>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS  LIKE YOU.

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW  MEXICO IN FOCUS, PREVIEWING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LAWMAKERS HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AVAILABLE BUT WHAT  WILL THEY PRIORITIZE?

>> Martinez: I THINK WE NEED  TO KEEP BUILDING THE SERVICES AND THE PROGRAMS THAT NEW  MEXICANS SORELY NEED AND DESPERATELY WANT.

>> Gene: THE STATE HOUSE WILL HAVE A NEW SPEAKER WHEN  SESSIONS BEGIN IN JANUARY.

NOMINEE JAVIER MARTINEZ  EXPLAINS HIS VISION.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS   STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

DEMOCRATS IN THE ROUNDHOUSE  HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH WHEN THEY START THE  2023 SESSION IN LESS THAN A FEW WEEKS.

COMING UP IN 25 MINUTES, NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS CORRESPONDENT  RUSSELL CONTRERAS SITS DOWN WITH NOMINEE FOR SPEAKER OF  THE HOUSE, JAVIER MARTINEZ, TO ASK HOW HE WILL SET THE  AGENDA.

THEN IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE  SHOW, I ASK OUR PANEL OF FORMER STATE LAWMAKERS IF THEY  SUPPORT THE IDEA OF MODERNIZING OUR STATE  LEGISLATURE.

NEW POLLING SHOWS THE PUBLIC  SUPPORTS CHANGES LIKE LENGTHENING SESSIONS AND  PAYING LAWMAKERS BUT IS THERE ENOUGH TIME TO GET SOMETHING  PASSED THIS SESSION?

LAWMAKERS HAVE A LOT TO  CONSIDER IN THEIR 60-DAY ASSIGNMENT IN SANTA FE.

NOW AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHAT WILL COME  UP BUT WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA.

WE HAVE HEARD RUMBLINGS ABOUT ACTIONS ON ABORTION, RENT  STABILIZATION, ALCOHOL TAXES, AND GUN CONTROL.

IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I'LL ASK OUR LINE PANELISTS IF RAISING  THE AGE TO BUY AN AUTOMATIC WEAPON IS A SMART MOVE FOR OUR  STATE.

WE START WITH WHAT WILL THE  BIGGEST FACTOR AT PLAY IN THE ROUNDHOUSE NEXT MONTH, MONEY.

THE STATE IS IN FOR A MASSIVE SURPLUS AS OIL AND GAS REVENUE  CONTINUES TO BOOM.

THAT COULD MEAN A LOT OF  OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP NO PUSH THEIR  AGENDA FORWARD.

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

WE HAVE THE PERFECT GROUP OF PANELISTS THIS WEEK TO TALK  ABOUT THE UPCOMING SESSION.

LET'S WELCOME EVERYONE IN.

FIRST IS FORMER STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN.

ANOTHER FORMER STATE SENATOR THAT WOULD BE DIANE SNYDER,  WITH US AS WELL, AND FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL  FOLEY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

YOU ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO GET READY FOR THE UPCOMING  SESSION, ALL THREE OF YOU, BUT NOT WITH THE KIND OF MONEY OUR  STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE IN FRONT OF THEM FOR 2023.

STATE ECONOMISTS ESTIMATE GOVERNMENT INCOME OF NEARLY  12 BILLION-DOLLARS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR RUNNING FROM  JULY 2023 TO JUNE 2024.

THE IMPORTANT BIT, THAT IS  3.6 BILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN THE ANNUAL GENERAL FUND  SPENDING OBLIGATIONS RIGHT NOW.

DANIEL, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE OPPORTUNITY, AND PUT  OPPORTUNITY IN FINGER QUOTES, HERE LAWMAKERS HAVE IN FRONT  OF THEM OR IS THIS A GIANT LANDMINE READY TO GO OFF TO  MAKE THINGS VERY DIFFICULT FOR EVERYBODY.

WHAT END OF THE SPECTRUM ARE WE --  >> Dan: IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

I KNOW, GENE, OVER THE YEARS I GIVE YOU GRIEF ALL THE TIME  YOU GOT TO BE EXTREMELY ORGASMIC THE FACT THAT WE CAN  NOW SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL THE MONEY  TO SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM.

>> Gene: SOMEWHAT.

>> Dan: ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I THINK BOTH SENATORS  WILL AGREE WITH ME, YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, TAKE THESE  PROJECTIONS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT, BECAUSE WE HAVE -- IN  NEW MEXICO WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.

HAVE YOU TO BE -- WE HAVE TO PRODUCE A BALANCED BUDGET AND  WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE DIDN'T ALWAYS PRODUCE THE  BUDGET BASED ON REVENUE.

WE CREATED THE REVENUE BASED  ON THE BUDGET.

YOU WOULD GO IN AND SAY HERE  IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND AND GO BACK AND TINKER WITH  THE PRICE OF OIL, PRICE OF GAS, WE WOULD HAVE DIFFERENT  THINGS THAT COME OUT.

SO I AM NOT SURE THAT WE'LL  HAVE THIS MUCH MONEY.

I THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO  FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY BETWEEN NOW AND THE TIME THEY  GET IT.

REMEMBER THAT MAY BE WHAT THEY  HAVE TODAY.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GETTING  THROUGH A 60-DAY SESSION, GETTING ALL THE WORK DONE.

AT THE EARLIEST THIS MONEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE WOULD BE  JULY OR AUGUST BY THE TIME THEY GET BONDS SOLD AND  EVERYTHING.

SO IT COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT  CHANGE EVEN THOUGH THEY THINK THEY HAVE IT.

THE REAL QUESTION IS GOING TO BE, WE ARE CLEARLY A STATE  THAT HAS A TON OF NEEDS, THERE IS NO DOUBT.

OUR WATER SITUATION ISN'T GETTING BETTER, ROAD SITUATION  ISN'T BETTER.

BUT, IS IT GOING TO BE USUAL  ARGUMENT THAT SEEMS TO CONSTANTLY PRESENT ITSELF  WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, ARE YOU GOING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT  EXIST OR ARE YOU GOING TO CREATE PROGRAMS TO SOLVE  PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING TO REQUIRE RECURRING FUNDING.

BECAUSE AS WE SAW WHEN GARY JOHNSON WAS GOVERNOR, THERE  WAS GROWTH IN SOME ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS AND WHEN HE CUT THEM  HE GOT SUED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LEGISLATURE PREVAILED  AND SAID HE HAS THE RIGHT TO NOT TO GO THAT PROGRAM ANYMORE  BUT YOU CAN'T DO AWAY WITH THE PEOPLE THAT WERE ADDED.

MY INITIAL GUT REACTION IS THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE  FOCUS ON SPENDING THE MONEY ON ONE-TIME OPTIONS THAT THAT  MONEY CAN SOLVE A PROBLEM TODAY.

IT WILL BE THE GROUNDWORK AND SEWING THE SEEDS FOR PROGRAMS  THAT ARE GOING TO COST SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY  THAT WILL BE BACK WHEN THE DOWNTURN COMES TO DISCUSS  WHERE WE GET THAT MONEY FROM.

>> Gene: THAT IS A GOOD POINT  THERE.

WE'LL CIRCLE BACK TO THAT, THE  AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS SLATED TO JUST LAND IN OUR LAPS OVER  THE YEARS.

SENATOR FELDMAN, GOT TO START  WITH YOU, WE HAD A BLUE NOVEMBER HERE IN NEW MEXICO,  NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

DEMOCRATS APPROACHING THIS  YEAR'S SESSION WITH MOMENTUM.

WHAT PRIORITIES ARE THEY  PLANNING ON PUSHING FORWARD?

ANY INDICATIONS YOU HAVE HEARD  SO FAR?

>> Dede: WELL, THE GOVERNOR  HAS A LIST AND I THINK THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GRAPPLING  WITH 3.6 BILLION IN NEW REVENUE AND THEY HAVE SOME  PROPOSALS AS WELL.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM  THE GOVERNOR, THE PUSH IS NOT GOING TO BE SO MUCH IN  CREATING NEW PROGRAMS BECAUSE THAT IS A DANGER, BUT IN  BUILDING ON WHAT ALREADY EXISTS.

AND I THINK THAT THERE IS SOME TALK ABOUT MONEY FOR FAMILY  PLANNING.

TALK ABOUT INCREASES FOR  EDUCATION.

BUT NOT JUST THE USUAL TEACHER  SALARY INCREASES, ALSO REFORMS, LIKE INCREASING THE  NUMBER OF HOURS THAT KIDS SPEND IN SCHOOL.

AND, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE HER FREE LUNCH PROGRAM HAS GOTTEN  A LOT OF PUBLICITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING I THINK THAT MERITS SOME CONSIDERATION  PARTICULARLY SINCE THE STATE IS GOING TO BE REACTING TO THE  WITHDRAWAL OF FEDERAL MONEY OR THE END OF FEDERAL MONEY FROM  COVID.

YOU KNOW, THERE WERE A LOT OF  TANF.

THERE WAS A LOT MEDICAID  MONIES THAT CAME TO THE STATE DURING COVID THAT WILL END.

