♪ ♪ GENE: WELCOME TO THIS NEW MEXICO PBS SPECIAL...

THE GOVERNOR'S 2022 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM OFFERS THOUGHTS AND PRIORITIES ON THE NEW YEAR AS AN ANNUAL START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS YEAR, SHE IS ONCE AGAIN MAKING HER REMARKS FROM HER OFFICE INSTEAD OF THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENATIVES DUE TO COVID CONCERNS.

THIS YEAR IS A 30-DAY SESSION, AND WILL FOCUS MOSTLY ON THE BUDGET.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND VOTING RIGHTS WILL BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM AND LAWMAKERS.

LET'S HEAR MORE ON THAT FROM THE GOVERNOR HERSELF.

HERE NOW IS GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, AND HER 2022 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

GOV LUJAN GRISHAM: GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU MR.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, MR. SPEAKER, MADAM SENATE PRO TEM, DISTINGUISHED SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, AND MY FELLOW NEW MEXICANS, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM: I AM HUMBLED, ONCE AGAIN, TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE STATE OF OUR GREAT STATE.

I KNOW THERE IS A TEMPTATION TO VIEW TODAY AS THE OPENING KICKOFF 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'RE ALL HERE TO DO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

IT'S A SACRED THING.

AND WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM TODAY - AND IN FACT EVERY DAY.

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 FOR THE WORKERS AND FAMILIES ALL ACROSS NEW MEXICO WHO ARE REPRESENTED HERE IN THIS BUILDING - THE ENTREPRENEURS AND JOB-CREATORS, THE SENIORS AND STUDENTS, THE 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'VE 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 INVESTED IN NEW ECONOMIC SECTORS AND WE'VE SENT THOUSANDS MORE NEW MEXICANS OF EVERY AGE AND BACKGROUND TO COLLEGE FOR FREE, NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

AND 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.

AND ADD ON TOP OF THAT INFLATION, A SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS, GRIDLOCK IN WASHINGTON: IT'S 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.

MY FAMILY AND I, MY DAUGHTERS, MY FIANCÉ, MY GRANDKIDS - ALL OF US, THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

NEW MEXICANS ARE CALLING OUT FOR SAFETY AND STABILITY, FOR MORE AND MORE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, FOR AN OPEN AND FAIR AND FREE DEMOCRACY THAT WORKS AND WORKS FOR THEM.

OVER THESE NEXT 30 DAYS, WE CAN AND WE WILL ANSWER THAT CALL, TOGETHER.

ONCE AGAIN, THIS INCREDIBLE STATE, OUR HOME, IS ON THE PRECIPICE OF MOMENTOUS POSITIVE CHANGE.

I SAID THAT THREE YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST SWORE AN OATH TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

IT'S BEEN TRUE EVERY DAY SINCE THEN.

IF ANYTHING THE OPPORTUNITY HAS GROWN, HAS MULTIPLIED EXPONENTIALLY; THE SUN IS RISING ON A PIVOTAL DAY, AND I BELIEVE EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE, RIGHT NOW, UNIMAGINABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AT OUR DISPOSAL.

I BELIEVE WE CAN FULFILL, ONCE AND FOR ALL, AFTER A HUNDRED-AND-TEN 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 MINDSET 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'T NEW MEXICO BE A STATE - CAN'T WE BE THE STATE - WHERE EVERYTHING 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'S 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, ESPECIALLY WITH A TARGETED NEW PHONICS PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE INITIATED AND THAT THE LEGISLATURE MUST CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.

WE GET MORE KIDS INTO HIGH-QUALITY APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING THAT WILL 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'RE GETTING IT DONE.

AND WE'RE 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'S ONLY GONE UP AND UP AND UP, FOR DECADES, BURDENING NEW MEXICO HOUSEHOLDS AND MAKING IT HARDER FOR OUR 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 ONE OF ONLY 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, AND I WILL KEEP LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

AND THERE ARE MORE TAX CUTS ON THE HORIZON.

OUR EXPANSION OF THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT LAST YEAR HAS ALREADY SAVED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS EACH FOR ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILLION NEW MEXICANS - THE NEW MEXICANS WHO NEED THOSE SAVINGS THE MOST.

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO SUPPORT THE MIDDLE CLASS, WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO HELP WORKERS BUILD CAREERS AND HELP FAMILIES BUILD STABILITY.

NEXT YEAR, A HALF A MILLION MORE NEW MEXICO TAXPAYERS WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE EXPANDED CREDITS.

THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND PROGRESSIVE REFORM OF OUR TAX CODE IN A GENERATION; THIS IS REAL AND MEANINGFUL CHANGE THAT HELPS FAMILIES KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AND KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE.

THIS IS MONEY THAT IS GOING RIGHT BACK INTO THE POCKET OF THE SINGLE MOM, THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, THE VETERAN WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND OUR STATE.

DAY ONE, I SAID WE WERE GONNA MAKE THIS ECONOMY WORK FOR THE EVERYDAY NEW MEXICAN, AND WE'RE GETTING IT DONE.

SO LET'S KEEP GOING.

IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DELIVER AN ADDITIONAL $230 MILLION IN RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO THE NEW MEXICANS WHO NEED IT MOST.

YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HELP KEEP THE HEAT ON IN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS OUR STATE.

WE WILL NOT LEAVE FAMILIES BEHIND.

AND IF THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES THE RESOURCES, YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT WILL DO MORE THAN JUST HELP FAMILIES STAY AFLOAT; WE CAN AND WE WILL GENUINELY INVEST IN NEW MEXICO FAMILIES AND LIFT THEM UP.

BECAUSE FAMILIES DON'T NEED TO BE WORRYING ABOUT A SURPRISE MEDICAL BILL OR CAR REPAIRS; THEY DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HUNGER EITHER.

IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, NEW MEXICO REDUCED FOOD INSECURITY AT THE SECOND-BEST RATE OF ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE ALL KNOW THERE'S MORE TO DO.

BUT THAT'S THE KIND OF PROGRESS YOU CAN BUILD ON.

