FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY THE  MCCUNE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

Kevin: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, OUR GOVERNOR  LAYS OUT HER 2022 AGENDA WITH AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR THE  YEAR AHEAD.

Governor: THE STATE OF OUR  STATE IS READY TO MOVE FORWARD, READY TO RISE.

WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS WE NEED.

Kevin: FROM CRIME TO  EDUCATION TO HEALTHCARE, WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE  BIGGEST ISSUES AND THEIR PRICE TAGS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

DON'T ADJUST YOUR DIALS.

I AM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, KEVIN  MCDONALD, FILLING IN FOR HOST, GENE GRANT, WHO IS A LITTLE  UNDER THE WEATHER.

WORK HAS BEGUN IN SANTA FE  DURING THE 2022 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM LAID OUT HER AGENDA  FOR THIS YEAR DURING HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS EARLIER  THIS WEEK.

WE'LL LISTEN BACK AND IDENTIFY  SOME OF THE KEY THEMES INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR'S  SPENDING PRIORITIES.

AMONG THEM, PUBLIC SAFETY.

OUR LINE OPINION PANEL EXPLORES THE QUESTION OF MONEY  VERSUS MORALE IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE  AND THE OTHER APPROACHES AVAILABLE TO CRACK DOWN ON  CRIME.

PLUS, HOW A NEW PROGRAM COULD  HELP SUPPORT HOME CAREGIVERS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE  PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE FROM THE GOVERNOR ON THAT ISSUE.

WE START WITH THE BROAD STOKES, A SIGNIFICANT SURPLUS,  AND WHY THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE TIME IS NOW TO INVEST IN NEW  MEXICO.

Governor: WE HAVE RIGHT NOW  UNIMAGINABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AT OUR DISPOSAL.

I BELIEVE WE CAN FULFILL ONCE AND FOR ALL AFTER 110 YEARS OF  STATEHOOD THE DESTINY OF NEW MEXICO AS A GENUINE HOMESTEAD  OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GROW AND  THRIVE AND LIVE IN PEACE AND PROSPERITY, WHERE PEOPLE HAVE  THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR  FAMILIES.

WHAT WE DO HERE NOW, WHAT WE  DO IN THE COMING WEEKS WILL SET THE STAGE.

DATING BACK DECADES, A TIMID MIND SET HAS AFFLICTED PEOPLE  IN THIS CAPITOL BUILDING, A PESSIMISM THAT CAN BE SELF  FULFILLING.

THINKING SMALL IS A CURSE.

BIG AND MEANINGFUL CHANGES ARE POSSIBLE.

BUT THE BIGGEST CHANGE MAY BE OUR ATTITUDE, OUR PERSPECTIVE.

AT A MOMENT IN TIME WHEN WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT ALL,  LET'S NOT LIMIT OURSELVES.

LET'S NOT BE UNNECESSARILY  INCREMENTAL.

CAN NEW MEXICO BE A STATE?

CAN'T WE BE THE STATE WHERE EVERYTHING, ANYTHING IS  POSSIBLE?

SO, ON THAT NOTE, LET'S GIVE  EVERY SINGLE EDUCATOR IN THIS STATE A 7% RAISE THIS YEAR  MINIMUM.

THAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST PAY  BUMP IN RECENT MEMORY AND IT WOULD PUT US FIRST IN THE  REGION FOR AVERAGE EDUCATOR PAY.

THEY DESERVE IT.

AND WE CAN AFFORD IT.

AND IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

LET'S ALSO RAISE THE STARTING SALARIES FOR EVERY TIER OF  EDUCATORS, WHICH MEANS SOME TEACHERS WILL SEE A 20% RAISE  THIS YEAR.

AND LET ME BE CLEAR, THIS KIND  OF PROGRESS PAYS FOR ITSELF.

WHEN WE SUPPORT EDUCATORS,  WHEN WE RETAIN HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS AND KEEP OUR SCHOOLS  BRIMMING WITH TALENTED PROFESSIONALS, OUR OTHER  STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN NEW MEXICO CHILDREN AND IN PUBLIC  EDUCATION ARE SUPPORTED AND SUSTAINED.

OUR GRADUATION RATES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE.

OUR LITERACY RATES WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND  ESPECIALLY WITH THE TARGETED NEW PHONICS PROGRAM WE HAVE  INITIATED AND THAT LEGISLATURE MUST CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.

WE GET MORE KIDS INTO HIGH QUALITY APPRENTICESHIP  PROGRAMS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING THAT  WOULD HELP THEM BUILD FULFILLING CAREERS AND LIVES.

IT ALL STARTS WITH DEMONSTRATING SUPPORT AND  RESPECT FOR OUR EDUCATORS, DAY ONE, I SAID WE WOULD DO  THAT AND WE ARE GETTING IT DONE.

AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP GOING.

LET'S CUT TAXES FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN NEW MEXICO.

WE HAVEN'T CUT THE SALES TAX IN THIS STATE IN 40 YEARS.

IT HAS ONLY GONE UP AND UP FOR DECADES BURDENING NEW MEXICO  HOUSEHOLDS AND MAKING IT HARDER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO  BE COMPETITIVE.

BUT UNDER MY TAX CUT PROPOSAL,  NEW MEXICANS WOULD SAVE MORE THAN 170 MILLION-DOLLARS EVERY  YEAR.

AS MY COLLEAGUES FROM ACROSS  THE AISLE HAVE POINTED OUT IN YEARS PAST CORRECTLY THAT  MONEY DOESN'T BELONG IN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS.

IT BELONGS IN THE POCKETS OF HARD WORKING NEW MEXICANS.

I AGREE AND I EXPECT THE LEGISLATURE TO PRIORITIZE   THIS RELIEF.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT THE TAXES THAT ARE TAKEN OUT OF  SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

NEW MEXICO IS ONLY ONE OF A  FEW STATES THAT TAXES SOCIAL SECURITY.

I AM CALLING TODAY FOR THAT TAXATION TO END.

WE MUST UNBURDEN THE NEW MEXICANS WHO RELY ON SOCIAL  SECURITY BENEFITS BY CUTTING THEIR TAXES.

THIS IS GOOD GOVERNMENT, SERVING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE  ASKED US TO SERVE THEM.

NEW MEXICANS DESERVE IT  BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FIND WAYS TO  MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO.

I WILL KEEP LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

IN THE LAST YEAR, WE ARE 11TH BEST FOR JOB GROWTH IN THE  COUNTRY OVERALL.

IN THREE YEARS, WE HAVE  CREATED OVER 10,000 JOBS IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE AND  THOSE JOBS NOW HAVE AN AVERAGE SALARY BETTER THAN $90,000 A  YEAR.

THAT IS A RECORD HIGH AND IT  IS A BIG BRIGHT SIGNAL TO OTHER BUSINESSES LIKE THE  HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE RELOCATED HERE IN THE  LAST THREE YEARS, SHOWING THEM HOW SUCCESSFUL OUR  PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS CAN BE AND HOW BUSINESS  FRIENDLY NEW MEXICO IS.

WE ARE CUTTING RED TAPE AND IT  IS MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR NEW MEXICO BUSINESS  OWNERS.

UNLIKE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE  GREAT RECESSION, WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET THE PANDEMIC  STALL US AND TAKE AWAY YEARS OF GROWTH.

WE WILL NOT HAVE LOST ANOTHER DECADE.

IN FACT, DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE LAST TWO  YEARS, WE HAVE HARDLY LOST A STEP.

THE FACT IS, UNEMPLOYMENT HAS GONE DOWN EVERY MONTH FOR 10  STRAIGHT MONTHS.

THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED NEW  MEXICANS DROPPED BY 5% IN NOVEMBER ALONE.

WE ARE EXPANDING OUR ECONOMIC FOOTPRINT INTO EVERY SINGLE  COMMUNITY.

LEGAL CANNABIS IS GOING TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND  SERIOUS TAX REVENUE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT LOCAL  SERVICES IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE.

ALMOST 40,000 MORE STUDENTS RECEIVING HIGH QUALITY  EDUCATION FOR FREE UNDER MY OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP  PROGRAM MEANS MORE SKILLED WORKERS BUILDING 21ST CENTURY  CAREERS RIGHT HERE IN ROSWELL, ESPANOLA, SUNLAND PARK, RIO  RANCHO, CHAMA AND SO MANY MORE.

THE INTELLECTUAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF A NATIONALLY  COMPETITIVE STATE ECONOMY IS BEING BUILT RIGHT HERE, RIGHT  NOW ON CAMPUSES AND IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR  STATE.

AND CLEAN HYDROGEN WILL  SUPPORT THOUSANDS OF JOBS ESPECIALLY IN RURAL NEW MEXICO  WHILE HELPING US SPRINT TOWARD OUR NET ZERO CARBON DEADLINES  AND DECARBONIZE THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR.

Kevin: THERE IS QUITE A BIT TO TOUCH ON IN THAT CLIP.

WE'LL UNPACK IT ALL IN A MOMENT.

LET'S WELCOME IN OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS VIRTUALLY.

FIRST TODAY, HELLO TO JULIE ANNE GRIMM, EDITOR AND  PUBLISHER AT THE SANTA FE REPORTER.