SAYING THAT, I THINK THAT THE LEGISLATORS AND PARTICULARLY  IN THE SENATE HAVE SOME PLANS FOR PUTTING THIS NEW MONEY  INTO SOME PERMANENT FUNDS THAT ARE GEARED TOWARD INVESTING  AND SOLVING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE WHEN  GENE -- I MEAN WHEN WATER WAS BROUGHT UP, ALSO,  ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS THAT WOULD GRADUALLY GET THE STATE  AWAY FROM ITS DEPENDENCE ON OIL AND GAS, AND, OF COURSE,  THAT IS THE ORIGIN OF ALL THIS NEW MONEY.

>> Gene: INTERESTING.

SENATOR SNYDER, I AM GLAD  SENATOR JUST MENTIONED OIL AND GAS.

40% OF THIS MONEY IS COMING FROM OIL AND GAS AND HERE WE  ARE HAVING A LOT OF ELECTED FOLKS SAYING WE NEED TO GET  AWAY FROM OIL AND GAS.

THIS IS A CLASSIC NEW MEXICO  DILEMMA.

MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS FOR  REPUBLICANS, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A PARTICULAR  CHALLENGE COMING UP HERE.

YOU HAVE GOT EXCITED DEMOCRATS  COMING IN WITH NUMBERS AND A PLAN AND I AM CURIOUS WHERE  YOU THINK REPUBLICANS MIGHT BE ON HOW THIS ALL SORT OF  UNFOLDS OVER THE SESSION.

>> Diane: THANKS, GENE.

I THINK THE REPUBLICANS UNDERSTAND VERY CLEARLY  BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE A LOT OF THEM ARE FROM IS OIL AND GAS  COUNTRY AND THEY KNOW FROM THEIR LOCAL LEVEL UP TO THE  STATE, EVEN UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHAT THAT IMPACT  IS.

AND HOW MUCH MONEY IT IS.

SO, THEY ALSO KNOW FROM THEIR OWN BUDGETS AND OWN COMPANIES  THAT IT IS A BOOM/BUST CYCLE AND I MEAN I AM LIKE EVERYBODY  ELSE, I GO, OH GOSH, I WISH I HAD HAD THAT 3.6 BILLION WHEN  I WAS IN THE SENATE BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE  ALWAYS BEEN SUCH A PROPONENT OF IS FUNDS FOR  INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND INFRASTRUCTURE HAS GROWN  NOW TO MEAN NOT ONLY ROADS AND BRIDGES, WHICH BY THE WAY  WE'RE STILL RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PILE FOR THE  SAFETY OF OUR BRIDGES, AND DON'T BE CONFUSED THAT IT IS  JUST CROSSING THE RIO GRANDE.

IT IS EVERY LITTLE ARROYO THAT  IS A GRID GOING OVER IT ON RURAL HIGHWAYS AND THAT IS HOW  YOU GET FIRE TRUCKS AND YOUR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

WE HAVE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE LOOKED AT THAT A  LITTLE BIT AND DONE SOME WORK BUT WE ARE -- ALSO  INFRASTRUCTURE IS ALSO THE INTERNET, WORLDWIDE WEB.

THE IMPACTS AND YOU TAKE THOSE AREAS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS  NOT JUST SOMEBODY PLAYING GAMES ON THEIR COMPUTER OR  EMAILING.

IT IS HOW WE ARE TEACHING OUR  CHILDREN NOWADAYS.

SO, THAT WAS, IF I AM NOT  MISTAKEN PART OF THE CONCERN WITH THE LAWSUIT THAT WAS  BROUGHT ABOUT THAT WE DON'T TREAT OUR CHILDREN EQUITABLY  ACROSS THE STATE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF  INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABLE.

SO THOSE ARE THINGS I WOULD  LIKE TO SEE US DO FIRST.

I THINK THE PRACTICAL KIND OF  WISDOM YOU'LL SEE FROM REPUBLICANS, IS GOING TOWARD  THAT.

LET'S DO THOSE ROADS, BECAUSE  WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF REALLY BAD ROADS IN OIL AND GAS  COUNTRY WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN USED SO MUCH AND NOT REPAIRED.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE MORE CONCERN OVER THAT.

THEN MOVING -- I GOT TO TELL YOU, HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE WE  COULD CERTAINLY DO WITH SOME IMPROVEMENT.

THE OTHER THING IS I HAVE ALSO HEARD, IN FACT ONE VERY VOCAL  REPUBLICAN SENATOR HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE SMALLER  PERMANENT FUND IN WHICH ONLY THE REVENUES GENERATED WOULD  BE USED AND THAT IT COULD CONTINUE TO GROW SO THAT WHEN  THE BUST CYCLE DOES COME, THAT WE WON'T BE SO HARD HIT, THAT  WE CAN CONTINUE.

I PERSONALLY LIKE THE IDEA,  THE GOVERNOR'S, OF SEEING THAT EVERY CHILD HAS A FREE LUNCH.

I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN BUT I CAN'T IMAGINE A CHILD BEING  ABLE TO LEARN IF THEY ARE GOING HUNGRY.

SO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME KIND OF AN AGREEMENT REACHED  ON THAT.

>> Gene: LET ME KICK OVER TO  DAN.

TWO-AND-A-HALF MINUTES.

AND I HAVE A BIG ONE I WANT ALL THREE 3 OF YOU TO WEIGH IN  ON.

DAN, ARE WE AT A PLACE NOW  WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER SOME KIND  OF RETURN OF THIS MONEY TO THE TAXPAYER, CONSIDERING HOW MUCH  WE HAVE?

WE MIGHT RECALL SHE AUTHORIZED  THAT TAX REBATE FOR $1500 PER HOUSEHOLD EARLIER IN THE YEAR  BUT I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN WHAT IS GOING ON  IN MY OLD STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, WHAT IS CALLED  CHAPTER 62F.

BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED IS THE  STATE IS MAILING OUT CHECKS TO 3 MILLION PEOPLE IN  MASSACHUSETTS FOR A PARTIAL REFUND OF THEIR STATE TAXES  BECAUSE WHAT THEY TOOK IN HAS GONE OVER A CERTAIN LINE THEY  DETERMINED, WHERE MONEY HAS TO BE RETURNED TO THE TAXPAYER.

I AM AMAZED REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T STARTED TO MAKE THIS A  LITTLE NOISIER, THIS IDEA.

WE HAVE ALL THIS MONEY  SLOSHING AROUND AND IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR SOME OF IT TO COME  BACK TO THE TAXPAYER.

ARE YOU IN AGREEMENT ON THAT  AND HOW DO WE DO IT?

>> Dan: OF COURSE I AM IN  AGREEMENT WITH THAT.

IT IS THEIR MONEY.

THIS -- THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T  CREATE ANYTHING.

IT TAKES.

SO, THIS IS ALL THE PEOPLES' MONEY.

THIS IS A MUCH DEEPER CONVERSATION.

I WOULD JUST SAY YOU RAISE A GREAT POINT AND IT SOUNDS  GREAT ON THE SHOW BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PHILOSOPHICAL  DIFFERENCES, RIGHT?

WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO IS NOT  GOING TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

SHE IS DONE AFTER FOUR YEARS.

DO YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND TRY TO BRING THE PUBLIC OVER TO  YOUR SIDE WHEN YOU'RE NEVER RUNNING FOR REELECTION OR DO  YOU BUILD LEGACY PROGRAMS THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO SAY, YOU KNOW,  PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REMEMBER 20 YEARS FROM NOW THAT YOU  GAVE THEM 3 OR $4,000 OR ARE THE GOING TO HAVE A BETTER  STANCE ON REMEMBERING THAT YOU CREATED A FREE LUNCH PROGRAM  OR A FREE BUS PROGRAM?

SO, I DO THINK THE MONEY  SHOULD BE GOING BACK.

I THINK THE MONEY SHOULD BE  GOING BACK TO PEOPLE IN GENERAL.

IT SHOULDN'T BE A NEED-BASED GIVE BACK.

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME OPPORTUNITY BUT I WOULD ALSO  SAY ONE OF THE WORST THINGS WE CAN DO IN THE STATE IS GIVE  MORE HANDOUTS.

THIS STATE SEEMS TO BE THE  KING OF FINDING WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE NOT GO FIND A JOB.

HOW DO YOU GET YOU MORE ASSISTANCE FOR THIS AND MORE  ASSISTANCE FOR THAT.

>> Gene: IS IT REALLY A  HANDOUT?

DOES IT HAVE TO BE CLASSIFIED  AS SUCH?

I MEAN -- SENATOR FELDMAN.

>> Dan: IT DOES IF YOU'RE NOT SOMEONE WHO THEY ARE TAKING  THE MONEY FROM.

IF IT WASN'T YOUR MONEY WHEN  THEY TOOK IT.

WHEN THEY TAKE MONEY OUT OF MY  POCKET AND GIVE IT TO YOU, GENE, IT IS TAKING FROM ME TO  GIVE A HANDOUT TO YOU.

>> Gene: SENATOR FELDMAN, WHAT  IS YOUR THOUGHT ON THIS?

I AM NOT SURE IF YOU'RE  FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN MASSACHUSETTS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO CALL.

THEY JUST MAIL YOU THE CHECK.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR OR DO ANYTHING  ELSE.

IT JUST GETS AUTOMATICALLY  DUMPED IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE SHOULD  THINK ABOUT IT?