IT SHOULD INSPIRE US TO KEEP GOING.

REDUCING POVERTY AND SHIELDING MORE FAMILIES FROM ITS EFFECTS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK ANY GOVERNMENT, ANY WORKER ANYWHERE, CAN DO.

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

IN THREE YEARS, WE HAVE CREATED OVER TEN THOUSAND JOBS IN EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE; AND THOSE JOBS NOW HAVE AN AVERAGE SALARY BETTER THAN $90,000 A YEAR: THAT'S A RECORD HIGH, AND IT'S 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'RE CUTTING RED TAPE, AND IT IS MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR NEW MEXICO BUSINESS OWNERS; I'M THINKING OF FOLKS LIKE MAURICE LEMUS IN RATON, WHO WAS SEEING BUSINESS EVAPORATE INTO COLORADO BEFORE WE MADE CHANGES; HE WAS THE FIRST NEW MEXICAN TO RECEIVE A NEW LIQUOR LICENSE UNDER THE LONG-OVERDUE REFORM WE ENACTED.

THAT KIND OF AGGRESSIVE GO-GET-IT ATTITUDE, SUPPORTED BY A PROACTIVE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT WANTS TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT BUSINESSES, WILL NOT ONLY KEEP MORE PATRONS IN MAURICE'S RESTAURANT BUT HELP ENTREPRENEURS THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

PEOPLE SEE THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF NEW MEXICO NOW; WE'RE CREATING A REAL PIPELINE OF JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY.

WE ARE THE FRONTIER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

UNLIKE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE GREAT RECESSION, WE'RE NOT GONNA LET THE PANDEMIC STALL US AND TAKE AWAY YEARS OF GROWTH; WE WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER LOST DECADE - IN FACT, DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE 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 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER ALONE.

WE'RE EXPANDING OUR ECONOMIC FOOTPRINT INTO EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY.

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

ALMOST FORTY THOUSAND MORE STUDENTS RECEIVING HIGH-QUALITY COLLEGE 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 THROUGH 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.

BUT IF WE WANT TO KEEP UP 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.

AND 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.

THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES CANNOT BE UP FOR DEBATE.

A SMART-ON-CRIME APPROACH CAN WORK; IT HAS WORKED.

IN MY FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, VIOLENT CRIME WENT DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 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 A THOUSAND MORE OFFICERS IN PLACE STATEWIDE 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'S 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 THIS STATE, TO KEEP VIOLENT CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS, AND TO ENSURE EVERY DAY THAT JUSTICE IS DONE, EQUALLY, UNDER THE LAW.

WE ALL WANT SAFE COMMUNITIES.

AND WE ALL WANT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE IMPORTANT STRIDES: WE HAVE CAPPED COSTS FOR LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS, WE'VE PROTECTED SAFEGUARDS FOR THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS, WE'VE INVESTED IN AFFORDABLE CARE FOR THOUSANDS OF LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES, WE HAVE ELIMINATED CO-PAYS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND WE'VE BEGUN THE GREAT TASK OF REBUILDING A MENTAL HEALTH CARE 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 HEALTH CARE THEY NEED - OR ACCESS AT ALL.

EVERY COMMUNITY DESERVES HIGH-QUALITY CARE.

I PROPOSE A NEW RURAL HEALTH CARE DELIVERY FUND THAT WILL PROVIDE BRIDGE FINANCING TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ASSISTANCE TO KICKSTART CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT MASSIVE UPFRONT COSTS; 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 TENS 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, AND WE WILL ANSWER THAT CALL.

WE CAN AND MUST ENSURE THAT KIND OF SERVICE-DELIVERY IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE - WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO SO.

THAT MEANS ENDOWING OUR MEDICAL SCHOOL WITH 10 MILLION DOLLARS, ENSURING THAT 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.

AND IT MEANS, ONCE AND FOR ALL, DELIVERING THE HEALTH CARE FAMILIES IN THE RURAL PARTS OF OUR STATE STILL DESPERATELY NEED.

WHEN I VISITED CLAYTON LAST YEAR I MET ELOISE VALDEZ, 92 YEARS YOUNG, WHOSE FAMILY CARES FOR HER 24/7.

IT'S NOT EASY.

THOUSANDS OF NEW MEXICANS ARE LIVING THE SAME STORY, UNABLE TO PAY FOR OUTSIDE HELP, BECAUSE IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE, AND IT'S NOT COVERED.

AS A CAREGIVER MYSELF, I KNOW THE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE IT TAKES; I KNOW IT CAN BE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY EXHAUSTING.

WELL, I THINK IT'S TIME WE START SAYING THANK YOU, AND 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 MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY.

LET'S CALL IT NEW MEXI-CARE, AND LET'S 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 VALUES AS A STATE.

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

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

CAREGIVING IS A FULL-TIME JOB, I KNOW IT FIRST-HAND; AND WE RESPECT WORKING PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO.

LET'S INVEST IN THE DIGNITY OF OUR ELDERS, AND OF THEIR FAMILIES, BY HELPING CAREGIVERS AND THOSE THEY CARE FOR STAY IN THEIR HOMES 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 ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITY 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'S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE.

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

WE'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE.

BECAUSE WHEN GOVERNMENT HAS THE RIGHT TOOLS, AND THE RIGHT PEOPLE, PROBLEMS ARE SOLVED.

YEAH, WE CAN DREAM BIG AND MAKE BOLD PLANS - IT DOESN'T MATTER MUCH IF WE'RE NOT SOLVING PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS, EACH DAY.

AND WE ARE.

JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER DAGMAR YOUNGBERG IN CARLSBAD TOOK A CALL FROM A VETERAN WHO NEEDED SOME HELP TAKING A FRESH LOOK AT AN OLD BENEFITS CLAIM, A CLAIM THAT HAD BEEN DENIED FOR DECADES.

THIS STATE EMPLOYEE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES DID SOME DIGGING AND GOT TO WORK TALKING WITH THE FEDS ABOUT WHAT WENT WRONG.

