>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU >> Jeff: THIS WEEK ON  NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE  SESSION BEGINS.
GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM PUSHES FOR TOUGHER LAWS ON CRIME AS SHE ENTERS HER LAST 60-DAY SESSION AT THE ROUNDHOUSE.
>> Lujan Grisham: WE CANNOT, WE MUST NOT LET THIS CONTINUE.
WE NEED THE TOOLS TO OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE.
>> Jeff: AND CHANGING WITH THE SEASONS.
OUR LAND'S LAURA PASKUS LOOKS BACK AT EIGHT YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING AT NEW MEXICO PBS AS SHE PREPARES TO MOVE ON.
NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.
I'M EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEFF PROCTOR.
THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OFF AND RUNNING IN SANTA FE.
THESE LAST FEW DAYS SERVE LARGELY AS A FEELING OUT PROCESS AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
ONE THING THAT'S CLEAR IS OUR LEADERS SEE CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY AS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, AFTER MULTIPLE FAILED PROPOSALS LAST YEAR AND A WASTED SPECIAL SESSION IN JULY, THERE STILL DOESN'T SEEM TO BE MUCH CONSENSUS ON HOW TO DO SO.
HERE'S WHAT GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER APPROACH DURING TUESDAY'S STATE OF THE STATE.
>> Lujan Grisham: EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL IN NEW MEXICO.
AND EVEN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS AGREE.
WE'RE IN A STATE OF CRISIS.
TOO MANY OF US SIMPLY DON'T FEEL SAFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY, FRANKLY, COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.
MONEY ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH.
WE NEED -- THANK YOU.
WE NEED CHANGES TO OUR LAWS RIGHT NOW TO HOLD REPEAT VIOLENT OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> Jeff: REPEAT OFFENDERS.
THAT'S A TERM THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN HOLLERING ABOUT FOR YEARS.
AND WE'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT MORE OF IN THE NEXT EIGHT WEEKS.
BUT MAYBE MORE SO FROM REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS THAN FROM WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S OWN PARTY.
THE GOP'S NEW SENATE MINORITY LEADER, BILL SHARER OF SAN JUAN COUNTY, LED THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO LUJAN GRISHAM'S ADDRESS.
HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES FOCUSED MUCH OF THEIR ATTENTION IN THE SAME PLACE, CRIME.
>> Sharer: SHE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE A SERIOUS CRIME PROBLEM.
BUT SHE'S MORE FOCUSED ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THAN ON WHAT THE REAL CRIME WAS.
SO, WE AS REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT REAL CRIME SOLUTIONS FOR A LONG  TIME.
IN FACT, DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, WE ACTUALLY SUPPORTED REAL CRIME SOLUTIONS WHILE HER OWN PARTY COMPLETELY ABANDONED THEM.
>> Woods: SHE STATED ONE-THIRD OF OUR POPULATION HAVE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT CRIME.
IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT PUTTING MORE CRIMINALS INTO JAIL AND QUIT THE REVOLVING DOOR THAT'S BEEN GOING ON.
>> Jeff: SO, JUST LIKE IN LAST SUMMER'S FAILED SPECIAL SESSION, IT SEEMS THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE TO DO MORE WORK CONVINCING FELLOW DEMS ON TO ADDRESS WHAT SHE CALLS AN UNACCEPTABLE CRIME CRISIS.
THAT'S WHERE POLITICS CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND WILL PICK UP THE CONVERSATION WITH TWO FORMER LEGISLATORS.
>> Gwyneth: MY GUESTS TODAY ARE DEMOCRATIC FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN, AND REPUBLICAN FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTINE FOX-YOUNG.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.
>> Fox-Young: THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> Feldman: THANK YOU.
>> Gwyneth: CRIME WAS THE NUMBER ONE FOCUS OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH ON TUESDAY.
LUJAN GRISHAM CAME BACK TO SOME IDEAS THAT SHE HAD PUSHED BEFORE UNSUCCESSFULLY.
TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR CONVICTED FELONS CAUGHT WITH GUNS, LONGER SENTENCES FOR DRUG DEALERS, A REFORM OF NEW MEXICO'S CRIMINAL COMPETENCY LAWS, AND SHE ALSO SPRINKLED IN A LITTLE RIFF ABOUT MAKING IT EASIER TO KEEP PEOPLE IN JAIL BEFORE TRIAL.
DEDE, IS THERE ANY REASON THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT THE GOVERNOR TO HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTCOME WITH HER PARTY THIS SESSION?
>> Feldman: YES.
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S BEEN SOME TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP.
AND THEY'RE ON THE SAME PAGE IN TERMS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FUNDING.
SHE MENTIONED THAT SHE WANTED TO DEVOTE -- I THINK IT WAS $100 MILLION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPANSION.
AND I DID NOTICE THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BILLS THAT WAS INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE.
ALSO, I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN PRETTY EXTENSIVE HEARINGS ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS FROM THE SPECIAL SESSION IN THE COURTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE INTERIM COMMITTEE.
AND REMEMBER THE DEMOCRATS SAID THESE IDEAS NEEDED DISCUSSION AND VETTING, PARTICULARLY THE COMPETENCY PART AND THE INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT.
I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT, WHICH SEEMED TO BE DIRECTED TO THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP THAT, YOU KNOW, HER WHOLE CAREER AND EVEN BEFORE SHE WAS GOVERNOR, WAS FOCUSED ON GENERATIONAL POVERTY IN NEW MEXICO.
AND INEQUALITY.
AND SHE'S TOUTED THE MANY ADVANCES NEW MEXICO HAD MADE IN THAT DIRECTION.
AND YET, SHE SAID THAT VERY PROGRESS IS THREATENED AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE WANT TO EMPOWER ARE THREATENED BY CRIME.
SO I THINK SHE SAID, BASICALLY, I UNDERSTAND THE CIVIL LIBERTIES QUESTIONS THAT MANY HAVE ABOUT THESE ISSUES, BUT WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO DO THE THINGS THAT SHE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND THE REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY, HAVE BEEN PROMOTING.
>> Gwyneth: I THOUGHT IT WAS A WELL-CRAFTED SPEECH.
A GOOD TEAM OF WRITERS WORKING ON THAT SPEECH.
THERE WAS DEFINITELY SOME SMOOTHNESS TO IT.
BUT, JUSTINE, I WAS AMUSED TOO TO HEAR HER SAY YOU CAN APPLAUD FOR THAT.
THIS IS AN APPLAUSE LINE.
GO AHEAD AND APPLAUD.
BUT SHE DID GET THE REPUBLICANS ON THEIR FEET A FEW TIMES AGREEING WITH HER.
SHE GOT A STANDING OVATION AFTER SHE MENTIONED STIFFER PENALTIES FOR VIOLENT REPEAT OFFENDERS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IT SAYS ABOUT THE SHIFT IN THE POLITICAL SCENE THAT THE GOVERNOR IS NOW PLAYING A TUNE THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD IN THEIR SONGBOOK FOR YEARS?
>> Fox-Young: SHE WAS VERY CONCILIATORY.
SHE WAS VERY CONGRATULATORY TO THE LEGISLATURE.
SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT LEGACY AND THE WAY SHE WANTS TO BE PERCEIVED, I THINK.
THERE WERE SOME NOTABLE THINGS MISSING FROM HER SPEECH.
I GUESS THAT'S WHAT WAS MOST OBVIOUS TO ME.
>> Gwyneth: WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK TO THAT.
>> Fox-Young: AND I'LL SPEAK TO THE CRIME BILLS, BUT SHE INTENTIONALLY AND DELIBERATELY DID NOT TALK ABOUT TRUMP AND THE INAUGURATION AND INSTEAD SHE WAS SPEAKING TO THE REPUBLICANS.
AND ON THE CRIME PACKAGE IN PARTICULAR, TO YOUR QUESTION, WILL SHE HAVE A DIFFERENT RESULT?
I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF SHE HAS A DIFFERENT RESULT.
BUT I THINK THE PERCEPTION MAY BE DIFFERENT.