KRISTELLE SIARZA OWNER AND CEO AT SIARZA SOCIAL DIGITAL AND  NEW TO THE SHOW A WARM WELCOME TO ADRIAN HEDDEN, REPORTER AT  THE CARLSBAD CURRENT ARGUS.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM CLEARLY ISN'T SHYING  AWAY FROM SPENDING.

IN FACT, QUITE THE OPPOSITE,  SAYING THE STATE HAS, QUOTE, UNIMAGINABLE RESOURCES AND  THAT THINKING SMALL IS A CURSE.

BEFORE WE GET INTO THE SPECIFICS, KRISTELLE, WHY  DON'T WE START WITH YOU.

YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS ON THE SPEECH  AND DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL FOLLOW HER  CALL FOR A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT  SPENDING?

Kristelle: THE SPEECH  ITSELF WAS VERY WELL DONE.

THERE IS DEFINITELY THE KEY  POINTS IN THE PERSONALITY OF THE GOVERNOR THAT WAS ALL IN  THE PRESENTATION AND IN THE SPEECH ITSELF.

I FOUND IT FASCINATING THAT THE GOVERNOR IS ACTUALLY ONE  OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT FEEDS VERY WELL OFF OF THE  ENERGY OF PEOPLE AND I FELT LIKE I COULDN'T HAVE IMAGINED  HOW DIFFICULT THIS WAS TO ACTUALLY FILM RATHER THAN BE  IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATORS THAT SHE VERY MUCH TRULY CARES  ABOUT.

I THINK IT WAS A KEY POINT IN  THE STARTING TOPIC WHICH WAS EDUCATION.

SHE WENT RIGHT INTO IT AND WE SAW THAT IN THE CLIP.

7% IN TERMS OF TEACHER RAISES, MAKING IT A COMPETITIVE AREA  TO BE A TEACHER FOR.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE  ALL STUDIED.

THIS IS NOT A NEW MESSAGE IN  TERMS OF GIVING TEACHERS RAISES.

IN FACT, IT HAPPENED IN THE BEGINNING OF HER  ADMINISTRATION.

BUT NOW WE ARE ACTUALLY  TALKING ABOUT A CERTAIN NUMBER AND A CERTAIN THRESHOLD THAT  WOULD BE WORKABLE.

AND WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE  FACT SHE IS TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE GROSS RECEIPTS  TAX, THAT IS REALLY FASCINATING.

BUT I THINK THE KEY THING THAT I TOOK AWAY FROM ALL THE  DIFFERENT PIECES OF THE PRESENTATION AND OFF OF THE  STATE OF THE STATE WAS THAT IT IS A REALLY BIPARTISAN MESSAGE  AND EVERY GOVERNOR GOES THROUGH THIS, ESPECIALLY FOR  REELECTION, MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE THAT BIPARTISAN UNITY  ON THE CONVERSATION SO THAT WAY YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL  LEGISLATURE.

Kevin: LET ME FOLLOWUP WITH  YOU ON THAT.

DID THIS STRIKE YOU MORE AS A  STATE OF THE STATE OR A REELECTION SPEECH?

YOU'RE MUTED JULIE ANNE.

Julie Ann: I AM SORRY  ABOUT THAT.

THE STATE OF THE STATE IS  OFTEN LIKE THE PEP TALK, YOU KNOW, THE QUARTERBACK GIVING  THE RALLY SPEECH, YOU KNOW, HEADING INTO THE BIG GAME, BUT  I THINK WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A CLIP LATER WHERE THE  GOVERNOR REALLY TRIES TO FRAME HER AGENDA AS NOT A CONFLICT,  NOT PART OF ONE PARTICULAR TEAM BUT, YEAH, AS THIS SORT  OF, YOU KNOW, UP THE MIDDLE, WE CAN ALL DO THIS TOGETHER  KIND OF STRATEGY.

I THINK IT WAS VERY -- THERE  WAS AN EFFORT MADE FOR IT TO BE CONCISE.

WHEN YOU GET GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM OFF SCRIPT A LITTLE  BIT, SHE HAS A TENDENCY TO SORT OF RAMBLE AND START IDEAS  AND FINISH DIFFERENT IDEAS WITHIN THE SAME SENTENCE.

I THINK STRUCTURALLY THIS WAS REALLY EASY, SIMPLE LANGUAGE  THAT WAS MEANT TO APPEAL TO FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN  FOLLOWING EVERY TURN OF THE SCREW ON ALL THESE ISSUES.

BROADLY THAT IS WHAT WE SAW AND AGAIN RELATIVELY SHORT  COMPARED TO SOME PREVIOUS STATES OF THE STATE.

YEAH, WHEN IT COMES TO SPECIFICS IN THIS SEGMENT, I  THINK THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT FOR TEACHER RAISES, BROAD  SUPPORT FOR NOT TAXING SOCIAL SECURITY AND I DON'T THINK  THERE WILL BE ARGUMENT ABOUT LOWERING STATE GROSS RECEIPTS  TAX SO THAT WE WILL BE MORE COMPETITIVE ON THE AVERAGE.

HOWEVER, IN PLACES LIKE SANTA FE AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES  THAT HAVE REALLY RATCHETED UP THE LOCAL OPTION, YOU STILL  ARE GOING TO SEE A RELATIVELY HIGH GROSS RECEIPTS TAX RATE,  EVEN WITH THAT STATE CHANGE.

Kevin: RIGHT.

ADRIAN, AGAIN, WELCOME TO THE GROUP.

WANT TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS, ESPECIALLY FROM YOUR PART OF  THE STATE THERE IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE STATE.

SOME OF THESE THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF  REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE AND HAVING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE  ABOUT THE STATE AS WE TRY TO COME OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC, HOW  DID THAT RESONATE WITH YOUR QUADRANT OF THE STATE?

Adrian: WELL, I THINK THAT WHAT SHE DIDN'T SAY WAS PRETTY  SIGNIFICANT WHEN IT COMES TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND  ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

THOSE ARE TOPICS THAT DRAW A  LOT OF CRITICISM FROM OIL AND GAS REGION LIKE OURS WHEN  YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION  LIMITS, CLEAN FUEL STANDARD, SHIFTING TO ELECTRIC CARS,  THAT KIND OF THING.

I THINK THAT MAYBE SHE LEFT  THAT OUT TO MAKE IT MORE APPEALING TO REPUBLICANS.

LIKE I SAID, SHE MENTIONED NOTHING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE  AND THESE ARE SIGNATURE ISSUES THAT SHE HAS TOUTED, I THINK,  THROUGHOUT THE ADMINISTRATION.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE ENERGY TRANSITION ACT, TRYING TO  SHIFT US AWAY FROM A RELIANCE ECONOMICALLY ON OIL AND GAS.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS SHE ARGUED FOR, BUT TO HEAR NO  MENTION OF THAT SORT OF LENDS IT TO WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN  SAYING, THAT IT WAS TRYING TO MAYBE REACH ACROSS THE AISLE  AND LEAVE SOME OF THOSE CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS OUT OF  THE SPEECH.

Kristelle: I WANTED TO ADD  ON TO THAT.

YOU HAD A GOOD POINT AND ALSO  TO, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT, IS THAT SHE ONLY HAS A 30-DAY  SESSION AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT LOBBYISTS ARE SAYING  RIGHT NOW IS THAT GETTING A MESSAGE IS ACTUALLY REALLY  DIFFICULT FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION THIS TIME  AROUND ESPECIALLY FOR THE 30 DAY.

I WOULDN'T EVEN BE SURPRISED IF SHE DOESN'T TACKLE THOSE  PARTICULAR TOPICS.

LIKE LOBBYISTS ARE NOT  SWEATING RIGHT NOW WHICH NORMALLY THEY DO EVEN AS THE  SESSION STARTED.

I THINK EVERYBODY HAS KIND OF  HAD, WELL, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE MUCH THAT IS DONE UNLESS  IT IS THE GOVERNOR'S ADDENDA.

Adrian: YEAH, MAYBE SHE'LL  BE LEAVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS FOR THE NEXT SESSION,  BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL BILLS THEY TALKED ABOUT AND  TOUTED AS MAIN PRIORITIES SO IT WAS INTERESTING TO NOT HEAR  ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS WHAT I WAS LOOKING  FOR.

Kevin: KRISTELLE, A  FOLLOWUP TO THE POINT YOU JUST MADE, THOUGH, DOESN'T THAT RUN  CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER ABOUT THIS BIPARTISAN  MESSAGE?

SHE DOES GET TO CALL THE SHOTS  AND SHE HAS SOME THINGS THAT WEREN'T DELVED INTO DEEPLY IN  THE SPEECH, THE VOTING REFORM WE KNOW ARE PRIORITIES FOR  HER.

SHE IS STILL DRIVING THIS  THING IN MANY WAYS, RIGHT?

Kristelle: ABSOLUTELY.

SHE IS IN LEADERSHIP.

SHE IS OBVIOUSLY THE EXECUTIVE  BRANCH OF OUR GOVERNMENT, SO IT DOESN'T SEEM QUITE CONTRARY  THOUGH JUST BECAUSE MESSAGES ARE -- OR IN TECHNICAL TERMS,  IN ORDER TO GET A BILL CONSIDERED TO THE GOVERNOR AT  ANY POINT IN TIME, JUST FOR SAKE OF PARLIAMENTARY  PROCEDURE EDUCATION, RIGHT, A MESSAGE HAS TO BE SENT TO THE  GOVERNOR TO SAYS THAT YOU WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO DISCUSS  AND DEBATE THIS TOPIC DURING THE 30-DAY SESSION.