>> Dede: IT IS HARD NOT TO  CALL THAT A HANDOUT, I THINK, CONTRARY TO WHAT DAN SAYS, BUT  I THINK THAT, FIRST OF ALL, THE GOVERNOR, DESPITE THE FACT  THAT THIS IS HER LAST TERM, HAS ALREADY PROPOSED ANOTHER  TAX REBATE AND, REMEMBER, THE TAX -- THESE THINGS COST A LOT  OF MONEY.

THE 1500 THAT EACH FAMILY GOT  LAST YEAR, THAT COST 1.1 BILLION-DOLLARS.

THAT IS ABOUT A THIRD OF THE NEW MONEY FOR THIS TIME.

SO, I THINK, THOUGH, WHAT IT POINTS OUT TO ME IS THAT NOW  IS THE TIME FOR A TAX OVERHAUL.

AN OVERHAUL OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX WHERE MAYBE WE  COULD LOWER THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX FOR EVERYONE AND MAKE SOME  OTHER FIXES IN TAX PYRAMIDING, AND, YES, THAT IS GOING TO  COST A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY BUT SEEMS TO ME LIKE NOW IS THE  TIME TO DO IT.

AND I THINK THAT THE  LEGISLATORS HAVE AN APPETITE FOR THAT ESPECIALLY IN THE  HOUSE.

>> Gene: SENATOR SNYDER, I  WANT TO GIVE YOU A SHOT HERE IF YOU CAN KEEP IT JUST A  LITTLE BIT SHORT.

IS THIS A GOOD IDEA FOR NEW  MEXICO TO START SPENDING SOME MONEY BACK INTO THE TAXPAYERS'  POCKET OUT OF ALL THESE BILLIONS WE HAVE SLOSHING  AROUND?

>> Diane: ALWAYS I THINK TO  GIVE BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO PAID, BUT WHEN YOU GET INTO  IT, THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE WAY IT GOES.

DETERMINING WHO IS GOING TO GET THE REBATE IS THE  CHALLENGE THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE.

THE OTHER THING, JUST QUICKLY, IS IF WE CONTINUE TO GROW,  LET'S LOOK, FIRST, AT HOW -- I WOULD RATHER -- AND OF COURSE  PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU JUST HAVE MONEY.

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE  SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE SO THAT MONEY IS BEING MADE THAT  WE CAN ALSO KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HERE IN OUR STATE SO  LET'S TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT CHANGING THE TAX STRUCTURE,  LOOKING FOR JOBS, BUT WE CAN'T JUST DROP THE GROSS RECEIPTS  TAX.

IF YOU DO THAT, THAT MONEY  WHEN WE GET TO THE BUST CYCLE, SOMEBODY HAS TO COME UP WITH  THAT MONEY.

WE NEED A LONG-TERM PLAN AND  APPROACH.

>> Gene: ALL THE MORE REASON,  I AM GOING TO SAY THIS, ESPECIALLY FOR DEDE'S BENEFIT  HERE, ALL THE MORE REASON FOR THIS PUSH FOR A LONGER  LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND, YOU KNOW, DOLING OUT THIS KIND OF  MONEY IN THE SESSION LENGTH WE HAVE IS JUST A RECIPE FOR A  LOT OF TROUBLE.

THANKS TO OUR LINE OPINION  PANEL FOR THAT ONE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK IN LESS  THAN A MINUTE TO TALK ABOUT ISSUE WE EXPECT TO SEE IN THE  LEGISLATURE AND THAT IS GUN CONTROL.

>> Martinez: ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE A PART OF OUR CAUCUS WHO  WANTS TO CAUCUS WITH THE DEMOCRATS IS WELCOME.

AND THAT IS A PHILOSOPHY THAT I HAVE CARRIED FOR A LONG  TIME.

I GOT STARTED IN POLITICS AS A  COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WHERE I DIDN'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO  PICK AND CHOOSE WHO MY PARTNERS WOULD BE.

I HAD TO WORK WITH WHOEVER IS AT THE TABLE AND WHOEVER  WANTED TO WORK WITH ME TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR  COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I HAVE TAKEN THAT INTO POLITICS.

AND I WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THAT WITH ME INTO THE  SPEAKER'S CHAIR.

>> Gene: STICKING WITH OUR  LINE OPINION PANELISTS, LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO ANOTHER  ISSUE WE ARE EXPECTING TO COME UP IN THIS SESSION NEXT MONTH,  GUN CONTROL.

NOW THE LAST FEW SESSIONS HAVE  SEEN AN ARRAY OF BILLS ON THAT TOPIC AND THIS YEAR IS NO  DIFFERENT.

REPRESENTATIVE REENA  SZCZEPANSKI FROM SANTA FE PLANS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION  THAT WOULD RAISE THE AGE FOR PURCHASING AN AR15 STYLE RIFLE  FROM 18 YEARS OLD TO 21.

NOW, DANIEL, LET ME START WITH  YOU ON THIS ONE, A TOUGH SUBJECT AMONG SOME PARTS OF  THE STATE.

IT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE  COUNTRY IN SOME PLACES.

SHOULD THE MINIMUM AGE BE  INCREASED FOR THESE SIZE RIFLES OR THESE TYPE OF RIFLES  AND ITS CHANCES OF PASSING IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Dan: THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF FEEL GOOD TYPES OF THINGS THAT  YOU WANT TO DO.

HERE IS WHY I SAY THAT.

YOU LOOK AT MANY EXAMPLES OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON  TODAY, WHETHER IT IS MASS SHOOTINGS OR JUST INDIVIDUAL  CRIME.

MOST OF THESE PEOPLE CAN'T GET  GUNS.

THEY ARE HAPPENING IN  COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE STRICT GUN CONTROL LAWS OR THEY ARE  PEOPLE THAT, IF THEY WENT ABOUT GETTING A GUN THE  RIGHT WAY, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET A GUN.

SO, YOU KNOW RAISING THE AGE IT IS NOT NECESSARY THE THING  THAT IS GOING TO HAVE THE CONSEQUENCES.

I DO THINK IT HAS THE CHANCE OF PASSING.

GUNS ARE ONE OF THE FEW THINGS IN THE LEGISLATURE ESPECIALLY  IN NEW MEXICO THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY A PARTY ISSUE.

IT IS A RURAL/URBAN ISSUE.

YOU START TALKING ABOUT LIMITING  OPPORTUNITIES FOR GUNS, PURCHASING GUNS, HAVING GUNS,  I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, YOU COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST  LIBERAL DEMOCRATS FROM WAY NORTHERN NEW MEXICO AND YOU'RE  SUDDENLY GOING TO BE SITTING NEXT TO CANDY EZZELL FROM  ROSWELL AND SAYING, MY CONSTITUENTS AREN'T FOR THIS.

IT IS A REAL ISSUE BETWEEN PEOPLE IN ALBUQUERQUE, SANTA  FE VERSUS REALLY THE REST OF THE STATE.

SO, I THINK YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THESE THINGS BROUGHT IN AND A  LOT OF THESE THINGS WILL GET TURNED INTO SOME SORT OF  STUDIES AND MEMORIALS BUT I DON'T FORESEE THERE BEING A  HUGE DESIRE FROM ESPECIALLY A HEAVILY RURAL STATE, AND AFTER  REDISTRICTING MORE LEGISLATORS REPRESENTING RURAL NEW MEXICO,  I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF MOVEMENT ON ANYTHING THAT  LIMITS PEOPLES' ABILITY TO PURCHASE OR UTILIZE GUNS.

>> Gene: SENATOR SNYDER, LET ME ASK YOU THIS THOUGH.

I MENTIONED OTHER STATES HAVE PASSED SIMILAR BILLS INCLUDING  CALIFORNIA AND NEW JERSEY, BUT CALIFORNIA, YOU MIGHT HAVE  HEARD, U.S. APPEALS COURT IN STRUCK DOWN THE AGE CHANGE  CLAIMING IT VIOLATED THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

AND WE HAVE THE BENNY HARGROVE GUN SAFETY ACT LOCALLY  EXPECTED TO BE REINTRODUCED THIS YEAR BY REPRESENTATIVE  PAMELA HERNDON.

THAT IS THE FIREARM STORAGE  BILL MAKING IT A CRIME IF A CHILD GAINS AN UNAUTHORIZED  ACCESS TO A GUN.

THESE THINGS ARE DIFFICULT.

THEY ARE HARD TO GET A HOLD -- A MAJORITY OPINION ON, BUT I  AM CURIOUS ON THE AR15 TYPE BAN OR RAISING THE AGE LIMIT.

ARE YOU WITH DAN ON THIS, NOT A VIABLE IDEA AT THIS POINT?

>> Diane: I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH DAN THAT IT IS NOT EVEN  AT THIS POINT -- I THINK IT IS THAT THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU  CAN RAISE THE AGE BUT THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THE LAW ARE  NOT THE ONES THAT LAWS HELP.

I DON'T SEE IT STOPPING   IN ANY WAY.

I THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE -- I MEAN, WE DIDN'T SEE DRINKING,  ILLEGAL DRINKING GO DOWN WHEN WE RAISED THE AGE ON WHAT IS  LEGAL DRINKING.

I JUST THINK THAT, TWO THINGS,  WE STILL NEED EDUCATION ON HOW TO LOOK AT AND HAVE A GUN IN  YOUR HOME.

