Oil & Gas Lease Fight; New-Look Legislature

This week on New Mexico in Focus, State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard stops by the studio and tells Senior Producer Lou DiVizio why she chose to hold off on selling the state’s most valuable oil and gas leases until officials lock in a higher royalty rate than the office is charging now. Reactions to her decision have been mixed and Lou asks the commissioner to respond to remarks from her critics and from the governor. 

The Legislature is in for a big shakeup after the November election. There are currently 19 open legislative seats — 12 held by Republicans, and the other seven by Democrats. Former state senator Dede Feldman sits down with Lou to discuss just how competitive these races will be this fall. 

Host: Lou DiVizio

Segments: 
State Land Commissioner on Decision to Halt Lease Sales on Oil-Rich Land 
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio 
Guest: Stephanie Garcia Richard, NM State Land Commissioner 

Analyzing the State Legislature Seats Up for Grabs this Fall 
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio 
Guest: Dede Feldman, Democratic Former NM State Senator