With a new Congress assembling in Washington, D.C. and the upcoming legislative session in Santa Fe, this week NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS talks to key leaders.<\/p>\n
U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D), just four years into his first term, is now the senior senator from New Mexico. NMiF producer Matt Grubs speaks with Sen. Udall about the fiscal cliff\u2019s real cost to middle class taxpayers and the battle the senator is leading to reform the filibuster in the Senate.<\/p>\n
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez is already making news with the announcement that she\u2019ll accept a federal offer to expand the state\u2019s Medicaid program. NMiF correspondent Sarah Gustavus talks to the governor about what\u2019s likely to come out of the legislative session and why New Mexico\u2019s economy continues to lag behind the rest of the West and the nation.<\/p>\n
An all-journalist Line panel offers opinions on important legislative narratives that will play out over the next two months, including leadership battles and what issues are likely to gain traction as lawmakers gather for their annual assembly.<\/p>\n
GUESTS:
\nSenator Tom Udall
\nGovernor Susana Martinez<\/p>\n
THE LINE GUESTS:
\nDan Boyd, Albuquerque Journal
\nRuss Contreras, Associated Press
\nRob Nikolewski, Capitol Report New Mexico
\nMatt Reichbach, New Mexico Telegram<\/p>\n
CORRESPONDENTS:
\nMatt Grubs, NMiF Producer
\nSarah Gustavus, Executive Producer, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation<\/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 628 for air January 11, 2013<\/p>\n