TO GET, QUITE FRANKLY, THE HELL OUT OF OUR OWN WAY.
>> Gwyneth: LUJAN GRISHAM WANTS 500 MILLION-DOLLARS FOR TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, ONE, TO BUILD NEW HOUSES.
NO.
2, THE OTHER IS EXPANDING HOME BUYING PROGRAMS, AND SHE WANTS TO CREATE A STATE OFFICE OF HOUSING.
WE THINK OF THIS OFTEN THESE HOUSING ISSUES AS A LOCAL ISSUE AND IT IS A BIG ISSUE IN ALBUQUERQUE IN PARTICULAR.
ARE LAWMAKERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE GOING TO HAVE AN APPETITE FOR THIS?
JESSICA, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> Onsurez: I THINK THE ANSWER IS YES.
I MEAN LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN LAS CRUCES.
WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT DEFICIT IN THE AMOUNT OF HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR THAT CITY'S GROWING POPULATION AND FOR ITS CURRENT POPULATION HONESTLY.
THEY HAVE HAD SETBACKS IN TERMS OF FINANCING AND EXECUTING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, YOU KNOW, AND THESE ARE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES THAT ARE MUCH NEEDED.
WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT MCMANSIONS IN THE 200, 300,000 DOLLAR LEVEL.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SENSIBLE HOMES FOR NEW MEXICAN FAMILIES.
SO, I DO BELIEVE THAT IF YOU POLL ACROSS NEW MEXICO, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND SUPPORT FOR GROWING THAT MAYBE EVEN, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT FOR BEYOND 500 MILLION.
THAT IS A BIG NUMBER BUT IS IT BIG ENOUGH TO TACKLE THE EXTREME NEED IN THE STATE.
AND HONESTLY, I THINK IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, YEAH, THE APPETITE IS DEFINITELY THERE.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT NORTHERN NEW MEXICO PARTICULARLY IN OUR TRIBAL REGIONS, YES, THE APPETITE IS GOING TO BE THERE AND I THINK SHE KIND OF KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK, ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE GOVERNOR WHEN IT COMES TO THE GOVERNOR HIGHLIGHTING AN ISSUE THAT IS GOING TO GET A LOT OF SUPPORT IN THE STATE.
>> Gwyneth: AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING THE SHOW WILL SAY 2 TO $300,000, YOU CAN'T BUY A HOUSE IN ALBUQUERQUE FOR THAT ANYMORE.
I MEAN, THAT SHOWS YOU THE DIFFERENCE AROUND THE STATE BUT THE PRESSURE IS REAL.
>> Onsurez: WELL, I THINK 200 OR 300,000 DOLLAR HOMES, THAT IS NOT A REALISTIC PURCHASE PRICE FOR ANYBODY IN CARLSBAD AND ANYBODY IN HOBBS, ANYBODY IN LOVINGTON, RIGHT?
BUT THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF HOMES BEING BUILT.
>> Gwyneth: EXACTLY.
NOW THE GOVERNOR WENT OFF SCRIPT WHILE ADDRESSING THREE MOMENTS OF PROTEST DURING HER ADDRESS.
LET'S LOOK AT THOSE.
>> Governor: FAR TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES LOCKED INTO A SITUATION WHERE IT IS VERY HARD TO HAVE CLARITY ABOUT THE RIGHT STEPS FORWARD.
AND RATHER WOULDN'T WE ALL WANT A SITUATION WHERE WE EMBRACE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, SOME DISCORD, MAYBE A DISRUPTION OR AN INTERRUPTION WHILE WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS TO THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS, CERTAINLY NOT IN TODAY'S SPEECH.
MAYBE NOT EVEN IN TOMORROW'S ACTIONS.
>> Gwyneth: THE GOVERNOR WAS INTERRUPTED THREE TIMES BY PROTESTORS, MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH UNITED FOR CLIMATE CRISIS ACTION.
THEY BROKE IN WITH CHANTS CALLING FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND A CEASE FIRE IN THE MONTH'S LONG WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS.
HOW DID THE GOVERNOR HANDLE THIS?
TRIP I KNOW YOU WERE THERE AND JESSICA I AM SURE YOU WERE WATCHING.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF HOW SHE HANDLED IT?
>> Trip: HONESTLY, I THOUGHT SHE HANDLED IT REALLY WELL.
SHE BASICALLY KIND OF SAID, HEY, THANK YOU FOR THE PROTEST.
THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT FOR SPEECH.
I HAVE HEARD ALSO WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THEM, YOU KNOW, BUT, I THOUGHT SHE HANDLED IT WITH GREAT APLOMB, FRANKLY.
IT WAS NOT -- DIDN'T KNOCK HER OFF HER STRIDE AT ALL.
I THOUGHT SHE HANDLED, LIKE I SAID, VERY WELL AND IT WAS A VERY PEACEFUL THING.
THE SECURITY FOLKS MARCHED THE FOLKS OUT AND THEY GATHERED OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL AND THEY CHANTED.
I KNOW THERE WAS SOME, MAYBE, DISCOMBOBULATION AMONG SOME PEOPLE UP AT THE ROUNDHOUSE, BUT -- >> Gwyneth: I WAS IN THE GALLERY.
I WAS WATCHING, WAITING FOR THEM TO GET ROUGHED UP AND THEY DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE.
AND WHENEVER IT IS A FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES REPORTERS ARE THE FIRST TO CRITICIZE, BUT, YEAH, THAT IS A GOOD TAKE ON IT.
I WANT TO CLOSE THIS FIRST DISCUSSION WITH THIS.
THE STATE AUDITOR, JOSEPH MAESTAS, TOLD THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN, IT IS A 30-DAY SESSION.
THERE IS A 15-DAY CUTOFF FOR INTRODUCING NEW LEGISLATION SO IT IS GOING TO BE HECTIC.
15 DAYS.
THAT SHOULD PUT THIS SHORT SESSION INTO PERSPECTIVE.
IS THE GOVERNOR ASKING TOO MUCH FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS BY TRYING TO PACK A MONTH LONG BUDGET SESSION WITH PROPOSALS AIMED AT THINGS OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET, SOCIAL ISSUES, GUNS, HOUSING AND DOES THIS BRING BACK LAST YEAR'S TALKS TO MODERNIZE THE STATE LEGISLATURE, YOU KNOW, EXTEND THE SESSIONS, ADD PAID STAFF, THINGS LIKE THAT?
WHAT DO YOU THINK JESSICA?
>> Onsurez: AS YOU POINTED OUT, IT PUTS IT INTO PERSPECTIVE AND REINVIGORATES OUR DISCUSSION ABOUT DO WE WANT TO, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, MODERNIZE OUR LEGISLATURE?
DO WE WANT TO MAKE IT LESS OF A VOLUNTARY PUBLIC BODY AND MAKE IT MORE OF A BUSINESS OF LAWMAKING?
AND THERE ARE SOME, YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOME PROS TO THAT.
THEY GET MORE TIME TO LOOK AT LEGISLATION COMING BEFORE THEM.