SO, YES, GOING BACK TO EVEN THOUGH SHE IS CALLING THE  SHOTS, YES, BUT I THINK IN TERMS OF ORGANIZATIONAL  MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT BILLS ARE  ACTUALLY GOING TO BE RELEVANT ESPECIALLY DURING THE COVID-19  PANDEMIC.

THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT WAS REALLY FASCINATING ABOUT THE  ENTIRE PRESENTATION.

SHE DID NOT MENTION THE  PANDEMIC ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.

SHE DID NOT EVEN BRING UP ABOUT THE FACT THAT NATIONAL  GUARDSMEN ARE POTENTIALLY BEING ASKED TO GO INTO SCHOOLS  AT THIS POINT.

SHE TRIED TO AVOID THE  PANDEMIC PROBLEMS LIKE THE PLAGUE.

Kevin: LIKE THE PANDEMIC.

Kristelle: YEAH, LIKE THE  PANDEMIC.

IT WAS FASCINATING.

IT WAS VERY CALCULATED.

IT WAS A VERY CALCULATED STATE  OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

Kevin: I THINK THAT SHORTER  TIME FRAME ALLOWED FOR SOME OF THAT AND PEOPLE KIND OF  UNDERSTOOD THAT AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO CARRY A 45 MINUTE  SPEECH BY YOURSELF WITHOUT ANY INTERACTION.

JULIE ANNE, BACK ON THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.

I AM CURIOUS, YOUR THOUGHTS BECAUSE FORMER LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOR DIANE DENISH, WHEN SHE WAS ON WITH US ON TUESDAY  RIGHT AFTER THE SPEECH, MENTIONED HOW THIS YEAR'S  BUDGET OVER 8 BILLION IS ALMOST TWICE WHAT THEY WERE  DEALING WITH WHEN SHE WAS IN ON THE FOURTH FLOOR IN THE  ADMINISTRATION.

BUT, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS REAL?

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THIS IS STILL PANDEMIC RELIEF  AND HOW DO YOU THINK THAT CHANGES THE APPROACH TO HOW WE  SPEND IT?

Julie Ann: THERE IS ALWAYS  THIS TENSION, HOW MUCH OF TODAY'S MONEY CAN YOU SPEND  FOR TOMORROW.

HOW MUCH OF THE BUDGET OF THE  RECURRING OPERATING FUND ARE WE REALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO  DEPEND ON IN THE FUTURE?

I THINK WE HAVE GOT SOME  REALLY TALENTED FOLK IN OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMITTEE.

THE LFC PUTS OUT THESE AMAZING REPORTS WHERE THEY ARE REALLY  TAPPING INTO ALL THE ANALYSES ACROSS THE STATE AND LIKE WE  HEARD FROM ADRIAN, THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR IS STRONG.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY GETTING PUMPED INTO THE STATE  COFFERS AND WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDING AND  EXPECTING MORE FEDERAL FUNDING.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HEAR THIS ADMINISTRATION AND  CERTAINLY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS TALK ABOUT HOW THINGS  ARE FLUSH AND THEN I THINK ON THE OTHER SIDE, IF THINGS  PREDICTABLY PLAY OUT, YOU HAVE THE CONSERVATIVE FACTION  SAYING WOW, SLOW YOUR ROLL, WE CAN'T JUST KEEP SPENDING MONEY  LIKE IT GROWS ON TREES OR IT SHOOTS OUT OF THE GROUND,  RIGHT?

Kevin: ADRIAN,   ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT, A LITTLE MORE  THAN A MINUTE HERE.

I WANT TO GET YOUR THOUGHT AS  AN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER, ONE OF THE ISSUES SEEMS LIKE IT  MIGHT BE MORE ROCKY THAN OTHERS IS THE GOVERNOR'S PUSH  TOWARD THE HYDROGEN FUEL TECHNOLOGY, WHICH WE ALSO SAW,  EVEN THOUGH SHE WASN'T ON THE FLOOR WHEN SHE GAVE HER  SPEECH, WE STILL SAW A BIT OF A PROTEST AND DEMONSTRATION  AND SOME THINGS GOING ON AT THE CAPITOL ON TUESDAY.

WHAT IS YOUR SORT OF OUTLOOK AS MORE AND MORE ENVIRONMENTAL  GROUPS SEEM TO LINE UP AGAINST THIS AS THE WAY TO GO OR JUST  CONTINUING ONE TOE IN FOSSIL FUELS AND ONE TOE IN THE  ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

Adrian: ENVIRONMENTALISTS  SEEM TO VIEW HYDROGEN POWER AS IT EXISTS TODAY AS A FOSSIL  FUEL.

IT REQUIRES NATURAL GAS TO  COMBUST, TO CREATE THE ENERGY, AND THAT CAUSES EMISSIONS AND  POLLUTION, THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT THE  GOVERNOR, THEY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A MEMORANDUM OF  UNDERSTANDING WITH LOS ALAMOS AND SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORY  TO ACTUALLY TRY TO DEVELOP A SOURCE OF HYDROGEN THAT WOULD  BE LOWER CARBON OR ZERO CARBON.

AND THIS SEEMS LIKE THAT WOULD ALLAY SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS  BUT PRESENTLY, I SEE REPORTS THAT ARE ABOUT 99% OF U.S.  HYDROGEN POWER DOES USE NATURAL GAS WHICH IS EXTRACTED  OR WATER, IT IS A CHEMICAL REACTION THAT SEPARATES THE  HYDROGEN FROM THESE ELEMENTS AND THAT WOULD STILL REQUIRE  EXTRACTION, STILL CAUSE POLLUTION AND STILL EVEN USE  HYDRAULIC FRACTURING TO GET TO THAT.

SO, THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERNS BY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.

I THINK WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING BASICALLY THAT THEY  WANT TO DEVELOP NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR THIS POWER SOURCE THAT  WOULD BE LOWER CARBON INTENSITY.

BUT THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN, AND THAT THEIR CONCERN.

Kevin: YOU MENTIONED WATER, SOMETHING ELSE WE DIDN'T HEAR  A LOT ABOUT, BUT I THINK WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A LITTLE BIT.

LEAVE THAT THERE FOR NOW, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST ITEMS WE  KNEW WOULD COME UP IN THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IS  CRIME.

HERE IS GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM  ON THE CHANGES AND INVESTMENTS SHE SAYS WILL HELP MAKE NEW  MEXICO A SAFER PLACE.

Governor: WE WANT TO KEEP  OUR ECONOMIC MOMENTUM AND WE HAVE TO.

WE HAVE GOT TO GET CRIME UNDER CONTROL.

I DON'T ACCEPT THE ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE IN ONLY  ONE PART OF OUR STATE.

I DON'T ACCEPT THAT ANY  DECISION MAKER IN THIS BUILDING WOULD SAY THAT  SOMEHOW THIS ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM.

WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN KEEPING NEW MEXICO SAFE.

PUBLIC SAFETY DOESN'T JUST EXIST ON ITS OWN.

WE HAVE TO CREATE IT AND SUPPORT IT AND OWN IT.

SO, WE NEED TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR THE WORST OF THE WORST,  THE REPEAT OFFENDERS AND THOSE WHO HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TO  BE A DANGER TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

I SUPPORT REHABILITATION AND THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE A  LOT OF INNOVATIVE GOOD WORK IN THAT AREA BUT AT THE END OF  THE DAY, I STAND WITH THE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WHO  HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED UNNECESSARILY BY THE VIOLENT  CRIMINALS THAT THIS SYSTEM NEEDS TO SECURE.

THE WORST OFFENDERS, THE MOST SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS  CRIMINALS IN OUR STATE NEED TO BE BEHIND BARS, SIMPLE AS  THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO PASS A LAW  THIS SESSION THAT WILL KEEP VIOLENT CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS  UNTIL JUSTICE CAN BE DONE.

WE WILL PUT A WEDGE IN THE  REVOLVING DOOR OF VIOLENT CRIME IN NEW MEXICO, SAFETY OF  OUR COMMUNITIES CANNOT BE UP FOR DEBATE.

A SMART ON CRIME APPROACH CAN WORK.

IN FACT, IT HAS WORKED.

IN MY FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE,  VIOLENT CRIME WENT DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS.

WE CAN REGAIN THAT MOMENTUM WHEN WE MAKE SURE OUR LOCAL  COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS HAVE THE RESOURCES  AND SUPPORT THEY NEED, SO I AM ASKING THE LEGISLATURE FOR A  19% INCREASE IN THE BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC  SAFETY TO FUND INNOVATIVE NEW CRIME FIGHTING STRATEGIES AND  HUNDREDS OF NEW POSITIONS INCLUDING A 19% RAISE FOR OUR  STATE POLICE OFFICERS, AND I AM ASKING FOR 100 MILLION TO  SUPPORT HIRING AND RETENTION EFFORTS TO GET 1000 MORE  OFFICERS IN PLACE STATE-WIDE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

I AM ASKING FOR THOSE THINGS BECAUSE NEW MEXICANS ARE  ASKING FOR THEM.