I HAVE BEEN, BECAUSE OF A  NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS, I MYSELF HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO  SEE WHAT THE OPTIONS WERE FOR ME AND TALKING TO FRIENDS WHO  HAVE THEM.

AND THE EDUCATION PART.

BUT I DON'T THINK EVERYBODY LOOKS AT THAT FIRST.

THEY JUST SAY, SOMETHING HAPPENED, I WANT A GUN, THEY  GO OUT AND THEY FIND ONE.

AND I THINK IT IS JUST LIKE  DRUGS, IF YOU WANT A GUN, YOU CAN FIND ONE.

SO, I AM NOT SURE THAT JUST SAYING THAT YOU HAVE TO BE TWO  YEARS OLDER OR THREE YEARS OLDER TO BUY A GUN IS GOING TO  STOP PEOPLE GETTING GUNS.

>> Gene: SENATOR FELDMAN, LET  ME GET YOU IN ON THIS.

IN THE BENNY HARGROVE ACT, THE  PROPOSED LAW DOESN'T SPECIFY HOW A GUN SHOULD BE STORED BUT  SAYS GUN OWNERS COULD BE FINED 1,000 DOLLARS FOR STORING A  WEAPON IN A WAY THAT WOULD ALLOW A MINOR TO GAIN  UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW ONE  WOULD DETERMINE THAT, BEYOND WALKING INTO SOMEONE'S HOME IN  DETERMINING THIS.

IN THE OVERALL, SENATOR, ARE  YOU ANTICIPATING SOME KIND OF MOVEMENT ON GUNS AND WEAPONRY  HERE IN NEW MEXICO OR ARE WE SORT OF JUST POSING HERE, AS  THEY SAY.

>> Dede: I AM EXPECTING SOME  ACTION THIS TIME.

WHEN YOU HAVE 20 SEAT MAJORITY  IN THE NEW MEXICO HOUSE FOR THE DEMOCRATS, I THINK YOU CAN  EXPECT SOMETHING AND I THINK THE BENNY HARGROVE ACT IS A  LIKELY ONE TO PASS.

IT MAKES SENSE THAT GUN OWNERS  SHOULD STORE THEIR WEAPONS SAFELY IN GUN SAFES OR WITH  TRIGGER LOCKS.

AND THAT THEIR CHILDREN SHOULD  NOT HAVE THE EASY KIND OF ACCESS THAT HAS LED TO SCHOOL  SHOOTINGS.

AND I THINK THAT THERE IS SOME  CONSENSUS ON THAT FROM BOTH RURAL AND URBAN LEGISLATORS IN  THE HOUSE.

IT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT MORE  DIFFICULT IN THE SENATE BUT, REMEMBER, THE LEGISLATURE  AFTER THE LAST ELECTION WHEN THERE WAS A DEMOCRATIC SWEEP  DID THE HEAVY LIFTING AND THE HEAVY LIFTING IN TERMS OF GUN  SAFETY WAS BACKGROUND CHECKS AND A RED FLAG -- LAST TIME A  RED FLAG LAW.

BOTH OF THOSE ARE ALREADY ON  THE BOOKS.

I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE  SOME ACTION THIS TIME TO FIX THAT RED FLAG LAW SO IT IS  MORE EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO  ARE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES, HAVE BEEN DECLARED SO BY LAW  ENFORCEMENT OR BY THEIR FAMILIES.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE MAYBE MORE LIKELY THAN THE AGE  LIMITATION BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU, ALSO, THAT WE  ALREADY HAVE AN AGE LIMITATION ON CERTAIN TYPES OF ASSAULT  WEAPONS THAT IS 21.

IT IS JUST CLOSING A LOOPHOLE  FOR THESE PARTICULAR ASSAULT RIFLES THAT REENA SZCZEPANSKI  IS PUTTING FORWARD HER LEGISLATION.

SO I THINK MOST LIKELY THERE WILL BE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE  THINGS THAT DON'T PASS, THERE WILL BE AN OFFICE OF GUN  SAFETY ESTABLISHED TO LOOK INTO MORE OF THESE.

>> Gene: THAT IS INTERESTING.

I HAD NOT HEARD THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DETAILS OF THAT.

INTERESTINGLY RIGHT HERE IN THE AREA, PARTNERS IN AREA  METRO CRIME INITIATIVE PREPARED A ROUND OF BILLS FOR  THE SESSION, TARGETING ISSUES LIKE VIOLENCE, NARCOTICS, AND  RETAIL CRIME IS HUGE IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW.

IMPROVING OFFICER RETENTION, AN ISSUE YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT  ON THE SHOW FOR YEARS.

IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE  LEGISLATURE TO GIVE THESE BILLS A HARD LOOK FOR WHAT IS  INSIDE THEM, BUT ALSO GIVE THEM SOME LEGITIMACY?

HOW DOES THIS WORK WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY SITTING DOWN  AMONG FELLOW LEGISLATORS?

>> Dan: THERE IS A COUPLE  THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE SOME  ISSUES THAT ARE LOCAL ISSUES, RIGHT?

THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE ALBUQUERQUE'S PROBLEM THAT I  DON'T THINK THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD TRY TO FIX.

THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR, THEY HAVE GOT TO FIX THEM.

SOMETIMES THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AND SAY, WHERE ARE WE AN  IMPEDIMENT TOWARDS MAKING THINGS BETTER?

SO, WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT  ARISES OUT OF A LOT OF STUFF THAT MY GOOD FRIEND SENATOR  FELDMAN TALKS ABOUT, WHO I LOVE DEARY, OH, SHOULD PEOPLE  HAVE THESE GUNS?

SHOULD PEOPLE HAVE THESE GUNS?

THE QUESTION BECOMES WHO ARE THE ONES THAT MAKE THESE  DECISIONS?

POLICE OFFICERS START SAYING,  WE ALREADY HAVE AN OVERTAXED POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE DON'T  HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE.

NOW WE WANT TO GIVE THEM FOUR  MORE LAWS THAT ANYBODY CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AND SAY GO  CHECK ON THIS PERSON OR CHECK ON THAT.

THAT IS WHERE THERE HAS TO BE SERIOUS DISCUSSION AND IT ALSO  HAS TO DO WITH FIGURING -- LEGISLATURE'S KEY WHEN I WAS  THERE WE WERE THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF UNINTENDED  CONSEQUENCES.

WE SAID, HEY WE ARE GOING TO  HELP GET RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS BACK TO WORK FASTER  BY LETTING THEM GO BACK TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE PASSED THAT, BUT LO AND BEHOLD IT DIDN'T HELP RURAL  NEW MEXICO.

EVERYBODY CAME BACK TO RURAL  NEW MEXICO, LOS ALAMOS AND SANTA FE SO THEY PUT CAPS ON  IT.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE A PROCESS  WHERE HOPEFULLY LEGISLATORS ARE LISTENING TO SOME OF THESE  LOCAL ENTITIES, SHERIFFS, COUNTY COMMISSIONS, CITY  COUNCILS AND SAYING, OKAY, WHERE CAN WE HELP YOU AS I  FOUND OUT WHEN WHAT IS IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE BEST  DECISIONS FOR ROSWELL ARE NOT MADE IN SANTA FE, THEY ARE  MADE IN ROSWELL.

RIGHT.

SO, YOU HAVE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO STREAMLINE ASSISTING THE  LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAKING DECISIONS AND STOP TRYING TO  BE THE PERSON, YOU KNOW, FROM 300 MILES AWAY THAT SAYS I CAN  SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM.

>> Dede: UNFORTUNATELY, I  THINK THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE THE OPPOSITE SOMETIMES.

THEY HAVE CREATED UNNECESSARY HARM BY PREEMPTING LOCAL  ACTION AND THAT IS A PROBLEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE EARLY  2000'S THE LEGISLATURE PREEMPTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS  FROM ENACTING CONCEALED WEAPONS LAWS, CONCEALED CARRY  LAWS.

AND SO ALBUQUERQUE HAD WANTED  TO DO THAT AND THEY WERE FORBIDDEN FROM DOING THAT BY  THE STATE.

>> Gene: FORGOT ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR LINE  OPINION PANEL.

WE'LL MEET BACK HERE ONE MORE  TIME IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES  OF MODERNIZING OR LEGISLATURE BY PAYING LAWMAKERS.

THE FIRST AND EXCLUSIVE ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH A  STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO WILL PLAY A HUGE ROLE SETTING THE  AGENDA WHEN THE SESSION BEGINS, JAVIER MARTINEZ  REPRESENTS NEW MEXICO'S 11TH STATE HOUSE DISTRICT IN THE  HEART OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BEEN NOMINATED TO BECOME THE NEXT  HOUSE SPEAKER.

HERE IS NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS  CORRESPONDENT RUSSELL CONTRERAS.

>> Russell: MR. SPEAKER NOMINEE JAVIER MARTINEZ, THANK  YOU FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> Martinez: THANK YOU FOR  HAVING ME.

>> Russell: FIRST OF ALL, TELL  OR VIEWERS WHO IS JAVIER MARTINEZ?

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

WHO IS HIS FAMILY?

>> Martinez: SO, I GREW UP THE FIRST EIGHT YEARS OF MY LIFE  IN JUAREZ, JUST SOUTH OF THE BORDER.