THEY GET MORE TIME TO COMPROMISE ON ITEMS AND BE SMART ABOUT HOW THEY ARE SPENDING NEW MEXICO TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN A BUDGET, BUT YOU'RE LOOKING AT 30 DAYS, AND IF ANYTHING THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE PROVING GROUND FOR MANY OF THOSE MEASURES SHE'S TRYING TO GET ACROSS.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOT THE FULL SESSION COMING UP NEXT YEAR.
AS TRIP POINTED OUT EARLIER, WE HAVE A KIND OF DYNAMIC THING HAPPENING BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WITHIN BOTH OF THE CHAMBERS, THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
I WOULD BE FAIRLY SURPRISED IF MOST OF THESE ITEMS MADE IT TO THE FINISH LINE, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO WATCH, IF NOT CHAOTIC AND HECTIC.
>> Gwyneth: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT AND THANK YOU, TRIP.
I AM SORRY, TRIP, I CUT YOU SHORT BUT WE HAVE A PACKED SHOW TODAY.
WE'LL BE WATCHING COVERAGE FROM THE GANNETT PAPERS AND FROM NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.
>> Lou: THANKS TO GWYNETH AND THE PANEL.
IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH THAT LAUNCHED THE LEGISLATURE INTO ITS 30-DAY SESSION, LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES ARE DEVELOPING THEIR OWN PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES TO SEE THEM THROUGH.
FOR STATE REPUBLICANS, MINORITY PARTY LEADERS, SENATOR GREGORY BACA AND T. RYAN LANE ARE LEADING THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
THIS WEEK, GWYNETH TAKES US INSIDE THE ROUNDHOUSE TO ASK EACH OF THEM HOW THIS PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER HEARING THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA FOR THE STATE THIS YEAR.
>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE LANE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
>> Lane: WELCOME TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.
>> Gwyneth: WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS?
>> Lane: WELL, IF YOU LISTEN TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE, YOU WOULD THINK THAT NEW MEXICO IS ESSENTIALLY FIRST IN EVERY IMPORTANT METRIC, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE DEAD LAST, YOU KNOW.
I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE IS SHE DIDN'T MENTION CYFD AT ALL AND THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE ISSUE FOR ALL OF NEW MEXICO.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND THAT AGENCY HAS BEEN A FAILURE.
THERE ARE ACTUALLY DEATHS THAT ARE OCCURRING WITHIN THAT ORGANIZATION AND TO NOT MENTION WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO TRY TO TACKLE THAT IN 30 DAYS, I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GROSS OVERSIGHT.
THAT IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES.
THE OTHER THING SHE DIDN'T MENTION WAS ANYTHING ABOUT AGRICULTURE, OIL AND GAS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A THREE-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS BECAUSE OF OIL.
AND SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I FOUND DISAPPOINTING AS WELL.
>> Gwyneth: THE GOVERNOR HAD A BIG PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA.
SOME OF IT -- CAN YOU WORK WITH SOME OF IT?
WHAT ABOUT PRETRIAL DETENTION?
>> Lane: PRETRIAL DETENTION IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR NEW MEXICO, PARTICULARLY IN THE METRO AREAS.
WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CAREER CRIMINALS GETTING ARRESTED, RIGHTFULLY SO, AND THEN RELEASED PRIOR TO TRIAL.
SO THESE AREN'T FOLKS THAT ARE FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS.
THESE ARE FOLKS THAT HAVE PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THEY ARE GOING TO REPEAT OFFEND.
SO, THERE IS NO REASON THAT CAREER CRIMINALS SHOULD BE RELEASED PRIOR TO TRIAL.
>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE A LAWYER, THEY ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
SO WE HAVE A TENSION HERE BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF A SOCIETY, RIGHT?
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS WHEN IT COMES TO THESE PUBLIC SAFETY PROPOSALS, BECAUSE HALF OF THEM ARE GUN MEASURES AND THAT IS AN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS ISSUE, RIGHT?
>> Lane: I AM A HUGE FAN OF LIBERTY.
IT IS ONE OF OUR FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS BUT THE REALITY IS WHENEVER YOU VIOLATE THE LAW REPEATEDLY, YOU HAVE NOW FORFEITED YOUR RIGHT TO BE RELEASED PRIOR TO TRIAL, RIGHT.
SO YOU STILL GET YOUR TRIAL BY JURY.
STILL GET YOUR DAY IN COURT.
IF YOU'RE INNOCENT, YOU CAN RELEASED BUT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A MULTI-TIME FELON, I THINK THAT IS ENOUGH TO SAY, WELL, WE ARE GOING TO KEEP YOU IN UNTIL YOU GET RELEASED.
WHEN IT COMES TO GUNS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THE GOVERNOR LITERALLY SAID IS SHE DOESN'T WANT TO INFRINGE ON ESSENTIALLY THE RIGHTS OF LAW BIDING CITIZENS, BUT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HER GUN PROPOSALS ARE DOING.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR CRIME AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHETHER IT IS MASS SHOOT BEING, IT DOESN'T MATTER, ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE FELONS COMMITTING THOSE CRIMES.
AND FOR THOSE THEY DON'T FOLLOW THE LAW, RIGHT?
SO IT IS ALREADY UNLAWFUL FOR A FELON TO OWN A FIREARM AND POSSESS A FIREARM, BUT STILL THEY COMMIT A CRIME WITH A FIREARM.
SO TO ME, THE ANSWER IS NOT MORE LAWS, RIGHT?
THE ISSUE IS WE HAVE GOT TO TACKLE IT AT A FOUNDATIONAL LEVEL AND FOR ME THAT IS SOMETHING LIKE MENTAL HEALTH IS A HUGE ISSUE AND ALSO AGAIN COMBATING CAREER CRIMINALS.
>> Gwyneth: PHILOSOPHICALLY, WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INFRINGING ON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS IT IS OKAY TO KEEP SOMEONE WHO HAS ALREADY COMMITTED SOME CRIMES IN JAIL BEFORE TRIAL, BEFORE THEY HAVE BEEN PROVEN GUILTY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A TRACK RECORD.
BUT WHAT ABOUT FORCING PEOPLE TO UNDERGO TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
>> Lane: I LOOK AT IT MORE OF EXPLORING CONCEPTS LIKE HOW DO WE KEEP PEOPLE FROM BECOMING CAREER CRIMINALS, RIGHT?
THAT IS SORT OF ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL QUESTIONS AND WE HAVE A CONCEPT TO WHERE YOU CREATE THESE TRIAGE CENTERS, IF YOU WILL, WHERE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH AN INDIVIDUAL, THEY ARE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR A DRUG CRISIS.
THEY DON'T HAVE A LAUNDRY LIST OF OFFENSES IN THEIR PAST AND SO THEY CAN MAKE A DECISION AND TAKE THEM TO ONE OF THESE TRIAGE CENTERS AND WHERE THAT PERSON CAN RECEIVE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT AND STAY OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND GET THE HELP THEY NEED AND GET LIFE BACK IN ORDER.
IF THEY CAN'T FOLLOW THOSE TERMS, THEN WE PURSUE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRACK.
RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE DO, WE JUST SEND EVERYBODY TO JAIL AND WE SEND EVERYBODY THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM AND INEVITABLY WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS YOU LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CAREER CRIMINAL AND THAT IS THE CYCLE WE WANT TO STOP.
