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

>> Jeff: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, BALANCING BUDGET IDEAS.

NEW MEXICO LAWMAKERS CONSIDER HOW TO SPEND THE STATE'S LARGEST EVER PILE OF CASH AS THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION PASSES THE MIDPOINT.

>> Serrato: THESE ARE BRINGING PEOPLE HOME, INVESTING IN OUR STATE AGAIN.

IT'S GOING TO MAKE NEW MEXICO STRONGER.

IT'S GOING TO MAKE OUR POPULATION STRONGER.

>> Jeff: AND THE STATE'S TOPIC OFFICIAL FOCUSED ON AGING CONSIDERS HOW TO SUPPORT OUR GROWING SENIOR POPULATION.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I'M EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JEFF PROCTOR.

THIS WEEK, WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES ON AGING IN NEW MEXICO.

BY 2030, OUR STATE IS EXPECTED TO RANK 10th IN THE NATION FOR THE NUMBER OF OLDER ADULTS.

COMING UP LATER IN TODAY'S PROGRAM, KUNM'S MEAGAN KAMERICK SPEAKS WITH EMILY KALTENBACH, THE SECRETARY DESIGNATED FOR THE STATE'S AGING AND LONG-TERM SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

MEAGAN ASKS HOW OFFICIALS ARE PREPARING FINANCIALLY FOR THIS WAVE OF SILVER.

BUT FIRST, WE TURN OUR FOCUS TO THE ROUNDHOUSE.

FOR THIS EPISODE, WE'RE ZEROING IN ON THE STATE BUDGET AS THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION MOVES INTO ITS SECOND AND FINAL MONTH.

PROPOSALS FROM GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM AND THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE CALL FOR NEARLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF SPENDING, WITH THE EXECUTIVE REQUESTING $10.9 BILLION, AND LAWMAKERS ASKING FOR 10.8.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE HERE IS HOW THE MONEY WOULD BE DIVVIED UP.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT WE HEAD TO SANTA FE, WHERE POLITICS CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND SPEAKS WITH DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE NATHAN SMALL AND REPUBLICAN REP CATHRYNN BROWN ABOUT WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THOSE BILLIONS GO.

AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE'S APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, WHERE SMALL SITS AS THE VICE CHAIR, BOTH LAWMAKERS TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE BIG-TICKET ITEMS THIS SESSION, MAJOR INCREASES IN HELP FOR HOUSING.

AFTER THAT, YOU'LL HEAR FROM REPRESENTATIVE LINDA SERRATO, A SANTA FE DEMOCRAT, ABOUT COMPETING PROPOSALS TO CREATE TRUST FUNDS FOR NEW MEXICO KIDS AS SOON AS THEY'RE BORN.

FOR MORE, HERE'S GWYNETH.

>> Gwyneth: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US ABOUT THE BUDGET.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO WITH THIS BUDGET IS ADDRESS HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS.

TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON.

>> Small: SO, WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON IS BUILDING ON THE LAST FEW YEARS OF A LOT OF NEW STATE INVESTMENT.

THIS YEAR, WE WANT IT TO REALLY PAY OFF.

ACTUALLY, WE HAD A SPECIAL HOUSING MEETING.

A SESSION THAT WENT UNTIL ALMOST 9:00 P.M.

IN THE EVENING.

FOLKS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, WITH A FOCUS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE.

WE KNOW IT'S OUR LARGEST COMMUNITY.

THE LARGEST NUMBER OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE, INCLUDING FROM PLACES ALL ACROSS NEW MEXICO WHO END UP IN ALBUQUERQUE.

THIS YEAR WE WANTED TO, AS A COMMITTEE AS A BODY, REALLY SAY WITH OUR REALLY STRONG RESOURCES WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHALLENGE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER, PRESENT A BOLD PLAN.

A PLAN THAT WE CAN WORK TO REALLY HELP FUND AND BUILD ON THEIR COLLABORATION.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN OUR BUDGET.

>> Gwyneth: SO, YOU'VE GOT TWO SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IDEAS HERE.

AND ONE IS HOMELESSNESS.

AND THE OTHER IS, YOU KNOW, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OTHER FOLKS.

SO, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU TRYING TO HELP SOLVE THE HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM WE'RE SEEING?

>> Small: SO SPECIFICALLY, THERE IS $40 MILLION THAT'S FOR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND TO BASICALLY HELP UNHOUSED NEW MEXICANS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY AND ALBUQUERQUE FIND HOUSING.

THIS IS WORKING WITH THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY ON ONGOING PROJECTS THAT THEY NEED SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ADD MORE CAPACITY.

SO, A BIG PART OF THAT IS FOCUSED ON SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS.

>> Gwyneth: YOU KNOW, ALBUQUERQUE IS THE MOST VISIBLE ELEMENT OF HOMELESSNESS IN THIS STATE.

BUT WE'RE SEEING IT IN SMALL COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE OF ALBUQUERQUE, ALL OVER THE STATE.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT?

>> Small: BY ALSO HAVING FUNDING THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

BOTH THROUGH THE MORTGAGE FINANCE AUTHORITY, ALSO IN THE BUDGET THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE DFA HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

SO, SORT OF, ALL AVENUES.

WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITIES TOO TO HELP THEM BUILD A CONTINUUM OF CARE, SO THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT RESOURCES, THE RIGHT APPROACHES.

THEY TAKE DOWN SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT MAY MAKE IT HARDER TO BUILD NEW HOUSING, OR TO CREATE THAT HOUSING STOCK.

BECAUSE ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE SEE AN INCREASE IN UNHOUSED NEW MEXICANS IS A LESSENING OF, SORT OF, LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME RENTS.

IF SOMEBODY WAS JUST RIGHT AT THE EDGE SPENDING A LOT OF THEIR MONTHLY BUDGET ON RENT, AND THAT RENT GOES UP QUITE A BIT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH HOUSING -- THERE'S PRESSURES FROM OTHER FOLKS LOOKING TO GET INTO THAT HOUSING, THOSE FOLKS COULD BECOME UNHOUSED.

SO, YOU HAVE TO SORT OF HALF-AND-HALF IN OUR BUDGET AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE FOCUS ON ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY.