I GUESS THE QUESTION THAT'S MORE INTERESTING TO ME, AND MORE IMPORTANT, I'M A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER, I'M IN COURT ALL THE TIME ON THESE PREVENTIVE DETENTION HEARINGS.
SO, I SEE HOW IT'S ACTUALLY PLAYING OUT IN THE STREETS.
WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
WILL WE HAVE SAFER STREETS IN ALBUQUERQUE, STATEWIDE, WITH ANY OF THESE MEASURES?
I THINK THE ANSWER IS NO.
AND THE REASON IS THESE AGENCIES ARE SO OVERTAXED, THEY'RE SO OVERBURDENED, THE CASELOAD IS TOO HIGH.
AND THEY'RE TAKING EVERY SINGLE CASE TO A HEARING.
THEY'RE LOCKING EVERYBODY UP FOR ANY CASE WHERE THERE'S A PERCEPTION THAT THERE WAS A GUN INVOLVED.
YOU'RE GOING TO DO FIVE DAYS IN JAIL AND YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO A HEARING.
SO, WE'RE NOT FOCUSING ON THE WORST OF THE WORST, THE REPEAT OFFENDERS.
THE D.A.
'S OFFICE IS NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE RESOURCES.
SO, YES, THOSE WERE APPLAUSE LINES.
AND THE GOVERNOR WANTED APPLAUSE LINES.
SHE WANTS COMMENDATIONS.
SHE WANTS TO HAVE THE FEELING GOING TO THE SESSION THAT WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER.
I DON'T KNOW THAT SHE'S GOING TO HAVE A REALLY DIFFERENT RESULT THAN SHE DID ON THE FAILED SPECIAL SESSION ON THOSE BILLS.
>> Gwyneth: YOU TOOK MY QUESTION STRAIGHTAWAY FROM ME ABOUT WHAT WHETHER IT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
DEDE, THE GOVERNOR HAS A BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC HEALTH.
SHE WANTS TO APPLY THAT APPROACH TO SOME OF THESE ISSUES.
DURING HER SPEECH, SHE BROUGHT UP INVESTING IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WHICH YOU MENTIONED EARLIER.
AND THAT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BEING SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THINGS LIKE THAT, AS A WAY TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD SIX YEARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT THEY KEEP REMINDING US HAPPENED DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR SUSANA MARTINEZ.
IS THIS PUBLIC HEALTH FRAMING AND APPROACH WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO FIX THIS SYSTEM?
TO GET EVERYBODY ON BOARD?
>> Feldman: IT'S A COMBINATION.
I DO THINK THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STUFF AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ADEQUATE TREATMENT AND MAYBE SHORT-TERM HOUSING AND PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS NOW IS A BIG PART OF THE SOLUTION, ALONG WITH THOSE MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN ADVANCED BEFORE.
BUT I'M THINKING, YOU KNOW, BASED ON WHAT JUSTINE WAS JUST TALKING, REALLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS RESOURCES AND MONEY FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS, FOR THOSE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFRASTRUCTURE.
MAYBE FOR THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AS WELL.
>> Fox-Young: I'M NOT NECESSARILY SAYING WE NEED MORE RESOURCES.
I THINK WE NEED TO DO MORE WITH WHAT WE HAVE.
FOR INSTANCE, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE SOME PROGRESS WITH THE HELP OF ADVOCATES AND LITIGATORS ON PROVIDING SUBOXONE AND METHADONE TO FOLKS WHO ARE INCARCERATED.
THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENT FOR PEOPLE COMING OUT.
THAT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF RECIDIVISM.
THERE ARE LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO WITH THE RESOURCES WE HAVE NOW IF WE'LL SIT DOWN AND DO IT.
>> Feldman: THAT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH.
THOSE THINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED, SUBOXONE, NEEDLE EXCHANGE, THAT KIND OF THING.
THOSE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN RESISTED IN THE PAST BY THE REPUBLICANS FOR MORAL REASONS, OR THAT THEY'RE ENABLING CRIMINALS AND SO ON.
I'M HOPING THAT KIND OF TIME IS PASSING.
AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT THAT'S REALLY PART OF THE SOLUTION.
>> Fox-Young: YOU DON'T GET BIG ACCOLADES FOR THOSE THINGS, BUT THEY HAVE THEM BEHIND THE SCENES AND THEY MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
I AGREE, DEDE.
>> Gwyneth: YOU MENTIONED HOMELESSNESS, AND THE GOVERNOR BROUGHT THAT UP TALKING ABOUT HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, WHICH SHE SORT OF WAS WEAVING IN WITH THE APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT SHE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE CAUSES OF THE HOUSING SHORTAGE, RIGHT?
WHAT DO REPUBLICANS THINK ABOUT SOLVING SOME OF THE BARRIERS FOR DEVELOPING MORE HOUSING NOW?
>> Fox-Young: I DON'T KNOW WHAT REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE THINK.
I WAS STRUCK BY HER REFERENCES TO THE NEED FOR HOUSING, WHICH I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES WE HAVE A SHORTAGE, AND THE TOTAL FAILURE TO TALK ABOUT TRUMP'S TARIFFS, THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO FURTHER DRIVE UP THE COST OF HOUSING ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE TRADE WE DO WITH MEXICO.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE EVERYBODY FALLS ON A PHILOSOPHICAL SPECTRUM ANYMORE.
IF REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO BE FOR TARIFFS, AND FOR DRIVING UP THESE COSTS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REPUBLICANS THINK.
BUT CERTAINLY, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES.
AND THAT COMES BACK TO FENTANYL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, REALLY, REALLY SERIOUS PERVASIVE PROBLEMS WE'RE SEEING THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IN JAILS AND ON THE STREETS.
AND I SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR IN THOSE INITIATIVES IN TRYING TO DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ALTHOUGH I THINK WE DO HAVE A REALLY LARGE HOMELESS POPULATION HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE THAT DOES NOT -- >> Gwyneth: NOT INTERESTED.
>> Fox-Young: NO.
PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BUY INTO THAT.
YOU CAN CONTINUE TO THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANYWHERE WITH A BIG PERCENTAGE.
>> Gwyneth: WHICH BRINGS US TO THE GOVERNOR MENTIONING, AGAIN, HER IDEA OF FORCING SOME PEOPLE TO GET TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
SHE SAID, SAVING LIVES AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES IS CLEARLY WARRANTED IN THESE EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE LEAST-RESTRICTIVE INTERVENTIONS SIMPLY DON'T WORK.
DEDE, THIS HAS RAISED DEMOCRATS HACKLES BEFORE, AND THERE ARE SOME CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES.
DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PUT UP A FIGHT ON THIS AGAIN?
>> Feldman: I THINK IT WILL BE A STICKING POINT.
YES.
>> Fox-Young: IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
>> Feldman: I THINK IT WILL BE A STICKING POINT.
I THINK THE REST OF THE PROGRAM IS A GO, FRANKLY, BUT THAT ONE, AND MAYBE EVEN COMPETENCY HAS A SHOT OF BEING REFORMED.
BUT THAT ONE IN PARTICULAR, I THINK, IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT.
THERE ARE OTHER APPROACHES BESIDES INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT, WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK RECENTLY ABOUT DEVELOPING A MEDICAID WAIVER FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO MENTALLY ILL. OF THE TYPE OF THE D.D.
WAIVERS, SO THAT FEDERAL FUNDS COULD BE USED TO CREATE SOME KIND OF INTERMEDIARY HOUSING WITH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT.
THAT WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THIS SPEECH.
THAT, I KNOW AN IDEA THAT'S BEING TALKED ABOUT A LOT IN THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL AS AMONG THE ADVOCATES.
I THINK THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT.
>> Gwyneth: JUSTINE, YOU MENTIONED THERE ARE GOING TO BE PEOPLE ON THE STREET WHO ARE JUST NOT INTERESTED IN TREATMENT.
THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN TAKING MEDICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH.
THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN DEALING WITH IT.
SO IT'S THORNY BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THIS REALLY RESISTANT PROBLEM, BUT THERE ARE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES IN LOCKING PEOPLE UP.
>> Fox-Young: THERE ARE.