NEW MEXICO IS A STATE THAT  RESPECTS AND SUPPORTS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

I REJECT THE RHETORIC FROM WASHINGTON AND ELSEWHERE THAT  HAS MADE PUBLIC SAFETY A POLITICAL BATTLEGROUND.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT POLITICS.

IT IS ABOUT BASIC HUMAN RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER,  RESPECT FROM OFFICERS TO THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE, AND RESPECT  FOR OFFICERS FROM THE COMMUNITIES THEY PROTECT.

IF WE HAVE THAT, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD UNIFIED IN OUR DESIRE  TO CLEAN UP THE STREETS OF THE STATE, TO KEEP VIOLENT  CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS AND TO ASSURE EVERYDAY THAT JUSTICE  IS DONE EQUALLY UNDER THE LAW.

Kevin: CRIME HAS BEEN THE  BIGGEST PUBLIC ISSUE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THE  GOVERNOR SAYS SHE WANTS TO TREAT IT AS SUCH, CALLING FOR  INVESTMENTS TO GIVE POLICE OFFICERS MAJOR RAISES AND TO  ATTRACT MORE RECRUITS TO JOIN DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE STATE.

GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM WAS SURE TO SAY THIS IS A  STATE-WIDE ISSUE NOT JUST IN ALBUQUERQUE AND JULIE ANNE IS  THAT HOW IT IS PERCEIVED IN SANTA FE AND HOW IMPORTANT IS  THAT FRAMING, BOTH FROM A PUBLIC OPINION STANDPOINT AND  IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING AND SOLVING THE PROBLEM?

Julie Ann: I MEAN, CLEARLY THE REASON THE GOVERNOR NEEDS  TO TRY TO MAKE THE POINT THAT THIS IS A STATE-WIDE ISSUE IS  BECAUSE OF THE GREAT PERCEPTION THAT THIS IS REALLY  AN ALBUQUERQUE CENTRIC ISSUE.

THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE MOST  CONCERN ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME THAT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE IN  ALBUQUERQUE.

AND I THINK YOU HEAR THAT, YOU  KNOW, RHETORIC ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU CERTAINLY HEAR IT IN SANTA FE THAT, OH, THINGS ARE  TERRIBLE IN ALBUQUERQUE AND PEOPLE AREN'T AS WILLING TO  SORT OF LOOK IN THE MIRROR ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING,  RIGHT, IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.

I THINK THAT BEING SAID, THE  TONE OF THIS WHOLE SECTION OF HER SPEECH IS REALLY SORT OF  OFF BRAND FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

YOU KNOW, SHE IS USING THESE BUZZ WORDS THAT I THINK SORT  OF MAKE THE LEFT LEANING CRINGE.

SHE TALKS ABOUT THE WORST OF THE WORST.

SHE USED THIS QUOTE THAT SHE HAS THIS INNOVATIVE NEW CRIME  FIGHTING STRATEGY AS IF SHE IS PLANNING TO, YOU KNOW, UNVEIL  A GREAT COSTUME.

SO, I THINK THAT IS KIND OF A  MARKER FOR THE TYPE OF MESSAGING THAT SHE IS AGAIN  TRYING TO APPEAL TO MAYBE A MORE BROAD AUDIENCE AND SHE IS  RESPONDING TO THOSE WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE  SITUATION IN ALBUQUERQUE.

Kevin: HOW DID THAT HIT YOU  DOWN THERE IN SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO IN TERMS OF IS MONEY  FOR OFFICERS GOING TO DO THE TRICK, YOU THINK, OR ARE WE  LOOKING AT SOME OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AS  WELL?

Adrian: WELL, YOU KNOW,  SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AND OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE WE STILL  DON'T HAVE THE LEVELS OF CRIME THAT YOU SEE IN ALBUQUERQUE  BUT IT STILL DOES HAPPEN QUITE A BIT.

I THINK DOWN HERE, IT IS MENTAL HEALTH IT SEEMS IS A  REAL ISSUE THAT LEADS TO CRIME.

WE RECENTLY HAD A PRETTY WIDELY REPORTED ON STORY ABOUT  AN 18 YEAR OLD, I THINK, IN HOBBS WHO LEFT HER BABY IN A  DUMPSTER AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT IS AN ISSUE OF ENFORCING  THE LAW?

ARE MORE OFFICERS GOING TO  HELP SITUATIONS LIKE THAT OR MORE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH  AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

IN CARLSBAD I KNOW FOR SURE, I  THINK WE HAVE LESS OFFICERS THAN WE NEED.

THERE IS A LOT OF VACANCIES.

COST OF LIVING IS PRETTY HIGH  IN THIS PART OF THE STATE.

IT'S HARD TO RETAIN OFFICERS,  HARD TO HAVE THEM LIVING IN THE CITY.

THEY HAVE TO BRING IN A LOT FROM PLACES LIKE HOBBS AND  ROSWELL.

MORE RAISES, YEAH, THAT COULD  EQUAL MORE OFFICERS AND BETTER ENFORCEMENT BUT I THINK AT THE  CORE OF IT, MENTAL HEALTH IS THE REAL THING THAT LEADS TO  CRIME, AT LEAST IN RURAL NEW MEXICO.

Kevin: WE MAY GET TO THAT HERE IN A BIT BECAUSE SHE DID  MENTION INCREASED FUNDING FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT WELL.

DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL BE BRANDED OR ATTACHED TO CRIME  FIGHTING EFFORTS OR NOT.

KRISTELLE, THAT BRINGS UP  ANOTHER INTERESTING POINT WE HAVE HEARD A LOT, RIGHT, WHICH  IS WE SEEM TO BE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL WHERE WE HAVE A  LOT OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS HIRING UP OFFICERS FROM OTHER  DEPARTMENTS WHICH MAKES THE SITUATION WORSE FOR THEM.

THAT IS NOT JUST A MONEY SITUATION.

IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO BE TRYING TO THINK  ABOUT HERE ESPECIALLY RETAINING OFFICERS AND NOT  JUST SHIFTING THEM AROUND FROM ONE PART OF THE STATE TO THE  OTHER?

Kristelle: I WAS A LITTLE  SURPRISED THAT THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T TAKE THE APPROACH THAT  CRIME ACTUALLY NEEDS TO MAKE A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH, RIGHT?

I KNOW THAT SHE MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BOND REFORM  OR BOND BAIL REFORM.

AND I AM SURPRISED THAT IT  DIDN'T LEAD WITH THAT, RIGHT?

IT LED WITH MONEY GOING INTO  OFFICERS AND RECRUITMENT INTO TRAINING BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE  NEEDS OF SOME THESE MAJOR COMMUNITIES THAT WE ARE  TALKING ABOUT.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, TO WHAT  WE HAD SAID BEFORE, THE PERCEPTION IS IT DOES SEEM  LIKE IT IS AN ALBUQUERQUE PROBLEM.

I AM SORRY, OUR MAJOR NETWORKS INCLUDING NEW MEXICO PBS IS  BASED OUT OF ALBUQUERQUE SO EASY FOR US TO HEAR WHAT IS  GOING ON IN THE POLICE RADIO AND EASILY SEND A CAMERA OUT  THERE, RIGHT?

BACK TO, WHAT DOES THE  CONVERSATION ABOUT CRIME LOOK LIKE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

YES, SHE HIGHLIGHTED THE SPECIFIC EFFORTS OF PUTTING  FUNDING IN BUT ONE OF THE OTHER BIG TOPICS IN CRIME THAT  WE ARE SURPRISED WE HAVEN'T TACKLED IN THE CALL, PER SE,  IS THE NEW MEXICO STATISTICAL ANALYSIS CENTER, PUT TOGETHER  BY UNM, EVALUATED OUT OF 10,000 ARRESTS IN BERNALILLO  COUNTY, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THEM ACTUALLY MEANT THAT A NEW  VIOLENT OFFENSE HAD HAPPENED DURING PRE-TRIAL PHASE AND  EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY 6.3% OF THEM WERE FAILURES, 6.3% IS  STILL A STATISTIC THAT IT GOES TO SAY THAT THE DATA CAN  ALWAYS GO IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, BUT 6.3% MEANS MORE  MURDER, MORE PEOPLE THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE BOND SYSTEM.

AND THE FACT THEY WERE RELEASED DURING PRETRIAL.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE PRISONS AND THE CONVERSATION ABOUT  DEPRIVATIZING PRISONS, ET CETERA.

I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR MAKING THE APPROACH THE CRIME  SHOULD BE -- FUNDING CAN BE THROWN TO MUNICIPALITIES FOR  PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL  HEALTH BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE HOLISTIC PICTURE OF WHAT  CRIME LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF CRIME AND WHAT  ARE THE ROOT CAUSES THAT CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE IN MENTAL HEALTH  SITUATIONS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY CAUSING CRIME OR EVEN POVERTY.

POVERTY IS THE ROOT OF CRIME.

THAT IS A CLASSIC DEBATE IN  PHILOSOPHY WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT TOO.

IT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED HOLISTICALLY.

Kevin: THOSE ARE MUCH HARDER CAMPAIGN SLOGANS.