I WAS BORN IN EL PASO, 1981.

AND AT THE AGE OF SEVEN IN  1989, MY FATHER WHO WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION BROUGHT THE WHOLE  FAMILY HERE TO ALBUQUERQUE AND THIS HAS BEEN HOME EVER SINCE.

I GREW UP IN THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE  OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND MY PARENTS ARE STILL IN THAT  AREA, I HAVE SINCE MOVED.

I AM IN THE NORTH VALLEY AND  PROUD TO REPRESENT HOUSE DISTRICT 11, WHICH IS A  DOWNTOWN CORE OF ALBUQUERQUE.

>> Russell: SINCE YOU HAVE  BECOME A LAWMAKER, I NOTICE YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN  EDUCATION, INCOME INEQUALITY AND IMMIGRATION, BUT WHAT  KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT AS YOU HAVE GOTTEN TO THIS POINT?

WHAT REALLY HITS YOUR CORE AND YOUR HEART ABOUT WHY YOU'RE  DOING THE WORK YOU'RE DOING?

>> Martinez: MAKING SURE THAT  NEW MEXICO'S WORKING FAMILIES GET A FAIR SHAKE.

FOR FAR TOO LONG OUR FAMILIES DID NOT GET THAT FAIR SHAKE.

WE GAVE AWAY THE TAX CODES AWAY TO THE OUT-OF-STATE  CORPORATIONS AND THE WEALTHY AND PUT THAT BURDEN ON THE  BACK OF WORKING PEOPLE.

I AM PROUD THAT IN THE LAST  EIGHT YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE WE HAVE WORKED VERY  HARD TO REVERSE THAT.

NOW WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE  NEW MEXICO IS LEADING THIS COUNTRY IN TERMS OF POLICIES  THAT BENEFIT WORKING FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Russell: SPEAKING OF THAT, THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO  WALK INTO SOME ADDITIONAL TWO BILLION IN SURPLUS.

THERE IS A LOT OF IDEAS OF WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.

SHOULD WE GIVE TAX CUTS?

SHOULD WE INVEST IT IN CERTAIN  PROGRAMS.

BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, WHERE  SHOULD THAT MONEY GO?

>> Martinez: I THINK WE NEED  TO KEEP BUILDING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT NEW MEXICANS  SORELY NEED AND DESPERATELY WANT, THINGS LIKE QUALITY  PUBLIC EDUCATION.

ACCESS TO COLLEGE, AND HIGHER  EDUCATION.

QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD  EDUCATION INCLUSIVE OF PRE-K CHILD CARE HOME VISITATION AND  ALL THE OTHER SERVICES THAT CHILDREN NEED PRENATAL ALL THE  WAY TO AGE OF FIVE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT WE WILL  CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE TAX CODE TO MAKE IT MORE FAIR AND  JUST FOR WORKING FAMILIES, INCLUDING REBATES FOR  FAMILIES, INCLUDING INCREASING THINGS LIKE THE CHILD TAX  CREDIT.

NEW MEXICO IS ONE OF VERY FEW  STATES WITH A STATE-WIDE CHILD TAX CREDIT THAT IS BUILT UPON  THE FEDERAL ONE.

AND WE HAVE A CHANCE TO  INCREASE THAT TO PUT MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF  WORKING NEW MEXICANS.

>> Russell: THAT EARLY  CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BILL WAS SOMETHING YOU WERE VERY  PASSIONATE ABOUT.

GOT APPROVED BY VOTERS THROUGH  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

YOU GUYS STILL HAVE TO VOTE  AND PASS A RESOLUTION SO IT CAN GO TO CONGRESS, BUT THE  CONGRESS IS CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS HERE.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED CONGRESS WILL  APPROVE THIS BILL THAT NEW MEXICO VOTERS APPROVED?

>> Martinez: FIRST OF ALL, I AM VERY PROUD OF OUR  CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND ALL THE WORK THEY HAVE BEEN  DOING NOT JUST NOW BUT OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

AS YOU KNOW, AS WE WAGED A BATTLE TO INVEST OUT OF OUR  PERMANENT FUND IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VOTE RESULTS FROM LAST MONTH, OVER  70% OF NEW MEXICANS SUPPORT THE IDEA.

MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS IN NEW MEXICO SUPPORT THE IDEA.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WHOEVER CONTROLS THE CONGRESS WILL DO  THE RIGHT THING AND RATIFY THIS VOTE BY NEW MEXICO  VOTERS.

>> Russell: IN A PERFECT  WORLD, WHAT KIND OF LEGISLATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO  SEE GOING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK IN YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS AS  SPEAKER?

>> Martinez: FIRST 30 DAYS.

THAT WOULD BE VERY AMBITIOUS.

I WOULD PROBABLY THINK MORE  THE FIRST 55 DAYS BY THE TIME WE START GETTING LEGISLATION  UP TO THE GOVERNOR.

BUT I WANT TO SEE TAX RELIEF  FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

I WANT TO SEE LEGISLATION THAT  ENSURES A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR KIDS FROM PRE-K ALL THE  WAY THROUGH COLLEGE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ZIP CODE,  REGARDLESS OF THEIR FAMILY NAME, REGARDLESS OF THE  LANGUAGE THEY SPEAK AT HOME.

AND I WANT TO DOUBLE DOWN ON  EFFORTS TO DIVERSIFY NEW MEXICO'S ECONOMY.

AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES OVER THE LAST  FEW YEARS, INCLUDING LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL  CANNABIS TO BEGIN TO TAKE OURSELVES OFF OF THE OIL AND  GAS ADDICTION THAT WE HAVE HAD IN THIS COUNTRY FOR MANY  YEARS.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT  WORK AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF  WORKING PEOPLE.

>> Russell: DO YOU THINK IF  YOU'RE PUSHING TAX RELIEF, THAT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR A  DEMOCRATIC LEADER TO SAY THIS, BUT DO YOU THINK THAT COULD  ALSO BE COUPLED WITH TAX REFORM, REFORMING THE CODE,  BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS SEEN SOME BIPARTISAN  SUPPORT BUT USUALLY NEEDS A PUSH FROM THE LEADERSHIP.

>> Martinez: I HAVE SPONSORED NOW OR CO-SPONSORED THREE OR  FOUR MAJOR PIECES OF TAX LEGISLATION THAT RESULTED IN  NET TAX RELIEF FOR MOST NEW MEXICANS.

AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE REFORMED THE CODE IN EVERY  SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BILLS.

WE HAVE DONE THINGS LIKE  RESTRUCTURE OUR GROSS RECEIPTS TAX SO WE CAN BRING DOWN THE  RATE AND BROUGHT IN THE BASE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE HAVE DONE REFORM TO THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX CODE,  WHICH FOR YEARS THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT  MAKING 30,000 WAS PAYING THE SAME TAX RATE AS THE OWNER OF  THE COMPANY WHO MAKES 30 MILLION.

SO, WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN A LOT OF THOSE REFORMS OVER THE LAST  EIGHT YEARS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, IS THAT THE TAX  CODE IS VERY COMPLICATED AND IT IS NOT JUST HERE IN NEW  MEXICO, BUT ACROSS THE BOARD.

I WOULD LIKE TO JOKE THAT TAX  CODES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WERE WRITTEN BY ACCOUNTANTS AND  LAWYERS TO KEEP THEMSELVES EMPLOYED PROBABLY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THOSE REFORMS  TO MAKE THE TAX CODE MORE FAIR, MORE EQUITABLE AND TO  SIMPLIFY THE CODE AS WELL.

>> Russell: THIS STATE  CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH POVERTY.

WE RANK 49TH OR 50TH.

REPUBLICANS SAY, WELL,  DEMOCRATS HAVE HAD CONTROL OF BOTH CHAMBERS FOR YEARS,  NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

YOU CAN ALSO SAY THAT ABOUT MISSISSIPPI.

REPUBLICANS HAVE CONTROLLED BOTH OF THEIR CHAMBERS FOR  YEARS AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

THEY TEND TO BE 49TH AND 50TH.

SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GRASP AND  TACKLE POVERTY.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU  COULD DO LONG-TERM?

YOU MENTIONED EARLY CHILDHOOD  EDUCATION.

THAT CAN FINALLY TURN THE  STATE AROUND AND ADDRESS INCOME INEQUALITIES AND  POVERTY.

>> Martinez: I THINK ACCESS TO  QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS THE LONG-TERM  TRANSFORMATIVE STRATEGY.

BUT IT IS LONG-TERM, RIGHT.

IT WILL TAKE YEARS FOR US TO SEE THE RESULTS.

THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF THAT WE COULD DO, THOUGH, IN THE  MEANTIME.

THE KIDS COUNT REPORT THAT  CAME OUT SIX MONTHS OR SO AGO AND SHOWED US 49TH, 50TH, ONE  OF THE TAKE-AWAYS FROM THE REPORT FROM THE GROUP THAT  PUBLISHED IT IN NEW MEXICO RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN, WAS  BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, RIGHT.

WE HAD RATES OF POVERTY THAT OTHERWISE WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD  GIVEN A LOT OF THE TAX WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE, A LOT OF  POVERTY ALLEVIATION WORK WE HAVE DONE THE LAST SIX YEARS.