HALF FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND GETTING FOLKS WHO ARE CURRENTLY UNHOUSED, GETTING THEM INTO HOUSING.

ANOTHER PART OF THAT THOUGH IS FOCUSED ON, SORT OF, THE WIDER HOUSING OPTIONS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS, NEW CONSTRUCTION.

>> Gwyneth: THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT.

WE'VE GOT SOME UNM SENIORS IN THE ROOM WITH US RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE ABOUT TO GRADUATE AND GO INTO SOME ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOUSING PRICES, ALBUQUERQUE'S BAD, SANTA FE IS WORSE, TAOS IS TERRIBLE.

HOUSING PRICES ARE REALLY HIGH ALL OVER THIS STATE.

AND THERE'S A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT A RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATE CAN AFFORD TO BUY OR PAY IN RENT AND WHAT THOSE PLACES ARE GOING FOR.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ADDRESS THESE RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES, YOUNG PEOPLE LOOKING TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOUSE?

>> Small: SIMPLY PUT, WE NEED TO BUILD MORE HOUSING.

WE NEED MORE OPTIONS AT DIFFERENT AFFORDABILITY LEVELS.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST CONSTRAINT THAT EXISTS IN NEW MEXICO, RIGHT NOW.

SOMETIMES, FRANKLY OFTEN, LOCAL ZONING LAWS MAKE IT REALLY HARD TO BUILD NEW HOUSING.

MAYBE TO RE-PURPOSE EXISTING HOUSING FOR NEW -- FOR MORE FOLKS, OR FOR ENTRY-LEVEL FOLKS.

>> Gwyneth: BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THEY WANT SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES INSTEAD OF TOWNHOUSES OR APARTMENTS.

>> Small: YEAH.

WELL, IT VARIES.

BUT I THINK, BROADLY, YES.

THERE IS SORT OF ONE SPECIFIC COMPONENT OF HOUSING THAT'S BEEN FOCUSED ON, EXCLUDING OTHERS, MAKING IT HARDER FOR FOLKS TO BUILD.

HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO DEVELOP.

YOU KNOW, HARDER FOR FOLKS WHO WANT TO PROVIDE MORE HOUSING OPTIONS.

COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY THAT I COME FROM IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO, MAKING IT EASIER TO BUILD.

WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS, YOU KNOW, PRIVATE SECTOR AND NONPROFIT TO CREATE MORE OPTIONS.

IN SOME CASES, USING STATE FUNDING TO HELP THINGS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE, UTILITIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO, WE NEED TO GET THE RULES RIGHT AND SAY AS FOLKS ARE COMING IN ENCOURAGING MORE OPTIONS, MORE FREEDOM IN HOW YOU BUILD, WHERE YOU BUILD, WHAT KIND OF THINGS THAT WE CAN BUILD.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE VERY MUCH WANT TO ENCOURAGE AS A STATE.

AND AS PART OF THAT ENCOURAGEMENT, WHEN FOLKS STEP UP AND DO THAT, WHEN LOCAL COMMUNITIES TAKE THAT STEP TO MAKE IT EASIER TO LIVE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FUNDING AND RESOURCES AS A STATE TO HELP SUPPORT THEM.

>> Gwyneth: THE DEMOCRATS ARE IN POWER HERE.

YOU'VE GOT LOT OF MONEY.

YOU'RE THE BIG GUY IN THE ROOM.

ARE YOU RUNNING ROUGHSHOD OVER LOCAL COMMUNITIES THAT MADE THESE RULES FOR A REASON?

>> Small: WE'RE NOT OVERRIDING ANY LOCAL RULES.

WE'RE HEARING FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

IN FACT, WHEN WE HAD THE HEARING THAT WE HOSTED TWO AND HALF OR THREE WEEKS AGO, WE HAD FOLKS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF BERNALILLO COUNTY AND THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE ALL WANTING THE SAME THING.

MORE HOUSING OPTIONS, STATE SUPPORT TO GET THAT.

BOTH FROM UPFRONT FUNDING AS WELL AS HELPING CREATE THE VERY BEST RULES AND THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT THERE'S NO SUPERSEDING AT THIS POINT OF LOCAL RULES.

FRANKLY, WE'RE HEARING A LOT FROM RESIDENTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

THE COMMUNITY I COME FROM IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO, THEY CHOSE, JUST RECENTLY, TO MAKE IT EASIER TO BUILD.

I THINK, BROADLY, YOU GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF NEW, SORT OF FOLKS, MOVING INTO THE WORKFORCE.

WHETHER THAT'S AT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, OR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE, IF THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE IN NEW MEXICO, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY LOVE IT, THEY MAY HAVE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.

THAT'S A LOSS FOR US ALL.

>> Gwyneth: YOU KNOW, THE NEED IS PRETTY DIRE FOR MORE HOUSING RIGHT NOW.

THE SITUATION IN MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES WITH HOMELESSNESS IS REALLY BAD RIGHT NOW.

HOW QUICKLY WILL WE SEE EFFECTS IF YOUR PLAN SUCCEEDS?

>> Small: SO, THE BUDGET GOES INTO EFFECT JULY 1, 2025.

IT'S GOING TO DEPEND A LOT ON LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION, HOW FAST FOLKS ARE READY TO ROLL.

I THINK WE'RE WORKING AND REALLY SEE A GREAT DEAL OF COLLABORATIVE WORK IN THIS CASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO COUNTY WHO HAVE COME TOGETHER AND PRESENTED A JOINT PLAN.

SO, I THINK THE EXPECTATION IS, PARTICULARLY FOR SOME OF THE EARLY MONEY THAT'S MEANT TO HELP GET FOLKS OFF OF THE STREETS, THAT'S CONTINUING PROJECTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEGUN.

SO, I THINK WE SHOULD START TO SEE SOME OF THAT WORK IN A VERY SHORT TIME FRAME.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE BROWN, YOU ARE ON THE HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE.

YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS.

WE JUST TALKED TO REPRESENTATIVE SMALL ABOUT SOME HOUSING PRIORITIES.

KIND OF A BIG PUSH FOR ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY, AND THEN A LITTLE BIT FOR THE REST OF THE STATE.

YOU REPRESENT CARLSBAD.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THOSE HOUSING PRIORITIES THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET NOW?