A LOT OF FOLKS UP FOR REELECTION THIS YEAR SO I  IMAGINE A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE THAT IS WHY SORT OF -- THE  THING I NOTICED TO JULIE ANNE'S ORIGINAL POINT WAS WE  KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO BE A TOP PRIORITY.

IT WAS TWO PARAGRAPHS IN THE SPEECH.

AND THE TONE AND THE ACTUAL LENGTH OF THE DETAIL, BUT  JULIE ANNE POLICING ONLY PART OF THE CRIME ISSUE IN THE  CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

COURTS ALSO KEY IN ALL THIS  AND GOVERNOR SAYS SHE WANTS TO LENGTHEN SENTENCES FOR SECOND  DEGREE MURDER FROM 15 TO 18 YEARS.

ONE OF HER GOALS ALSO WANTS PEOPLE ACCUSED OF VIOLENT  CRIMES IN JAIL, IN JAIL UNTIL TRIAL BY MAKING DEFENDANTS  PROVE THEY AREN'T A DANGER.

THIS IS THE PRETRIAL BOND  ISSUE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, BUT NO MENTION OF  FUNDING INCREASES FOR THE COURT SYSTEM.

SO, WITHOUT THAT, DO YOU SEE EVEN IF THEY ARE PASSED, DO  YOU SEE ANY OF THESE ABLE TO BE IMPLEMENTED?

Julie Ann: I THINK IT IS A STICKY WICKET THERE, THAT  YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

KRISTELLE'S POINT, WE DON'T  HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE CORRECTIONS INDUSTRY IN THIS  SPEECH.

WE DON'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT  THE UNDERFUNDING FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS  MUCH LESS ABOUT THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND ACTUAL HEALTHCARE  THAT IS LACKING IN OUR PRISON SYSTEM.

WE HEAR NOTHING ABOUT PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATION OR JOB TRAINING  FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

SO THOSE ARE ALL BIG PARTS OF OUR QUOTE ON QUOTE JUSTICE  SYSTEM THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO KEEP STEADY WITH THE COURSE WE  NEED TO FUND ALL OF IT AND WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF IT.

YOU DO NOT HEAR A LOT OF DETAILS IN THIS SPEECH ABOUT  THOSE SPECIFIC CRIME PROPOSALS.

I THINK THAT THERE IS, YOU KNOW, A PRETTY COMPLICATED  PHRASE GETTING THROWN OUT THERE WITH RESPECT TO BAIL  REFORM WHICH IS THE REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION IDEA.

YOU MENTIONED IT BRIEFLY IN YOUR INTRO BUT FOLKS WHO ARE  BACKING THIS ARE BASICALLY SAYING RIGHT NOW THE MOST  RECENT SET OF BAIL REFORMS IN NEW MEXICO REMINDED JUDGES  THAT THEY CAN ONLY KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL DURING THAT  PRETRIAL PERIOD IF THEY ARE A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY OR  THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT THE PROSECUTORS MUST PROVE.

AGAIN, THE NEW SORT OF EFFORT IS SAYING, IT IS NOT ON THE  PROSECUTORS, IT IS GOING TO BE ON THE DEFENDANT TO ARGUE WHY  THEY SHOULD BE RELEASED AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SPECIFICS  ABOUT WHAT CRIMES, WHAT CHARGES THIS MIGHT BE APPLIED  TO.

I THINK IT REALLY STARTS TO  RUB AGAINST THIS OTHER PRINCIPLE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO  BE FUNDAMENTAL IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM WHICH IS THE  PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A BIG FIGHT.

NOT EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT THIS AND CERTAINLY  NOT ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNOR'S OWN PARTY.

Kevin: THE BAIL ISSUE WE SHOULD SAY CAME ABOUT BECAUSE  WE KNEW PEOPLE WERE SITTING IN JAIL FOR A LONG TIME WAITING  FOR THEIR COURT CASES TO EVEN COME UP AND SO LOTS TO PARSE  OUT THERE.

THANKS AGAIN TO YOU GUYS FOR  THE INPUT THERE.

NEXT UP HEALTHCARE.

IT IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM GIVEN NEW MEXICO'S GEOGRAPHY.

BUT THE GOVERNOR SAYS SHE HAS SOME PLANS TO MAKE ACCESS MORE  EQUITABLE, EVEN IN RURAL AREAS.

Governor: WE ALL WANT SAFE COMMUNITIES AND WE ALL WANT  HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE  BIG STRIDES.

WE HAVE CAPPED COSTS OF LIFE  SAVING MEDICATION.

WE HAVE PROTECTED SAFEGUARDS  FOR THOSE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

WE HAVE INVESTED IN AFFORDABLE CARE FOR THOUSANDS OF LOWER  INCOME FAMILIES.

WE HAVE ELIMINATED CO-PAYS FOR  BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND BEGUN THE GREAT TASK OF  REBUILDING A MENTAL HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS  DECIMATED.

BUT, STILL, TOO MANY PEOPLE,  ESPECIALLY PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS OF OUR STATE, DON'T HAVE  TIMELY ACCESS TO THE HEALTHCARE THEY NEED OR ACCESS  AT ALL.

EVERY COMMUNITY DESERVES HIGH  QUALITY CARE.

I PROPOSE A NEW RURAL  HEALTHCARE DELIVERY FUND THAT WILL PROVIDE BRIDGE FINANCING  TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ASSISTANCE TO KICK  START CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT MASSIVE UP-FRONT COST.

STATE GOVERNMENT CAN HELP FILL THESE GAPS WITH INTERVENTIONS  LIKE THESE COMMUNITIES, LIKE THOSE IN VALENCIA COUNTY, ARE  MOVING TOWARD SECURING A BRAND NEW HOSPITAL AFTER YEARS OF  DELAYS AND WITH INVESTMENTS LIKE THOSE, I HAVE PROPOSED IN  MY EXECUTIVE BUDGET WE WILL PUT 10'S OF MILLIONS OF  DOLLARS INTO NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES EXPANDING  ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SUICIDE  INTERVENTIONS AND MORE.

NEW MEXICANS CALL ME ABOUT  THIS ISSUE MORE THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER.

WE WILL ANSWER THAT CALL.

WE CAN AND MUST ENSURE THAT  KIND OF SERVICE DELIVERY IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE  ENTIRE STATE.

WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO  SO.

THAT MEANS, ENDOWING OUR  MEDICAL SCHOOL TEN MILLION DOLLARS ENSURING WE KEEP OUR  BEST AND BRIGHTEST HERE TO PROVIDE CARE FOR NEW MEXICANS  AFTER THEY GRADUATE.

THAT ALSO MEANS ENDOWING OUR  NURSING SCHOOL WITH THE POWER OF THE STATE ENSURING MORE  HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS ENTER THIS ALL IMPORTANT  FIELD.

IT MEANS ONCE AND FOR ALL  DELIVERING THE HEALTHCARE FAMILIES IN THE RURAL PARTS OF  OUR STATE SO DESPERATELY NEED.

I PROPOSE A DRAMATIC EXPANSION  OF THE STATE PROGRAM THAT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS CAREGIVERS.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE ARE GOING TO PAY FAMILIES WHO ARE  DOING THE WORK OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR ELDERLY LOVED ONES,  REGARDLESS OF THE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY.

LET'S CALL IT NEW MEXICO CARE AND MAKE IT A MODEL PROGRAM  FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN  PEOPLE THAT GOES WELL BEYOND POLITICS OR ANY ONE  POLITICIAN.

THIS IS THE KIND OF INVESTMENT  THAT CAN BE AND SHOULD BE A LASTING SERVICE, ONE THAT  REFLECTS OUR SHARED VALUE AS A STATE.

IN THIS STATE, WE PROVIDE FOR AND CARE FOR OUR PARENTS, OUR  GRANDPARENTS, OUR DISABLED LOVED ONES.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT UNDER MY LEADERSHIP WILL HELP PROVIDE  FOR THAT CARE UNEQUIVOCALLY.

CARE GIVING IS A FULL-TIME  JOB.

I KNOW IT FIRSTHAND.

WE RESPECT WORKING PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO.

SO, LET'S INVEST IN THE DIGNITY OF OUR ELDERS AND OF  THEIR FAMILIES BY HELPING CAREGIVERS AND THOSE THEY CARE  FOR STAY IN THEIR HOME WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THEY  NEED.

ON THE SAME NOTE, IT IS TIME  THAT WE BUILD A NEW VETERANS HOME, A STATE OF THE ART  INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY AND PROGRAM  FOR THOSE WHO SACRIFICED TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS.

THE ORIGINAL BUILDING ON THE CAMPUS IN T OR C WAS BUILT IN  1936.

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR AN  UPGRADE.

SO, I AM CALLING FOR  60 MILLION-DOLLARS WHICH WE WILL LEVERAGE WITH ADDITIONAL  60 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BUILD THE KIND  OF MODERN FACILITY OUR VETERANS AND FAMILIES DESERVE.

WE ARE GOING TO GET IT DONE.

THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS  READY TO MOVE FORWARD, READY TO RISE, WE HAVE ALL THE TOOLS  WE NEED.

MY VISION IS THIS, COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS OUR STATE WHERE  FAMILIES AREN'T WORRIED ABOUT THE NEXT BILL OR THEIR KIDS'  FUTURE OR A JOB MARKET OR A HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T  QUITE SEEM TO WORK FOR THEM.