>> Gwyneth: NOW WHEN IT COMES BACK TO GUNS, THE GOP HAS BEEN FAIRLY DISCIPLINED ON THIS MESSAGE, DEMOCRATS NOT SO MUCH.
THERE IS STILL SOME, YOU KNOW, DIVISION IN THEIR RANKS.
DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO WORK WITH ACROSS THE AISLE TO DEFEAT -- TRY AND DEFEAT SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S GUN CONTROL MEASURES?
>> Lane: YOU KNOW, NEW MEXICO IS A VERY INTERESTING STATE.
IT IS A DEMOCRAT STATE CLEARLY, BUT THERE IS WIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SECOND AMENDMENT ON BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT IN THE STATE.
IT IS PART OF OUR TRADITION WHETHER IT IS HUNTING, SHOOTING SPORTS, WHETHER IT IS SELF DEFENSE.
SO I SEE THESE GUN LAWS BEING HIGHLY UNPOPULAR WITH THE POPULOUS AND SO I SUSPECT THERE WILL BE SOME DEMOCRATS.
I HOPE THEY WILL STAND UP AND VOTE NO BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO WANT AND DEMAND.
>> Gwyneth: PUBLIC SAFETY STUFF ASIDE, WE ARE HERE TO DO THE BUDGET.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU REALLY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE BUDGET?
>> Lane: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING IS WE WANT TO GROW THE ECONOMY AND THE GOVERNMENT.
SO IN A 30-DAY SESSION IT IS ALL ABOUT THE BUDGET, BUT WHAT WE SEEN A LOT TIMES IN THE PAST WITH BUDGETS WHEN THEY ROLL OUT, THEY ARE EXPANDING STATE GOVERNMENT, EXPANDING STATE GOVERNMENT AND EXPANDING STATE GOVERNMENT.
BUT WHEN YOU TALK TO THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET, THEY DON'T HAVE GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH STATE GOVERNMENT AND SO IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE ARE ACTUALLY FIXING ANY PROBLEMS?
SO, IF WE ARE GOING TO SPEND MONEY, I THINK AS A LEGISLATURE, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE, ONE-TIME SPENDING.
LET'S NOT DO THESE RECURRING SPENDING PROJECTS TO WHERE IN FUTURE YEARS, IF THE PRICE OF OIL TANKS, NOW WE ARE TRYING TO SCRAMBLE AND CUT PROGRAMS.
THAT CONFUSES CITIZENS TOO.
LET'S LOOK AT BRIDGES, ROADS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
WATER IS A HUGE ISSUE, LET'S TACKLE WATER PROJECTS.
THESE ARE ALL ONE-TIME SPENDS THAT WE CAN DO NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS MUCH REVENUE WITHOUT OBLIGATING US IN FUTURE YEARS TO CONTINUE TO SPEND THAT MONEY.
>> Gwyneth: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH US TODAY.
>> Lane: YES, THANK YOU, PLEASURE.
>> Gwyneth: SENATOR BACA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
>> Baca: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> Gwyneth: GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM OUTLINED PRIORITIES FOR THIS SESSION DURING THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH ON TUESDAY.
AND SHE INCLUDED A PACKAGE OF GUN CONTROL MEASURES.
THIS IS AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, RAISING THE PURCHASE AGE TO 21, A TWO-WEEK COOLING OFF PERIOD OR WAITING PERIOD.
YOU KNOW, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS MADE ITSELF CLEAR THAT IS AN AFFRONT TO RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS, BUT THIS WEEK ESPECIALLY, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS?
YOU KNOW WE JUST SAW A GUN FALL OUT OF SOME LADY'S PURSE IN A RESTAURANT IN ALBUQUERQUE AND SHOOT A 73 YEAR OLD MAN IN THE HEAD.
SO, MY QUESTION IS, DOES SOMETHING MORE NEED TO BE DONE FOR THE NON-RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS?
>> Baca: YOU KNOW THERE ARE NON-RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS AND THERE ARE NON-RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE CARS AND NON-RESPONSIBLE -- OTHERS THAT MAYBE DON'T DO AS WELL AS THEY SHOULD IN SOME OTHER AREAS, BUT WHAT WE DON'T DO IS WE DON'T PUNISH AN ENTIRE POPULOUS FOR THESE SINGULAR INDIVIDUALS WHEN THERE IS AN OCCURRENCE LIKE THAT.
ESSENTIALLY WHAT SHE IS ASKING -- WHAT SHE IS ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO DO IS PASS BILLS AND TURN INTO LAW RESTRICTIONS ON PEOPLE THAT OTHERWISE ABIDE BY THE LAW, RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON THE CRIMINALS THEMSELVES.
IN THE PAST REPUBLICANS AND OTHERS HAVE INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF VERY COMMON SENSE CRIME MEASURES GEARED TOWARDS KEEPING PEOPLE BEHIND BARS AND PUNISHING THOSE THAT DO WRONG.
WE WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON THAT INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY BARRING THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM EXERCISING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
>> Gwyneth: I AM NOT SURPRISED TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT, BUT I WAS A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED TO SEE HER PACKAGE, HER KIND OF TOUGH-ON-CRIME PACKAGE, WHICH INCLUDES, BANNING PANHANDLING, MANDATORY TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTS, KEEPING PEOPLE IN JAIL BEFORE TRIAL AND ALSO SOME TOUGHER PENALTIES ON BURGLARS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT PACKAGE?
>> Baca: WELL, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEM IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN WORK OFF AND SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN NEW MEXICO, WHICH IS THE PRETRIAL DETENTION AND REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION.
BUT, THE OTHER BILLS, I MEAN, LOOK AT THEM, PANHANDLING.
IS THAT REALLY OUR BIGGEST CRIME ISSUE IN THIS STATE WHEN WE LEAD THE NATION IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS.
WE LEAD THE NATION IN OTHER THINGS LIKE AUTO THEFT.
WE HAVE HIGH MURDER RATES.
THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSING ON.
THESE REPEAT OFFENDERS THAT KEEP COMMITTING THESE HEINOUS CRIMES RATHER THAN THIS SOMEWHAT OF A FACADE THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT CRIME BUT REALLY NOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING THAT IS EFFECTIVE.
>> Gwyneth: SO, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID, MOVING TO EDUCATION HERE, THAT HER GOAL IS FOR NEW MEXICO TO LEAD THE NATION ON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.
CURRENTLY WE ARE 50.
SO, IS THERE ANYTHING IN HER PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS THAT YOU THINK COULD MOVE US UP TO LEAD THE NATION ON EDUCATION?
>> Baca: SHE PROMISED US A FEW YEARS BACK THE MOON SHOT.
LET'S TAKE THE MOON SHOT.
WHERE HAVE WE GONE FROM THERE?
WE MOVED NOWHERE.
I THINK THE PROPOSALS SHE HAS ARE BANDAIDS AT BEST.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT RESTRUCTURING, WHAT PED IS AND HOW THEY WORK.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT MORE LOCAL CONTROL FROM SCHOOL BOARDS THAT ARE ELECTED BY THEIR COMMUNITIES, RATHER THAN HAVING PED LAY A HEAVY HAND ACROSS THE WHOLE STATE.
WE NEED TO CONSIDER THINGS LIKE FREEDOM OF CHOICE AS IT PERTAINS TO EDUCATION.
