Over the new three weeks (March 1, 8, & 15), NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS speaks with three special women in NEW MEXICO MAKERS – Judy Chicago, LaDonna Harris & Gov. Susana Martinez. These New Mexico stories tie-in with the national PBS special, MAKERS: WOMEN WHO MAKE AMERICA, the first film to tell comprehensive story of how women have transformed America over the last half-century. These interviews focus on what led these women to be groundbreakers in their fields. What makes a \u201cMAKER?\u201d<\/p>\n
This week: LaDonna Harris, American Indian activist and founder of Americans for Indian Opportunity. Among her many accomplishments is being instrumental in the return of the Taos Blue Lake to the people of Taos Pueblo.<\/p>\n
This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, time is winding down in Santa Fe as lawmakers have a little more than a week to finish work in the 2013 legislative session. High-profile pieces of legislation such as driver\u2019s license laws and social promotion bills have fallen by the wayside, but The Line opinion panel looks at a bipartisan effort to reform New Mexico\u2019s campaign finance laws in a post-Citizens United era.<\/p>\n
After waiting more than two years for a confirmation hearing, Hanna Skandera, the secretary-designate at the state education department, finally got her day \u2013 or days \u2013 in the Senate Rules Committee. But after two days of controversial testimony, the committee recessed without taking a vote. Will Skandera continue to work in limbo? Will it matter? The Line takes a look.<\/p>\n
The Plan in the office of Albuquerque mayor Richard Berry was to beautify the Bosque and add to the river trail system using city bonds. But two Republican city councilors successfully booted The Plan items from the bond issue, to free up money for other projects. The mayor still has options to fund his projects, but The Line looks at what\u2019s behind the vote.<\/p>\n
The American Graduate series returns with a visit to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. \u201cBigs\u201d as they\u2019re called have filled a valuable role in helping students re-engage with school and keeping them on track to graduate.<\/p>\n
GUESTS:
\nSen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, Senate Minority Leader
\nSen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, Senate Majority Leader
\nSen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming
\nSen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe<\/p>\n
LINE GUESTS:
\nLonna Atkeson, UNM Political Science Professor
\nDede Feldman, Former State Senator<\/p>\n
LINE PANELISTS:
\nDan Foley, Former House Republican Whip
\nTom Garrity, The Garrity Group<\/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 636 for air March 8, 2013<\/p>\n