January 10, 2020 – New Mexico government coffers are flush with money thanks to the continuing oil boom in the Permian Basin in southeast New Mexico. That has expanded possibilities for more spending on education and other priorities by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in the upcoming legislative session. The robust growth is having numerous impacts on southeast New Mexico. As workers flood into the area for high-paying jobs, traffic is testing the capacity of roads, schools are recruiting teachers from abroad to handle the uptick in students and demand for water by oil and gas drilling operations has prompted legal battles. On this week’s episode, NMIF correspondent Megan Kamerick talks with reporters Jens Gould with the Santa Fe New Mexican and Dan McKay of the Albuquerque Journal about the impacts of the oil boom on New Mexico.

Guests:
Jens Gould, Santa Fe New Mexican
Dan McKay, Albuquerque Journal

Additional Reading:
In it for the Long Haul in the Permian – Santa Fe New Mexican

Boom Creates New Pressures in Permian – Santa Fe New Mexican

In Permian Basin, No Home Away From Home – Santa Fe New Mexican

Making Best of Rough Living in Permian Basin – Santa Fe New Mexican

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tells Oil Execs: We’ll Work With You – Santa Fe New Mexican

Oil Surge Reshapes Life in New Mexico – Series of Articles by Albuquerque Journal