TURNS OUT, A LOT WENT WRONG.

IN THE END, MS. YOUNGBERG HELPED THIS DISABLED VETERAN GET FULL BACK PAY DATING BACK 20 YEARS, RECOVERING 738,000 DOLLARS IN TOTAL THAT WAS OWED TO THIS INDIVIDUAL, A PERSON WHO SERVED THEIR STATE AND THEIR COUNTRY.

SHE HELPED THIS VETERAN GET OFF FOOD STAMPS AND PAY OFF THEIR MOM'S MORTGAGE.

THIS IS A GOVERNMENT THAT IS SOLVING PROBLEMS.

AND HERE'S WHY: BECAUSE IT'S FILLED WITH NEW MEXICANS, AND NEW MEXICANS LOOK OUT FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS; WE MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT; WE GET UP WHEN WE'VE BEEN KNOCKED DOWN AND WE FIGHT FOR WHAT'S OURS.

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 HEALTH CARE 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; IT'S SOMETHING TANGIBLE, SOMETHING EVERYONE CAN ACTUALLY FEEL.

WE CAN DO IT ALL.

WE HAVE THE FINANCES.

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

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

I SUBSCRIBE TO AN OPTIMISM THAT SAYS: BIG THINGS ARE WITHIN OUR REACH, AND BLUE SKIES ARE AHEAD - AND HOPEFULLY SOME SNOW, TOO.

WHEN MY GRANDFATHER WAS A YOUNG MAN HE TRAVELED ACROSS THIS STATE, ACROSS MESAS AND OVER MOUNTAINS, IN A COVERED WAGON.

HE NEVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT BY THE TIME HE WAS AN OLD MAN HE WOULD SEE THE SANDIAS FROM 30,000 FEET IN AN AIRPLANE.

HE NEVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED HIS GRANDDAUGHTER WOULD WATCH A ROCKET BLAST OFF AND LITERALLY REACH SPACE FROM NEW MEXICO.

NONE OF US CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE.

IT FEELS UNSETTLED, ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS.

BUT WHAT I KNOW, FOR A CERTAINTY, IS THAT WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THAT KIND OF A BOLD LEAP INTO THE UNKNOWN BEYOND, TOGETHER; WE HAVE THE POWER TO ENVISION A BRIGHT TOMORROW, AND TO EXECUTE THAT VISION, ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.

AND WE MUST RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO THAT UNIFYING PURPOSE TODAY.

SO FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS, LET'S BE AGGRESSIVE ON BEHALF OF THE NEW MEXICANS WE'RE ALL HERE TO SERVE.

LET'S REMEMBER WHO BENEFITS FROM GOOD PUBLIC SERVICE.

IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICS, IT'S ABOUT COMMUNITY: YOUR COMMUNITY; OUR COMMUNITY; THE FAMILIES AND WORKERS AND SENIORS AND PARENTS WHO JUST WANT TO LIVE IN PEACE, AND WITH DIGNITY, CONFIDENT IN THE PROMISE OF TOMORROW AND THE STABILITY OF TODAY.

WE'VE MADE SO MUCH PROGRESS.

LET'S MAKE SURE NEW MEXICANS FEEL IT.

LET'S GO ABOVE AND BEYOND AND EMBRACE THE POTENTIAL OF THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT IN TIME.

THANK YOU, GOD BLESS NEW MEXICO, AND LET'S GET TO WORK.

♪ ♪ GENE: AS USUAL WE WANT TO GET SOME IMMEDIATE REACTION TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR JUST HAD TO SAY.

AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO HEAD TO THE NEW MEXICO PBS WEBSITE, WHERE REPORTERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OFFERS INSIGHT AND CONTEXT ON THE SPEECH AS WELL.

WE HAVE ALSO PULLED TOGETHER SOME KEY VOICES OVER ZOOM TO DISCUSS THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITY LIST AND OFFER SOME THOUGHTS AND INSIGHTS ON HOW MANY OF THOSE PRIORITIES MAY FARE IN THE SESSION.

HERE NOW IS PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.

GENE: WE HAVE GOT A GREAT GROUP WITH US YOU CAN SEE THERE ON THE SCREEN SOME OF THEM ARE REGULARS.

SOME WE HAVEN'T SEEN FOR A WHILE LIKE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DIANE DENISH.

HELLO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

Denish: HI.

NICE TO BE BACK.

Gene: ABSOLUTELY.

LET ME START WITH YOU.

LET'S GET RIGHT INTO THIS.

LET ME GET YOUR TOP LINE TAKEAWAY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF AGENDAS IN THERE.

WE'LL START PARSING CRIME AND EDUCATION AND OTHER THINGS FIRST, BUT I AM CURIOUS YOUR TAKEAWAY FIRST THOUGHT.

Denish: WELL, I THOUGHT THE OPENING -- I THOUGHT SHE SET THE STAGE BY SAYING -- REMINDING US WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT WAY TO START OUT.

SHE ADDRESSED -- WELL, SHE, FIRST OF ALL, HALLELUJAH, TALKED ABOUT ALL THE MONEY WE HAVE AND HOW SHE IS GOING TO SPEND IT.

ON THE CRIME PROBLEMS.

ON EDUCATION.

ON GIVING TEACHERS A RAISE.

ON ADDRESSING WHAT I THINK IS THE COMPETITION FOR THE LABOR MARKET IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AREA, IN THE TEACHER AREA.

IN THE HEALTHCARE AREA.

SHE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO RETAIN EMPLOYEES AND RECRUIT EMPLOYEES IN ALMOST EVERY SECTOR FROM HEALTHCARE AND USING THE MONEY TO ACTUALLY DO THAT, TO DO SOME OF IT IN HEALTHCARE.

I THOUGHT THOSE WERE THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

SHE TALKED ABOUT THE BASIC, WHAT THIS SESSION IS SUPPOSED TO DO, WHICH IS HOW THEY ARE GOING TO INVEST THEIR MONEY.