AND ALLOWING PEOPLE TO KEEP SOME OF THEIR MONEY AND SEEK EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THEY DESIRE FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN.
>> Gwyneth: A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE CHAFING AGAINST THIS GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS RIGHT NOW AND YOU HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD RESTRICT SOME OF THE POWERS OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.
>> Baca: THAT IS CORRECT.
BASICALLY WHAT IT WOULD DO IS JUST LIMIT THE PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS SO THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS SOME AUTHORITY AND SAY IN THE MATTER, RATHER THAN HAVING AN EXECUTIVE THAT CAN -- HAS CARTE BLANCHE WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH ORDERS.
WE JUST SAW A MASSIVE OVERREACH THIS LAST MONTH WHEN SHE USED A HEALTH ORDER TO RESTRICT GUNS.
ONCE AGAIN A BLATANT VIOLATION AND EVEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, STEPPED UP TO RESTRICT HER FROM IMPLEMENTING THAT POLICY.
SO, THIS JUST REALLY IS COMMON SENSE.
IT WOULD APPLY TO HER AND ANY OTHER GOVERNOR OCCUPYING THAT OFFICE GOING FORWARD.
AND IT GIVES THE PEOPLE A SAY IN THE MATTER.
RATHER THAN HAVING A MONARCHY WE CAN GET BACK TO A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, WHICH WE ARE.
>> Gwyneth: WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GUNS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT REALLY, THIS SESSION IS ABOUT THE BUDGET.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE THINGS YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE IN THIS BUDGET BEFORE YOU GO HOME.
>> Baca: ONE OF THE THINGS I AM SEEING THAT I WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE IS THIS INCREASE IN THE BUDGET.
WE ARE AT 10-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLAR PROJECTED BUDGET.
WHEN I GOT HERE JUST SEVEN YEARS AGO THAT NUMBER WAS 5.8.
ANYBODY WHO THINKS THAT IS SUSTAINABLE IS KIDDING THEMSELVES.
WE CAN'T SUPPORT THIS KIND OF SPENDING GOING FORWARD.
I WISH WE WOULD PRACTICE MORE LIKE WE DO IN OUR OWN HOMES WHERE WE SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY.
WE PLAN FOR WHEN TIMES AREN'T AS GOOD AND WE DO HAVE A GOOD TIME RIGHT NOW WHERE THERE IS A PLENTIFUL AMOUNT OF MONEY THANKS TO OIL AND GAS AND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES IN THIS STATE.
BUT WE JUST NEED TO USE COMMON SENSE APPROACHES TO THE BUDGET LIKE THAT.
THIS STUFF ISN'T THAT COMPLICATED.
WE ARE PULLING THE WOOL OVER PEOPLE'S EYES WHEN WE SPEND MONEY LIKE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
>> Gwyneth: SENATOR BACA, THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO TALK TO US TODAY.
>> Baca: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> Lou: THANKS TO GWYNETH AND OUR CREW FOR THEIR WORK AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.
YOU CAN EXPECT REPORTS FROM THE ROUNDHOUSE EACH WEEK HERE ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS INCLUDING A CONVERSATION WITH DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP.
NOW WE TURN BACK TO OUR VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE OF JOURNALISTS TO ZERO IN ON A FEW SPECIFIC AREAS WE EXPECT LAWMAKERS TO ADDRESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
HERE IS GWYNETH.
>> Gwyneth: AS WE CONSIDER LAWMAKERS CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE DURING THIS 30-DAY SESSION, WE WANT TO FOCUS FIRST ON THE BUDGET.
AND OUR STATE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.
ACCORDING TO REPORTING FROM CAPITOL AND MAIN JOURNALIST, JERRY REDFERN, NEARLY 40 PERCENT OF THIS YEAR'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET COMES FROM OIL AND GAS.
THE GOVERNOR, AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, CERTAINLY SUPPORTS THAT INDUSTRY AND THE VITAL BUMP THAT IT GIVES TO THE STATE BUDGET, BUT NEW MEXICO VOTERS CONSISTENTLY SAY THEY WANT ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE THOUGH THE LEGISLATURE HAS RARELY DELIVERED.
I WANT TO ASK YOU GUYS.
WILL THIS YEAR BE DIFFERENT?
WILL THERE BE ACTION ON CLIMATE?
>> Onsurez: SO CAN I ASK WHICH VOTERS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
ARE WE TALKING ABOUT NORTHERN NEW MEXICO VOTERS OR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO VOTERS?
BECAUSE I THINK THE RELATIONSHIP THAT NEW MEXICANS HAVE WITH OIL AND GAS AND WITH THE SENSE THAT THEY WANT A SAFE HEALTHY STATE WITH CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, BEAUTIFUL LAND IS GOING TO DIFFER BASED ON THAT.
WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY SEEN BILLS TO REGULATE THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, DESPITE THE SPLIT IN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, FAIL IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT IS BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT OIL AND GAS IS -- ITS FUTURE IS CONNECTED TO THE FUTURE OF NEW MEXICO AND ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR AND OUR LEGISLATIVE BODIES WANT TO DO TO IMPROVE THE STATE REST ON THIS INDUSTRY AND THE SUCCESS OF THIS INDUSTRY.
SO, IS IT SMART TO TRY TO INTERRUPT THAT?
YOU TELL ME.
>> Gwyneth: WE FRAME IT AS A CONFLICT ALL THE TIME AND LUJAN GRISHAM SAID WE ARE DEMONSTRATING THAT A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND STRONG ECONOMY ARE NOT IN CONFLICT.
BUT -- YOU KNOW, SHE SORT OF SAID WE CAN DO THESE THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.
AND YET REPRESENTATIVE DEBRA SARINANA INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD STOP NEW OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS WITHIN A MILE OF ANY SCHOOL FACILITY.
I HEARD HER ON KUNM THE OTHER DAY SAY SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING ABOUT THIS.
THEY ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT IT.
SO, THERE IS A DISCONNECT THERE.
AS WE SHOWED EARLIER, THE GOVERNOR PUSHED BACK AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTORS JUST A LITTLE BIT SAYING NEW MEXICO IS A CLEAN ENERGY LEADER AND HAS PASSED POLICIES CUTTING OIL AND GAS POLLUTION.
THIS SESSION, THOUGH, WHAT ENERGY OR POLLUTION BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED ASIDE FROM SARINANA'S THAT YOU GUYS THINK WE SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON?
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT, TRIP?
>> Trip: I MEAN, I WANT TO SAY, TO THIS LARGER ISSUE ABOUT NEW MEXICO AND THE BUDGET, I JUST WANT TO POINT THIS OUT, THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT LIKE OIL AND GAS AND CLIMATE.
AND THE THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT PEOPLE CAN BE AGAINST OIL AND GAS BUT THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT OIL AND GAS REVENUE PAYS FOR ALL THE PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT NEW MEXICANS, BY WHICH I MEAN, MEDICAID, WHICH IS THE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.
IF YOU START PULLING BACK ON THIS INDUSTRY, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AN EFFECT ON THE BUDGET.