AND WHILE MANY ADVOCATES MAY REALLY WISH THAT WE COULD GET PEOPLE THE TREATMENT THAT THEY FEEL THEY NEED THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE -- AND I HAVE CLIENTS THAT ARE RESISTANT TO IT AND IT'S JUST A NO-GO.
BUT I THINK THERE IS A LARGE SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION, PEOPLE WHO ARE NEWLY ON THE STREETS, PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST BARELY HANGING ON, WHO DO NEED HELP.
AND I THINK THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO ADDRESS THAT.
JOB GROWTH, IMPROVING THE ECONOMY, CLEANING UP THE STREETS IN TERMS OF MAKING THEM SAFER.
YOU CAN'T DRIVE DOWN 1st, JUST NORTH OF I-40 ANYMORE, AT NOON TO GO TO A BUSINESS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET PAST THE ENCAMPMENTS.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH WEAPONS IN THE STREETS.
SO, THERE'S SOME PRETTY BASIC ISSUES THAT OUR GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ADDRESS THAT DO NOT PRESENT CIVIL RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES THAT I THINK SHOULD BE FIRST.
THERE'S A LOT OF LOW-HANGING FRUIT.
BUT THAT IS A REALLY DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT INVOLUNTARY CONFINEMENT IS THE ANSWER.
>> Gwyneth: THANK YOU, JUSTINE AND DEDE.
AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO TURN TO THE CAPITAL.
WE HAD A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH SEVERAL LAWMAKERS AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH TO ASK ABOUT SOME OF THESE BIG ISSUES, INCLUDING PUBLIC SAFETY.
AFTER THAT, WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE NON-CRIME ISSUES THAT LAWMAKERS WILL TACKLE.
SENATOR, THE GOVERNOR IS DEFINITELY TO THE RIGHT OF A LOT OF MEMBERS OF HER OWN PARTY ON CRIME.
REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN MUCH BIGGER SUPPORTERS OF SOME OF THESE IDEAS THAT SHE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT, CARRYING SOME OF HER BILLS DURING THE FAILED SPECIAL SESSION.
SO, WHERE IS THE LIGHT BETWEEN YOU AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE IDEAS SHE LAID OUT TODAY?
WHERE ARE THE BIG DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE WAY YOU WANT TO APPROACH CRIME AND THE WAY THE GOVERNOR DOES?
>> Woods: WELL, WE THINK CRIME OUGHT TO BE MORE OF A SURE DEAL.
WHEN YOU DO A CRIME, YOU GOT A SURE PUNISHMENT.
THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO END UP IN FEDERAL COURT.
FEDERAL COURTS HAVE SURETY ON THEIR PROCESS.
THE GOVERNOR STILL HASN'T COME OUT WITH THAT.
SHE HASN'T COME OUT WITH THE IDEA THAT IF YOU DO A CRIME, YOU HAVE TO SPEND THE TIME.
TO ME, THAT'S THE BIG DEAL.
SHE'S STILL SAYING WE CAN PUT THEM IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WE CAN CURE THEM.
NOW, PUT IT IN LOCAL CONTROL, MAYBE SO, BUT WE'RE STILL LACKING THE PROVIDERS, THE SOCIAL WORKERS, THE PSYCHIATRISTS.
THAT'S THE HICCUP THAT I SEE.
>> Gwyneth: NOW, YOU MENTIONED POVERTY.
AND YOU SAID IT'S GONE DOWN.
THE GOVERNOR SAID TODAY IT'S GONE DOWN.
BUT IT'S STILL HIGH, AND NONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE HAVE ELIMINATED IT COMPLETELY.
WHAT PROPOSALS ARE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES GOING TO SUPPORT TO IMPROVE THE POCKETBOOK SITUATION OF LOW-INCOME NEW MEXICANS?
>> Woods: YOU KNOW, SHE PROPOSED GIVING THEM FREE INCOME TAX.
TAKING THE INCOME TAX BURDEN COMPLETELY OFF THEM IS WHAT SHE PROPOSED.
ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH KIDS.
RIGHT NOW, WE GOT 50% OF THE TAX EARNERS IN OUR STATE THAT DON'T PAY INCOME TAX.
WE GOT CHILD CREDITS, TAX CREDITS, AND DIFFERENT THINGS RIGHT NOW.
SO, WHEN YOU SAY WHAT'S THE CURE TO POVERTY, THERE'S A LITTLE QUESTION.
HOW DO YOU INCENTIVIZE SOMEONE TO GO TO WORK?
THAT'S WHAT THE REAL QUESTION IS.
YOU WILL NEVER GET RID OF POVERTY IF THEY LIVE ON THE SUBSIDIES THAT GOVERNMENT GIVES BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS THERE'S A CLIFF AND YOU START MAKING MONEY, YOU RUN UP TO THAT CLIFF, YOU WILL LOSE MORE IN BENEFITS THAN WHAT YOU CAN MAKE IN DOLLARS.
SO, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I RAN A BILL THAT SAYS WE'RE GOING TO LET YOU MOVE OVER THAT AREA FOR THREE YEARS.
YOU JUST KEEP EARNING AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, AND IN THREE YEARS WE'RE HOPING YOU GOT A HIGH ENOUGH INCOME THAT YOU WON'T NEED THOSE SUBSIDIES.
AND THAT BILL DIDN'T GO.
WHY WOULDN'T WE WANT PEOPLE TO MOVE ABOVE POVERTY?
>> Gwyneth: SO, IS THERE A SPECIFIC ANTI-POVERTY MEASURE YOU'RE SUPPORTING THIS SESSION?
>> Woods: I DON'T HAVE ONE THIS SESSION.
WE NEED TO CREATE BUSINESSES.
ANTI-POVERTY IS LITERALLY A BUSINESSMAN HIRING SOMEONE WHEN THEY NEED.
WE'VE GOT ALL KIND OF JOBS OUT THERE.
WE'VE GOT TEN JOBS FOR EVERY SEVEN PEOPLE LOOKING.
SO, WHY DON'T WE HAVE PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE, EMPLOYED?
WHY DON'T WE HAVE MORE BUSINESS IN THIS STATE?
WHAT IS IT IN OUR BUSINESS CULTURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO MOVE INTO NEW MEXICO?
>> Gwyneth: YOU TELL ME.
>> Woods: WELL, I THINK IT IS BUSINESS NEEDS SURETY.
SHE MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT A BIG DATA CENTER.
SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE COULD GET ALL THESE CLEAN JOBS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE TRANSMISSION LINE TO GET THE ELECTRICITY TO THEM.
WE CAN BUILD THE GENERATION QUICKER THAN WE CAN BUILD THE TRANSMISSION.
THE ONE SUNZIA TRANSMISSION LINE TOOK 17 YEARS TO PERMIT.
YOU'VE GOT TO FIGURE THAT PIECE OUT.
THIS WORLD IS GOING TO TURN TO ELECTRICITY.
I DON'T CARE WHAT MY LIKE OR DISLIKE ABOUT EVs, THE WORLD IS GOING TO MOVE TO ELECTRICITY.
AND WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET ELECTRICITY FROM WHERE IT'S PRODUCED TO WHERE IT'S SOLD.
AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S A CERTIFICATE OF NECESSITY AT THE PRC IS A HICCUP IN THAT.
BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT LET YOU BILL FOR MORE THAN THE DEMAND THAT YOU HAVE LOOKED OUT FOR.
IF YOU CAN BILL A TRANSMISSION LINE FOR A THIRD MORE DEMAND THAN IS WHAT IS REQUIRED, YOU'VE GOT A CUSHION IN THERE.
THEN YOU CAN SAY, MR.
BUSINESSMAN, YOU WANT TO MOVE INTO OUR STATE?
WE CAN GUARANTEE YOU ELECTRICITY BECAUSE WE GOT A LINE HERE THAT CAN CARRY THE LOAD.
>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE SZCZEPANSKI, YOU ARE NOW THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER.
I WANT TO ASK WHAT WAS YOUR PERSONAL BIGGEST APPLAUSE LINE IN THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH TODAY?