SHE DIDN'T TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT THE VARYING POLICY DIFFERENCES THAT MIGHT EVOLVE AROUND THE CRIME BILL OR OTHER THINGS SO I THOUGHT SHE DID A GOOD JOB WITH THAT.

I THINK DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR THAT WORKING TOGETHER MESSAGE AND I THINK SHE TRIED TO SET THE STAGE WITH THAT.

Gene: LET ME GO TO SENATOR SNYDER AND GET YOUR THOUGHTS.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU, BY THE WAY, ON THE SHOW AND NOW DURING THE SPECIAL RECAP SESSION HERE.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKEAWAY AND PLEASE DO FOLLOW-UP WITH WHAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JUST MENTIONED ABOUT THE CALL FOR WORKING TOGETHER THIS SESSION.

SNYDER: YES, I THINK THE COMMENTS ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER AND DOING THINGS TOGETHER IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AND I THINK SHE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

OUR STATE IS LOOKING FOR THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP.

I WAS WRITING WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT ALL THIS.

I WROTE DOWN THREE THINGS I THINK ARE CRUCIAL TO DETERMINING WHETHER THIS IS A SUCCESSFUL OR A FAILURE OF A SESSION.

FIRST ONE THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER IS THE FACT IT IS ONLY 30 DAYS.

NOW, OUR CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT WE SHALL ONLY DISCUSS THE BUDGET AND THOSE THINGS ON THE CALL OF THE GOVERNOR.

HOLY TOLEDO, I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY ISSUES AND IDEAS AND PREFILED BILLS.

AND THE THING THAT IS USUALLY NOT MENTIONED IS ONCE THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE IT ON HER CALL, THEN ANY LEGISLATOR CAN INTRODUCE A BILL RELATED TO THAT SUBJECT.

SO, THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER THAT CAN BE INTRODUCED.

THE SECOND THING, OF COURSE, IS MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.

EVERYBODY IS JUST GUNG-HO TO SPEND ALL THAT MONEY BUT I HOPE THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK FIRST AT THE FEDERAL MONEY.

I BELIEVE IT IS A LITTLE OVER 740 MILLION, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT IS STILL LEFT FROM WHAT THE FEDS GAVE US AND I AM GUESSING THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF TIMELINE CUT OFF ON THOSE.

I HOPE THEY DO.

THE THING THAT IS NOT FUN TO SAY, BUT THEY REALLY HAVE TO BE SERIOUS THIS YEAR ABOUT RECURRING MONIES, RECURRING EXPENSES AND NONRECURRING MONEY AND NONRECURRING EXPENSES AND MATCHING THOSE UP TOGETHER BECAUSE GIVING TEACHERS PAY RAISES IS A WONDERFUL IDEA BUT IT IS NOT JUST A ONE-YEAR THING.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO GO ON YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

SO, I AM NOT DISCUSSING RIGHT OR WRONG.

THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

THE ISSUE IS YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IT IS A RECURRING EXPENSE.

AND THEN THE LAST ONE I WANT TO MENTION IS, AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T SHOW ITS UGLY SELF, BUT THERE IS ALREADY A GREAT DISPARITY IN HOW PEOPLE ARE RELATING TO EACH OTHER.

THERE ARE MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES AND BOTH PARTIES WHO DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I DON'T THINK -- AFTER THE REDISTRICTING SESSION, I DON'T THINK THERE IS A VERY LARGE POOL OF SUPPORTERS OR LIKING OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

THERE IS CERTAINLY A RESIDUAL FEELING, IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS IN THE SENATE, OF THE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP LAST YEAR.

THERE IS STILL SOME ANIMOSITY AND FEELINGS THERE.

SENATE DEMOCRAT PARTY, AS WE JUST READ LAST WEEK, ARE THIS MAYBE IN THEIR CAUCUS MEETING, THERE WAS A MOTION FROM THEM, A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE FOR THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM.

I AM HOPING TRULY, TRULY THAT THEY PUT ALL THIS ASIDE AND DEAL WITH THE ISSUES OF THE MONEY AND SPENDING IT MOST WISELY.

BUT IF ANY OF THOSE COME INTO PLAY, THEN IT COULD DISRUPT THIS SESSION VERY MUCH.

Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

WE'LL END UP CIRCLING BACK ON A COUPLE OF THOSE.

SENATOR FELDMAN, GOOD TO SEE YOU, OF COURSE.

YOU'RE ONE OF OUR REGULARS ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

YOUR FIRST TAKEAWAY AND THE IDEA THAT THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO GET ACROSS WITH SOME PRETTY BROAD IDEAS MIXED IN WITH SOME VERY FINITE DETAILS.

HOW DID THEY COME -- HOW DID SHE COME ACROSS IN YOUR VIEW?

Feldman: WELL, I THINK SHE DOES BETTER WHEN SHE HAS AN AUDIENCE AND, YOU KNOW, AND SHE CAN JOKE AND SHE CAN INTERACT WITH FOLKS, BUT HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK SHE REALLY WARMED UP TOWARD THE END OF THIS SPEECH AND ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT HEALTHCARE, WHICH IS REALLY HER WHEEL HOUSE AND IN WHICH THERE WERE SOME SURPRISES AND SOME BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS UNVEILED.

SO, I THINK THE TONE WAS GOOD.

IN TERMS OF ACKNOWLEDGING THE DISILLUSIONMENT AND HARDSHIPS THAT NEW MEXICANS HAVE FACED WITH COVID IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND THEN ALSO ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WE HAVE GOT -- OR SAYING, REALLY, THAT WE HAVE GOT TO THINK BIG.

SHE SET A VERY AGGRESSIVE PACE AND SAID WE CAN'T BE UNNECESSARILY INCREMENTAL.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE PHRASES SHE USES AND SHE ENCOURAGED EVERYBODY TO REMEMBER THAT THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, TO TRY TO GET NEW MEXICO OUT OF THAT MIND SET THAT WE CAN'T DO THIS, WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.

OR PEOPLE ARE NOT WELL EDUCATED AND SO ON.