MY VISION IS A NEW MEXICO  WHERE THE FOUNDING IDEALS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, EQUAL  OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, ARE MADE REAL AND  MEANINGFUL, WHERE THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS IS MORE THAN A  PHRASE FROM A DUSTY PIECE OF PAPER, SOMETHING TANGIBLE,  SOMETHING EVERYONE CAN ACTUALLY FEEL.

WE CAN DO IT ALL.

WE HAVE THE FINANCES.

WE ARE GOING TO FUND AN UNPRECEDENTED SUITE OF NEW  AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE ARE GOING TO EXPAND PROTECTIONS FOR VOTERS BECAUSE  WE BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY AND EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO VOTE.

I SUBSCRIBE TO OPTIMISM THAT SAYS, BIG THINGS ARE WITHIN  OUR REACH AND BLUE SKIES ARE AHEAD.

ALTHOUGH, IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, I WOULD TAKE SOME SNOW RIGHT  ABOUT NOW.

Kevin: COVID-19 HAS  EXACERBATED EVERY ISSUE FACING OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, THERE  IS NO DOUBT, INCLUDING ACCESS TO CARE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR A NEW HOSPITAL IN VALENCIA  COUNTY FOR SOME TIME NOW.

KRISTELLE, LET'S START WITH  YOU.

HOW IMPORTANT IS GETTING A NEW  FACILITY IN THAT AREA AND THEN I'LL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU,  ADRIAN, ABOUT, THIS IS AN AREA WHERE SHE IS DEFINITELY TRYING  TO CONNECT WITH RURAL NEW MEXICO AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT  IS HITTING, BUT HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT DO THINK, KRISTELLE,  IN TERMS OF A SYMBOL, IF NOTHING ELSE.

Kristelle: ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY SINCE  VALENCIA COUNTY IS A VERY FAST GROWING AREA WITH SOME OF THE  INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS GOING IN.

YOU HAVE TO GROW WITH THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE  REPRESENTED AND THE WAY I THINK ABOUT IT IS,   IT IS TIME, RIGHT?

IF UNM HAS MAJOR HEALTH SCHOOL AND HAS A CAMPUS UP IN  VALENCIA COUNTY, BY ALL MEANS HAVING A HOSPITAL THERE OR  MEDICAL RESOURCES IS VERY IMPORTANT AND VERY VITAL.

I DID WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT, THOUGH, TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF  THE OTHER PARTS THAT SHE MENTIONED IN THE CLIP ABOUT  CARING FOR AGING ELDERS, AGING FAMILIES, THOSE THAT LIVE IN  THE HOME, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THOUGHT WAS FASCINATING  IS THAT TO ME THAT IS MAJOR GENERATIONAL HEALTHCARE, THAT  IS MAJOR -- WHAT I MEAN BY GENERATIONAL HEALTHCARE IS THE  FACT THAT SHE IS THINKING ABOUT HOW NEW MEXICO IS NOT  JUST A ONE GENERATION HOUSEHOLD ANYMORE, NOT JUST  TWO WITH YOUR KIDS, IT IS THREE.

IT IS GRANDPARENTS THAT ARE LIVING IN THE HOME AND THAT IS  VERY COMMON IN COMMUNITIES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR, RIGHT?

HISPANIC FAMILIES, ASIAN FAMILIES, BLACK FAMILIES, ET  CETERA.

THE FACT WE ARE ACTUALLY  GETTING FINANCIAL RESOURCES OR THINKING ABOUT FINANCIAL  RESOURCES IN THE FUTURE, RIGHT NOW IT MIGHT NOT MAKE MUCH  SENSE BUT IT WILL MAKE SENSE IN 10 TO 15 YEARS FROM NOW  WHEN OUR PARENTS LIKE MINE ARE IN THEIR LATE 50'S AND  LATE 60'S AND 70'S, WHENEVER THAT MIGHT BE, SO I THINK THAT  IS ACTUALLY REALLY FORWARD THINKING IDEA THAT, OF COURSE,  A PERSON THAT HAS BEEN A CARETAKER HERSELF, TO BETTER  UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE AGING COMMUNITY OR THE SENIOR  ELDERCARE INDUSTRY.

Kevin: YEAH.

ADRIAN, AGAIN, WHAT KRISTELLE JUST TALKED ABOUT, THIS  HOSPITAL, SHE TALKED ABOUT MORE RESOURCES TO HELP OTHER  RURAL COMMUNITIES BUILD UP THEIR HEALTHCARE  INFRASTRUCTURES, SORT OF BRIDGE FUNDING TO GET THINGS  GOING.

ARE THOSE THINGS THAT CONNECT  IN RURAL NEW MEXICO WHERE OFTEN THAT ACCESS, YOU HAVE TO  DRIVE A LONG WAYS JUST TO GET TO A DOCTOR.

THERE ARE LIMITED AMOUNTS OF DOCTORS.

DOES THAT HIT HOME?

Adrian: I THINK SO.

WE HAVE PRETTY LIMITED MEDICAL RESOURCES IN CARLSBAD AND  PLACES LIKE IT.

WE USUALLY HAVE TO DRIVE A  TOWN OVER UP TO ARTESIA, MAYBE, FOR LIKE THE FULL  HOSPITAL AND FOR SURGERIES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE END UP DRIVING TO EL PASO OR LUBBOCK TO GO TO  THE HOSPITAL.

IT IS PRETTY LIMITED IN THIS  PART OF THE STATE AND ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO INCREASE ACCESS  I WOULD BE HELPFUL.

ESPECIALLY STRAINED, OUR ICU  BEDS ARE FULL, PEOPLE ARE, I KNOW, BEING TURNED AWAY, EVEN  PEOPLE WITH COVID ARE BEING TURNED AWAY, FRANKLY,  GOING TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE, SO, IT IS VERY MUCH LACKING IN  THIS PART OF THE STATE AND RURAL AREAS.

I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR WAS TRYING TO APPEAL  TO RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WOULD BE NICE TO SEND A  HOSPITAL TO CARLSBAD TOO, JUST LIKE IN BELEN.

Kevin: RIGHT.

Kristelle: YEAH, TO ADD TO  THAT, TOO, IT PUTS THE PRESSURE OFF OF THE  ALBUQUERQUE SYSTEMS.

LIKE MAYOR KELLER HAD SAID  ONCE, THAT MOST OF THE INSTATE TRAVEL THAT HAPPENS, YOU LOOK  AT NONPROFITS LIKE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE, A MAJORITY OF  PEOPLE THAT USE THESE FACILITIES THEY COME INTO TOWN  IS BECAUSE THEY NEED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

SO IT DOES PUT THE PRESSURE OFF A BIG TOWN LIKE OURS.

Kevin: THE PRESSURE THAT IS ALWAYS THERE, TOO, THOUGH, IS  HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

SHE TALKED ABOUT MONEY FOR THE  MEDICAL SCHOOL BUT DO YOU THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE  ENOUGH TO MEET ALL THESE LOFTY GOALS SHE HAS FOR US JULIE  ANNE?

OR IS THAT SOMETHING WE REALLY  NEED TO FOCUS ON EVEN MORE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TRAINING  AND GRADUATING THE DOCTORS OF TOMORROW TO HELP FILL THOSE  SPOTS?

Julie Ann: I MEAN, I THINK  THOSE INCENTIVES FOR THE UNM MEDICAL PROGRAM AND FOR THE  NURSING SCHOOL ARE CRITICAL AS YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THE  FUTURE, BUT I THINK THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN  TRIED IN THE MEDICAL EDUCATION, YOU KNOW, INDUSTRY.

THEY HAVE BEEN -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TRIED TO INCENTIVIZE  FOLKS TO STAY IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED AS  UNDERSERVED, TO GO TO THE RURAL PLACES TO PRACTICE, AND  IT IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM IN THE MEDICAL SCHOOLS.

IT IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE LAW SCHOOL.

THAT ALL THESE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS CAN'T CONVINCE PEOPLE  TO LIKE RELOCATE TO ROSWELL OR PICK A CITY THAT IS MEDICALLY  UNDERSERVED.

I THINK THAT THERE HAS TO BE  MORE CREATIVE THINKING TO CREATE A SHIFT THAT IS  NECESSARY TO CLOSE THESE KIND OF GAPS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WHAT HAS BENT INTRODUCED IS REALLY  GOING TO COVER ALL OF THAT.

Kevin: IT IS A LOT AND  THINGS WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH FOREVER AND WE HAVEN'T  REALLY TALKED ABOUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WHICH WE KNOW IS STILL  SOMETHING WE ARE TRYING TO REBUILD IN THIS STATE,  STATE-WIDE, BUT WE HAVE ONLY GOT A FEW MINUTES LEFT AND  WANTED TO HIT ON WHAT ELSE WAS JUST GLANCED UPON OR NOT   THERE AT ALL.

THE VOTING MEASURES WHICH WE KNOW IS A PRIORITY FOR HER AND  SECRETARY OF STATE MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER BUT ALSO  ENVIRONMENTAL.

WE DIDN'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT  THAT.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT,  ADRIAN.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE PROTESTS  THERE.

IN FACT, THE ONLY REAL MENTION  OF WATER PLANNING WAS HER CRACKING A BIT OF A JOKE ABOUT  HOW SHE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOME RAIN OR SNOW.