ONE THING THAT YOU'RE 100% ONBOARD WITH THAT YOU'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, FIGHT LIKE HECK FOR?
>> Szczepanski: OH, MY GOSH.
THERE WAS A LOT IN THAT SPEECH THAT I REALLY AGREED WITH, BUT HER FOCUS ON CHILD WELL-BEING WAS REALLY EXCITING.
PARTICULARLY, TALKING ABOUT INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT OF CYFD.
TALKING ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO A GREAT EDUCATION.
THOSE WERE THINGS THAT JUST WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.
>> Gwyneth: OF COURSE, THE BIGGEST PART OF HER SPEECH WAS CRIME, AND DEMOCRATS IN THE ROUNDHOUSE HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY BEEN ON BOARD WITH HER LAST BIG PUSHES FOR CRIME.
WAS THERE SOMETHING THERE THAT YOU CAN GO ALONG WITH?
>> Szczepanski: YOU KNOW, WE ARE MAKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
I DRIVE AROUND THE SANTA FE COMMUNITY WHERE I LIVE, AND I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP.
AND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF GETTING THEM HELP.
SO, WHEN SHE STARTED TALKING ABOUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE PRIORITIZED.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE, A HUGE INVESTMENT, $200 MILLION.
LET'S START BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THE STATE.
LET'S BUILD PHYSICAL FACILITIES, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I CARE A LOT ABOUT IS LET'S MAKE IT NO WRONG DOOR.
LET'S MAKE IT A ONE-STOP SHOP.
YOU HAVE ONE PHONE NUMBER TO CALL.
YOU HAVE ONE FACILITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE THAT YOU CAN GO TO WHEN YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE NEEDS HELP.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW.
AND WE HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO DO IT.
SO, LET'S DO THAT.
>> Gwyneth: NOW, REPUBLICANS TOLD US TODAY THAT THEY ARE REALLY ON BOARD WITH TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR SOME CRIMES.
FOR KEEPING PEOPLE IN JAIL LONGER, AND GIVING THEM FEWER OPPORTUNITIES TO GO BACK OUT ON THE STREET.
IS THERE ANY VERSION OF TOUGHER PENALTIES YOU CAN BE ON BOARD WITH?
>> Szczepanski: ABSOLUTELY.
OUR CAUCUS HAS BEEN LOOKING AT PLACES IN OUR CRIMINAL LAWS THAT WE CAN DO BETTER.
SO, ONE OF THOSE PLACES IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
ONE OF THOSE PLACES IS DWI LAWS.
THERE ARE PENALTIES NEEDED FOR RECKLESS DRIVING.
WE SEE A LOT OF RACING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THAT IS SOMETHING I HEAR LOT FROM CONSTITUENTS ABOUT.
SO, THERE ARE PLACES WHERE WE KNOW THAT WE CAN GO IN AND STRENGTHEN SOME OF THOSE PENALTIES.
AND, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'RE OPEN TO ALL OF THE PROPOSALS.
THAT'S THE KEY HERE IS THAT WE ARE AT THE START OF A 60-DAY SESSION.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER.
WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, BUT ALSO ACROSS THE AISLE, TO REALLY MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL LIVING UP TO THOSE VALUES OF HAVING A SAFE COMMUNITY.
AND WE NEED TO REALLY THINK DEEPLY, AT THIS POINT, ABOUT WHAT THOSE SOLUTIONS ARE.
SO, I'M EXCITED TO FIND THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO PASS SOME GREAT PUBLIC SAFETY POLICIES FOR THE STATE.
>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE SZCZEPANSKI, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US.
>> Szczepanski: THANK YOU.
>> Gwyneth: SENATOR BLOCK, THINKING ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH, HER STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH, WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU HEARD THAT YOU LIKED?
>> Block: HER STANCE ON CRIME.
TALKING ABOUT CRIME.
BUT WHERE HAS SHE BEEN FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS?
SHE'S KIND OF LATE TO THE DANCE.
BUT I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH HER ON SOME COMMON SENSE CRIME LEGISLATION TO MAKE -- BASICALLY, WE NEED MORE OF A DETERRENCE.
WE NEED TO STOP THE REVOLVING DOOR.
WE NEED TOUGHER LAWS.
WE HAVE THE PRIORITIES PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE.
I THINK AFTER SIX YEARS THE GOVERNOR IS FINALLY, FINALLY COMING AROUND TO SEEING THE LIGHT.
SO, I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> Gwyneth: WHAT ARE YOU MOST OPTIMISTIC THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL PASS AND SEND TO THE GOVERNOR ON CRIME?
>> Block: WELL, WE GOT TO SEE WHAT BILLS GET OUT OF COMMITTEE FIRST.
LIKE OUR LEADER SAID, BILL REHM HAD MANY, MANY BILLS THAT NEVER GET OUT OF COMMITTEE.
SO, WE GOT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT COMES OUT OF COMMITTEE AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE.
>> Gwyneth: WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT, AS A REPUBLICAN, I'M SURE YOU DIDN'T LOVE EVERYTHING SHE SAID.
WHAT OF THE DEMOCRATS' PRIORITIES MOST GIVES YOU THE ANGST?
>> Block: WELL, A COUPLE OF THINGS.
IT'S NOT ME AS A REPUBLICAN.
IT'S ME AS A NEW MEXICAN.
I'M A TAXPAYER.
I PAY A FAIR AMOUNT IN TAXES.
SO, SHE KEPT SAYING FREE.
IT'S NOT FREE.
IT'S OUR MONEY.
IT'S TAXPAYER MONEY.
SO, STOP USING THE WORD FREE.
THAT JUST TRIGGERS ME.
THE OTHER THING IS SHE'S TALKING ABOUT MORE AND MORE GOVERNMENT REGULATION, NEW GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THAT'S THE LAST THING WE NEED.
SO, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT ANY OF THAT, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT SHE'S TALKED ABOUT ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
AND, BY THE WAY, THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BECAUSE I CAMPAIGNED ON THAT HARD.
THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART WITH SOME PERSONAL HISTORY IN MY FAMILY.
SO, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IF WE CAN FIND SOME GOOD COMMON GROUND, A LOT OF OVERLAP.
IF THE BILL IS 80% OF WHAT I LIKE, MORE THAN LIKELY, I THINK I CAN SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> Gwyneth: SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S CRIME PROPOSALS, PRE-TRIAL DETENTION, CIVIL COMMITMENT, SOME OF HER TOUGHER POLICIES, SHE HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE REPUBLICAN FRIENDS THAN DEMOCRAT FRIENDS.
IF THOSE ARE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO SUPPORT TOUGHER PENALTIES, FOR EXAMPLE, HOW WOULD YOU PERSUADE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS?
>> Block: WELL, I WOULD PARTNER WITH OUR DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS THAT ARE IN ALBUQUERQUE.
BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE MAIN PROBLEM IS IN ALBUQUERQUE.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DEMOCRATS THAT WANT TO COME OVER AND TALK TO US AND PARTNER WITH US, AND WE'LL TAKE THEM.
BUT I LIKE TO FOCUS ON WORKING WITH SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS DEFINITELY IN ALBUQUERQUE, BUT ON THE HEALTH CARE PIECE, SHE REALLY NEEDS TO FOCUS ON TORT REFORM.
BECAUSE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, QUITE FRANKLY, YOU KNOW WHO RUINED THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN NEW MEXICO?
IT WAS TRIAL LAWYERS.
THEY RUINED THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN NEW MEXICO.
WE HAVE SUCH HUGE MALPRACTICE CAPS HERE, AND EVERYONE FLOCKED TO TEXAS.
AND WHO DOES IT AFFECT?
IT AFFECTS THE POOR PEOPLE, THE MIDDLE-CLASS PEOPLE, IT AFFECTS OUR TRIBAL PARTNERS, AND IT AFFECTS THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN RURAL NEW MEXICO.
THAT IS A BIG PRIORITY AS WELL AT THIS SESSION.
>> Gwyneth: SENATOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US.
>> Block: YOU'RE WELCOME.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> Paskus: EVEN WHEN I WAS REALLY MAD ABOUT SOMETHING, LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, THE MILITARY'S CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER IN OUR STATE WITH PFAS, OR RAMPANT OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT.