>> Brown: SO, I DO REPRESENT CARLSBAD PLUS SOUTHERN LEA COUNTY.

AND WE HAVE HOUSING ISSUES, A SHORTAGE THAT'S QUITE LARGE, ACTUALLY.

SO, I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP WITH THAT.

I AM CONCERNED THAT MOST OF THE FUNDING IS GOING TO ALBUQUERQUE AND LAS CRUCES, AND NOT ENOUGH TO THE RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE.

BUT IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS STATEWIDE.

>> Gwyneth: HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THE BUDGET?

WE'RE EXPECTING IT TO HIT THE FLOOR MAYBE THIS WEEKEND, MAYBE EARLY NEXT WEEK.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THE PROCESS SO FAR?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN IT, AND WHAT ARE YOUR NOT LIKING SO MUCH?

>> Brown: WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT, AND I'LL START WITH THAT, IS SO MUCH OF THE BUDGET BUILDING IS DONE EVEN BEFORE WE COME INTO SESSION.

I THINK THE STAFF THAT DOES THIS WORK WORKS REALLY HARD YEAR ROUND, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS.

BUT I BELIEVE THE LEGISLATORS SHOULD HAVE MORE SAY INTO WHERE THE MONEY IS SPENT.

AGAIN, THE CAKE IS ALMOST ALREADY BAKED WHEN WE GET HERE.

WE MAKE SOME CHANGES HERE AND THERE.

I HAVE SEEN AN IMPROVEMENT IN THIS, HOWEVER, THIS YEAR WHERE WE'RE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF INPUT ALLOWED, AND ACTUALLY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

THAT'S A POSITIVE.

>> Gwyneth: THAT IS.

YOU KNOW, ROADS ARE A REALLY BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

ARE YOU LOOKING AT MORE MONEY FOR ROADS?

>> Brown: I BELIEVE WE'RE NOT SPENDING ENOUGH ON ROADS.

WE'VE HAD A VERY MINOR INCREASE.

OUR BUDGET IS ABOUT $1.3 BILLION.

IT'S CREEPING UP A LITTLE BIT FROM YEAR TO YEAR, BUT OUR NEEDS ARE SO GREAT.

WE HAVE AT LEAST $5 BILLION OF UNMET NEED IN OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

SO, I WISH WE COULD TAKE MORE OF THE NEW MONEY, THE NEW REVENUE, LARGELY DUE TO OIL AND GAS PROCEEDS AND PUT THAT MORE INTO ROADS.

THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR ME AND FOR MY DISTRICT.

>> Gwyneth: YEAH.

WE'RE SEEING ON THE SHOW THIS WEEK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A NEW ALCOHOL TAX THAT'S BEING PROPOSED AND A BABY BOND PROJECT.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO DEMOCRATS, SO FAR, ABOUT THIS BEING A MOMENT FOR THEM TO INVEST IN LONG-TERM CHANGE TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE.

BUT WHAT ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT CREATING A NEW TAX ON BOOZE AND ABOUT INVESTING A SEMI-SIGNIFICANT CHUNK OF MONEY IN THESE BABY BONDS PROGRAMS.

HOW IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT?

>> Brown: I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF RAISING TAXES, EVEN IF IT'S ON ALCOHOL.

SO, ON THAT ONE, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS.

THE BABY BONDS, I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT IS A GOOD INVESTMENT AT THIS TIME.

I WOULD RATHER TAKE THAT MONEY AND PUT IT INTO EDUCATION, SO WE'RE MAKING SURE OUR STUDENTS CAN READ AT GRADE LEVEL, DO MATH CALCULATIONS AT GRADE LEVEL.

THAT IS WHERE I WOULD INVEST THAT MONEY.

THAT PROVIDES A FUTURE FOR THEM TO MAKE A LIVING, SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THAT'S WHERE I WOULD PUT THAT MONEY.

>> Gwyneth: NOW WE HEAR THIS PUSHBACK, LIKE SPENDING MORE MONEY ON EDUCATION DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE TO WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> Brown: YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN HERE NOW FOR 14 YEARS, GOING INTO THE START OF MY EIGHTH TERM.

I HAVE NOT SEEN THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT I WANTED TO SEE, ESPECIALLY IN LITERACY.

SO, WE NEED TO SPEND WHAT WE NEED TO SPEND.

THERE ARE SOME BRIGHT LIGHTS ON THE HORIZON WITH SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

THE SCIENCE OF LITERACY, STRUCTURED PROGRAMS FOR THAT.

I'M SEEING SOME GOOD THINGS, BUT IT'S A LONGTIME COMING.

AND PEOPLE ARE ARE IMPATIENT.

WE WANT TO SEE RESULTS NOW WITH OUR STUDENTS.

SO, YES, I'M SUPPORTIVE.

I WISH WE COULD KIND OF REVAMP THINGS SO WE'RE REALLY DOING THE BASICS.

>> Gwyneth: NOW, WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY, EDUCATION IS THE BIGGEST PART OF IT, RIGHT?

BUT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT PUBLIC SAFETY.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THE KIND OF IDEAS THAT ARE EMERGING AROUND CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> Brown: I DON'T THINK WE'RE DOING ENOUGH TO COMBAT CRIME.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS ASKED FOR SOME MONEY TO DO A SPECIAL PROGRAM THAT HELPS THEM DISCERN WHERE THE CRIMES ARE HAPPENING, AND THEN RESPOND QUICKLY, AND SO FORTH.

AND THEY'VE ASKED FOR, I THINK IT WAS I WANT TO SAY, $6 MILLION AND THEY WERE GIVEN A THIRD OF THAT.

AND IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT FIGHTING CRIME, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD PLACE.

THEY KNOW THIS IS GOING TO HELP.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE SERRATO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US ABOUT BABY BONDS.

>> Serrato: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Gwyneth: OFFICIALLY, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS CALLED A CHILDREN'S FUTURE FUND.

A LOT OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SO FAR THIS SESSION IS, HEY, WE'VE GOT MONEY NOW LET'S PUT IT IN A THING.

NOW, WHAT IS THE GOAL HERE?

WHAT ARE BABY BONDS, AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>> Serrato: BABY BONDS IS A NEW CONCEPT THAT A LOT OF STATES ARE TAKING TO THAT ESSENTIALLY BUILDS TRUST FUNDS FOR THE KIDS IN THE STATE.

