This week on New Mexico in Focus, Attorney General Gary King is in studio to talk about the state’s water battle with Texas. With both states mired in historic droughts, every drop of water has the potential to be contentious. The A.G. says it amounts to “water rustling” but is there anything the state can do to prevent a Texan water grab? Plus, open government issues still swirl around King and the Martinez administration as the two prepare to do battle in 2014.

The Line opinion panel looks at a New Mexico group embroiled in the Internal Revenue Service scandal that arose this week. The Albuquerque Tea Party says its bid for nonprofit status was scrutinized by the tax agency years after the organization first filed its application.

The group also examines the trend in states approving driver’s licenses for immigrants who may have entered the country illegally. The issue has been the governor’s signature effort since she was elected. Her efforts to repeal New Mexico’s law have fallen short. Will the new developments cause her to rethink her focus or redouble her efforts?

And should states be allowed to charge sales tax on Internet purchases? The move would cost taxpayers, but could protect local retailers and inject cash into state accounts.

Host: Gene Grant

Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland

Guests: Gary King, New Mexico Attorney General

Line Panelists:
Jamie Estrada, Agenda Public Relations
Sophie Martin, Editor in Chief, New Mexico Law Review
Javier Martinez, Partnership for Community Action
Milan Simonich, Texas New Mexico Newspapers Partnership

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 646 for air May 17, 2013

NM's water battle with Texas, Albuquerque Tea Party, and sales tax on Internet purchases [ 56:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, the hit PBS series “Call the Midwife” soon wraps its second season. A panel of New Mexico midwives will be in the studio to talk about the history of midwifery in the state and its current role. The group will explore the health care community’s response to the practice as well as training standards for different kinds of midwives.

For the first time in its history, Elephant Butte reservoir released not a drop of water for downstream delivery in the month of April. The Line opinion panel assembles to examine the deepening drought in the state.

The group also looks at growing dissatisfaction among school districts with New Mexico’s funding of public education. Board members in Santa Fe recently voiced the possibility of suing the state over the matter.

Former governor Bill Richardson made headlines this week, when he opined on national television that Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s political views shouldn’t define him “as a Hispanic.” Were the governor’s comments ill-delivered or right on the money?

GUEST:
Julie Gorwoda, Midwifery Program Director, UNM School of Nursing

LINE PANELISTS:
Dan Foley, Former New Mexico House Republican Whip
Sophie Martin, Editor in Chief, New Mexico Law Review
Rob Nikolewski, Editor, New Mexico Watchdog
Matthew Reichbach, Founder, NMTelegram.com

CORRESPONDENT: Matt Grubs, NMiF Producer

HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 645 for air May 10, 2013

The history of midwifery, New Mexico drought, & New Mexico’s funding of public education [ 58:10 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, should the state’s major political parties be allowed to hold “closed” primaries? The executive director of an influential Santa Fe think tank says it’s time to rethink the practice, opening the state’s taxpayer-funded primary elections to all voters. But a state representative argues it’s a solution looking for a problem and that there are more pressing election issues to fix.

The Line opinion panel looks at what’s ahead for New Mexico’s health insurance exchange. The Legislature and Governor Susana Martinez finally agreed on the framework to enable a state-run exchange. But at the group’s first meeting, word came from a consultant that meeting an October deadline is a longshot at best. Does this mean the federal government will step in?

The group also looks at the future of a proposed horse slaughter facility in southeastern New Mexico. The USDA signaled this week that the agency is likely to approve a permit in the absence of an extension for a federal ban on the practice.

New Mexico’s Democratic Party has a new chairman. The panel examines the potential impact of Sam Bregman’s role as head of the majority party in New Mexico.

GUESTS:
Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe
Fred Nathan, Executive Director, Think New Mexico

LINE PANELISTS:
Dan Foley, Former New Mexico House Republican Whip
Laura Sanchez, Attorney
H. Diane Snyder, Former New Mexico State Senator
John Wertheim, Former New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman

CORRESPONDENT: Matt Grubs, NMiF Producer

HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 644 for air May 3, 2013

New Mexico Primary Elections, Horse Slaughter Facility in Roswell & NM's new Democratic Party chairman [ 58:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week on New Mexico in Focus, The Line opinion panel looks to the upcoming Albuquerque mayoral election as developments in the past few days have narrowed the field of candidates. Questions have also arisen over the source and ethics of contributions to Mayor Richard Berry and challenger Pete Dinelli.

The group also looks at the recent vote by the city council in Santa Fe to support an interpretation of state law that favors allowing same sex marriage. The vote doesn’t carry the force of law, but may have the power to affect the statewide debate. And the panel also examines an apparent FBI investigation into Rio Arriba County Sheriff Tommy Rodella.

Plus, host Gene Grant talks to landscaper Roger Cook. Cook is one of the hosts of “Ask This Old House” and has spent decades designing outdoor environments across the country. The pair will examine the practicalities and ethics of landscaping in the arid Southwest.

Host: Gene Grant
Guest: Roger Cook, “ Ask This Old House”
Line Guests:
Larry Ahrens, Radio Personality
Christopher Sanchez, Vice President of Creative Development, The Waite Company
Laura Sanchez, Attorney
John Wertheim, Former New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 643 for air April 26, 2013

Albuquerque mayoral election, same sex marriage, Roger Cook of "Ask This Old House" [ 57:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download