Session’s End Draws Nigh
“Mad dash” is an overused cliche, but it aptly describes the final stretch of a New Mexico legislative session — particularly the 30-day versions in even-numbered years. That’s precisely where we find ourselves now, with six days to go in Santa Fe and a seemingly endless number of runners sprinting toward the finish line.
This week on New Mexico in Focus, we took stock of the state budget, what with that being the primary purpose of these short sessions. The spending plan is going to come in a little north of $11 billion — an unfathomable number just a decade ago. The state House of Representatives has passed a version, moving the action over to the Senate. We caught up with Republican and Democratic leadership on the powerful Senate Finance Committee to get the lay of the land and how it might shift. We also stopped other lawmakers in the hallway for rapid-fire interviews about the one thing they’re fighting for in this year’s budget.
We looked into environmental policies and programs dealing with earth, air and water, as well. We’ve got stories on the failure of the Clear Horizons Act, state efforts to improve soil health in New Mexico and a look at what President Donald Trump’s gutting of the Clean Water Act has spurred in our state.
It’s another packed show — one we hope will help you better understand the landscape as the legislative race draws to a close.
We’ll be back next week to report on what crosses the finish line — what doesn’t — and what it all means.
– Jeff Proctor, Executive Producer
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Session’s End Draws Nigh
“Mad dash” is an overused cliche, but it aptly describes the final stretch of a New Mexico legislative session — particularly the 30-day versions in even-numbered years. That’s precisely where we find ourselves now, with six days to go in Santa Fe and a seemingly endless number of runners sprinting toward the finish line. This…
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Healthy Soil Program Helps Bring Life Back to the Surface
2.13.26 – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture offers a grant program to help improve soil conditions around the state. Nash speaks with program co-lead Katie Crayton, as well as Taos-based soil health coordinator Tyler Zander, about the “Healthy Soil Program” and how these grants are healing the state’s scorched surface. Correspondent: Nash Jones Guests: Katie…
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Protecting NM Water Following Trump Cuts
2.13.26 – Last year, the Trump administration gutted the Clean Water Act, which protected millions of acres of wetlands, rivers and streams. That has prompted state officials and environmental groups to try and plug the proverbial dam and take charge of ensuring water quality. Correspondent Elizabeth Miller joins Tricia Snyder, Rivers and Waters program director…
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Clear Horizons Bill Dies in Senate
2.13.26 – The Clear Horizons Act, meant to set the governor’s carbon emission goals into law, died in the Senate this week as seven Democrats joined state Republicans to kill the bill. Capital and Main reporter Jerry Redfern sits down with Camilla Feibelman, director of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club, to dig…
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Budget Priorities Heard Around the Roundhouse
2.13.26 – Politics correspondent Gwyneth Doland speaks with five different lawmakers, each representing a different community of New Mexicans, to find out the one thing they’re fighting for in this year’s budget. An important note and an apology: We also spoke with Republican Reps. Jennifer Jones and Gail Armstrong for this segment. Unfortunately, those responses…
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NM Sen. Lanier on Childcare Copays and Fixing Potholes
2.13.26 – Politics correspondent Gwyneth Doland checks in with Sen. Steve Lanier, the second-ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee and a candidate for governor, to learn where the state GOP stands on the budget. Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland Guest: NM Sen. Steve Lanier, R-San Juan County
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NM Sen. Muñoz on Balancing State Budget
2.13.26 – Senate Finance Chair George Muñoz, a Gallup Democrat, talks to host Nash Jones about several contentious line items in the state’s budget, including copays for universal childcare and billions set aside for public and higher education. Host: Nash Jones Guest: NM Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup; Senate Finance Chair