KIDS COUNT Data Book, ranked choice voting, upcoming legislative session

This week on New Mexico in Focus, correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with Bill Jordan from New Mexico Voices for Children to discuss the latest KIDS COUNT Data Book, released this month to coincide with the start of the legislative session.

Last week, the New Mexico Supreme Court cleared the way for ranked-choice voting in Santa Fe’s March 6 municipal election. Producer Sarah Gustavus asks Maria Perez, director of FairVote New Mexico, to explain how ranked choice voting works, why it is also called “instant runoff,” and how her group will help educate voters in preparation for the upcoming election.

And host Gene Grant leads the Line opinion panel’s analysis of Governor Martinez’s State of the State address, which kicked off the 30-day legislative session and the start of her final year in office. The panelists also discuss some of the top expected issues in the legislative session.

Host:
Gene Grant

Correspondents:
Sarah Gustavus
Megan Kamerick

Studio Guest:
Maria Perez, director, FairVote New Mexico
Bill Jordan, New Mexico Voices for Children

Line Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima LLC
Dan Foley, former House minority whip
Sophie Martin, attorney
Harry Van Buren, professor in UNM Anderson School of Management