AND I WANT TO SAY THAT REALLY LOUDLY BECAUSE I AM SOMEONE WHO DOES ACTUALLY THINK THAT THE WORLD HAS TO TAKE THE CLIMATE THING IS REAL.
AT THE SAME TIME, NEW MEXICO IS NO.
2 IN OIL PRODUCTION AND ITS LIKE A GOLDEN GOOSE RIGHT NOW.
ALL THIS MONEY IS COMING INTO THE STATE AND AT SOME POINT THIS MONEY IS GOING TO RUN OUT.
AND, YOU KNOW, THERE IS GOING TO BE -- I HAVE COVERED THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS WHERE THEY WERE NOT THREE-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS BUT MAYBE A BILLION DOLLARS UNDER.
>> Gwyneth: YOU AND I REMEMBER, AND A LOT OF US WHO HAVE BEEN COVERING THIS, REMEMBER WHEN THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AROUND.
BUT I WANT -- CAPITAL AND MAIN PUBLISHED SEVERAL STORIES LAST YEAR ABOUT THE STATE'S STRUGGLE TO ENFORCE OUR EXISTING REGULATIONS.
THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT'S REQUEST FOR SIX MILLION DOLLARS TO INCREASE EMPLOYEE PAY TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM QUITTING WAS NOT CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
AND LAST YEAR WE HOSTED A PANEL IN THIS STUDIO FOLLOWING THE END OF THE SESSION WHEN VERY FEW ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS PASSED AND THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONES WERE VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ARE LEGISLATORS ACTUALLY DOING ANYTHING TO PROPERLY REGULATE THIS INDUSTRY AND ARE THEY USING ANY OF THE MONEY FROM INDUSTRY TO FOCUS ON MITIGATION OF GREENHOUSE GASES OR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE?
ARE WE SEEING THIS?
JESSICA ARE YOU LOOKING AT ANY OF THESE?
>> Onsurez: SO LET ME TAKE A STEP BACK AND SAY THAT I THINK THERE ARE CERTAIN PROPOSALS IN THIS LEGISLATURE THAT ARE COMMON SENSE, RIGHT?
NO, WE DON'T WANT OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS NEAR SCHOOLS.
WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS LIKE ENFORCING A 98% GAS CAPTURE RULE ACROSS THE STATE WHICH, YOU KNOW, ALSO SEEMS COMMON SENSE BUT I THINK PART OF THIS CONVERSATION ALSO HAS TO BE MORE ABOUT WHAT IS INDUSTRY DOING ITSELF TO REGULATE ITSELF.
WHAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE THEY PUTTING INTO PLACE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS BUT ALSO GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT.
NOW -- >> Gwyneth: LET ME INTERRUPT YOU JUST BRIEFLY TO SAY, WE HAVE SEEN, JUST IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN INDUSTRY REGULATES ITSELF AND BOEING HAS HAD A SPECTACULAR FAILURE IN AN INDUSTRY THAT PEOPLE ARE NOW SAYING ISN'T REGULATED ENOUGH.
SO THERE IS GOING TO BE PUSH BACK ON THAT IDEA.
>> Onsurez: WELL, YEAH, IF YOU TALK TO INDUSTRY LEADERS THEY SAY, WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN, BUT IF YOU'RE TALKING TO NEW MEXICANS, MAYBE THEY DO WANT TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE.
IF THAT IS WHAT WE ARE REACHING FOR, GREAT.
BUT BACK TO YOUR POINT, WHICH IS HOW MUCH OF THAT REVENUE THAT WE ARE SEEING IS GOING TO ACTUALLY SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS?
AND IF YOU TALK TO SECRETARY KENNEY, HE'LL SAY OBVIOUSLY NOT ENOUGH GIVEN THAT HE KEEPS ASKING FOR MONEY TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THEY ARE DOING.
IF YOU TALK TO THE OIL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, THEY NEED MORE AS WELL.
BUT, AGAIN, I THINK THAT THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO'S RESPONSE TO THAT IS, WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT RAISING ROYALTIES, WHICH IS ALSO PART OF THIS PACKAGE, RIGHT, TO SUPPORT THAT WORK.
AND, AGAIN, THAT IS A BURDEN ON AN INDUSTRY THAT'S ALREADY SUPPORTING SO MUCH OF THIS STATE.
>> Gwyneth: GOOD POINT.
BUT BIGGER PICTURE, TOO, IT IS A BUDGET SESSION.
EVERY AGENCY, EVERY DEPARTMENT IN GOVERNMENT IS COMING TO THE TABLE WITH THEIR OPERATING BUDGETS.
IS CLIMATE EVEN A TOP 10 CONCERN AMONG LAWMAKERS RIGHT NOW?
>> Trip: THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE THIS IS A BUDGET SESSION.
ALSO, YOU MENTIONED EVERY AGENCY GOING THROUGH, I MEAN, HONESTLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF VACANCIES OUT THERE IN STATE AGENCIES.
LAWMAKERS WILL BE FOCUSED ON THE BUDGET AND VACANCY RATES AND HOW MUCH EACH AGENCY NEEDS AND THE CONVERSATION AROUND DO WE NEED TO INCREASE WORKER PAY TO ACTUALLY LURE PEOPLE TO STATE AGENCIES.
I WILL SAY IT IS REALLY INTERESTING.
IT'S 2024.
2019 WAS GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM'S FIRST SESSION AND THAT WAS A HUGE SESSION WHEN THEY PASSED, WHAT WAS IT, I THINK, THE CLEAN ENERGY ACT.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE EXACT NAME OF IT WAS.
SO THERE WAS A LOT OF HOPE AND WHATNOT THAT WAS HAPPENING IN 2019.
I THINK AT THIS POINT THERE ARE ARGUMENTS OVER JUST -- IS IT PRODUCED WATER, IS THAT WHAT IT IS CALLED?
COMING OUT OF -- THAT IS WHERE SOME OF THE CONVERSATION IS GOING TO BE WHICH IS, HEY, LOOK, WE HAVE ALL THIS WATER HERE THAT WE HAVE EXCESS, MAYBE WE CAN USE IT FOR WHATEVER.
HYDROGEN.
IS IT GREEN?
IS IT BLUE HYDROGEN?
THAT IS GOING TO BE A REALLY INTERESTING THING.
IS IT TOP 10?
PROBABLY TOP 10 BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE -- LIKE NEXT SESSION, I EXPECT A LOT OF THESE CONVERSATIONS TO REALLY DOMINATE.
>> Gwyneth: THE GOVERNMENT TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.
IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO LIVE ON OIL AND GAS, WATER, WHAT ELSE IS THERE?
THIS IS ALWAYS A BIG PRESSURE.
THE STATE HAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED SEVERAL THINGS INCLUDING BRINGING IN COMPANIES FROM AUSTRALIA, EUROPE AND ASIA.
WHAT OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IDEAS OR INITIATIVES ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT THAT WE SHOULD KEEP TABS ON THIS YEAR?
JESSICA?
>> Onsurez: WELL, THEY ARE NOT NEW, OBVIOUSLY.
OUR INVESTMENT IN THE FILM INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO BE OF INTEREST ACROSS THE STATE.
