Gary King one-on-one interview, Campaign Finance, Adult Behavioral Health Spending

This week on New Mexico in Focus, Correspondent Gwyneth Doland begins a series of one-on-one interviews with candidates competing in November’s general election. In the weeks to come NMiF will hear from candidates running for Congress in NM District 1, Secretary of State and Attorney General. This week Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Gary King is front and center.

NMiF explores campaign finance. A recent survey of New Mexico voters found that 4 in 5 believe the amount of influence that large campaign donors have on politicians is either a very serious problem or a somewhat serious problem. NMiF Producer Floyd Vasquez delves into the issue with Trip Jennings, executive director of New Mexico In Depth, Viki Harrison, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico and Joe Monahan, publisher of political blog JoeMonahan.com.

The Line opinion panel reviews the investigative report issued by the state’s 3rd Judicial District Attorney on the office’s efforts to respond to an Inspection of Public Records Request for records created under the administrations of then DA Susana Martinez and her appointed successor, Amy Orlando. The investigation found that a large number of office emails from former employees had been deleted and the back-up copies erased. A few emails that were recovered reveal conduct and attitudes unbecoming to the office.

NMiF panelists also explore the scathing report issued by NM’s Legislative Finance Committee on the state’s spending on adult behavioral health. The LFC says in 2013 only 11% of the nearly $210-million spent was to pay for evidence based programs and services.

Finally, The Line panelists viewed the one-on-one interview with Gary King and weigh in with their reactions.

Correspondents:
Gwyneth Doland
Floyd E. Vasquez Jr.

Guests:
Viki Harrison, Executive Director, Common Cause New Mexico
Trip Jennings, Executive Director, New Mexico In Depth
Gary King, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate
Joe Monahan, Political Blogger, JoeMonahan.com

Line Panelists:
Janice Arnold-Jones, former State Legislator
Dede Feldman, former State Senator
Rob Nikolewski, New Mexico Watchdog
Laura Sanchez-Rivét, Sanchez Legal Solutions

Host: Gene Grant

The Producers of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS are Megan Kamerick and Floyd Vasquez. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.

Episode 812 for air October 3, 2014