This week on New Mexico in Focus, Attorney General Gary King is in studio to talk about the state\u2019s water battle with Texas. With both states mired in historic droughts, every drop of water has the potential to be contentious. The A.G. says it amounts to \u201cwater rustling\u201d but is there anything the state can do to prevent a Texan water grab? Plus, open government issues still swirl around King and the Martinez administration as the two prepare to do battle in 2014.<\/p>\n
The Line opinion panel looks at a New Mexico group embroiled in the Internal Revenue Service scandal that arose this week. The Albuquerque Tea Party says its bid for nonprofit status was scrutinized by the tax agency years after the organization first filed its application.<\/p>\n
The group also examines the trend in states approving driver\u2019s licenses for immigrants who may have entered the country illegally. The issue has been the governor\u2019s signature effort since she was elected. Her efforts to repeal New Mexico\u2019s law have fallen short. Will the new developments cause her to rethink her focus or redouble her efforts?<\/p>\n
And should states be allowed to charge sales tax on Internet purchases? The move would cost taxpayers, but could protect local retailers and inject cash into state accounts.<\/p>\n
Host: Gene Grant<\/p>\n
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland<\/p>\n
Guests: Gary King, New Mexico Attorney General<\/p>\n
Line Panelists:
\nJamie Estrada, Agenda Public Relations
\nSophie Martin, Editor in Chief, New Mexico Law Review
\nJavier Martinez, Partnership for Community Action
\nMilan Simonich, Texas New Mexico Newspapers Partnership<\/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 646 for air May 17, 2013<\/p>\n