NEW MEXICO IS UNIQUE.

WE HAVE A REALLY WIDE INCOME GAP THAT EXISTS FOR OUR FAMILIES.

A LOT OF FOLKS ARE ON MEDICAID, AND A LOT OF NEED IN OUR STATE EXISTS.

SO WE WANT TO, ESSENTIALLY, EQUIP OUR KIDS WITH INVESTING IN THEIR FUTURE.

WE'VE DONE FREE LUNCHES FOR KIDS, THE WORKING FAMILIES TAX CREDIT, FREE COLLEGE.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ACTIVE RIGHT NOW THAT ARE CHANGING THEIR FUTURES, BUT ALLOWING THEM TO DREAM REALLY BIG AND DO BIG THINGS THAT ARE HELPFUL AND SCARY.

LIKE BUYING A HOUSE, LIKE GETTING AN EDUCATION, INVESTING IN A SMALL BUSINESS.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

WHAT THE FUTURE FUND DOES IS IT WOULD START WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY AND GROW OVER TIME.

AND IN 18 YEARS, THE FIRST KID WOULD BE ABLE TO START WITHDRAWING FROM IT, THE AMOUNT THAT IS THEIRS.

AGAIN, FOR EDUCATION, BUYING A HOME, INVESTING IN A SMALL BUSINESS, INVESTING IN GENERAL.

AND LETTING THEM BUILD INTO THESE BIG EXPENSES.

WHAT THE FUND WOULD DO IS ALLOW THAT IN PERPETUITY OVER TIME.

THIS BILL, IN PARTICULAR, CREATES THE FUND ITSELF, PUTS IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, ALLOWS A STATE INVESTMENT OFFICER TO KEEP INVESTING INTO IT.

IT ALSO CREATES A TASK FORCE.

IT WILL BE HEADED BY THE STATE INVESTMENT OFFICER AND THE TREASURER, ALONG WITH COMMUNITY EXPERTS THAT UNDERSTAND WHAT NEW MEXICO NEEDS RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS EQUITY IN NEW MEXICO TODAY, TOMORROW, AND REALLY BUILD THE GUARDRAILS AROUND IT, SO THAT WE KNOW WHO IS BENEFITING FROM THIS FUND ARE TRULY NEW MEXICO'S KIDS.

>> Gwyneth: NOW, WE HAD THE TREASURER ON OUR SHOW IN THE FALL TO TALK ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

BUT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT STARTING WITH $50 MILLION.

AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT $5 MILLION.

HOW THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE SAW IN THE FALL?

>> Serrato: YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT THAT LOT OF DIFFERENT FOLKS ARE COMING FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON.

FOR US, WE WANT TO BUILD IT TRANSPARENTLY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

SO, CREATING THAT TASK FORCE TO BUILD OUT REPORTS, WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE, WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL SERVICES TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BUILDING SOMETHING THAT WORKS WITH THE LEGISLATURE, FITS NEW MEXICO'S STATUTES AND OUR LAWS AND OUR CONSTITUTION.

SO, WE WANT TO SET THAT UP FIRST BEFORE WE START DOING LARGER INVESTMENTS INTO THE FUND.

>> Gwyneth: SO, WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS SETTING UP A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD FIGURE THINGS OUT LIKE WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS?

>> Serrato: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Gwyneth: AND IN OTHER STATES, WE'VE SEEN THESE KIND OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED TO FOLKS WHO WERE ON MEDICAID WHEN THEY HAD THE BABY.

IS THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING?

>> Serrato: I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE POPULATIONS THAT SHOULD BE SERVED BY THIS.

BUT IN NEW MEXICO, MIDDLE CLASS IS A VERY BROAD TERM.

SO, LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK REMAINS THE MIDDLE CLASS.

YOU CAN OWN A HOME BUT STILL BE DEPENDENT ON THAT MONTH'S PAYCHECK.

YOU'RE NOT PUTTING ASIDE A 529 FOR YOUR KID.

YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR RETIREMENT.

AGAIN, GIVING THESE KIDS HOPE.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE, I WOULD WALK WITH FOLKS ON CAMPUS AND THERE WOULD BE BUILDINGS NAMED AFTER THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE BENEFIT.

WHEN AND LEFT COLLEGE, I HAD MOUNDS OF DEBT.

I STILL SAID THIS IS A WORTHWHILE EXPERIMENT TO BE THIS MUCH IN DEBT WHEN I GET OUT.

BUT THAT SCARES LOT OF POOR KIDS AWAY FOR LOT OF REASONS.

WE WANT TO REACH THE MIDDLE CLASS.

AND FOLKS ON MEDICAID, ACROSS THE BOARD, CAN REALLY DREAM BIG AND INVEST IN THEMSELVES IN THE FUTURE.

>> Gwyneth: NOW, 529 PROGRAMS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE DO TRY TO SET THOSE UP FOR THEIR KIDS, BUT THEY'RE REALLY SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO EDUCATION.

THIS TASK FORCE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WOULD DECIDE EXACTLY HOW THE BABY BOND MONEY COULD BE SPENT.

EDUCATION IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS?

>> Serrato: ABSOLUTELY.

SO, BUYING A HOME IN NEW MEXICO.

AGAIN, A LOT OF FOLKS NOWADAYS NEED TO RELY ON FAMILY MEMBERS TO HELP THEM GET THAT DOWN PAYMENT.

IT COULD BE FOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.

IT COULD BE FOR INVESTING IN A SMALL BUSINESS THAT YOU'RE BUILDING IN NEW MEXICO, OR BEYOND.

BUT I BELIEVE WE WANT IT TO BE IN NEW MEXICO.

INVESTMENTS, IN GENERAL, TO HELP THAT GROW.

THEY ALSO, POTENTIALLY, CAN HOLD ON TO IT FOR LONGER, SO THEY CAN USE IT FOR RETIREMENT WHEN THEY GET OLDER.

THERE'S A PILOT PROGRAM GOING ON, I BELIEVE, IN ALBUQUERQUE, WHERE SOME OF IT IS HELD ASIDE SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO USE IT FOR RETIREMENT.