SHE IS TRYING TO BREAK THAT MOLD AND I THINK HER SPEECH WAS AIMED AT THAT AND I THINK THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMS WOULD BREAK THE MOLD.

Gene: INTERESTING POINTS THERE, TOO.

MERRITT ALLEN, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU, YOU MULTI-MEDIA PERSON, YOU.

YOU'LL BE ON THE RADIO LATER TODAY AS WELL.

I WANT FOLKS TO JOIN MERRITT ON KOB 96.3 LATER THIS AFTERNOON FROM 3:00 TO 6:00 FILLING IN FOR TJ.

I AM SO CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR TAKEAWAY AND I WANT TO START WITH YOU, MERRITT, BACKWARDS.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP LINE REACTION OF COURSE, BUT RIGHT INTO CRIME AND WHETHER YOU HEARD A CREDIBLE CALL FOR CRIME FIGHTING HERE.

I'LL SWING BACK TO THE GROUP ON THAT SAME QUESTION.

Allen: I GUESS, WELL, OF COURSE, CRIME IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED AND I GUESS, TO ME, I WAS SURPRISED BY WHAT SHE DIDN'T SAY.

I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

OKAY.

WE ARE GOING TO BRING IN MORE OFFICERS.

WE ARE GOING TO RECRUIT MORE PEOPLE.

OKAY.

WHAT SURPRISED ME IS WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT 16 YEAR OLD VOTING, WHICH I THINK IS A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE IDEA, BY THE WAY.

I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR HER SUPPORT REMOVING THE TAX FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY.

I DID NOT EXPECT THAT COMING.

I THINK SHE SPENT TOO MUCH TIME ON THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX CUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

170 MILLION, THAT IS A BIG NOTHING.

SHE SHOULD HAVE LED WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX CUT BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG DEAL THAT WILL HIT MORE VOTERS WHO MIGHT BE PERSUADED TO VOTE FOR HER, PEOPLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY A BIG ONE.

I FELT IT WAS A STRONG REELECTION SPEECH.

I THINK WHAT REALLY SHOCKED ME WAS THAT THERE IS NOT, IN HER CALL, ANYTHING ADDRESSING CYFD REFORM, NOR IS THERE ANYTHING REGARDING CHILD ENDANGERMENT OR CHILD PROTECTION.

THAT REALLY SURPRISED ME, I THINK, THE MOST IS NOT WHAT WAS IN IT BUT WAS NOT IN IT.

Gene: I WANT TO GET TO YOU LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON CRIME.

HAS THE GOVERNOR MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR THAT IT IS A STATE-WIDE ISSUE SAYING, I DON'T ACCEPT THE ARGUMENT THIS IS AN ISSUE IN ONLY ONE PART OF OUR STATE AND OBVIOUSLY YOUR POINT OF VIEW SPANS MUCH WIDER THAN ALBUQUERQUE.

DID SHE MAKE A CREDIBLE CASE THERE?

Denish: I THINK THERE IS A CASE TO BE MADE.

IF YOU FOLLOW NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE, ESPECIALLY ROSWELL AND CHAVES COUNTY, IT SEEMS THEIR CRIME RATE HAS ESCALATED.

IN LEA COUNTY IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER, I THINK IT HAS ESCALATED DRAMATICALLY.

YOU GO UP TO THE NORTH, ESPANOLA, RIO ARRIBA, TAOS, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A LOT OF THAT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THOUGHT MAYBE WASN'T EMPHASIZED ENOUGH IS HOW THE PENALTIES HAVE TO GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE DRUG, THE APPROACH TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL REHABILITATION AND DRUGS THAT ARE AFFECTING SO MANY OF THESE.

SO MANY CRIMES ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO EITHER DRUG DEALS OR DRUG USE.

Gene: UH-HUH.

VERY GOOD POINT THERE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, RAISES FOR STATE POLICE, THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD BUMP IN THE OVERALL BUDGET, 100 MILLION.

THAT IS NO SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THAT COULD HIRE A LOT OF PEOPLE IF WE CAN GET THESE THINGS DONE.

CALLED FOR 1000 NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS STATE-WIDE.

ARE YOU IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT?

IS THAT AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH?

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF THAT ONE?

Denish: I HAVE A VIEW OF THAT, 19% RAISE FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND 7% RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

TO ME THAT IS AN INTERESTING MESSAGE BECAUSE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO PREVENT CRIME IN THE LONG RUN IS HAVE BETTER EDUCATION, BETTER EARLY CHILDHOOD, BETTER PEOPLE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

I WOULD SAY THAT 1000 MIGHT BE NOT QUITE AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH BUT I ALSO KNOW THE DIFFICULTY IN HIRING PEOPLE THESE LAST TWO YEARS IN THE LABOR MARKET COMPETITIVENESS HAS CHALLENGED EVERYBODY.

SO MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A LOWER EXPECTATION TO SPREAD THOSE PEOPLE OUT ACROSS NEW MEXICO IS A GOOD IDEA SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET IT DONE.

BUT I DID NOTICE THAT REAL VARIATION BETWEEN THE RAISE FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

Gene: SENATOR SNYDER, ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT ALBUQUERQUE, IN FACT, DIDN'T GET A SORT OF A SEPARATE MESSAGE.

I THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEAL THE TRUTH INSTEAD OF TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE OF A STATE-WIDE ISSUE.

Snyder: WELL, BEING A RESIDENT HERE, I OBVIOUSLY DO FEEL VERY STRONGLY WITH THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE NOT MENTIONED OR DON'T MENTION VERY OFTEN IS THE FACT OF HOW MANY OFFICERS WE ARE LOSING TO RETIREMENT OUT OF THE DISRESPECT AND THE -- IT IS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, MONEY IS IMPORTANT, DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT IT IS MORE HOW THEY ARE TREATED, HOW THEY ARE PERCEIVED, HOW THEY ARE NOT ONLY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE BUT THE MEDIA IN MANY CASES.

NOT ALL.