I AM CONFIDENT, I AM SURE IN THE NEXT KIDS COUNT REPORT AND  THE ONES THAT COME AFTER THAT, WE WILL BEGIN TO SEE THE  NEEDLE MOVING A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THOSE CONDITIONS.

KEEP IN MIND, NEW MEXICO IS NOT A POOR STATE.

RIGHT.

I HAVE SAID THAT TIME AND TIME  AGAIN.

NEW MEXICO IS A WEALTHY STATE.

WE HAVE VAST NATURAL RESOURCES, VAST WEALTH TIED UP  IN PERMANENT FUND, AS YOU KNOW.

THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE NOT INVESTED THAT MONEY IN  TARGETED, EFFECTIVE WAYS THAT UPLIFT MOST FAMILIES.

KEEP IN MIND, IN 2003, WE HAD A TAX BILL THAT REDUCED THE  HIGHEST -- THE RATES FOR THE HIGHEST EARNERS IN HALF AND WE  PLACED THAT BURDEN ON THE BACKS OF WORKING PEOPLE.

WHAT HAPPENED SIX YEARS LATER, THE GREAT RECESSION AND STATE  GOVERNMENT IN NEW MEXICO WAS ESSENTIALLY BROKE BECAUSE WE  DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES COMING IN.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO BE VERY COGNIZANT OF  MOVING FORWARD, MAKING SURE THAT NEW MEXICO CANNOT ONLY  CONTINUE TO FUND GOVERNMENT SERVICES, SCHOOLS, HEALTHCARE,  EDUCATION, PRE-K, BUT THAT WE CAN FUND THOSE AT QUALITY  LEVELS SO THEY YIELD QUALITY RETURNS.

AND THAT IS WHAT I AM MOST PROUD OF, RIGHT.

OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, WE HAVE BEGUN THAT PROCESS, BEGUN  THAT MOVEMENT.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO UNDO 100  YEARS IN SIX YEARS BUT I CAN TELL YOU WE ARE WELL ON OUR  WAY.

>> Russell: WHEN YOU TAKE THAT  GAVEL, YOU'LL BE PRESIDING OVER A BODY THAT HAS PROBABLY  ITS HIGHEST NUMBER OF WOMEN LAWMAKERS IN STATE HISTORY  SINCE WE HAVE BECOME A STATE IN 1912.

WHAT COULD YOU DO AS SPEAKER TO MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN  LAWMAKERS HAVE A VOICE IN LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR AND  WHAT STUFF COMES TO THE FLOOR?

>> Martinez: GREAT QUESTION.

IT IS NO SECRET THAT PARTICULARLY THE HOUSE, THE  DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, WHICH IS A POLITICAL ARM OF  OUR CAUCUS HAS MADE IT A POINT OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS TO  RECRUIT, DEVELOP, TO TRAIN DIVERSE CANDIDATES FROM ACROSS  THE STATE INCLUDING WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR AND PEOPLE WHO  LIVE IN MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

PART OF THAT PROCESS IS BECAUSE WE WANT TO DIVERSIFY  NOT ONLY OUR CAUCUS BUT THE ENTIRE CHAMBER.

I AM PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE AND NUMBERS THAT, AS YOU  KNOW, WE HAVE A MAJORITY OF OUR MEMBERS ARE WOMEN.

MOST OF OUR COMMITTEE CHAIR POSITIONS ARE WITH WOMEN.

THOSE POSITIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF HOW  LEGISLATION MOVES OR DOESN'T MOVE IN ANY LEGISLATION.

AND THEN IF YOU LOOK AT OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM, OUR NO.

2 AND  NO.

3 LEADERS IN OUR CAUCUS ARE TWO WOMEN.

ONE OF THEM A WOMEN OF COLOR, FIRST INDIAN AMERICAN TO SERVE  IN A POSITION OF LEADERSHIP IN THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE.

SO I AM BEYOND THRILLED, EXCITED.

AND I CAN TELL YOU SOME OF THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE  LEGISLATION I HAVE SEEN IN MY EIGHT YEARS IN OFFICE HAS BEEN  CARRIED AND PUSHED THROUGH AND PASSED BY WOMEN.

>> Russell: THE DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH BUT ALSO COULD BE A  CHALLENGE.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS A BIG  TENT PARTY.

YOU STILL HAVE DIVISIONS,  EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE A MAJORITY, BETWEEN URBAN VERSUS  RURAL, BETWEEN PROGRESSIVES VERSUS MODERATES, EVEN  BETWEEN, LET'S BE HONEST, ANGLO VERSUS LATINOS VS NATIVE  AMERICAN.

HOW ARE YOU, AS SPEAKER, GOING  TO WORK WITH THIS COALITION TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOT SPLITS  THAT COULD KILL LEGISLATION?

>> Martinez: I AM A BIG  BELIEVER IN, AS YOU KNOW, DIVERSITY IN ALL ITS FORMS.

INCLUDING COGNITIVE DIVERSITY.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO JUST  AGREE WITH ME AND I DON'T WANT TO JUST HAVE TO AGREE WITH  OTHER PEOPLE.

IT IS IN THOSE DEBATES.

IT IS IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

IT IS IN THOSE ARGUMENT THAT  LEGISLATION IS IMPROVED AND ULTIMATELY PASSED.

I HAVE SEEN IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WITH THE BILL THAT I HAVE CARRIED AND BILLS THAT I HAVE  HELPED OTHERS CARRY AND PASS.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS A BIG  TENT PARTY AND I AM PROUD OF THAT.

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE A PART OF OR CAUCUS, WHO WANTS TO  CAUCUS WITH THE DEMOCRATS, IS WELCOME.

AND THAT'S A PHILOSOPHY I HAVE CARRIED FOR A LONG TIME.

I GOT STARTED IN POLITICS AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, WHERE I  DIDN'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO MY  PARTNERS WOULD BE.

I HAD TO WORK WITH WHOEVER WAS  AT THE TABLE AND WHOEVER WANTED TO WORK WITH ME TO  IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

I CONTINUE TO TAKE THAT INTO POLITICS AND CONTINUE TO TAKE  THAT INTO THE SPEAKER'S CHAIR.

>> Russell: NOW THIS IS A  STATE THAT IS MAJORITY MINORITY, ALMOST 50% OF ITS  RESIDENTS ARE HISPANIC, BUT IN RECENT YEARS IT SEEMS LIKE  WHITE PROGRESSIVES FROM SANTA FE CONTROL THE DEMOCRATIC  PARTY.

DO THEY HOLD TOO MUCH  INFLUENCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

>> Martinez: I'LL DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS CONTROLLED BY OUR GRASS  ROOTS OR ACTIVISTS, MOMS AND DADS WHO ARE WORKING EVERY  SINGLE DAY TO PUT FOOD ON THEIR FAMILY'S TABLES.

I THINK THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHETHER IT IS WHITE  PROGRESSIVES OR BROWN PROGRESSIVES OR WHATEVER THE  CASE MIGHT BE, I DON'T EVEN LIKE THE WORD PROGRESSIVE TO  BE HONEST, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL JUST TRYING TO DO WHAT IS BEST  FOR THE STATE.

>> Russell: DO YOU LIKE THE  WORLD LIBERAL?

>> Martinez:   I PERSONALLY LIKE THE WORD LIBERAL A LITTLE BIT  BETTER.

I THINK IT BETTER DEFINES WHO I AM, BUT I'LL  TELL YOU WHAT, THERE IS A LONG LIST OF BILLS WHERE I MAY NOT  BE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE LIBERAL BASE OF MY PARTY AND  THERE IS A LONG LIST OF BILLS WHERE I MAY NOT BE IN  AGREEMENT WITH THE MODERATE SIDE OF MY PARTY OR EVEN THE  CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF MY PARTY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS  ABOUT DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE NEW MEXICO.

IT IS ABOUT COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS TO BRING RELIEF TO  THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST.

THE UNHOUSED, RIGHT?

THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH DRUG ADDICTION.

CHILDREN WITH FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS,  DRUG ADDICTION, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT MATTER TO ME.

WHETHER YOU CALL ME PROGRESSIVE, LIBERAL  CONSERVATIVE MODERATE, SOBEIT.

>> Russell: MARGARET MONTOYA,  SHE IS THE WELL-KNOWN UNM LAW PROFESSOR AND ALSO A PIONEER  SCHOLAR IN CRITICAL RACE THEORY KNOWN AROUND THE  WORLDS.

SHE IS ALSO YOUR  MOTHER-IN-LAW.

HOW HAS SHE INFLUENCED YOU AS  YOU HAVE GONE ON THIS JOURNEY?

>> Martinez: WOW, THAT IS A  GREAT QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, SHE HAS INFLUENCED  ME MORE THAN I CAN EVER EXPRESS TO HER AND MORE THAN  SHE'LL EVER KNOW.

I AM PART OF THOSE GROUPS OF  FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS AND FIRST GENERATION  LAW STUDENTS, RIGHT, SO THAT PIPELINE NARROWS THE FURTHER  YOU GET, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

SHE IS SOMEONE WHO BEFORE I  EVEN MET HER DAUGHTER WAS BENDING OVER BACKWARDS FOR  STUDENTS LIKE ME TO BE ABLE TO TAKE OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE AND  SHARE THAT WITH, IN MY CASE, THE LAW SCHOOL, RIGHT?

