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