HAVE GIVEN THEM A NEGATIVE, THAT THEY THINK NEGATIVELY ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I AM NOT SAYING THEY ARE ALL SPOTLESS IN THEIR EFFORTS AND DOING BUT I THINK IF WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT MONEY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE WE CAN ATTRACT THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MENTIONED THE DIFFERENCE IN EDUCATION, WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT AND I DIDN'T GO BACK AND LOOK THIS ALL UP BUT I DO REMEMBER THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COURTS TRADITIONALLY GOT MINUSCULE PAY INCREASES WHEREAS - NOT THAT EDUCATION GOT BIG ONES BUT EDUCATION GOT BIGGER ONES.

SO MAYBE THIS WILL KIND OF BRING SOME BALANCE INTO THE DIFFERENCE OF THEM.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL HELP US ATTRACT MORE.

MAYBE IT WILL HELP US KEEP THE ONES WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVE WHO, ARE TRAINED.

MAYBE IT WILL HELP US KEEP THEM IN THEIR JOBS.

Gene: SENATOR FELDMAN, THE GOVERNOR MAKES A GOOD POINT WHEN SHE SAYS WE HAVE TO STOP THIS POACHING FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES INSIDE NEW MEXICO TO FILL UP OFFICER RANKS.

THE END OF THE TABLE COMES AT SOME POINT AND THERE IS NOBODY LEFT WILLING TO MOVE.

AGAIN I ASK IS THE CALL AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH?

CLEARLY WE HAVE TO HAVE NEW RECRUITS FROM IN STATE, FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM OUT OF STATE THAT WANT TO LIVE HERE PERHAPS.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF HOW THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED IT?

Feldman: ANOTHER REASON WHY THIS IS A STATE-WIDE PROBLEM AND NOT JUST AN ALBUQUERQUE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE POACHING LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES AND THAT AFFECTS THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHEN SHE SAID THAT IN TERMS OF THIS IS A STATE-WIDE PROBLEM, I THINK SHE WAS REALLY DIRECTING THAT TO THE SENATE AND TO POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS FROM MAYBE THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OR OTHER COMMITTEES IN THE SENATE WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL FOLKS THAT HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN ALBUQUERQUE PROBLEM AND THERE IS ALWAYS, IN THE LEGISLATURE, YOU KNOW, THAT IS ALWAYS A WAY TO, LIKE, LOSE VOTES FOR ALBUQUERQUE.

IF YOU STICK YOUR FINGER IN A DIVIDE BETWEEN THE RURAL AREAS AND THE IMPERIAL CITY, AS IT IS CALLED IN THE LEGISLATURE, SO, I THINK THAT MY OWN VIEW IS THAT, YES, IT IS PREDICTABLE AND WE KNEW THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE SUGGESTING 100 MILLION FOR POLICE RECRUITMENT, INCREASED SALARIES FOR STATE POLICE.

YOU KNOW.

AND THIS WHOLE THING ABOUT KEEPING CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS WITH SHIFTING ONUS OF THE PROOF ON TO THEM, THOSE ARE, I THINK, TO ME, EASIER TO SAY THAN TO FULLY FUND THE COURTS AND TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE PROSECUTION AND FOLLOW THROUGH THERE AND THESE ARE, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE NOT JUST INCREASE THE PENALTIES, INCREASE THE POLICE, ONE AND DONE.

YOU HAVE TO REALLY FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND HOW IT WORKS AND DOESN'T WORK.

Gene: RIGHT.

WELCOME FORMER SENATOR ERIC GRIEGO TO OUR PANEL.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

HE IS A REGULAR ON OUR SHOW, FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 ON CHANNEL 5.1.

I AM GOING TO HAVE YOU KICK OFF EDUCATION AND TEACHER PAY AND ALL THAT KIND OF THING.

I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO CATCH UP WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP AND YOUR TOP LINE TAKEAWAY FROM THE SPEECH ITSELF AND YOUR SENSE OF JUST WHAT YOU JUST HEARD FROM SENATOR FELDMAN, THIS KIND OF TONE YOU HEARD IN THE CALL GOING FORWARD, YOU HEARD AS WELL.

Griego: I THOUGHT IT WAS BOLD.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INCREDIBLY AMBITIOUS BUT WHEN YOU HAVE GOT THE KIND OF REVENUE, I THINK THE GOVERNOR REALLY KIND OF MADE A PRETTY STRONG CASE FOR DOING SOME THINGS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DOING FOR GENERATIONS.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND TEACHER PAY STUFF WHICH IS SOMETHING A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME AND, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A LOT IN THERE.

BUT WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE MOMENT WE ARE IN, THE PANDEMIC, THE CONCERNS AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY, CERTAINLY, THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A STATE BEING ABLE TO TACKLE ISSUES THAT FRANKLY OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO TACKLE.

I THINK DEEP INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, ALL THE INVESTMENTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD THAT SHE TALKED ABOUT LAST SESSION AND THIS SESSION, I THINK THE PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY, I THINK, ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, I THINK PEOPLE SUPPORT MOST OF THAT.

IF THERE IS ANY FIREWORKS, THAT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE YOU SEE SOME MAYBE DEBATE BETWEEN SOME ADVOCATES AND FOLKS WHO ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE SORT OF TOUGH ON CRIME FOLKS BUT I THINK THAT WILL PLAY OUT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY BOLD AND, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT INSPIRING SPEECH.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND WE FINALLY HAVE THE MONEY.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME SO LET'S GET IT DONE.

YOU CAN'T HELP BUT BE A LITTLE FIRED UP FROM THE SPEECH.

Gene: THERE YOU GO.

Denish: I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO ERIC'S POINT THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME OF THESE THINGS FOREVER.

SHE DID MENTION THAT VALENCIA HOSPITAL AND ERIC AND DEDE REMEMBER THAT WAS UNDER DISCUSSION 12, 13, 14 YEARS AGO.

THEY NEED THAT HOSPITAL.