WHY DO YOU THINK WE ARE NOT HEARING ABOUT THAT WHEN WE  KNOW OUR STATE ENGINEER LEFT AT THE END OF THE LAST YEAR,  IN PART, BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUNDING.

SHE AND HER BUDGET PROPOSAL NOT ALIGNED WITH THE LFC ABOUT  INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR THE STATE ENGINEERS OFFICE.

THIS NOT IN HERE AND DID SHE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ELEVATE  THAT IN THE PUBLIC'S MIND.

Adrian: BEHIND THE SCENES  THERE ADVOCATING FOR INCREASED FUNDING TO ENERGY, MINERALS,  NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENTS, ADDING COMPLIANCE OFFICERS TO  OVERSEE OIL AND GAS, ADVOCATING FOR MORE FUNDING  FOR NMED FOR WATERSHED IMPROVEMENTS.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT ARE PRETTY ENVIRONMENTAL  IN NATURE THAT WOULD INCREASE REGULATION.

SO I THINK HER AGENDA IS CLEAR WHEN IT COMES TO THE  ENVIRONMENT BUT IN THE SPEECH ITSELF, LIKE WE HAVE BEEN  SAYING, SHE WAS TRYING TO KIND OF TOE THE LINE, STAY IN THE  MIDDLE.

THESE SORTS OF TOPICS ARE  PRETTY CONTROVERSIAL FOR RED PARTS OF THE STATE, ESPECIALLY  ENERGY PRODUCING REGIONS LIKE OURS, PEOPLE ARE AFRAID  TRANSITIONING AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS COULD TRANSITION THEM  OUT OF JOBS AND OUT OF ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

AND FUNDING FOR OUR LOCAL RURAL ENERGY COMMUNITIES.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WAS WHY WE DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT IT  BUT I THINK IT IS CLEAR THEY ARE STILL PUSHING WHAT I CALL  A GREEN AGENDA.

Kevin: ABOUT 30 SECONDS  JULIE ANNE, SAME THING FOR YOU.

LIKE, DOES THE GOVERNOR HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ELEVATE --  SHE HAS ALL THESE BILLS.

IF IT IS A PRIORITY, DOES SHE  HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SORT OF ELEVATE THAT IN HER SPEECH SO  THE STATE KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE.

WE ARE IN COURT WITH  THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN TEXAS IN THE SUPREME COURT  ABOUT WATER, WE ARE IN DEFICITS IN THE MIDDLE RIO  GRANDE.

DID SHE MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO  REALLY ELEVATE THAT FOR THE STATE AS A WHOLE AS SHE SET  PRIORITIES?

Julie Ann: I THINK IT IS  CLEAR SHE MISSED THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AS TO IF IT IS A QUESTION OF WHETHER SHE IS OBLIGATED TO  MENTION THAT, I THINK THE ANSWER IS NO.

THIS IS A POLITICAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOVERNOR.

THIS SPEECH IS KIND OF SACRED SPACE BEING HELD FOR SPEECH AT  THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION IS KIND OF HER TIME TO SHINE  AND PICK HER ISSUES.

AND I DO THINK THAT THE  CALCULATION OF WHAT SHE CHOSE TO TALK ABOUT, NO MENTION OF  THE RIO GRANDE, NO MENTION OF THE DROUGHT, NO MENTION OF THE  ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TEXAS.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT  TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.

Kevin: GREAT.

WE HAVE TO MOVE ON FROM THAT BUT BACK TO YOU GUYS IN JUST A  MINUTE.

WE END WITH THE GOVERNOR'S  LARGER PHILOSOPHICAL MESSAGE, A CALL FOR UNITY AND A CHANGE  IN MINDSET.

Governor: I KNOW THERE IS A  TEMPTATION TO VIEW TODAY AS THE OPENING KICK OFF OF A BIG  GAME OR THE LAUNCH OF SOME GREAT BATTLE.

SOME WILL  DESCRIBE IT THAT WAY.

BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO WHAT  YOU CAN TO RESIST THE PERCEPTION OF A COMPETITION.

TO AVOID FEEDING A PLOTLINE THAT WOULD PIT ONE TEAM  AGAINST ANOTHER.

THIS ISN'T THE SPORTS PAGE.

WE ARE ALL HERE TO DO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

IT IS A SACRED THING.

WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM  TODAY.

AND, IN FACT, EVERYDAY.

AT THE OUTSET OF EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION I  ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES IN THIS BUILDING TO THINK ABOUT  THE PEOPLE WE ARE ALL HERE TO SERVE.

I THINK ABOUT THEIR DREAMS, THEIR HOPES AND FEARS AND I  THINK ABOUT WHAT SERVICE MEANS, ABOUT WHAT EFFECTIVE  SERVICE CAN DELIVER TO THE WORKERS AND FAMILIES ALL  ACROSS NEW MEXICO WHO ARE REPRESENTED HERE IN THIS  BUILDING, THE ENTREPRENEURS AND JOB CREATORS, THE SENIORS  AND STUDENTS, NEW MEXICANS OF EVERY BACKGROUND AND BELIEF  SYSTEM.

NO, WE DON'T AGREE ON  EVERYTHING AND WE DON'T HAVE TO.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE VALUES WE SHARE AS NEW MEXICANS STILL  TRULY UNITE US.

THE DESIRE TO SEE OUR FAMILIES  GROW AND THRIVE, THE WILLINGNESS TO WORK HARD TO  ENJOY WHAT WE EARN, THE OPTIMISM THAT TOMORROW CAN AND  WILL BE BETTER THAN TODAY FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR  NEIGHBORS.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, THIS  LEGISLATURE AND THIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE GOTTEN A  LOT DONE.

WE RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR  THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE.

WE HAVE GUARANTEED PAID SICK  LEAVE TO EVERY WORKER IN THE STATE.

WE MADE EARLY EDUCATION A KEY PRIORITY AND HAVE INVESTED  HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS INTO THE FUTURE OF OUR EARLIEST  LEARNERS.

WE HAVE INVESTED IN NEW  ECONOMIC SECTORS AND WE HAVE SENT THOUSANDS MORE NEW  MEXICANS OF EVERY AGE AND BACKGROUND TO COLLEGE FOR  FREE.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

I COULD GO ON.

I COULD TALK FOR A LONG TIME  ABOUT THE GOOD WORK OF THE LAST FEW YEARS.

BUT WE NEED TO TALK INSTEAD ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY  FEELING.

THE NEEDS OF THIS MOMENT  REMAIN GREAT.

THE GRIEF, THE LOSS, THE  VOLATILITY BROUGHT ON BY THIS HIDEOUS PANDEMIC HAS WREAKED  HAVOC ON THE LIVES OF EVERY FAMILY, EVERY AMERICAN, EVERY  HUMAN BEING AROUND THE PLANET.

ON TOP OF THAT INFLATION,  SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS, GRIDLOCK IN WASHINGTON, IT IS ALL  MAKING IT HARDER FOR EVERYBODY AND ESPECIALLY REGULAR WORKING  PEOPLE TO FEEL SAFE, TO FEEL COMFORTABLE, TO FEEL  OPTIMISTIC AND WE ALL FEEL IT.

Kevin:   YOU HEARD A LOT OF UNITY LANGUAGE IN THE SPEECH  SAYING THINGS LIKE, WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM.

THAT'S A CLEAR CALL FOR BIPARTISAN ACTION.

THE GOVERNOR FOLLOWED UP WITH POLICY ITEMS SURE TO PLEASE  HER GOP COLLEAGUES, SPECIFICALLY THOSE PROPOSED  TAX CUTS WE TALKED EARLIER.

ADRIAN, IS THIS AN IMPORTANT  STRATEGY CONSIDERING HOW QUICKLY LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE TO  MOVE IN A 30-DAY SESSION?

Adrian: YEAH.

I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO -- SHE FOCUSED ON THE  SPENDING AND WE REALLY HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

SHE  MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES THE UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNTS OF  FINANCIAL RESOURCES LARGELY TIED TO EXTRACTIONS OF THE OIL  AND GAS INDUSTRY WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE VOLATILE AND IT  WAS WARNED BY THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE, YOU KNOW,  IN THEIR RECOMMENDATION IN THE COVER LETTER FROM  REPRESENTATIVE LUNDSTROM THAT WE ARE RIDING THIS ROLLER  COASTER OF FINANCES.

SO, I THINK THE MESSAGE WAS WE  HAVE SOME MONEY NOW, LET'S SPEND IT NOW BEFORE WE GET  ANOTHER BUST.

Kevin: IT WILL BE HARD  AGAIN, OF COURSE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TAX CUTS, TO OPPOSE  THAT.

THERE MAY BE FOLKS TALKING  ABOUT HOW THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX CUT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE  THE IMPACT THAT SOME PEOPLE SAY, BUT IN TERMS OF THAT  BIPARTISANSHIP, JULIE ANNE, CONSIDERING THAT THE DEMS  CONTROL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE  SENATE, DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO TAKE A DIFFERENT TACK AND SORT  OF LEAD THAT WAY OR LEAD BY EXAMPLE?

OR DO YOU EXPECT TO BE THE SAME OLE?

Julie Ann: I THINK WE'LL SEE THE SAME OLE.

