This week, New Mexico in Focus attends Wildlife and Public Lands Day at the Roundhouse and follows a citizen lobbyist as she receives training and guidance in how to reach out to lawmakers on important issues.

The program airs Friday nights at 7 p.m. on channel 5.1 and appears online on the NMiF website shortly thereafter. The show rebroadcasts Saturday at 5 p.m. on channel 9.1 and again on Sunday at 7 a.m. on channel 5.1.

Host Gene Grant and this week's Line panelists discuss legislation that would require third graders be held back if they can't read proficiently by the end of that year. The panelists also respond to recent news that graduation rates fell last year at all but one of the traditional high schools in Albuquerque.

Additionally, President Obama proposes making the first two years of community college free for many students in the United States in the hopes that it would improve graduation rates. Gwyneth Doland discusses the proposal with Kathy Winograd from CNM and Paul Gessing with the Rio Grande Foundation.

Guests:
Janie Chodosh, writer and citizen lobbyist
Paul Gessing, president of the Rio Grande Foundation
Dr. Melissa Martinez, pediatrician
Dr. Katharine Winograd, president of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)

Line Panelists:
Merritt Allen, principal and executive director, Vox Optima, LLC
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Stephen Spitz, KUNM’s New Mexico People Places and Ideas
Margaret Wright, New Mexico Political Report

Correspondents:
Gwyneth Doland & Sarah Gustavus

Host/Commentator:
Gene Grant

The Producer of New Mexico in Focus is Sarah Gustavus with Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation Communications Fund, Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Get updates, watch, and follow New Mexico PBS on FacebookTwitterYouTube and more.