I LIKE TO THINK THAT WAS COMING FROM A PLACE OF DEEP GRATITUDE AND DEEP LOVE FOR NEW MEXICO AND THE COMMUNITIES HERE AND THE LANDSCAPES HERE.
>> Gwyneth: DEDE, JUSTINE, THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH US.
LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING BUDGET.
FROM THE TOP OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS, SHE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE'S RECORD OIL AND GAS REVENUES.
LAST MONTH, SHE PROPOSED A 7% BUMP IN THE BUDGET TO $10.9 BILLION.
A QUESTION FOR YOU BOTH, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HEARD HER MENTION SPENDING MONEY ON, WITH SOME OF THE BUMP FROM OIL AND GAS, THAT CAUGHT YOUR EYE?
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT INTERESTED YOU?
DEDE.
>> Feldman: WELL, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF NEW FUNDS THAT WERE OF INTEREST.
ONE WAS TO CREATE A NEW INSURANCE PROGRAM AND FUND FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE VICTIMS OF DISASTERS.
SHE MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE OF THE UNAFFORDABLE COST OF INSURANCE FOR MANY PROPERTY OWNERS DUE TO FIRES AND OTHER CATASTROPHES BROUGHT ON BY GLOBAL WARMING.
AND THEN THE OTHER THING THAT REALLY CAUGHT MY EYE WAS MAYBE A SMALLER ITEM IN TOTAL COST, BUT THAT IS SHE -- TO ADDRESS THE FOSTER CHILD PROBLEM, SHE ACTUALLY SUGGESTED INCREASING THE STIPEND THAT FOSTER FAMILIES GET UP TO -- >> Gwyneth: $900.
>> Feldman: -- $900 A MONTH.
>> Fox-Young: EXEMPTING FROM PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
>> Gwyneth: THAT'S LOT OF MONEY.
>> Feldman: AND EXEMPTING FROM PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION.
I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WILL REAP BENEFITS TO KIDS IMMEDIATELY, FOR SURE.
AND THEY NEED SOME IMMEDIATE RESULTS THERE.
BUT THAT WAS ONE.
AND, YOU KNOW, ALSO ANOTHER ONE THAT WAS NOT REALLY MAJOR, BUT WAS IMPORTANT, WAS $50 MILLION FOR THE INDIAN EDUCATION FUND, WHICH I THINK WAS SOMETHING THAT NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
IT HASN'T HAPPENED QUITE YET, BUT $200 MILLION -- ALSO $200 MILLION FOR CHILD CARE.
I FORGOT ABOUT THAT.
THAT WAS THE OTHER BIG ONE THAT SHE HAD MENTIONED TOO.
>> Gwyneth: A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CHILD CARE.
>> Fox-Young: YEAH, I MEAN THAT'S WHERE I'D START.
FIRST OF ALL, AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF BUDGETING, YOU DON'T TAKE NON-RECURRING WINDFALLS AND PUT THEM INTO A RECURRING BUDGET.
WE MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE.
WE AS A STATE, OVER AND OVER, AND IT CREATES REAL PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD.
THIS GOVERNOR WHO IS TALKING ABOUT THE GREEN ECONOMY WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS IS TAKING THE SPOILS FROM OIL AND GAS AND DUMPING INTO RECURRING BUDGETS, AND IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.
YOU GOT TO LOOK DOWN THE LINE AT EDUCATION.
WHERE ARE WE NOW COMPARED TO WHERE WE WERE TEN YEARS AGO, 20 YEARS AGO, 30 YEARS AGO?
WE'RE DEAD LAST.
MISSISSIPPI, WHO UNDER THE SUSANA MARTINEZ ADMINISTRATION WAS RIGHT THERE WITH US.
I THINK THEY WERE 50th AND WE WERE 49th.
THEY NOW, ACCORDING TO NATIONAL RANKINGS, ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.
MAYBE 30th.
HAVING TAKING THE SAME LITERACY INITIATIVES AND FOURTH GRADE READING, BRINGING BACK PHONICS, ON- THE-GROUND DIRECT INTERVENTION WITH STUDENTS THAT SUSANA MARTINEZ PUSHED FOR AND IMPLEMENTED IT.
YOU CAN READ THE NUMBERS DIFFERENTLY.
MAYBE THEY'RE NOT PERFORMING AS WELL IN OTHER ASPECTS, BUT I THINK THERE'S NO QUESTION WE HAVE THROWN A TON OF MONEY AT PRE-K ALL THE WAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION, AND WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN RESULTS.
SO, I LOOK AT THESE BIG NUMBERS AND SAY AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND WE'RE DEAD LAST.
THAT'S WHAT STRUCK ME.
>> Feldman: YEAH.
I MEAN, ON THE TOPIC OF USING OUR WINDFALL FOR RECURRING EXPENDITURES, I THINK IT'S A VALID CONCERN.
BUT THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE A LOT TO CREATE PERMANENT FUNDS, WHICH THEY HAVE INVESTED AND WHICH ARE BEGINNING TO RETURN INTEREST WHICH GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
AND THOSE ARE EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDS.
THAT WAS ESTABLISHED -- I THINK MAYBE THREE YEARS AGO, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
NOT REALLY ENOUGH TIME TO SEE SOME RESULTS FROM THAT INVESTMENT YET.
BUT, YES, WE DO NEED TO DO MORE.
I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR CITED A LITERACY PROGRAM THAT BOOSTED READING SCORES.
WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE PILOT PROGRAM.
WE NEED TO DO MANY MORE OF THOSE.
>> Gwyneth: SHE MENTIONED THE SUMMER LITERACY PROGRAM, AND SHE SAID WE SHOULD DO THAT FOR STEM AND MATH TOO.
BUT I WANT TO -- TALKING ABOUT OIL AND GAS AND THE GOVERNOR'S CLIMATE CHANGE AGENDA, AND THIS IS A REAL TENSE POINT, RIGHT?
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THIS MONEY, NOW HERE'S WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH IT WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT GUYS HAVE IN MIND.
FOR YEARS, THIS HAS BEEN A TENSION HERE.
DEDE, WITH SO MUCH OF HER FOCUS HERE ON CRIME, DID THE GOVERNOR KIND OF JUST PUSH SOME OF THAT CLIMATE STUFF ASIDE?
>> Feldman: NO.
SHE, ACTUALLY, MADE A BIG STATEMENT THAT SHE WANTED TO GET TO NET ZERO.
MAKE NEW MEXICO A NET ZERO STATE BY 2050.
THAT GOT A LOT OF APPLAUSE.
THAT GOT LOT OF ATTENTION AND APPLAUSE.
I WAS SURPRISED AT THAT, FRANKLY.
>> Fox-Young: BUT SHE SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE COUNTRY'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CLIMATE ACCORDS.
SHE SAID NOTHING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING BIG PICTURE.
>> Feldman: NO.
THAT'S BEYOND HER CONTROL.
BUT THIS IS WITHIN HER CONTROL.
SOME OF THESE POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS ARE WITHIN HER CONTROL.
AND I THINK THAT SHE HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THAT FIELD.
YOU KNOW, SHE INTRODUCED PEOPLE THAT WERE SORT OF FIXING THE OIL AND GAS PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED IN TERMS OF METHANE EMISSIONS.
>> Fox-Young: LIKE THE WATER REMEDIATION ISSUE.
>> Feldman: THAT'S RIGHT.
AND SHE INTRODUCED A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE DOING THIS AS WELL AS WIND ENERGY WORKERS.
>> Gwyneth: I THOUGHT THAT GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY -- >> Fox-Young: I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY STRATEGIC WITH THE PROGRESSIVES.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS ARTFULLY DONE TO TRY TO BRING FOLKS AROUND, THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS, AROUND ON THOSE PROPOSALS.
I THINK SHE'S PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THAT.
>> Feldman: JUSTINE, YOU MENTIONED EDUCATION EARLIER.
WE TALKED ABOUT A FEW OF THE THINGS SHE DID.
ONE OF THE REAL STICKING POINTS IS THAT 180-DAY SCHOOL REQUIREMENT.