THERE ARE MANY TIMES WHEN I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I BELONGED IN  THAT SPACE BUT IT WAS PROFESSORS LIKE HER AND HER  SPECIFICALLY WHO WOULD LOOK AT SOME GUY AND SAY, ABSOLUTELY  YOU BELONG HERE.

YOUR STORY MATTERS.

TO ME, I WOULDN'T BE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, I WOULDN'T  BE A VERY EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, I WOULDN'T BE AN  EFFECTIVE LAWYER IF IT WASN'T FOR HER.

AND I KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE.

SHE IS KNOWN ACROSS THE WORLD, REALLY, AND SHE HAS MENTEES  FROM COAST TO COAST WHO CALL HER AND EMAIL HER AND SEND HER  CHRISTMAS CARDS ALL THE TIME.

AND I AM JUST HONORED TO BE A  PART OF HER FAMILY NOW.

>> Russell: IN YOUR LAST 30  SECONDS AS I MENTIONED, SHE IS A PIONEER IN CRITICAL RACE  THEORY.

IF YOU GET AN ANTI-CRITICAL  RACE THEORY BILL ON YOUR DESK, IS IT DEAD ON ARRIVAL?

>> Martinez: CRITICAL RACE THEORY IS AN ACADEMIC THEORY  THAT OFTENTIMES IS OFFERED AS AN ELECTIVE COURSE USUALLY IN  GRADUATE PROGRAMS.

I CANNOT THINK OF ANY BILL  THAT WOULD BE ANTI-CRITICAL RACE THEORY THAT WOULD EVER  REACH MY DESK IF THE SPONSOR KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

AND GENERALLY THEY DON'T.

I HAVE ALREADY SEEN TWO OR  THREE BILLS IN PREVIOUS SESSIONS AND THEY ARE  COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSION.

SO, SURE, PROBABLY DEAD ON ARRIVAL BUT PROBABLY WON'T  EVEN GET THAT FAR.

>> Russell: THANK YOU SPEAKER  NOMINEE FOR JOINING US.

>> Gene: WELCOME BACK LINE  OPINION PANELISTS FOR ONE FINAL DISCUSSION.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2023 SESSION, EARLIER THIS MONTH WE  SAT DOWN WITH MARIO JIMENEZ FROM COMMON CAUSE NEW MEXICO  TO TALK ABOUT A RECENT POLL IN THE RESEARCH AND POLLING FIRM  SHOWING A MAJORITY OF VOTERS WERE IN FAVOR OF MODERNIZING  THE STATE'S LEGISLATURE.

THAT COULD MEAN THINGS LIKE  LENGTHENING THE SESSION, PAST THE 30 AND 60-DAY MARK, HIRING  FULL-TIME STAFF OR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE BIGGY,  SENATOR SNYDER, I'LL START WITH YOU, PAYING LAWMAKERS A  SALARY.

NEW MEXICO'S CURRENTLY THE  ONLY STATE, AS YOU KNOW, THAT DOESN'T PAY LAWMAKERS A  SALARY, A FACT THAT SURPRISED MOST WHO WERE POLLED IN THE  SURVEY, INTERESTING.

ONLY 32% SAYING THEY KNEW  THAT.

IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO  MODERNIZE THE STATE LEGISLATURE, GIVING ALL THE  OTHER THINGS THAT OUT THERE IN THE AIR.

WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT.

WE HAVE THE WILL TO DO IT.

WE SEEM TO HAVE A DESIRE FROM THE PUBLIC TO DO IT.

DO WE HAVE A MOMENT HERE?

IS THIS THE TIME?

>> Diane: I THINK SO AND IT MAKES ME THINK I REMEMBER BACK  WHEN WE TRIED TO RAISE THE PER DIEM AND THE WAY THAT IT HAD  TO BE WRITTEN WAS THE LEGISLATORS PER DIEM SHALL BE  NO MORE THAN THAT OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE.

SO PEOPLE THOUGHT WE WERE, YOU KNOW, CONTAINING THAT IT  COULDN'T GO WHEN WE WERE DOING SOMETHING TO KEEP THOSE  LEGISLATORS UNDER CONTROL, WHEN, IN FACT, IT DID INCREASE  THE ACTUAL CASH VALUE OF THE PER DIEM.

I FOUND THAT SURVEY VERY INTERESTING IN LIGHT OF THAT  OF HOW MUCH THE PUBLIC HAS CHANGED IN ITS THINKING OR AT  LEAST THE SURVEY SHOWS THAT.

I THINK THERE WILL STILL BE  SOME OPPOSITION.

THE OLD GUARD THEORY IS, THEY  KNEW WHAT THEY WERE GETTING INTO, YOU KNOW, BUT I HAVE TO  TELL YOU, WHEN I WAS IN FOR EIGHT YEARS, AND WHEN I LEFT I  HAD A TREMENDOUS DEBT AS A RESULT OF THAT.

MY CREDIT CARDS WERE HIGHER THAN ANYTHING I HAD EVER  WANTED TO BE, BUT I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND  $135, I THINK IT WAS THEN, DID NOT COVER AND SLEEPING AND  EATING AND, NO, WE DON'T GET WINED AND DINED ALL THE TIME.

WE DO GET SOMETHING, BUT ONE BREAKFAST BURRITO DOES NOT  CHANGE HOW I AM GOING TO VOTE ON SOMETHING.

>> Dan: IT DOES ME IF I AM HUNGRY.

TWO BREAKFAST BURRITOS -- >> Diane: SO, YES, TO ME THE  ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND I ADVOCATED THIS ON  SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IS A STAFF.

A PAID STAFF THAT I CAN DEPEND ON.

AND DON'T GET ME WRONG.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL  SERVICE IS EXCELLENT.

THEY DO A MARVELOUS JOB BUT I  WANT -- THEY HAVE TO SERVE ALL 112 OF US SO I WOULD LIKE TO  HAVE SOMEONE THAT WORKED -- WE EVEN PUT IN A BILL ONE TIME OR  DISCUSSED IT MAYBE, THAT WE WOULD SHARE IN THE SAME WAY WE  REPUBLICANS USED TO SHARE SECRETARIES.

ONE STAFF PERSON TO TAKE CARE OF TWO LEGISLATORS AND HELP US  DO A BETTER SERVICE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> Gene: LET ME ASK DAN ON THAT VERY ISSUE.

DURING YOUR TIME, HOW WOULD THINGS HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IF  YOU HAD A FULL-TIME STAFFER?

WOULD IT HAVE BEEN APPRECIABLY  BETTER?

>> Dan: I DON'T THINK IT WOULD  HAVE BEEN FOR ME.

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT I  OWNED A BUSINESS IN ROSWELL.

MY SIGN WAS OUTSIDE THE  BUSINESS BUT I DID HAVE A FULL-TIME PERSON THAT WORKED  FOR ME THAT I PAID WHO SHE PROBABLY SPENT 70% OF HER TIME  DEALING WITH CONSTITUENT STUFF.

IF IT WASN'T FOR HER I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO  THE THINGS I DO.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

IT IS NOT EASY TO GET TO SANTA FE AND SCHEDULE A TIME TO GET  INTO A COMMITTEE MEETING AND IT IS ALSO WOULD BE HELPFUL  BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS.

I REMEMBER ONE TIME GETTING A PHONE CALL -- YOU KNOW AND  THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN.

YOU KNOW UP HERE, WHEN I MOVED TO RIO RANCHO IN ALBUQUERQUE,  LEGISLATORS ARE SORT OF THOUGHT OF LIKE CITY  COUNCILORS.

WHEN I LIVED IN ROSWELL  LEGISLATORS WERE THOUGHT OF AS CONGRESSMAN.

I GOT A CALL FROM AN OLDER GENTLEMAN YELLING AT ME WHY MY  STAFF ISN'T DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AND MY STAFF SHOULD  BE MORE ON IT AND HE SENT ME A LETTER AND HE CAN'T BELIEVE  THAT HIS TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING MY STAFF.

I SAID, HOLD ON A SECOND, LET ME LET YOU TALK TO MY CHIEF OF  STAFF AND I HANDED THE PHONE TO JOSH, WHO WAS FOUR YEARS  OLD AT THE TIME.

AND JOSH IS LIKE HELLO, HELLO.

AND THE GUY WAS LIKE -- WAS TRYING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION  WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON.

I HAD TO EXPLAIN, THERE IS NO  STAFF.

WHEN YOU SEND IT, YOU ARE  SENDING IT TO MY HOME AND MY EMAIL.

BEFORE WE LOOK AT PAYING PEOPLE AND -- BECAUSE AT THE  END OF THE DAY, THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION IS WHAT DO YOU  PAY THEM, RIGHT?

$50,000 A YEAR?

I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, I DON'T KNOW MANY BUSINESS  LEADERS, LAWYERS, DOCTORS, TEACHERS THAT ARE GOING TO  QUIT THEIR JOB FOR 50,000 A YEAR TO BE A LEGISLATOR.

DO YOU PAY THEM $275,000 A YEAR, I DON'T KNOW.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT NUMBER?

FLORIDA HAS AN INTERESTING  CONCEPT WHERE THEY PAY THEM, I THINK, NOW, LIKE $50,000 A  YEAR AND THEY ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE A JOB.