WE LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING THE GOVERNOR IN HER SPEECH ANNOUNCED AN INVESTMENT IN, YOU KNOW, TO BUILD A FULL SERVICE FILM INDUSTRY INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND IN LAS CRUCES YOU'RE LOOKING AT 828 FILM STUDIOS INVESTMENT IN AN OLD WHAT USED TO BE OLD MILL IN THE CITY THAT WILL CREATE DOZENS OF JOBS.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.
BEYOND THAT, RENEWABLE ENERGY IS ALWAYS AN AREA OF FOCUS FOR GROWTH AND I THINK THAT THE OLD ARGUMENT IS RENEWABLES ONLY PRODUCE ENOUGH TO REPLACE FOSSIL FUELS BASED INDUSTRY STILL STANDS.
WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT MANUFACTURING, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO.
WE HAVE SEEN GREAT STRIDES WITH THAT ON A SMALL SCALE BUT WE ARE HOPING -- WE ARE CONTINUING TO HOPE THAT TAX CREDITS AND PROPOSALS COMING FROM THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATORS WILL HELP INDUCE MORE GROWTH IN THAT AREA.
>> TRIP: CAN I ADD, ONE THING THAT IS MAYBE OFF THE BEATEN PATH HERE IS ACTUALLY REMEDIATION WHICH IS, THERE ARE A LOT OF MINES.
I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE, WHERE YOU HAVE A LOT OF URANIUM MINES AND STUFF LIKE THIS.
THERE IS A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS ON ALL SORTS OF REMEDIATION AND THAT IS GOING TO, LIKE, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF JOBS.
SO, IN SOME WAYS, THIS IS A VERY MINERAL RICH STATE AND I THINK THAT THERE IS CONVERSATIONS UP AT THE CAPITOL ABOUT HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE INTO REMEDIATION KIND OF PROJECTS BECAUSE THAT IS GOING TO LAST FOR A LITTLE BIT OF TIME THERE.
THAT IS ALSO ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION EVEN IF IT IS NOT FOR SEVEN, EIGHT DECADES.
IT IS STILL GOING TO BE PART OF THE DIVERSIFICATION CONVERSATION, I THINK.
>> Gwyneth: WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT EIGHT DECADES.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 30 DAYS THAT THE STATE CONSTITUTION SAYS WE HAVE TO HAMMER OUT THESE.
PART OF THE WORK OF THIS SESSION INVOLVES REACHING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHAT LEGISLATORS WANT AND THE GOVERNOR'S DREAM BUDGET.
THEY ARE ALL POLITICIANS BUT THEY HAVE VERY DIFFERENT POLITICAL REALITIES.
SO, HOW HARD IS IT GOING TO BE IN THIS YEAR WITH RECORD REVENUES AND DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT HOW MUCH TO SAVE AND CRAFTING A BUDGET AND DO EVERYTHING ELSE THAT THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT IN HER SPEECH?
>> Trip: GO AHEAD JESSICA.
>> Onsurez: I JUST WANT TO JUMP IN AND MAKE ONE POINT WHICH IS, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OIL AND GAS, THE DRIVER OF THE STATE ECONOMY.
ONE THING WE HAVEN'T SAID IS OIL AND GAS IS A BOOM AND BUST INDUSTRY.
WE KNOW THIS IN NEW MEXICO.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IT FIRSTHAND AND, YOU KNOW, EVEN WITH THE OUTLOOK THAT THIS CURRENT UPTICK IN PRODUCTION THAT PUTS US AT NO.
2 IN THE NATION, RIGHT, IN THE WORLD, WILL MAYBE LAST 30, 40, 50 YEARS.
AND WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BUDGETS AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS, THAT IS NOT A REALLY LONG TIME.
>> Gwyneth: TRIP, WE HAVE ABOUT 15 SECONDS LEFT HERE.
IS A 30-DAY SESSION ENOUGH TIME TO TURN AROUND THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF OUR STATE'S ECONOMIC PICTURE?
>> Trip: NO, BUT I WILL SAY THAT THERE WILL BE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT CREATING ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR THE STATE AGENCIES IN ADDITION TO THE BUDGET AND THE OPPORTUNITY RESERVES BECAUSE OF THIS BOOM/BUST CYCLE.
WE HAVE GOT EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, WHICH HAS MULTI-BILLION DOLLARS AND YOU LIVE OFF THE INTEREST.
SO THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE BUDGET CONVERSATION.
>> Gwyneth: WE ARE GOING TO WATCH THAT.
THANKS AGAIN TO OUR PANELISTS.
WE'LL BE BACK AGAIN FOR ONE FINAL LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW IN JUST A MOMENT.
>> Lou: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THAT DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL BUDGET CONCERNS WILL CERTAINLY BE A PRIMARY FOCUS IN THIS YEAR'S SHORT SESSION.
ANOTHER MAJOR TOPIC WE HAVE ALREADY TOUCHED ON IS PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE ONLY GOING TO RAMP UP OVER THE NEXT FIVE WEEKS.
DURING HER ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR LAYED OUT SEVERAL GUN CONTROL MEASURES WHICH YOU HEARD GWYNETH DESCRIBE DURING HER CONVERSATIONS WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.
IN OUR THIRD AND FINAL VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE, GWYNETH AND THE GROUP OF JOURNALISTS TALK ABOUT HOW THE LONG LIST OF PROPOSALS COULD PLAY OUT.
>> Gwyneth: THANKS AGAIN TO OUR RETURNING PANEL FOR ONE LAST DISCUSSION.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND GUN CONTROL ARE AT THE TOP OF THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES GOING INTO THIS YEAR'S SESSION.
HOW DO DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS DIFFER IN THEIR APPROACH TO THESE ISSUES AND ARE THERE PLACES WHERE THEY SEE EYE TO EYE?
JESSICA.
>> Onsurez: THERE ARE PLACES WHERE WE SEE EYE TO EYE AMONG THE PARTIES.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE GUN VIOLENCE PERPETRATED ON CHILDREN ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.
I THINK KUDOS TO THE GOVERNOR WHO NOTED IN HER SPEECH THAT RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS ARE, YOU KNOW, A GOOD THING TO HAVE BUT THE TARGET OF MUCH OF THIS LEGISLATION IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS.
AND WHILE IT MIGHT BE POLITICALLY SAVVY ON HER PART TO USE BUZZ WORDS LIKE ASSAULT RIFLES AND ASSAULT WEAPONS, YOU KNOW, SMART, STRATEGIC GUN SAFETY LAWS KEEP NEW MEXICANS SAFER IN THE LONG RUN.
>> Gwyneth: OF THE NEARLY 40 CRIME RELATED BILLS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR, ONLY ABOUT 10 MADE IT THROUGH THE ROUNDHOUSE.
SOME OF THOSE DEFEATED PROPOSALS ARE BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR.
BUT, THE SESSION IS SHORT, RIGHT?
SO, HOW DO YOU, TRIP, I AM COMING TO YOU ON THIS, HOW DO YOU EXPECT DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL PRIORITIZE THE BILLS THEY WANT TO SEND TO THE GOVERNOR?
WHICH OF THESE IDEAS HAS THE BEST CHANCE OF SUCCESS?