AND THEY HAVE INCREMENTALLY GOTTEN A LITTLE CAPITAL OUTLAY HERE AND THERE BUT NOW WE HAVE THE MONEY.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT A PUBLIC HEALTH HOSPITAL, TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO SHORE UP RURAL NEW MEXICO IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE WHICH I THINK IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

IF YOU WANT RURAL NEW MEXICO TO SURVIVE YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

THE OTHER THING I'LL POINT OUT IS THE NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD TRUST FUND PREDICTED TO GO INTO THE FOUR BILLION DOLLARS BY ITSELF IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WHICH WOULD BE THE SIZE OF THE STATE BUDGET WHEN, AS DEDE MENTIONED, WE WERE THERE.

IT WAS BARELY FOUR MILLION AT THE TIME SO IT IS DEFINITELY A TIME TO GET OUT OF THE SMALL THINKING MODE AND GO BIG.

Gene: YOU KNOW IT IS INTERESTING, LET ME GO BACK TO THE LINE WHERE SHE -- I LOST IT.

HANG ON, HERE WE GO.

QUOTE, WE HAVE RIGHT NOW UNIMAGINABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AT OUR DISPOSABLE.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WE WOULD HAVE EVER HEARD THAT FROM A GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO IF YOU ASKED ME 10 YEARS AGO.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY EXTRAORDINARY.

MY FAULT.

I SKIPPED OVER MERRITT.

HOLD ON SENATOR.

MERRITT, THIS IDEA OF SPENDING THIS MUCH MONEY WITH THIS LITTLE DIALOGUE, HOW DOES THAT SIT WITH YOU.

ALLEN: WHEN SHE SAID THAT, MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, LET'S WATCH IT GET POUNDED DOWN A RAT HOLE.

I AM SORRY TO SOUND SO CYNICAL BUT JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF UNCOMPLETED CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS, THE SHORTNESS OF OUR SESSIONS, THE FACT WE DON'T PAY OUR LEGISLATURE AND HAVE A PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATURE TO HAVE THE TYPE OF DIALOGUE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE RANCOR BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE FEDERAL FUNDS.

I AM KIND OF INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH HOUSE BILL 40 WHICH TWO REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE DAYMON ELY HAS SIGNED ON TO WHICH WOULD PULL BACK EMERGENCY POWERS FOR THE GOVERNOR, KIND OF THE FIRST STEP OF THE LEGISLATURE LOOKING TO RESTORE MORE OF A BALANCE OF POWER WHERE WE HAVE A VERY EXECUTIVE HEAVY - TO ME, WE HAVE A VERY EXECUTIVE HEAVY STATE GOVERNMENT AND WHAT IT HAS MORPHED INTO, AS I SEE IT IN 2022, WE HAVE AGENCIES THAT ARE RUN BY POLITICAL APPOINTEES VALUED FOR LOYALTY AND KEEPING OPTICS ON THE DOWN LOW WITHOUT REALLY RUNNING THE AGENCY AND THE EXECUTIVE IS FOCUSED ON PHOTO OPS.

WE DON'T HAVE TRANSPARENCY.

THE EXECUTIVE DOES NOT GIVE INTERVIEWS, ONLY PRESS CONFERENCES.

IT IS A ONE-WAY CONVERSATION AND SO THEN WE HAVE GOT ALL THIS MONEY AND WHERE IS IT GOING?

SO, I AM SORRY TO BE DEBBIE DOWNER ON THIS ONE, BUT I DID NOT TAKE THAT PHRASE WITH A GREAT SENSE OF OPTIMISM.

Gene: SENATOR GRIEGO, A LOT OF FOLKS WOULD JUST ARGUE, LOOK, WE HAVE NOT INVESTED IN ANY PART OF OUR STATE GOVERNMENT FOR MUCH TOO LONG.

WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED, WE ARE UNDER TECHED, WE ARE UNDER EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO EVERY DEPARTMENT IN NEW MEXICO, NOT JUST VETERANS DEPARTMENT THAT MERRITT MENTIONED EARLIER BEFORE YOU CAME ON.

IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GET AFTER THAT PART OF IT, BUILDING UP INFRASTRUCTURE.

THINKING BACK TO THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ALL THEIR PROBLEMS WITH TECH.

DID YOU HEAR ENOUGH OF THAT TO SATISFY THAT NEED IN THIS SPEECH?

Griego: IT IS BITTERSWEET, GENE, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T TALKED A LOT ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE LARGER EXISTENTIAL THREAT.

WE ARE IN THIS MOMENT WHERE I THINK WE KIND OF HAVE THIS KIND OF BASTION CHOICE TO INVEST ALL THIS MONEY THAT IS COMING FROM, YOU KNOW, I'LL SPEAK FOR MYSELF, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT WHERE IT IS COMING FROM, FOSSIL FUELS.

BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE IT AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE IT, I THINK WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TO TRY TO PLUG, TO USE ANOTHER, NOT RAT HOLE, BUT TRY TO PLUG AS MANY HOLES AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE STARVED STATE GOVERNMENT.

THE REALITY IS IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY FLAT BUDGET FOR A WHILE AND THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE INCREASE BUT FRANKLY IT IS BECAUSE WE UNDER-INVESTED FOR, SOME WOULD ARGUE, FOR A GENERATION.

WE NEVER HAD THE KIND OF PER CAPITA SPENDING ON THE KIND OF THINGS WE REALLY NEED TO INVEST IN HUMAN CAPITAL AS YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME SAY ON THE SHOW.

WE HAVE MADE HARD INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

CERTAINLY THERE COULD BE MORE.

I DON'T DISAGREE THERE IS A LOT MORE INFRASTRUCTURE WE CAN PUT OUT THERE.

THAT IS A DIFFERENT PART OF THE BUDGET.

WE CAN USE SOME OF THAT FEDERAL MONEY.

THERE IS A BIG CAPITAL BUDGET AS WELL.

IN TERMS OF PROGRAMMATIC, WE ARE INVESTING IN TEACHERS, WE ARE INVESTING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.

WE ARE INVESTING IN HEALTHCARE.