AND THERE WAS NOT ENTHUSIASM FOR THAT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE HOUSE FLOOR.
>> Fox-Young: YEAH, THE RURAL COMMUNITIES, IN PARTICULAR, ARE OPPOSED.
I JUST THINK THAT'S A NON-STARTER.
>> Gwyneth: BUT THEN PEOPLE SAY, EVERYBODY ELSE PUTS KIDS IN SCHOOL FOR 180 DAYS A YEAR, WHY THIS IS SO HARD?
>> Fox-Young: IT'S HARD COMING FROM SANTA FE.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO INTERFERE WITH THE WAY -- IT'S NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE.
>> Feldman: YEAH, THAT'S PART OF THE ISSUE.
THE TENSION BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.
ALTHOUGH, I DID NOTICE THAT IN THE REPUBLICAN NEWS CONFERENCE THEY WERE CALLING FOR A STATEWIDE SCHOOL BOARD, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAD BEFORE AND IT DIDN'T REALLY WORK VERY WELL.
>> Fox-Young: AND GARY JOHNSON SAID EVERYBODY'S FINGER POINTING.
AND THAT WAS THE BIG REFORM.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE THAT.
IT'S FUNNY HOW WE COME BACK AROUND.
>> Gwyneth: ALSO, AT THE CENTER OF THE SPEECH WAS INCREASING FUNDING FOR CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILY DEPARTMENT.
SHE PROPOSED A PARTNERSHIP WITH AN INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE EXPERT IN CHILD WELFARE AND FOSTER CARE TO EVALUATE CYFD, AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY, APPOINTED BY HER OFFICE AND THE ROUNDHOUSE.
FOR YEARS, WE'VE SEEN LAWMAKERS TRY TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CREATE SOME SORT OF OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE TO PROVIDE LEGAL OVERSIGHT FOR CYFD.
BUT, DEDE, HOW DOES THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL -- HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE?
>> Feldman: WELL, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SHE'S REALLY PROMOTED IT HERSELF.
THE LEGISLATURE HAS -- AND NOW A COURT, AN ARBITRATION, HAS SAID THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE AN OMBUDSMAN, AT A VERY MINIMUM, TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THESE REALLY HORRIFIC CASES.
>> Gwyneth: TO HEAR COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE.
>> Feldman: YEAH.
I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A PROPOSAL IN THE PAST THAT THERE BE SOMEONE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT WOULD OVERSEE THE CYFD.
SHE'S NOW PROPOSING AN OUTSIDE EXPERT, AND SOMEBODY THAT WOULD REPORT EVERY SIX MONTHS TO BOTH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE.
WELL, I THINK THAT'S SORT OF A CONCESSION ON HER PART, ADMITTING THAT THERE ARE REAL HEAVY PROBLEMS THERE.
BUT ONE WONDERS IF SHE KNEW IN ADVANCE ABOUT THIS DECISION WHICH CAME OUT THE SAME DAY AS THE OPENING SPEECH THAT REALLY SCORNED CYFD IN THE ONGOING CASE.
>> Gwyneth: YEAH, WE SAW THAT REPORT COME OUT THAT KIND OF CONFIRMED A LOT OF WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT THE FAILURES AT CYFD.
>> Feldman: ABSOLUTELY.
>> Gwyneth: JUSTINE, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS INDEPENDENT MONITOR IDEA IS GOING TO GO PLACES?
IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?
>> Fox-Young: I DON'T KNOW.
AND I HATE TO CRITICIZE IT WITHOUT HAVING A BETTER SOLUTION.
IT'S SUCH A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
IT MAKES SENSE TO ME THAT THAT'S THE GOVERNOR'S APPROACH IN SOME SENSE BECAUSE THAT'S HER BACKGROUND.
SHE DID THAT IN HEALTH CARE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OMBUDSMANS IN NURSING HOMES, AND GOT SOME TRACTION THERE.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD THROW A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY AT THE PROBLEM AND SAY WE'VE DONE SOMETHING.
I THINK HAVING EXPERTISE, HAVING MORE SUNSHINE AND TRANSPARENCY CAN'T HURT.
I HOPE THAT WE MAKE SOME PROGRESS BECAUSE IT IS REALLY -- IT'S A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND A LOT OF KIDS' LIVES ARE BEING VERY NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
>> Feldman: YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE SAID WAS SHE WAS PULLING OUT ONE OF THE PROGRAMS FROM CYFD AND PUSHING IT OVER TO DOH.
WHICH I THINK IT'S THE CARA PROGRAM FOR ADDICTED BABIES.
I THINK THAT'S AN ADMISSION THAT THE CYFD CANNOT HANDLE THIS.
>> Gwyneth: STRIKING HUMILITY IN SOME OF THESE THINGS.
>> Feldman: I THOUGHT SO.
>> Gwyneth: JUSTINE, I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU.
UNLIKE PREVIOUS STATE OF THE STATE SPEECHES FROM THIS GOVERNOR, WE DID NOT HEAR, YOU KNOW, THIS KIND OF FIERY DEMOCRATIC IDEAL, BIG-PICTURE STUFF.
NO TALK ABOUT ASSAULT WEAPONS ALL OF A SUDDEN.
NOTHING ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OR ABORTION.
WHAT ELSE DID YOU NOTICE WAS NOT THERE?
WE TALKED ABOUT A FEW OF THESE THINGS.
>> Fox-Young: WELL, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO NOTICE THE DAY AFTER TRUMP'S SPEECH, THE DAY AFTER THE INAUGURATION, AS TROOPS AND ARMY AND MARINES ARE HEADED TO THE BORDER, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO NOTICE THE OMISSION OF ANY REFERENCE TO WHAT -- HOW ARE WE GOING TO DEAL WITH MASS DEPORTATIONS?
TO WHAT EXTENT IS SHE GOING TO COOPERATE?
WHAT HAPPENS IF THIS IS IN THE SCHOOLS?
HOW ABOUT CHURCHES?
I THINK IN NOVEMBER THE GOVERNOR HAD SAID WE'LL GO TO COURT, WE'LL GET AN INJUNCTION, WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ON MY WATCH.
THIS IS NOT THE NEW MEXICO I'M FROM.
WE'RE A MULTICULTURAL STATE.
THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT FAMILIES.
THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT ECONOMY.
THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT TRADE.
SHE WAS SILENT ON IT.
THAT WAS STRIKING TO ME.
BUT I THINK SHE, LIKE MANY GOVERNORS, MAYORS, DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ARE READING THE ROOM.
THEY ARE AFRAID THAT TRUMP IS GOING TO BE VINDICTIVE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.
HE HAS GIVEN EVERY INDICATION, AND HE HAS OUTRIGHT SAID THAT.
SO, SHE'S BEING CAREFUL.
I WAS PRETTY SURPRISED THOUGH THAT HE DIDN'T TOUCH ON ANYTHING.
ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, ON ANY GENDER ISSUES.
>> Gwyneth: YEAH, NO LGBTQ THINGS.
NOTHING ABOUT TRANS KIDS.
>> Fox-Young: NOT EVEN JUST TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY HERE.
THIS IS NOT THE APPROACH WE'RE -- >> Gwyneth: I DIDN'T HEAR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, RIGHT?
IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING.
YOU KNOW, JUSTINE, LET ME STAY WITH YOU FOR A MINUTE.
DEMOCRATS WON MOST OF THEIR RACES IN NEW MEXICO IN THE LAST ELECTION, BUT REPUBLICANS MADE SOME NOTABLE GAINS.
>> Fox-Young: AND TRUMP TIGHTENED HIS MARGIN.
HE PICKED UP ABOUT 50,000 VOTES.
LESS SO IN BERNALILLO AND IN THE NORTH, BUT IN ALL THE -- COMMUNITIES AND CERTAINLY ON THE BORDER, HE'S GAINED A LOT OF VOTES.
AND THE GOVERNOR IS VERY HIP TO THAT, OKAY?
SO, I THINK SHE'S BEING CAUTIOUS BECAUSE SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT HER LEGACY.
AND SHE WANTS CHAPTERED LEGISLATION.
