This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, supporters of Spaceport America say they\u2019ve struck a deal that will protect companies working at the Southern New Mexico facility from frivolous lawsuits. The move could pave the way for more development at the taxpayer-funded spaceport, but will political maneuvering mean a failure to launch? The Line opinion panel examines the idea.<\/p>\n
Much of the week\u2019s news has been centered on the South Valley shootings that took the lives of five family members and forever changed the life of the accused shooter, the family\u2019s 15-year-old son. Will the killings renew calls for additional gun control measures? Is it proper to point to the incident as reason for new laws? The Line examines that idea, while NMiF producer Matt Grubs speaks to lawmakers who have filed bills both limiting guns and expanding their availability.<\/p>\n
Before going \u201con the clock\u201d with the week\u2019s other headlines, the Line peeks in on a joint-session of the Legislature, designed to give lawmakers a clear view of the problems faced by public retirement accounts. The fix needed to shore up the badly-lagging pension funds could cost hundreds of millions and will affect thousands of current and former public employees.<\/p>\n
GUESTS:
\nRep. Zach Cook, R \u2013 Ruidoso
\nRep. Nora Espinoza, R \u2013 Roswell
\nRep. Miguel P. Garcia, D – Albuquerque<\/p>\n
LINE GUESTS:
\nDede Feldman, Former New Mexico Senator
\nAl Park, Former New Mexico Representative<\/p>\n
LINE PANELISTS:
\nDan Foley, Former NM House Republican Whip
\nSophie Martin, Editor in Chief, New Mexico Law Review<\/p>\n
CORRESPONDENT: Matt Grubs, NMiF Producer<\/p>\n
HOST\/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant<\/p>\n
The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs.\u00a0Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this\u00a0program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.\u00a0Subscribe to the\u00a0New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Episode 630 for air January 25, 2013<\/p>\n