SOME OF THE PROPOSALS THAT ARE ON THE TABLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET, THAT IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS DECISION TO USE THIS MONEY IN A WAY THAT REALLY AFFECTS PEOPLES' LIVES, I THINK YOU HAVE TO INVEST, AND I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH MERRITT ON THIS, IT IS CLEAR WHERE WE ARE SPENDING THE MONEY.

I DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYWHERE THE GOVERNOR IS SPENDING IT BUT TO SAY IT IS NOT PRETTY CLEAR WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING, IT IS PRETTY CLEAR.

THERE IS A LINE ITEM FOR ALL OF THESE AND SOME ARE BIG LINE ITEMS, BUT I THINK THIS IS, FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, I THINK THESE ARE LONG, I THINK, TO THE FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S POINT, THESE ARE LONG OVERDUE INVESTMENTS IN THINGS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A GENERATION.

Feldman: GENE, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT SHOULDN'T WE BE SUPPORTING SOME OF THE BASIC NEEDS OF DEPARTMENTS, YOU KNOW, IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE USUALLY THAT IS WHAT THE LEGISLATORS SAY TO A GOVERNOR WHO IS PROMISING ALL THESE BIG NEW PROGRAMS WITH THEIR NAME ON IT.

AND IN THIS CASE IT IS THE GOVERNOR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO IS SUGGESTING REALLY FULLY FUNDING THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS BEEN UNDERFUNDED FOR YEARS.

AND SHE IS PROPOSING A 46% INCREASE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT WHEREAS THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR MUCH AT ALL.

SHE IS ALSO PROPOSING INCREASES FOR THE STATE ENGINEER WHICH THE LEGISLATURE DIDN'T DO.

AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE HAD A STATE ENGINEER RESIGN THIS PAST YEAR BECAUSE THERE HADN'T BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE STATE ENGINEER'S OFFICE FOR YEARS.

SO, I THINK THAT SHE IS TRYING TO DO THAT AS WELL AS PROPOSING NEW PROJECTS.

Gene: WE ARE GOING TO WRAP UP IN A QUICK SECOND.

I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE LIVING BUSY LIVES AS WELL.

I AM CURIOUS, WAS THERE ANYTHING FROM ANYBODY YOU WISHED YOU HAD HEARD?

I AM GOING BACK TO MERRITT'S OPENING STATEMENT.

I AM KIND OF BLOWN AWAY AT THIS IDEA ABOUT ELECTION REFORM THAT IS NOT EVEN ON PAPER YET.

IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS PROPOSED.

I LOVE THE JOURNAL EDITORIAL ABOUT IT, SAYING HANG ON FOLKS, 16 YEAR OLDS VOTING, LET'S.

Snyder: THERE IS ONE OTHER THING AND WE TOUCHED ON IT A LITTLE BIT.

I DIDN'T HEAR AND I LISTENED CAREFULLY.

I DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT BROADBAND OR IMPROVING THE CAPITAL OUTLAY PROCESS BECAUSE WE ARE NOTORIOUS ABOUT GIVING 50,000 DOLLARS AT A TIME FOR A TWO MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT AND I KNOW THIS IS VERY SENSITIVE WITH LEGISLATORS, IN PARTICULAR, RURAL LEGISLATORS, BUT, TO ME, IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE TEACHERS AND MORE MONEY, YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE MORE SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

EVERYBODY CAN'T LIVE IN A PORT AND BUILDING.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE POLICE OFFICER, WHICH WE ALL WANT, WE WANT HIGHER PAY FOR TEACHERS BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

THEY HAVE TO HAVE CARS TO DRIVE AROUND, BUILDINGS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE EQUIPMENT.

THERE IS ALL THOSE THINGS AND I DIDN'T EVEN SEE A SLIGHT REFERENCE TO THOSE BEING INCLUDED IN THE ALLOCATIONS.

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT IDEAS SO OFTEN BUT WE DON'T PUT THE FOUNDATION UNDER IT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Gene: FAIR POINT.

SENATOR FELDMAN, YOUR LAST WORDS, YOUR SENSE OF HOW WE GO FORWARD FROM THIS AND WHERE YOU THINK THE LEGISLATORS -- HOW THEY HEARD THIS.

THAT IS THE AUDIENCE AS WELL, CERTAINLY.

Feldman: WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PROPOSED.

I WANT TO SAY, IT IS TOO MUCH FOR A 30-DAY SESSION.

WE SHOULD NOT HAVE A 30-DAY SESSION.

WE SHOULD HAVE 60-DAY SESSIONS AND 90-DAY SESSIONS, SO THAT THESE IDEAS CAN BE DISCUSSED ON ALL SIDES.

AND CAN BE VETTED.

WE ARE DEALING WITH AN ANTIQUATED SYSTEM HERE AND WE NEED TO FIX IT.

Gene: GUYS, THANK YOU.

CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.

THIS IS ALWAYS AN INTERESTING TRADITION FOR US TO FOLLOW-UP THE STATE-OF-THE-STATE ADDRESS WITH SOME IMMEDIATE REACTIONS WITH FOLKS WHO HAVE SERVED OUR STATE IN MANY CAPACITIES.

THANK YOU FOR THAT COURSE AND WE'LL HAVE MORE OF THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 AT CHANNEL 5.1 WHERE WE WILL PARSE THE SPEECH A LITTLE BIT MORE AND BREAK DOWN ALL THOSE ISSUES THESE FOLKS PROVIDED US AS WELL.

WE'LL SEE YOU THEN AND TO THE GROUP HERE, THANK GUYS VERY MUCH FOR SPENDING YOUR TIME.

THE ONLY MONEY WE HAVE IS OUR TIME AND WE REALLY THANK YOU FOR SPENDING IT WITH US.

GENE: THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WATCH OUR COVERAGE OF THE 2022 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AGAIN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE OF OUR CONVERSATION AND TO SEE THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH WITH CONTEXTUAL FOOTNOTES FROM NEW MEXICO REPORTERS.

AND BE SURE TO JOIN US FOR MUCH MORE ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT ON THE LEGISLATURE FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7PM ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

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