Category Archives: Episode

Possible Increase to NM’s Closing Fund, Albuquerque’s Homeless Population, APS School Board Elections

Education, Episode, Legislature, New Mexico, Poverty

This week on New Mexico in Focus, Governor Susana Martinez proposes increasing the state’s closing fund, which is used to entice businesses to relocate to New Mexico, to $50 million dollars. Lawmakers are expected to debate that idea this session. Also, we hear how some state lawmakers want to encourage companies to bring more high tech jobs in New Mexico.

Also this week, volunteers in Albuquerque are counting homeless individuals. Survey Week happens every two years and gives government officials and service providers a way to measure the issue in the city. We go to the Albuquerque Rescue Mission, where Pastor John Hill shares his insights from nearly 10 years of working downtown with men, women and children who are homeless or struggling to make ends meet. We’ll also hear how nonprofits are working together to bring people from the streets into more stable housing.

Host Gene Grant and The Line panelists discuss the upcoming elections for the APS school board, a proposal at NMSU to limit access to public records, and tent cities for homeless individuals that are getting attention in Albuquerque and Las Cruces.

GUESTS:
Rep. Brian Egolf (D – Santa Fe)
Rep. Larry Larrañaga (R – Bernalillo)
Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D – Dona Ana)
Rep. Carl Trujillo (D – Santa Fe)
John Ames, Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico
Pastor John Hill, Albuquerque Rescue Mission
Jennifer Metzler, Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless
Dennis Plummer, Albuquerque Heading Home

LINE PANELISTS:
Rachel Sams, Albuquerque Business First
Dan Foley, Former NM House Minority Whip
Sophie Martin, Editor, DukeCityFix.com & Attorney
Rob Nikolewski, Watchdog.org

CORRESPONDENTS:
Gwyneth Doland
Sarah Gustavus

Host: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Sarah Gustavus. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation Communications Fund, Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Episode 829 for air January 30, 2015

2015 Legislative Session, State of the State Address Analysis

Episode, Legislature, New Mexico

This week on New Mexico in Focus, we head to the Roundhouse in Santa Fe with correspondent Gwyneth Doland. It’s the first week of the 2015 legislative session. We hear how falling oil prices are impacting businesses and the state budget. We also learn about legislation this session that aims to increase the disclosure requirements for lobbyists in New Mexico.

Host Gene Grant and The Line panelists sit down to discuss Governor Martinez’s State of the State address. The governor highlighted her priorities for education and economic development on the opening day of this year’s 60 day session. She also called on lawmakers to work together across party lines.

GUESTS:
Viki Harrison, Common Cause New Mexico
Rep. Bill McCamley, (D – Mesilla Park)
Fred Nathan, Think New Mexico
Sen. William Sharer, (R – Farmington)

LINE PANELISTS:
Lonna Atkeson, UNM Political Science Professor
Dan Foley, Former NM House Minority Whip
Sophie Martin, Editor, DukeCityFix.com & Attorney
Rob Nikolewski, Watchdog.org

CORRESPONDENT:
Gwyneth Doland

Host: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Sarah Gustavus. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation Communications Fund, Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Episode 828 for air January 23, 2015