SHE WANTS TO PASS CERTAIN THINGS, AND SHE'S NOT GOING TO LET POLITICS INTERFERE.
>> Feldman: I THINK THAT'S WHY SHE DIDN'T DESCEND INTO THIS PARTISAN DIATRIBE THAT CHARACTERIZES TRUMP'S SPEECHES SO MUCH.
INSTEAD, DOING A TRADITIONAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
WHERE SHE OUTLINES THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HER ADMINISTRATION, AND ALSO OUTLINES A PROGRAM GOING FORWARD.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE PLENTY OF TIME WHEN SHE'S GOING TO BE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT IMMIGRATION, ABOUT HEALTH CARE, AND ABOUT MANY OTHER ITEMS THAT WILL BECOME ISSUES HERE IN NEW MEXICO.
>> Fox-Young: BUT SHE'S NOT ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE.
OUR AG DID, AND JOINED THE LAWSUIT ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP.
>> Gwyneth: RIGHT AWAY.
>> Fox-Young: THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING.
>> Feldman: THAT'S THE DIRECT ROLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS RIGHT AWAY TO RESPOND TO A, WHAT HE CONSIDERS, AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL MEASURE.
>> Gwyneth: SHE'S HOLDING HER POLITICAL POWDER A LITTLE BIT.
>> Feldman: YES.
>> Gwyneth: DEDE, JUSTINE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY AND FOR SHARING YOUR TIME, YOUR EXPERTISE, AND YOUR WISDOM.
>> Jeff: WE CLOSE TONIGHT'S SHOW WITH THE END OF AN EIGHT-SEASON RUN HERE AT NEW MEXICO PBS.
OUR LAND'S SENIOR PRODUCER LAURA PASKUS IS MOVING ON.
AND WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE IS PART FAREWELL, PART REFLECTION.
IT'S A CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO WOMEN WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR JOURNALISM CAREERS TO TELLING DEEP, EMPATHETIC STORIES ABOUT WATER, LANDSCAPES, THE CHANGING CLIMATE AND MORE.
ALL ROOTED IN NEW MEXICO, THIS PLACE WHERE WE ALL MAKE OUR HOME.
SOURCE NEW MEXICO'S DANIELLE PROKOP TOOK THE INTERVIEWER'S CHAIR FOR THIS ONE.
AND WE ARE GLAD TO SHOW IT TO YOU.
>> Danielle: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY, LAURA.
>> Paskus: THANKS FOR BEING HERE, DANI.
>> Danielle: I WANT TO START WITH THIS, WHY HAVE YOU DEDICATED YOUR CAREER TO TELLING STORIES ABOUT A TOPIC THAT SO MANY IN THE PUBLIC HAVE ALREADY DECIDED IS INEVITABLE?
THE CLIMATE WILL CHANGE, WE CANNOT STOP IT, AND THAT ADAPTATION IS USELESS.
>> Paskus: THAT'S A GREAT  QUESTION.
I THINK, ONE, BECAUSE I LOVE BEING OUTSIDE.
AND THAT IS AN OUTSIDE STORY.
IT IS A STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD FROM THE GROUND UP.
IT NEEDS TO BE TOLD WHEN YOU'RE WATCHING RIVERS AND WILDLIFE AND BEING IN COMMUNITY.
AND I REALLY THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN MY DREAM WORLD, HUMANS GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND WE DECIDE TO DRASTICALLY CUT OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
BUT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, THIS WORLD AND SPECIFICALLY THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE WHERE WE LIVE IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR AND WORTH LOVING AND WORTH BEING JOYFUL IN AND WORRIED ABOUT AND EDUCATED ABOUT NO MATTER WHAT CLIMATE STATE ITS IN.
>> Danielle: YOU'VE SPENT A LOT OF YOUR LIFE WITNESSING THE CHANGES OF CLIMATE.
YOU'VE WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT IT AT THE PRECIPICE.
YOU'VE JUST MENTIONED THAT EVEN -- IT'S EVEN MORE RELEVANT NOW WITNESSING WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE HAS DONE TO NEW MEXICO.
WHAT'S CHANGED?
WHAT'S STAYED THE SAME?
>> Paskus: YEAH, THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN OUR STATE OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS THAT I'VE PERSONALLY WITNESSED, BUT REALLY SINCE  THE 1970s WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BIG ARC OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
OUR RIVERS HAVE LESS WATER IN THEM.
OUR FORESTS ARE DRIED OUT AND INSECT-INFESTED AND IN SOME PLACES BURNED DOWN.
OUR GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES HAVE DWINDLED BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN POOR CARETAKERS OF OUR GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES.
WE'VE SEEN SPECIES SHIFT AND CHANGE AND DISAPPEAR.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS.
WE'VE SEEN ARIDITY.
THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY IMPACTS, AND THE THING THAT HASN'T CHANGED IS THERE IS ALMOST NO POLITICAL ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.
EVEN THE MOST WELL-INTENTIONED POLITICIANS WHO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING AND PLEDGE CLIMATE ACTION DURING CAMPAIGNS HAVE DONE LITERALLY NOTHING TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE IN NEW MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES.
>> Danielle: YOU HOLD ON TO A LOT OF GRIEF AND A LOT OF ANGER, AND A LOT OF HOPE.
THERE'S A MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT TO CLIMATE COVERAGE THAT ISN'T VERY WELL-RESPECTED, MAYBE, IN THE JOURNALISM INDUSTRY.
MAYBE ISN'T WELL-RESPECTED IN OUR SOCIETY, AS SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO.
A LOT OF OUR FOCUS IS ON GROWTH, ON ETERNAL YOUTH, ON CONSUMPTION.
NOT ON WITNESSING, LISTENING, CRYING.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE ABOUT GRIEF AND ANGER?
>> Paskus: YEAH, AS A REPORTER, BUT ALSO JUST LIKE AS A PERSON, AS A MOTHER, AS A FRIEND, AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER, GRIEF IS A PART OF OUR FULL SPECTRUM OF DAILY EMOTIONS.
AND THE MORE WE EMBRACE GRIEF OVER WHAT WE'VE DONE TO OUR PLANET AND OUR LANDSCAPES AND THE WILDLIFE SPECIES WE SHARE THIS PLANET WITH AND TO ONE ANOTHER, THE MORE WE CAN ACTUALLY COME TO TERMS WITH BEING BETTER HUMANS MORE RESPECTFUL PEOPLE AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING HOW WE TREAT THE MORE-THAN-HUMAN COMMUNITY.
I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES IN MY CAREER AS A REPORTER WHERE, PROBABLY, EARLY ON I WAS REALLY HESITANT TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE EMOTIONS I WAS HAVING OVER THINGS LIKE COVERING THE RIO GRANDE DRYING OR WITNESSING FOREST CHANGES OR EVEN WITNESSING THE WAYS THAT WE TREAT ONE ANOTHER AS HUMANS.
AND ONCE I STOPPED BEING WORRIED WHAT PEOPLE WOULD THINK ABOUT ME IF I SHOWED ANY SORT OF VULNERABILITY OR EMOTION, I FEEL LIKE MY REPORTING BECAME BETTER AND DEEPER AND TRUER.
AND THE FEEDBACK I HEARD FROM AUDIENCES AND PEOPLE WHO EITHER READ BOOKS OR SAW THINGS ON THIS PROGRAM, PEOPLE NEEDED TO HEAR SOME OF THAT STUFF.
AND THE WAYS IN WHICH AUDIENCE MEMBERS HAVE RESPONDED HAS MADE ME KNOW THAT BEING VULNERABLE AS A REPORTER IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
>> Danielle: YOU MAY HAVE FELT LIKE YOU WERE LIMITING YOURSELF EARLIER IN YOUR CAREER, BUT YOU HAVE NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM COLONIZATION, VIOLENCE, GENDERED EXPERIENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
I WANTED TO POINT TO SOMETHING YOU WROTE IN A 2009 MEDITATION ON THE WEST MESA MURDERS.