IF IT IS NOT AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, IS IT THE WAITING PERIOD?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> Trip: LET ME SAY THIS, TOO, I WANT TO THROW IN THIS IS ALSO AN ELECTION YEAR, SO WE NEED TO KEEP THIS IN MIND, THAT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THIS IS RHETORICAL AND THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF JOCKEYING AND POSITIONING AND PEOPLE WILL BE TAKING VOTES DEPENDING ON THE ISSUE.
I WANT TO SAY THAT THE ASSAULT RIFLE BAN THAT IS GOING TO GENERATE A LOT OF HEAT SO I WOULDN'T IMAGINE THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE EASIEST.
YOU KNOW, THE 14-DAY WAITING PERIOD, I THINK THERE WILL BE, AS HAPPENS IN THE LEGISLATURE OR ANYPLACE WHERE YOU HAVE NEGOTIATIONS, THE GOVERNOR PROBABLY STARTED AT THE HIGH END, 14 DAYS, AND IT IS PROBABLY GOING TO NEGOTIATED DOWN, I WOULD IMAGINE.
>> Gwyneth: YEAH, WE ARE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THESE WAITING PERIODS TO STOP MASS SHOOTINGS, RIGHT?
>> Trip: YEAH.
AT THE SAME TIME WHAT I AM SAYING IS BASICALLY SHE PROBABLY STARTED AT THE HIGH END, 14, AND PROBABLY HER -- WHAT SHE WANTS IS SEVEN DAYS OR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
THERE IS A NEGOTIATION THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, I THINK, AND I THINK THAT MAKES IT MAYBE A LITTLE MORE VIABLE THAN A BAN.
THAT IS JUST ME.
>> Gwyneth: WHO KNOWS.
WHEN DISCUSSING FIREARM LAWS, IS THIS THE ONE TOPIC THAT DRAWS DISSENTION AMONG DEMOCRATS?
I THINK WE HAVE SEEN THAT.
BUT WHAT POWER OR LEVERAGE DO REPUBLICANS HAVE THROUGH THE BUDGETING PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO GUN CONTROL?
WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO EXERCISE THAT, JESSICA?
>> Onsurez: CAN I PASS THIS ONE OFF TO TRIP?
I THINK HE MIGHT HAVE A STRONGER -- >> Gwyneth: YEAH, GO AHEAD.
>> Trip: WHEN YOU SAY WHAT LEVERAGE THEY HAVE.
I MEAN, I THINK, AGAIN, RETURNING TO LIKE THE NUMBERS, THERE IS 45 AND 25 IN THE HOUSE AND 27 AND 15 IN THE SENATE.
WHAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE IS REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO GO TO SOME OF THESE FOLKS WHO ARE IN MAYBE, YOU KNOW, SUBURBS, SUBURBAN DEMOCRATS, MAYBE RURAL DEMOCRATS, AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR, PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE TURNING OUT IN DROVES.
>> Gwyneth: AND NOBODY WANTS TO BE ON A CAMPAIGN MAILER ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS WANTS TO RAISE THE AGE FOR BUYING CERTAIN TYPES OF GUNS AND IN ALBUQUERQUE THAT MIGHT BE A REALLY EASY SELL BUT YOU'RE GETTING SOMEONE IN FARMINGTON WHO IS LIKE, WHY?
>> Trip: I THINK THE GOP IS ABLE TO LEVERAGE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE DEMOCRATS.
>> Gwyneth: RURAL COMPATRIOTS.
>> Trip: AND PEOPLE WHO GREW UP, AS JESSICA WAS MENTIONING, I MEAN, HUNTING CULTURE, RIGHT.
HUNTING CULTURE OR JUST PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS FOR WHOM GUNS ARE JUST A WAY OF LIFE.
THOSE ARE DEMOCRATS, TOO, IN SOME WAYS.
>> Onsurez: I AM GOING TO WEIGH IN BRIEFLY AND JUST SAY THAT I THINK WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE, THEY ARE GOING TO POINTS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
WHICH IS RED FLAG LAWS THAT ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT DATA FROM OUR COMMUNITIES THAT SHOWS THAT LAWS TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF VIOLENT CRIMINALS DO NOT WORK.
AND THEY ARE OFTEN REPEAT OFFENDERS AND COME BACK TO THEIR WEAPON OF CHOICE.
IF REPUBLICANS ARE LEVERAGING SOMETHING TO GET THIS INTO A CONVERSATION AT THE STATE HOUSE, IT IS GOING TO BE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NEW MEXICO.
>> Gwyneth: THERE IS SOME DATA TO SUPPORT THEM THERE TOO.
SHIFTING GEARS TO EDUCATION.
TEACHERS UNIONS FROM ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE SPOKE OUT LAST YEAR AGAINST THE STATE'S DECISION TO EXPAND THE SCHOOL YEAR TO 180 DAYS AS HAVE RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL BUSES RUNNING FEWER DAYS A WEEK.
THEY SAID THIS WOULD SCARE TEACHERS AWAY AND IT WOULD COMPLICATE EXISTING FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEKS.
SO, WHAT ARE LAWMAKERS DOING THIS YEAR TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS FROM TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS?
>> Trip: I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO PUSH FOR THE 180 DAYS.
THAT WAS IN HER SPEECH, SO, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE PARTY IN CONTROL, THERE IS GOING TO BE AN INTERNAL DEBATE AMONG DEMOCRATS WHO ARE LIKE, HEY, I THINK WE SHOULD DO THIS.
I AM GOING TO THROW IN THIS TOO.
WE HAD A PANDEMIC, WHICH ALTERED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
THERE IS A GREAT, LIKE, ATTENDANCE DEPLETION HAPPENING.
>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH ATTENDANCE.
THIS IS WHAT THE TEACHERS ARE SAYING.
YOU CAN REQUIRE THEM TO GO BUT ARE THEY GOING TO SHOW UP?
>> Trip: THIS IS A NATIONAL STORY, NOT JUST NEW MEXICO.
YEAH.
IT IS GOING TO BE A REALLY INTERESTING DEBATE TO WATCH.
>> Gwyneth: THERE IS A TENSION WITH TEACHERS WHO SAY WE ARE DOING THE HARDEST DANG JOB OUT THERE AND IF YOU PUSH US ONE MORE TIME WE ARE GOING TO QUIT.
>> Onsurez: I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A TEACHER WHO IS FROM MY HOME TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT, LOVING SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THEY ARE ON A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK RIGHT NOW AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE SAID, LOOK, WE ARE DOING OUR BEST.
WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED, UNDER- RESOURCED.
WE ARE UNDER PAID.
CAN WE FOCUS ON ISSUES THAT ARE A LITTLE MORE PERTINENT RIGHT NOW THAN EXPANDING THE SCHOOL DAY WHEN WE ARE JUST NOW GETTING OUR FEET UNDER US POST-PANDEMIC.
IF YOU TALK TO PARENTS TOO, THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE MORE QUESTIONS.
WELL, WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR CHILDREN?
HOW DO WE SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATIONAL LEARNING AT HOME MORE INSTEAD OF MESSING WITH THE SCHEDULE THAT MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN IN FOR YEARS NOW.
>> Trip: CAN I ADD SOME STUFF?
>> Gwyneth: YOU KNOW WHAT TRIP, I WANT TO KEEP US MOVING HERE, BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS DOUBLING DOWN ON THE STATE'S STRUCTURED LITERACY PROGRAM.