>> Gwyneth: BUT WE'RE NOT LIKE, HEY, CONGRATULATIONS YOU'RE 18 HERE'S 20 GRAND, GO HAVE A PARTY?

>> Serrato: ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THIS IS A BIG THING WE WANT TO TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT.

WHAT CAME IN IN COMMITTEE, AND WE ALREADY DISCUSSED, IS THIS IDEA OF HAVING FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS AS WELL.

ONE THING ME AND THE TREASURER WORKED ON LAST SUMMER WAS INVESTING IN A SYMPOSIUM ON BABY BONDS, ON FUTURE FUND, BUT ALSO INVESTING IN FINANCIAL LITERACY.

WE DO SEE THESE IDEAS AS TIED.

I WANT TO TRUST THE TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT -- THE FINANCIAL LITERACY ACCESS IN CLOVIS IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IT IS IN SANTA FE.

SO WAS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE THAT THESE KIDS CAN ACTUALLY ACCESS THOSE FUNDS, AND HOW DO THEY WITHDRAW IT?

IS IT LIKE A ROTH IRA, WHERE AT A CERTAIN POINT YOU GET THIS MONEY, OR DOES IT ALWAYS STAY WITH THE STATE UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO WITHDRAW?

WE MADE IT FLEXIBLE SO, AGAIN, DEPENDING ON HOW THE MARKET MOVES, WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE WITH IT.

>> Gwyneth: I'M IMAGINING IN MY HEAD SOMEONE AT HOME WATCHING SAYING, 'WHAT?

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THESE PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ONLY SOME PEOPLE ONLY UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT I WORK REALLY HARD I MAKE MORE MONEY THAN THAT, WHERE'S MY $6,000?'

DOES THIS AMOUNT TO A REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH TO ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE?

>> Serrato: I WOULD ARGUE THAT WE, ACTUALLY, ARE ONE OF THE BROADER PERSPECTIVES ON THE FUTURE FUND'S BILL ITSELF.

IN OTHER STATES, THEY LIMIT IT, AS YOU MENTIONED, TO MEDICAID RECIPIENTS AT THE TIME OF THEIR BIRTH.

WE KEEP IT PRETTY BROAD BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS ACCESSIBLE TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

AND IT REALLY IS FOR THE KIDS THAT ARE BORN AFTER 2025, AS STIPULATED IN THE BILL.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US, THAT AS MANY KIDS HAVE THAT HOPE FOR THEIR FUTURE AS POSSIBLE.

IT DOESN'T BENEFIT ME.

IT WOULDN'T BENEFIT MY KIDS BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY BORN.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE FUTURE OF NEW MEXICO KEEPS BUILDING, KEEPS DREAMING BIG.

I DON'T SAY DREAMING, INVESTING BIG IN OUR STATE.

THAT WE HAVE THE WORKFORCE THAT IS BRINGING JOBS TO OUR STATE.

>> Kaltenbach: THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY, AND A LOT OF FEAR AROUND THAT.

ABOUT A QUARTER, A LITTLE LESS OF A QUARTER, OF OUR BUDGET IS FEDERALLY FUNDED.

SO, WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT.

BUT I WANT TO REASSURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDING CARE TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE.

THOSE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE.

>> Jeff: OUR INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY-DESIGNATE EMILY KALTENBACH WILL AIR IN LESS THAN TEN MINUTES.

AND WE'LL HEAD BACK INSIDE THE ROUNDHOUSE LATER ON IN TODAY'S SHOW.

U.S. ATTORNEY ALEXANDER UBALLEZ RESIGNED THIS WEEK, AFTER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP YANKED HIS GOVERNMENT COMPUTER ACCESS AND CELL PHONE WITH NO EXPLANATION.

APPOINTED BY FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, UBALLEZ LED THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS, AND LAUNCHED A SPRAWLING INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION WITHIN THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S DWI UNIT.

TRUMP'S DECISION TO SHOW UBALLEZ, AND NUMEROUS OTHER JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS, THE DOOR WAS ENTIRELY EXPECTED.

DATING BACK TO RONALD REAGAN'S FIRST TERM, MOST PRESIDENTS REPLACE THE TOP FEDERAL COPS AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH THEIR OWN PEOPLE.

LAST MONTH, I SAT DOWN WITH UBALLEZ AS HE AWAITED HIS FINAL DAYS IN OFFICE.

>> Jeff: YOU'RE A DIFFERENT CAT.

I'VE KNOWN A LOT OF FEDERAL PROSECUTORS, AND A NUMBER OF U.S.

ATTORNEYS IN THIS DISTRICT.

I'VE NEVER HEARD FOLKS IN THOSE POSITIONS TALK THE WAY YOU DO.

FOR A GUY LIKE YOU, ASSUMING THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET CANNED OR ASKED TO RESIGN, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NEXT?

>> Uballez: I'M GOING TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO.

IT'S WHAT I'VE ALWAYS DONE.

IT'S WHAT'S DRIVEN ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY.

AND IT REALLY IS NEVER BEEN A DRIVE FOR A POSITION OR A TITLE.

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DRIVE TO DO THE THINGS THAT MAKE SENSE TO MAKE THIS PLACE BETTER AND SAFER FOR ALL NEW MEXICANS.

SO, WHEN I SIGNED UP TO BECOME PROSECUTOR, WHEN I JOINED THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, IT WAS NEVER ON MY BINGO CARD TO BECOME THE UNITED STATES' ATTORNEY.

THIS WAS NEVER MY GOAL.

FRANKLY, LOOKING AT THE END OF MY CAREER, THERE'S SOME REGRET.

BECAUSE BECOMING AN AUSA WAS MY DREAM JOB.

BECOMING A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR WAS WHAT I WANTED TO DO WITH MY LAW LICENSE.

SO, THAT CONTINUES TO DRIVE ME.

MY SPECIALTIES, OBVIOUSLY, LIE IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH A HUGE, YOU KNOW, PIECE OF MY CAREER DEDICATED TO SERVING CHILDREN.

BUT ALL THAT BEING SAID, I CAN HONESTLY TELL YOU I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'LL BE IN A FEW WEEKS.

BUT I KNOW THAT I'M REALLY BAD OF AT DOING THINGS I DON'T CARE ABOUT, AND A LOT BETTER AT DOING THINGS THAT I DO.

I WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO, AND I'LL FIND A WAY TO DO THAT.

>> Jeff: OKAY.

SO, MY LAST QUESTION IS GOING TO DATE ME AND PEOPLE ARE TOTALLY GOING TO JUDGE ME FOR THIS, BUT I DON'T CARE.

I AM A FAN OF THE AARON SORKIN SHOW 'THE WEST WING,' WHICH ROMANTICIZED AND POPULARIZED THE NOTION OF AN OUTGOING PRESIDENT SITTING DOWN WITH PEN AND PAPER AND SCRATCHING OUT A LETTER TO THE SUCCESSOR, THE NEXT PRESIDENT COMING IN, PUTTING IT IN AN ENVELOPE AND STUFFING IT IN A DRAWER OF THE RESOLUTE DESK IN THE OVAL OFFICE.

IF YOU WERE GOING TO DO THAT FOR WHOEVER TAKES YOUR JOB AFTER YOU, WHAT WOULD THE LETTER SAY?

>> Uballez: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I DO -- I THINK I WILL WRITE A LETTER.

I'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT IT.

I'VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT THE LESSONS I'VE LEARNED, AND THE FRAMEWORK THAT WILL HELP AN INCOMING UNITED STATES ATTORNEY.

THE MOST IMPORTANT FRAME FOR THIS JOB THAT I'VE HAD IS THAT IT IS NOT ME, RIGHT?

I'M A TEMPORARY CUSTODIAN OF A ROLE THAT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE.

SO, MY JOB ISN'T TO TALK ABOUT ME.

MY JOB ISN'T TO MAKE MYSELF LOOK GOOD IN PUBLIC OR TO POLISH A RESUME OR TO HAVE ACHIEVEMENTS THAT I CAN RADDLE OFF.

MY JOB IS TO STEWARD THIS OFFICE AND ITS MISSION.

SO, IN THAT FRAME, ALWAYS THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE THIS OFFICE BETTER, SO THAT IT SERVES THE PEOPLE BETTER.

IN THAT, YOU KNOW, I'VE LEARNED A COUPLE OF LESSONS JUST ABOUT LEADERSHIP.

BECAUSE BEFORE I BECAME THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, I NEVER LED ANYTHING.

NO ONE IS A LEADER UNTIL THEY ARE.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU HAVE EVERYONE'S EYES ON YOU AND EVERYONE IS EXPECTING YOU TO MAKE DECISIONS.

SO, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS, YOU KNOW, AS LAWYERS, AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, LAWYERS IT'S VERY EASY FOR US TO GET CAUGHT IN THE CASE, IN THE SPECIFICS AND LEGALITIES.

IT'S COMFORTABLE FOR US.

BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO LEAD THE OFFICE, YOU NEED TO DREAM BIG.

YOU CAN'T JUST THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS OR PERFECTING THE ARGUMENTS THAT WE MAKE IN COURT.

YOU HAVE TO DREAM AS IF WE HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE A WORLD THAT WE DESERVE TO LIVE IN.

WE HAVE A SAFER WORLD FOR THE PEOPLE HERE IN NEW MEXICO, AND KEEPING THAT DREAM IN MIND, KEEPING THE GOALS BIG, WILL ALWAYS PUSH YOU FORWARD.

AND YOU WILL FAIL.

WE ALL FAIL.

YOU WILL ALL FALL SHORT.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LOT STILL INCOMPLETE HERE.

BUT WHAT MATTERS IS HAVING THAT BIG DREAM, AND ALWAYS PURSUING IT, AND NEVER LOSING SIGHT OF THAT AS YOUR NORTH STAR, WHICH IS PUBLIC SAFETY HERE.

MAKING THIS PLACE BETTER FOR NEW MEXICANS.

AND I THINK, FINALLY, IS FORGIVENESS.

I'M BIG ON FORGIVENESS.

IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE WORLD, IT'S A THING THAT WE DON'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT, OR WE DON'T THINK ENOUGH ABOUT, I SHOULD SAY.

BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, AS LAWYERS WE GO IN A COURT, WE MAKE SOMEBODY PLEA TO SOMETHING, THEY ACCEPT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, THEY GO TO PRISON, AND WE FEEL LIKE THE JOB IS DONE.

BUT THE REBUILDING OF THE COMMUNITY HAPPENS WHEN THE PERSON COMES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THE REBUILDING OF THE COMMUNITY HAPPENS WHEN WE, ALL TOGETHER, PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, DEFENDANTS, VICTIMS, WITNESSES, ENGAGE IN FORGIVENESS WITH EACH OTHER.

ACCEPTING THAT WE ARE ALL PEOPLE AND THAT WE ALL FALL SHORT.

SO, IN THAT FRAME, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR A NEW U.S. ATTORNEY TO FORGIVE THEMSELVES FOR THEIR FAILURES.

BECAUSE THEY WILL FAIL.

FORGIVE THEIR STAFF WHEN THEY DO TOO.

AND REMEMBER ALWAYS TO EXTEND THAT GRACE TO EVERYONE WE DEAL WITH, INCLUDING DEFENDANTS.

THIS ISN'T A COMPETITION.

WE DON'T WIN WHEN WE CONVICT THE MOST PEOPLE, OR YOU ACHIEVE THE BIGGEST SENTENCES.

WE WIN WHEN THE COMMUNITY IS SAFER.

IF A CONVICTION OR SENTENCE WILL HELP THAT, THEN WE DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO ALWAYS KEEP OUR MIND ON THAT GOAL, AND IT REALLY IS TRULY TIED TO FORGIVENESS.

BECAUSE IT'S SO EASY TO FIND FAULT WITH PEOPLE.

IT'S SO EASY TO FIND SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY HAS DONE WRONG.

I TOLD YOU, THAT CODE BOOK IS HUGE.

IT'S NOT HARD TO FIND CRIMES OR FAULTS OR FAILURES.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO AS LAWYERS.

IT'S OUR WEAKNESS, I THINK.

BUT OUR STRENGTH IS IN THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE SHORTCOMINGS THAT WE SEE IN OTHERS AND IN OURSELVES, AND TO FORGIVE THEM.