BUT YOU HAVE TO FILE YOUR JOB WITH THE STATE AND LET  LEGISLATIVE ETHICS COMMITTEE KNOW WHO YOUR AND THEY HAVE  STAFF.

THEY HAVE A HOME TOWN OFFICE  THAT THEY HAVE THEIR STAFFERS WORKING AND THEY GET A BUDGET  AND ALL THAT STUFF.

I WOULD IMAGINE SOME SORT OF HYBRID MAY COME UP, BUT AT THE  END OF THE DAY, I DON'T THINK OUR STATE IS THAT BAD OFF THAT  WE GET 112 KNUCKLE HEADS TOGETHER FOR 30 DAYS ONE YEAR  AND 60'S THE NEXT, AND THEY GET TO GO HOME AND LIVE AMONG  THE PEOPLE AND HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THEIR DECISION-MAKING  PROCESS.

I THINK TO SOME LEVEL OUR  SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE PRETTY GOOD.

LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS WE TALK ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE TO  RUN.

LAST TIME I CHECKED EVERY  COUPLE YEARS IN THE HOUSE, THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF RACES  GOING UNOPPOSED.

SOMEBODY HAS GOT A PRIMARY,  SOME INCUMBENT IS BEING CHALLENGED.

IT IS NOT LIKE WE LACK THE ABILITY TO FIND CANDIDATES TO  RUN.

SO, I THINK WE ARE IN A UNIQUE  SITUATION AND SOMETIMES FOR OUR STATE, THE ANSWER MAY NOT  BE CHANGING IT.

>> Gene: LET ME ASK SENATOR  FELDMAN ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE PUBLIC ACCORDING TO THE 800  PLUS THAT WERE POLLED BY RESEARCH AND POLLING, THEY  HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION ABOUT THIS THAN WHAT DAN JUST SORT  OF LAID OUT THERE.

HOW SHOULD WE INTERNALIZE WHAT  THIS POLL IS ASKING?

WHAT IS THE MARKETPLACE ASKING  FOR, SO TO SPEAK?

>> Dede: FIRST OFF, LET ME  ISSUE A DISCLAIMER IN THAT I DO WORK SOMETIMES FOR COMMON  CAUSE NEW MEXICO.

>> Dan: THAT'S IT, NO  CREDIBILITY, DEDE.

YOU GOT NONE.

YOU CAN'T QUESTION THE QUESTION.

>> Dede: SO I KNEW ABOUT THIS POLL BEFORE.

IT USED TO BE THE THAT THE ASSUMPTION AMONG LEGISLATORS  WAS THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD OPPOSE PAYING LEGISLATORS  BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE POLITICIANS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY POLITICIANS BUT WHAT WE FOUND  IS THAT EVERY YEAR AS NEW MEXICO LANGUISHES LAST IN  TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, LAST IN TERMS OF POVERTY AND INABILITY  TO SOLVE SOME OF THESE INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS, EVERY  YEAR WE HAVE SEEN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR MODERNIZING THE  LEGISLATURE GO UP.

AND IT HAS DONE THAT FOR A  NUMBER OF YEARS AND NOW I AGREE WITH DIANE, THE TIME HAS  COME.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO  PROVIDE ADEQUATE STAFF AND RESOURCES TO LEGISLATORS SO  THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB, SO THAT THEY CAN SERVE THEIR  CONSTITUENTS.

I AM WITH DIANE.

WHEN I WAS IN THE NEW MEXICO SENATE, I SPENT MY CAMPAIGN  FUNDS TO SURVEY MY CONSTITUENTS TO FIND OUT WHAT  THEY WANTED.

THAT SHOULD BE A FUNCTION OF  EVERY LEGISLATOR AND THEY SHOULD BE PAID TO DO IT.

BUT THEY AREN'T.

NOW ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO CAN  AFFORD TO SUBSIDIZE THEIR OWN SERVICE SERVE IN THE NEW  MEXICO LEGISLATURE.

AND THAT IS A CERTAIN AGE  GROUP.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE  RETIRED.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT,  YOU KNOW, HAVE FULL-TIME JOBS OR BUSINESSES, LAWYERS,  REALTORS, INSURANCE GUYS, NOT SO MUCH THE ORDINARY JOE FROM  NEW MEXICO.

>> Gene: SENATOR, IS OUR  SYSTEM SET UP TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH A 12 BILLION-DOLLAR  BUDGET?

WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY COMING  INTO THE STATE AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOLLING OUT  MONEY IN A WAY THAT IS COHERENT AND BENEFITS PEOPLE.

IS THAT POSSIBLE IN OUR SYSTEM AS WE HAVE IT NOW?

>> Dede: NOT ACCORDING TO THE LEGISLATORS THEMSELVES.

IN ADDITION TO THIS POLL, THERE WAS ANOTHER SURVEY TAKEN  OF LEGISLATORS BY THE BUREAU OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC  RESEARCH OUT OF UNM.

IT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A  HEARING AT THE COURTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE INTERIM  COMMITTEE AND LEGISLATORS WERE SURVEYED AND THE MAJORITY OF  THOSE SURVEYED SAID, WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BECOME  EXPERTS ON ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND UNDERSTAND  WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE OF SPENDING TWELVE BILLION  DOLLARS.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP EXPERTISE,  WE NEED SOME PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT CAN PROVIDE  CONSTITUENT SERVICES AS WELL AS BECOMING AN EXPERT ON  CERTAIN PUBLICS.

THAT IS WHAT EVERY LEGISLATOR  DREAMS OF, TO BECOME AN EXPERT IN TAXES OR TO BECOME AN  EXPERT IN HEALTHCARE.

>> Dan: JUDGING BY THE  COMMENTS YOU HEAR ON NATIONAL TELEVISION ALL THE TIME, WE  HAVE A FULL-TIME GROUP IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND I  WOULDN'T CLASSIFY THEM AS EXPERTS AN ANYTHING, SO I AM  NOT SURE -- >> Gene: IS THAT A GOOD ENOUGH  REASON NOT TO DO ANYTHING?

>> Dan: I DON'T THINK THAT  SYSTEM IS THAT BROKEN HERE.

I DON'T THINK THE SYSTEM IS  THAT BROKEN.

>> Gene: LET ME PUT THIS OUT  THERE TO SENATOR SNYDER.

>> Dan: LET ME PUT THIS TO YOU  BEFORE YOU GO TO MS. SNYDER.

I THINK HAVING A PHONE POLL IS  ONE THING.

I THINK IF YOU PUT THIS THING  OUT FOR A VOTE IT WILL DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH AS A  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PAY LEGISLATORS.

I THINK YOU'RE GETTING TO HAVE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT SENATOR  SNYDER SAID, WHICH IS WE WILL PAY THEM NO MORE AND YOU'LL  HAVE TO TRICK PEOPLE INTO VOTING FOR IT.

PEOPLE LIKE TO ANSWER POLLING WHEN IT COMES FOR ACTION, BUT  THEY ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR PEOPLE TO WORK AND PAY THEM 60  OR $70,000 A YEAR.

>> Gene: SENATOR SNYDER YOU  HAVE ABOUT 20 SECONDS IF YOU HAVE A THOUGHT THERE.

>> Diane: I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT DON'T COMPARE THE NEW  MEXICO LEGISLATURE AND REASONS TO NOT DO THIS WITH CONGRESS.

BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS I HAVE WORKED A LOT WITH CONGRESS AND  I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE STAFF PEOPLE WHO ARE INCREDIBLE IN  THEIR SUBJECTS.

>> Gene: WE HAVE PLENTY OF  SMART PEOPLE THAT COULD BE  VERY GOOD STAFFERS HERE.

>> Dan: WE DON'T NEED A  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, GENE, TO HAVE STAFFERS.

THE LEGISLATURE CAN MAKE A DECISION TO DO THE STAFFING  WITHOUT THAT.

>> Gene: I THINK THE COMMON  CAUSE FOLKS MENTIONED THAT, THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME  ACTION ON THAT THIS SESSION BECAUSE THAT IS A SEPARATE  THING YOU CAN KIND OF CARVE OUT.

GOT TO SAY THANKS AGAIN TO YOU GUYS ON THE LINE PANEL THIS  WEEK.

BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT  YOU THINK ABOUT ANY OF THE TOPICS THE LINE COVERED ON OUR  FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM PAGES.

AND CATCH ANY EPISODES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED ON THE PBS VIDEO  APP ON YOUR ROKU OR SMART TV.

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO OUR  PANEL OF POLITICAL INSIDERS.

WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON  POLICY DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE STATE INCLUDING IN OUR LARGEST  CITY.

NEXT WEEK ON THE SHOW, I SIT  DOWN WITH ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR TIM KELLER TO TALK ABOUT THE  CITY'S HOUSING ISSUES.

WE GET INTO THE NEW PLAN FOR  THE CITY AND WHAT THEY ARE ROLLING OUT CALLED THE HOUSING  FORWARD INITIATIVE.

I ASK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SAFE  OUTDOOR SPACES AFTER A PUBLIC BACK AND FORTH WITH COUNCIL  OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

DON'T MISS MY EXCLUSIVE  INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR KELLER NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00 RIGHT HERE  ON NMBPS.

FOR NOW, THANKS AGAIN FOR  JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK, IN FOCUS.