THOSE OF US THAT GET TO COVER THESE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, WE  HAD THREE OF THEM LAST CALENDAR YEAR.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE BEEN IN SESSION MORE THAN OUT OF  SESSION AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT ALWAYS COMES DOWN TO THOSE  LAST FEW DAYS, THOSE LAST FEW MINUTES, BEFORE THINGS HAPPEN.

THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN ARE FAIRLY PREDICTABLE.

WILL YOU SEE THE GOP GET NEW ALLIES FROM THE MAJOR PARTY, I  DOUBT IT.

BUT I DO THINK YOU'RE SEEING  THE GOVERNOR FAVOR SOME POLICIES AND GIVE WIND TO SOME  POLICIES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO EVEN SHORTER DISTANCES  WITHOUT THAT.

Kevin: FOR SURE.

AGAIN, 30 DAYS IS NOT A LOT OF TIME.

AND IT IS A PRETTY AGGRESSIVE LIST OF PRIORITIES.

KRISTELLE, DO YOU THINK IT IS REALISTIC WHAT SHE IS TRYING  TO GET LAWMAKERS TO GET THROUGH IN THIS 30 DAYS?

DOES THIS OPEN UP THE CONVERSATION AGAIN ABOUT MAYBE  NOT A PROFESSIONAL PAID LEGISLATURE, BUT AT LEAST  45-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS AND 90-DAY LEGISLATIVE  SESSIONS, DRAWING THAT OUT A  LITTLE BIT MORE?

Kristelle: YEAH.

EVEN  THOUGH THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TRYING TO USE THE THEME OF  BIPARTISANSHIP IN THIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, I THINK  THE OVERALL THEME OF THE GOVERNOR'S CURRENT  ADMINISTRATIVE TIME HAS BEEN AGGRESSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE.

SHE WAS ABLE TO TOUT ABOUT THE FACT THAT EVERY SINGLE  LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY THAT SHE HAS HAD SINCE THE START OF HER  ADMINISTRATION, SHE HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE AS LONG AS THE  INDUSTRY THAT IT INVOLVES IS ABLE TO ACTUALLY AGREE UPON  IT.

TWO YEARS AGO THE GOVERNOR  TALKED ABOUT HER CALL ON NEW MEXICO PBS ON NEW MEXICO  IN FOCUS AND I SAID THAT YEAR, I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO  HAPPEN THAT CANNABIS IS GOING TO BE LEGALIZED BECAUSE THE  INDUSTRY WASN'T READY.

SURE ENOUGH IT DIDN'T HAPPEN,  BUT HAPPENED THE YEAR BEFORE BECAUSE SHE ASKED FOR A  SPECIAL SESSION.

IS SHE GOING TO GET THINGS  DONE?

YES.

IS IT GOING TO BE PRETTY?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THERE IS GOING TO BE A THE LOT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING,  BARGAINING BEHIND THE SCENES AND PUTTING A LOT OF THINGS  THAT SOME OF OUR ASSOCIATION INDIVIDUALS OR NON-PROFIT  EXECUTIVES ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE, BECAUSE IN ORDER FOR HER  TO GET THINGS DONE, SHE IS GOING TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND SHE  IS GOING TO MAKE, UNFORTUNATELY, REALLY  DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT WILL RESULT IN ENEMIES.

I THINK THERE IS DEFINITELY WORK TO BE DONE ACROSS THE  AISLE.

THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

THE DAYS OF THE CLINT HARDEN REPUBLICAN IS NO LONGER THERE.

IT IS THE TRUMP TYPE OF REPUBLICAN THAT IS IN THE  HOUSE ESPECIALLY WITH REPRESENTATIVE TOWNSEND,  MAKING REALLY NASTY COMMENTS ABOUT THE GOVERNOR AND HER  ADMINISTRATION.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE JUST DON'T  SEE THE FACT SHE IS FAILING AT ANYTHING SO I THINK THE  AGGRESSION, THE BULL DOG, I ALWAYS LIKE THE FACT THAT I  THINK THE GOVERNOR AND I BOTH HAVE A NAPOLEON COMPLEX, BEING  SO LITTLE, BUT BEING SO LOUD AT THE SAME TIME.

I APPLAUD HER ADMINISTRATION FOR GETTING THINGS DONE AND I  DON'T DOUBT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

Kevin: SHE DID MAKE A POINT TO OBVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE  PAIN, FATIGUE, FRUSTRATION WE ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED AS A  RESULT OF THE ONGOING PANDEMIC.

BUT, IS THERE ANYTHING SHE NEEDS TO DO DIFFERENTLY WHEN  IT COMES THE ADDRESSING COVID-19, AND, AGAIN,  ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING WHOEVER ENDS UP GETTING THE PRIMARY  NOMINATION TO RUN AGAINST HER NEXT NOVEMBER, WILL SURELY HIT  HER OVER THE HEAD WITH HER COVID RESPONSE TO DATE, BUT AS  WE START INTO A NEW YEAR, ANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU ALL SEE  THERE.

Kristelle: I'LL START  REALLY QUICKLY.

I DON'T THINK -- I THINK IT  ACTUALLY PROVED ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT COVID VERY  MUCH DOESN'T MATTER -- DOESN'T CARE ABOUT WHAT POLITICAL  AFFILIATION THAT YOU HAVE.

THE HEALTH BENEFIT AND  DECISIONS YOU MAKE ARE UP TO INDIVIDUAL PERSON OR REGION OR  MUNICIPALITY.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS MORE  SHE COULD DO OTHER THAN PROVIDE RESOURCES AND  RESOURCES THAT WE NEED.

THAT IS WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN  IS DOING NOW BECAUSE HE DOESN'T FEEL LIKE HE WON THE  WAR ON COVID-19 AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS TO DO THE  SAME THING.

Kevin: YOU MENTIONED IN OUR  FACEBOOK LIVE, WHICH EVERYBODY SHOULD GO AND WATCH, THAT  THERE IS NOW A MOVEMENT UNDERWAY TO IDENTIFY  COMMUNITIES IN NEED BY ZIP CODE EVEN FOR SOME ADDITIONAL  COVID RESOURCES.

DO YOU SEE A HARDER PUSH  TOWARDS THAT SORT OF AN EFFORT  HERE AS WE MOVE INTO 2022?

Julie Ann: I THINK NEW  MEXICO WAS SOMEWHAT UNIQUE IN ITS APPROACH TO PUBLIC HEALTH  FROM THE GET GO, IN THAT THIS WASN'T GOING TO BE JUST A  FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW GET WHAT THEY  NEED AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW, DON'T.

BUT I THINK YOU CAN KEEP PUSHING THAT AGENDA.

YOU CAN DO MORE OUTREACH TO FOLKS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH.

YOU CAN DO MORE OUTREACH IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE CAN'T GET  TREATMENTS.

SO LET'S SAY YOU GET COVID AND  YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCESS TREATMENT AND IT TAKES 11 DAYS  BEFORE SOMEONE CALLS YOU BACK.

THAT IS STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE  STATE TO CONSIDER IS THAT THE HEALTHIER YOU WERE GOING INTO  COVID, THE BETTER YOUR OUTCOMES ARE.

SO, THOSE BASELINE HEALTHY HABITS AND HEALTHY  OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN GIVE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE, THOSE  CONTINUE TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT AND SHOULDN'T GET  LEFT BEHIND IN THIS SORT OF EMERGENCY STATUS THAT WE FIND  OURSELVES IN.

Kevin: APPRECIATE THAT  THOUGHT VERY MUCH.

GREAT WAY TO END.

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF OUR LINE PANELISTS.

AS ALWAYS THIS WEEK, BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK  ABOUT ANYTHING WE TALKED ABOUT OR COVERED, ON THE FACEBOOK,  TWITTER, INSTAGRAM PAGES.

THAT IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND IT  AND WHERE YOU CAN RESPOND.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT  AND WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK.

BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR IS ALWAYS A TIME OF OPTIMISM AND  HOPE AND THAT WAS CLEARLY THE MESSAGE WE GOT FROM THE  GOVERNOR THIS WEEK IN HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

NEXT THREE PLUS WEEKS WILL SHOW HOW FAR THAT OPTIMISM  LINGERS AND NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS WILL FOLLOW IT ALL  AND THAT INCLUDES THE HARD WORK OF JOURNALISTS ACROSS NEW  MEXICO WHO HELPED OFFER CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND TO THE  STATE OF THE STATE.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY,  ENCOURAGE YOU TO HEAD TO THE WEBSITE AT NMPBS.ORG AND READ  THE ANNOTATED VERSION OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

THAT'S ALL PART OF OUR GOOD GOVERNMENT PROJECT WITH KUNM  RADIO CALLED, YOUR NEW MEXICO GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT REPORTING COMING YOUR WAY  AGAIN THIS YEAR, INCLUDING REGULAR POD CAST UPDATES AND  IN-DEPTH REPORTING DESIGNED TO MAKE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS  MORE TRANSPARENT AND ACCESSIBLE.

WE WANT YOUR INVOLVEMENT AS WELL.

HAVE SOMETHING YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IN THIS  30-DAY SESSION?

DROP US A NOTE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WE'LL  DO OUR BEST TO GET YOU ANSWERS.

UNTIL THEN, THANKS FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND  ENGAGED.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK IN FOCUS.