SHE WANTS 30 MILLION-DOLLARS TO CREATE A STATE-WIDE LITERACY INSTITUTE AS WELL AS 30 MILLION-DOLLARS FOR A FREE LITERACY SUMMER PROGRAM THAT WOULD SERVE 10,000 STUDENTS.
WOULD THESE TWO NEW INITIATIVES STRETCH AN ALREADY THIN EDUCATION WORKFORCE EVEN THINNER OR DO PEOPLE THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO HELP TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND IT IS WORTH PUSHING FOR?
>> Trip: I THINK BEING AROUND THE ROUNDHOUSE, YOU KNOW, AND THE DEBATES, I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES THAT IT IS NOT ONE THING, NOT SILVER BULLET, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE IDEAS AMONG THE MANY THINGS THAT ONE CAN PUSH FOR.
I WANT TO SAY, AS FAR AS STRETCHING THE WORKFORCE, PEOPLE PAYING ATTENTION TO EDUCATION HERE IN NEW MEXICO AND ACROSS THE STATE IS, YOU HAVE GOT LOOMING RETIREMENTS.
I MEAN, BY WHICH I MEAN THERE ARE A LOT OF TEACHERS WHO ARE NEARING THEIR RETIREMENT AGE WHO ARE LIKE DO I NEED MORE OF THIS?
DO I NEED MORE OF THE HASSLE?
MAYBE I'LL RETIRE.
DO WE HAVE ENOUGH TEACHERS TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS?
AS FAR AS PARENTS AND STRUCTURED LITERACY AND ALL THIS KIND OF STUFF, WE ALSO HAVE TO ASK QUESTIONS AROUND CHILD CARE, BY WHICH I MEAN, IS THERE GOING TO BE AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE IF THEY ARE WORKING AND THEIR KIDS -- YOU KNOW, THERE IS ALL SORTS OF QUESTIONS AROUND THIS STUFF.
>> Gwyneth: ONE COMPLAINT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE TEACHERS ABOUT THIS IS NOBODY IS ASKING THEM WHETHER THEY WANT TO DO THIS, RIGHT?
SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A TENSION.
IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR, TRIP, RIGHT?
EVERYONE WHEN THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT MAKING THESE DECISIONS THEY ARE PICTURING THEIR OWN FACES ON A CAMPAIGN AD IN THEIR TOWN OR ON A MAILER THAT IS GOING INTO MAILBOXES SAYING THEY DID OR DIDN'T DO A THING, RIGHT?
NOW WHY MIGHT IT BE THE CASE THAT THERE IS SUCH A DISCONNECT BETWEEN WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING SHE WANTS TO DO AND STATE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE, LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HER.
AND STATE LAWMAKERS AND TEACHERS WHO ARE LIKE, WHY DOESN'T ANYBODY ASK US THESE QUESTIONS?
WHY IS THERE THIS DISCONNECT?
>> Onsurez: -- SHE CALLED ON SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING IN THE GALLERY AND AUDIENCE WHEN SHE WAS, YOU KNOW, HIGHLIGHTING THIS PORTION OF HER WORK.
AND THERE WERE TEACHERS.
THERE WAS A MATH TEACHER FROM LAS CRUCES SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THEY WERE ALL PRESUMABLY SMILING AND NODDING THEIR HEADS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PROGRAM BUT THAT IS ONE PERSON AMONG THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS IN THE STATE.
SO, I DO THINK THAT YOU ARE RIGHT IN SAYING THERE IS PROBABLY A DISCONNECT.
I THINK THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL PRESSURE OF MOVING US FROM VERY BOTTOM OF THE LIST, AS THE STATE, TO THE VERY TOP OF THE LIST, WHICH IS A HUGE GOAL.
BUT I ALSO THINK THAT MAYBE IN THEIR MINDS THEY ARE SAYING, WE NEED TO SET THE GOALS, WE NEED TO SET THE STANDARD AND SCOOP EVERYONE INTO THAT.
THERE IS VALUE IN HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH TEACHERS.
OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE THE ONES ON THE GROUND DOING THE WORK BUT IF YOU DON'T SET A NORTH STAR THEN HOW ARE YOU EVER GOING TO REACH IT?
>> Gwyneth: TRIP, YOU KNOW, IT IS TEMPTING IN AN ELECTION YEAR IF YOU PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF A POLITICIAN, IT IS TEMPT TO PICK OFF THINGS, SEXY SOUNDING PROJECTS, THINGS YOU THINK YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH QUICKLY, SETTING UP A NEW THING AS OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW, FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT INVESTING MORE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
NOW IT IS HAPPENING, BUT WE ARE NOT SEEING THAT HIT GRADUATION RATES YET.
YOU KNOW.
IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG TIME BEFORE THAT.
>> Trip: WHEN YOU ARE UP AT THE ROUNDHOUSE OR YOU'RE AROUND COMMITTEE MEETINGS, YOU KNOW, AROUND THE STATE, AROUND EDUCATION, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MONITORING THIS, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT A COUPLE OF GENERATIONS.
I MEAN, MAKING ALL THESE INVESTMENTS, IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR THESE KIND OF INVESTMENTS TO REALLY YOU SEE THE OUTCOMES, A GENERATION OR TWO LATER.
SO, WHEN I AM UP AT THE ROUNDHOUSE, YOU KNOW, IT IS -- I THINK AS A REPORTER IT SOMETIMES MIGHT BE TEMPTING TO REALLY GET, OH, THERE IS A SHINY BOBBLE, LET'S GO COVER THIS, OR DO THIS.
THE HARD WORK IS THE HARD SLOG WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, THE WONKINESS, THE STUFF THAT FRANKLY MAKES PEOPLE LIKE THEIR EYES GLAZE OVER.
THAT STUFF IS IMPORTANT.
>> Gwyneth: IT IS A BALANCE TOO.
IT IS LIKE, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW?
WHAT LITTLE THINGS CAN WE CHANGE TODAY AND 180 DAY SCHOOL YEAR IS ONE OF THOSE QUICK THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE HOPING COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT AWAY, AND THEN INVESTING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD IS MORE OF THE BIG PICTURE.
JESSICA, DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST THOUGHTS.
>> Onsurez: I DO, ACTUALLY.
SO, I AM NOT UP AT THE ROUNDHOUSE, BUT I AM IN THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS WHERE YOU HEAR TEACHERS AND PARENTS AND, YOU KNOW, MEMBERS OF THESE COMMUNITIES AND I THINK THE PERVASIVE IDEA THERE IS THAT WE APPRECIATE THE INPUT, WE APPRECIATE THE MONEY BUT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE THE PURVIEW OF LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS SO -- >> Gwyneth: YEAH, WE ARE GOING TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT THAT TENSION BETWEEN LOCAL CONTROL WHICH I KNOW REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING FOR.
SO, FOR ONE LAST TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU PANELISTS.
WE SO APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE IN THIS DISCUSSION AND WE WISH YOU LUCK ON YOUR CONTINUED COVERAGE OF THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> Lou: THANK YOU GWYNETH DOLAND FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK THIS WEEK HERE AT OUR NMPBS STUDIOS AND AT THE ROUNDHOUSE.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