>> Jeff: UBALLEZ TOLD SEVERAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS THAT HIS DEPARTURE SHOULDN'T AFFECT THE ONGOING CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION.

HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING LAST MONTH.

AND YOU CAN WATCH OUR WHOLE CONVERSATION ON THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE.

HOLLAND KASTRIN, WHO HAS SERVED AS UBALLEZ'S NUMBER TWO IN THE OFFICE, HAS BEEN NAMED ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY.

NO WORD YET ON WHO TRUMP WILL NOMINATE FOR THE POST PERMANENTLY.

>> Bolanos-Sacoman: WE KNOW THAT DETENTION CENTERS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT SET UP TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

BUT IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, THOSE DETENTION CENTERS ARE ALSO LOCATED OUT OF STATE.

SO, WE'RE TAKING PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THEIR COMMUNITY, OUTSIDE OF THEIR CULTURE, AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY, AWAY FROM WHAT THEY KNOW AS PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND CULTURAL FACTORS.

AND CULTURAL HEALING.

>> Jeff: WE'LL HEAR FROM GWYNETH ON A PLAN TO INCREASE TAXES ON ALCOHOL IN A LITTLE OVER 15 MINUTES.

AS NEW MEXICO'S OLDER ADULT POPULATION INCREASES, SO DOES THE STATE'S NUMBER OF UNHOUSED SENIORS.

WITH THAT IN MIND, SHELTERS ARE ALREADY FAILING TO MEET THE DEMANDS FOR OLDER ADULTS WHO MIGHT HAVE CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS OR COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, KUNM'S MEAGAN KAMERICK ASKS SECRETARY-DESIGNATE EMILY KALTENBACH OF THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND LONG-TERM SERVICES HOW SHE PLANS TO ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MEDICAL SUPPORT, AND A HOST OF OTHER CHALLENGES FOR ALL AGING NEW MEXICANS.

>> Megan: EMILY KALTENBACH, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON IN FOCUS.

>> Kaltenbach: THANK YOU, MEAGAN.

THANKS FOR THE INVITATION TO BE HERE.

>> Megan: YOU PREVIOUSLY WORKED IN THIS AGENCY, THEN YOU WENT TO THE DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE, AND NOW YOU ARE BACK.

HOW HAVE THOSE EXPERIENCES INFLUENCED YOUR VISION FOR THE DEPARTMENT THIS TIME?

>> Kaltenbach: IT REALLY FEELS AMAZING TO BE BACK.

IT'S BEEN ABOUT 15 YEARS SINCE I WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

I MADE THE DECISION, REALLY, TO MOVE AWAY FROM STATE WORK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PUBLIC POLICY IN THE NONPROFIT SENSE, AND DO SOME ADVOCACY IN THAT SENSE.

I THINK I'M BRINGING BACK LOT OF WHAT I LEARNED, OUT AND ABOUT, DURING MY DRUG POLICY DAYS BACK TO THE AGENCY.

AND ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS REALLY ABOUT LISTENING INTENTLY TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND BUILDING POLICY THAT'S VERY MUCH ROOTED IN WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

SO, I'M GOING TO BRING THAT PERSPECTIVE BACK IN THIS NEW ROLE.

>> Megan: NEW MEXICO, I'M SURE I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU, IS FACING SOME SERIOUS CHALLENGES WITH OUR AGING POPULATION.

A SERIES IN 'THE SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN' OUTLINED A LOT OF THESE.

IT SAID WE COULD BE A POSTER CHILD FOR THE SO-CALLED SILVER TSUNAMI.

HOW WILL YOUR DEPARTMENT ADAPT TO THIS IN TERMS OF YOUR SERVICES AND YOUR BUDGET?

>> Kaltenbach: WELL, WE'VE BEEN ADAPTING FOR THE LAST COUPLE DECADES.

AGAIN, BACK TO THE TIME I WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

I THINK THAT WAS WHEN WE STARTED TO REALLY RECOGNIZE THE GROWING NUMBER OF OLDER ADULTS IN OUR STATE.

AND AT THAT POINT, I THINK WE'RE FOURTH IN THE NATION FOR THE PERCENT OF THOSE ADULTS OVER 65.

NOW, WE'RE 13th AND WE'RE GOING TO BE 10th IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

SO, THERE HAS BEEN AN EFFORT TO BUILD OUT THE PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTS THAT OLDER ADULTS NEED.

BUT WE NEED TO RAMP THAT UP.

FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, THAT'S NOT VERY FAR AWAY, SO WE'RE REALLY WORKING ON A BUDGET THAT WILL SUPPORT OUR OLDER ADULTS.

PRIMARILY, AROUND STAYING IN THE HOME IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT.

THEY WANT TO STAY HOME, LIVE INDEPENDENTLY WITH DIGNITY FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN.

SO, OUR DEPARTMENT IS VERY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR HOME AND THEY HAVE THE CAREGIVERS TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Megan: I WANTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT A SITUATION LAST YEAR.

I WAS VOLUNTEERING WITH ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

I WAS HELPING A WOMAN WHO WAS EVICTED.

SHE WAS, BASICALLY, LIVING IN SOMEONE'S BACKYARD FOR A WHILE.

SHE WAS OVER 60, SO SHE QUALIFIED FOR SENIOR SERVICES IN ALBUQUERQUE.

BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THE CASE WORKERS WERE NOT REALLY SET UP TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WERE PRECARIOUSLY HOUSED.

WE KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM OF SENIOR HOMELESSNESS IS GROWING.

SO, IT FELT A LITTLE BIT LIKE THINGS WERE SILOED AND SENIORS WERE OVER HERE, HOMELESS THINGS OVER HERE.

JUST WONDERING HOW YOUR DEPARTMENT IS ADDRESSING THIS.

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO ME, IS MAKING SURE THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE HOUSING THEY NEED, BUT PARTICULARLY OUR OLDER ADULTS.

I WOULD IMAGINE IF YOU GO OUT AND ON THE STREETS TODAY, THE MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS ARE OVER 50 AND IN NEED OF STABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SO, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR OLDER ADULTS.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE A SEGMENTATION OF, YOU KNOW, SENIOR SERVICE AND HOMELESS SERVICES.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE REALLY LOOKING AND BEING VERY SERIOUS ABOUT IDENTIFYING ABOUT WHAT OLDER ADULTS NEED.