WHERE YOU WROTE, WE AS A SOCIETY ARE OFTEN INDIFFERENT TO THE BRUTALITY SUFFERED BY WOMEN AND BY LANDSCAPES, PARTICULARLY THE ONES THAT DON'T FIT OUR MORAL OR AESTHETIC IDEALS.
THE PEOPLE AND THE PLACES OUT ON THE MARGINS.
WHAT DO THESE WORDS MEAN TO YOU, 15 YEARS LATER?
>> Paskus: YEAH, GOSH, THAT'S A HARD ONE TO HEAR BECAUSE IT MAKES ME REALLY ANGRY THAT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR SOCIETY HERE NEVER CARED ABOUT THOSE WOMEN ENOUGH TO SOLVE THOSE MURDERS.
WE'VE NEVER PROPERLY GRIEVED THEIR DEATHS, THEIR MURDERS AND SUPPORTED THEIR FAMILY AFTER SUCH A BRUTAL EPISODE OF OUR CITY'S HISTORY.
SO, IT MAKES ME REALLY ANGRY TO THINK ALL THESE YEARS LATER THERE'S STILL BEEN NO JUSTICE FOR THOSE MURDERS.
>> Danielle: IT'S BEEN A THROUGHLINE OF INJUSTICE IN YOUR CAREER.
THE CLIMATE STORY, WHILE IT'S OFTEN FRAMED AS SCIENCE JOURNALISM, IS A STORY OF INJUSTICE.
WHETHER TO NON-HUMAN PLACES, OR ANIMALS, OR ECOSYSTEMS AND BEINGS, OR VERY STRUCTURALLY RACIST, OR STRUCTURALLY MISOGYNISTIC SPACES.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE, YOUNG PEOPLE AND OTHERS, WHO DESPERATELY WANT THIS DIFFERENT WORLD BUT DON'T FEEL EMPOWERED IN THIS MOMENT?
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?
>> Paskus: YEAH.
SO, THERE ARE REALLY GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN NEW MEXICO WHEN IT COMES TO YOUTH ACTIVISM.
I REALLY -- JUST THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, I'VE SEEN THAT BUILD.
THE YOUTH VOICES AROUND CLIMATE ACTION REALLY MAKE ME FEEL PROUD AND HAPPY AND EXCITED.
AND I FEEL LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE FACING THESE INCREDIBLE CHALLENGES, AND YET ARE STILL ADVOCATING FOR A BETTER WORLD, TRYING TO PROTECT SPACES AND COMMUNITIES AND PLACES.
I THINK THE MESSAGE THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME.
OLDER, WHITE PEOPLE NEED TO START ASKING WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE NEED FROM THEM.
>> Danielle: IN THE GENERATIONAL DIVIDE, THERE'S OFTEN DENIGRATION FROM OLDER GENERATIONS THAT THIS GENERATION IS ASKING FOR TOO MUCH OR IS TOO ENTITLED TO SOMETHING.
WHAT DO OLDER GENERATIONS OWE YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE CLIMATE?
>> Paskus: YEAH.
I MEAN, OLDER GENERATIONS, WE HAVE TAKEN THE VERY BEST THAT THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET HAD TO OFFER AND DID NOT CARETAKE IT AND DID NOT SHOW LANDSCAPES AND THE MORE-THAN-HUMAN WORLD AND FUTURE GENERATIONS COMPASSION AND GRACE AND JOYFULNESS.
SO, YEAH, AS GOOD AS YOUR INTENTIONS MIGHT BE, YOU KNOW, I THINK MY INTENTIONS HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD OVER MY 50 YEARS, BUT I KNOW THAT I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE TAKING AND WE OWE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE PLANET AND THE MORE-THAN-HUMAN WORLD, WE OWE THEM EVERYTHING.
>> Danielle: I WANTED TO ASK IN THIS MOMENT OF REFLECTION THAT WE HAVE, WHAT WAS THE THEME?
WHAT DID IT ALWAYS END UP BEING ABOUT IN THE END?
>> Paskus: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
I THINK EVEN WHEN I WAS LIKE REALLY MAD ABOUT SOMETHING, LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, THE MILITARY'S CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER IN OUR STATE WITH PFAS, OR RAMPANT OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT.
EVEN WHEN I WAS REALLY MAD ABOUT SOMETHING, OR SHOCKED AND ENRAGED, I LIKE TO THINK THAT WAS COMING FROM A PLACE OF DEEP GRATITUDE AND DEEP LOVE FOR NEW MEXICO AND THE COMMUNITIES HERE AND THE LANDSCAPES HERE.
THIS IS NOT WHERE I WAS BORN.
THIS IS MY CHOSEN HOME.
AND I LOVE NEW MEXICO, AND I FEEL A GREAT DEAL OF RESPONSIBILITY TO NEW MEXICO.
SO, I THINK I LIKE TO IMAGINE THAT ALL OF MY REPORTING HAS COME FROM A PLACE OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE.
>> Danielle: YOU JUST DID A SERIES THAT WAS BASICALLY A SERIES OF LOVE LETTERS TO AN ADAPTING CLIMATE FEATURING A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING AMAZING WORK IN THIS SPACE.
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE LESSONS THAT YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY IN ENGENDERING THEIR OWN LOVE?
>> Paskus: I KNOW I KEEP REPEATING THIS, BUT IT HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON ME.
PAULA GARCIA, WITH THE NEW MEXICO ACEQUIA ASSOCIATION, OPENED THE 2022 CONGRESSO.
THIS IS AFTER THE HERMITS PEAK CALF CANYON FIRE.
THIS IS WHEN, YOU KNOW, THE FORESTS HAVE UTTERLY CHANGED.
PEOPLE'S LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND DESTROYED.
AND THERE WAS SO MUCH CONFUSION AND ANGER AND WORRY AND ANXIETY.
PAULA OPENED THAT CONGRESSO SAYING THE MOUNTAINS HAVE CHANGED BUT THESE ARE STILL OUR BELOVED LANDSCAPES.
I THINK THAT LESSON APPLIES TO EVERYONE EVERYWHERE.
THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING, THE IMPACTS ARE RAMPANT.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT, BUT THIS IS OUR PLACE.
WE LOVE IT.
WE CARE FOR IT.
AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON ME PERSONALLY.
HEARING HER AND SEEING THE WORK THAT SHE DOES EVERY DAY.
>> Danielle: I WANT TO END HERE WITH  SOME WORDS OF MARY OLIVER FROM HER POEM DON'T HESITATE.
WE'RE NOT WISE, WE'RE NOT OFTEN KIND, AND MUCH CAN NEVER BE REDEEMED.
STILL, LIFE HAS SOME POSSIBILITY LEFT.
PERHAPS THIS IS A WAY OF FIGHTING BACK THAT SOMETIMES SOMETHING HAPPENS BETTER THAN ALL THE RICHES OR THE POWER IN THE WORLD.
I WANT TO ASK WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU.
WHAT WHOLE JOYS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
>> Paskus: WELL, I LOVE MARY OLIVER, SO THANKS FOR READING THAT.
I HAVE SOME WRITING PROJECTS THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED TO GET BACK TO.
I'VE LOVED WORKING IN TELEVISION.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN A GIFT.
AND THERE'S CERTAINLY LOTS OF THINGS WE CAN DO WITH VIDEO AND ESPECIALLY DRONE FOOTAGE AND REALLY BRINGING AUDIENCES TO PLACES.
BUT FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I AM VERY EXCITED TO BE OUT IN THE WORLD AGAIN WITH A NOTEBOOK AND A PEN INSTEAD OF CAMERAS AND LIGHTS.
AND SORT OF GETTING BACK TO THE INTIMACY OF WRITING AND REPORTING IN THE WAY THAT I HAVE TRADITIONALLY DONE MY REPORTING OUTSIDE OF TV.
SO, I HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT.
>> Danielle: THANK YOU, LAURA.
>> Paskus: THANK YOU, DANI.
I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, AND SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR VOICE AND YOUR PRESENCE IN OUR STATE.
SO, THANKS.
>> Jeff: THANKS TO DANIELLE PROKOP AND TO LAURA PASKUS FOR ALL OF IT.
AND THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SHOW.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.