This week, New Mexico in Focus takes a close look at topics important to the state now that the 2020 legislative session has begun.
Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel watched the governor’s State of the State address in the NMPBS studio as it was broadcast from the Roundhouse by our television crew. The Line panel of former lawmakers took a deep dive into their takeaways from the speech, which was streamed live on the web. NMiF will present highlights from the speech and from the panelists’ analysis.
Correspondent Gwyneth Doland travels to Santa Fe to talk to lawmakers about responsible budgeting and check in on concerns about open government.
NMiF host Gene Grant sits down with Charles Goodmacher of Transform Education NM, a coalition of education, tribal and community leaders whose mission is to advance a new vision for New Mexico’s public education system and hold the state accountable to meeting the constitutional rights of its students. They will discuss the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit that mandated New Mexico do a better job of providing an equitable education for English-language learners, Native and low-income students.
NMiF senior producer Matt Grubs speaks with Kathleen Sabo of New Mexico Ethics Watch. The group authored a recent report on the influence of lobbyists on the nation’s only true citizen legislature. New Mexico has long struggled with a few powerful people holding sway at the Capitol. The rise of grassroots campaigning has changed the game, though well-moneyed interests are quickly shifting tactics to protect their interests.
New Mexico in Focus is involved, informed, in-depth media airing weekly on New Mexico PBS. The program debuts Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS 5.1(KNME-HD) and appears online shortly thereafter. The show rebroadcasts on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) Sundays at 7 a.m. and on NMPBS 9.1 (WORLD) on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Studio Guests
- Charles Goodmacher, Transform Education NM
- Kathleen Sabo, New Mexico Ethics Watch
Field Guests
- Sen. George Muñoz, (D) Gallup
- Sen. James White, (R) Albuquerque
- Rep. Kelly Fajardo, (R) Los Lunas
Line Panelists
- Dede Feldman, former NM state senator
- Dan Foley, former NM state representative
- Justine Fox-Young, former NM state representative
- Eric Griego, former NM state senator
Host
- Gene Grant
New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest.
NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic health, education, and art issues, and explores them in-depth with a critical eye to give them context beyond the “news of the moment.”
The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Matt Grubs, with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. The NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald.
Funding for New Mexico in Focus is provided by the McCune Charitable Foundation and viewers like you.
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