SO, WE'RE EXCITED TO PARTNER.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VERY FOCUSED ON HOUSING ISSUES AND STANDING UP, YOU KNOW, THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.

SO, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THOSE FOLKS TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS.

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOUSING OPTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS THAT HAVE CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES AS WELL.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF ADULTS THAT NEED THAT ASSISTED LIVING LEVEL OF CARE AND LONG-TERM CARE EVENTUALLY.

>> Megan: YEAH, MANY OF THE SHELTERS, AS YOU KNOW, ARE SEEING MORE SENIORS.

LIKE THE WEST SIDE SHELTER HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE, THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY SET UP TO MEET THOSE KINDS OF COMPLEX HEALTH NEEDS.

HOW IS YOUR AGENCY WORKING WITH CITIES AND COUNTIES TO MEET THOSE NEEDS?

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, OUR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES SYSTEM, ACTUALLY, IS PROBABLY ONE DIVISION THAT MOST OFTEN INTERSECTS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE PRECARIOUSLY HOUSED OR NEED THOSE TYPES OF SUPPORTS.

SO, WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NEED FOR EMERGENCY PLACEMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIVING EITHER ON SOMEONE'S COUCH, OR IN AND OUT OF SHELTERS, IN THEIR CARS.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO BETTER BY THOSE FOLKS AND REALLY BUILD OUT SOME PROGRAMS.

I KNOW HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS HAS RECENTLY THOUGHT THROUGH WHAT DO WE NEED FOR THOSE OLDER ADULTS THAT HAVE MORE SPECIAL NEEDS AND ADVANCED LEVEL OF CARE.

SO AGAIN, WE'LL BE WORKING ACROSS OUR STATE AGENCIES AND WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK OUR DEPARTMENT HAS FOCUSED ON AS MUCH IN THE PAST.

SO, THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT I HOPE TO BRING TO THE DEPARTMENT.

>> Megan: I DON'T KNOW -- I MEAN, THIS MIGHT BE A FACTOR IN SERVING THIS POPULATION, SOMETIMES I FOUND THIS WHEN WHEN WAS TRYING TO HELP, 'WELL I'M NOT REALLY HOMELESS.'

WELL, BUT YOU'RE NOT HOUSED, REALLY.

SO, I JUST WONDER IF THAT'S ALSO A COMPLICATING FACTOR IN WORKING WITH THIS POPULATION?

>> Kaltenbach: I THINK WE USE THE TERM HOMELESSNESS, BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

HOW DO WE DEFINE THAT?

>> Megan: YEAH.

I MET A WOMAN WHEN I WAS VOLUNTEERING, SHE WAS CLEARLY LIVING IN HER CAR.

>> Kaltenbach: RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO ALSO LOOK AT WHAT, YOU KNOW, ARE ADULTS' CHOICES OF WHERE THEY LIVE, BUT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM AND WRAP SERVICES AROUND THEM.

SOME OF THESE OLDER ADULTS MAY ACTUALLY NEED A FACILITY-BASED LEVEL OF CARE THAT IS A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE.

SO, WE WORK TO FIND PLACEMENTS, OFTEN, FOR FOLKS WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BE MAKING GOOD DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

AND HOW CAN WE WORK WITH THEM AND WHATEVER FAMILY, OR WHAT OTHER SUPPORTS THEY HAVE TO GET THEM IN THE PLACES THAT THEY NEED.

SO, OUR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES STAFF ARE AMAZING.

THEY'RE NOT JUST GOING OUT THERE AND RESPONDING TO ABUSE, NEGLECT OR EXPLOITATION CASES.

>> Megan: YEAH, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, THEY'RE DOING PREVENTION AS WELL.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT, OFTENTIMES, VULNERABLE ADULTS WILL END UP FACING, UNFORTUNATELY, ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION.

>> Megan: WE HAVE A LOT OF OLDER FOLKS IN RURAL AREAS IN NEW MEXICO, INCLUDING YOUR OWN PARENTS, RIGHT?

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, I GREW UP IN RURAL NEW MEXICO.

THEY STILL LIVE OUT THAT THREE-MILE DIRT ROAD.

>> Megan: OH, MY GOSH.

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, WINTERS ARE INTERESTING.

>> Megan: WHAT ARE THE EXTRA CHALLENGES THESE FOLKS FACE, AND HOW CAN AGING AND LONG-TERM SERVICES WORK TO ADDRESS THOSE?

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, WELL, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE GROWTH OF OLDER ADULTS -- THE IMPACT IS GOING TO MOSTLY BE IN OUR RURAL AREAS.

A LOT OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE LEFT.

THEY'RE LIVING ALONE.

PEOPLE LEAVE FOR ECONOMIC REASONS.

THEY MOVE OUT.

A LOT OF OLDER ADULTS DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT THEY MAY HAVE GENERATIONS AGO.

SO, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE, AGAIN, IF THEIR CHOICE IS TO LIVE IN THEIR HOME IN THEIR COMMUNITY, WHICH WE WANT TO SUPPORT THAT.

THAT'S AT THE HEART OF OUR MISSION AT OUR DEPARTMENT IS REALLY MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN THEIR HOME AND COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

SO, I THINK THE QUESTION -- WELL, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT COMES UP ARE CAREGIVERS, BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL CAREGIVERS.

LOT OF THESE RURAL COMMUNITIES DON'T HAVE FORMAL CAREGIVING SERVICES.

SO, THAT RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON NEIGHBORS AND WHATEVER FAMILY'S THERE.

SPOUSES, WHO MAY BE OLDER THEMSELVES AND FACING THEIR OWN HEALTH ISSUES.

SO, I'M VERY FOCUSED ON THOSE OLDER ADULTS.

ONE OF THE WAYS, TO YOUR QUESTION, ABOUT WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT CAN DO, WE HAVE STOOD UP A PROGRAM CALLED NEW MEXICARE.

THAT'S A GOVERNOR'S INITIATIVE THAT PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING AND SERVICES TO INFORMAL CAREGIVERS.

SO, THAT SPOUSE WHO IS TAKING CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONE, BUT THEY MAY BE FINANCIALLY INSECURE, THEY CAN BE PAID UP TO $1400 A MONTH FOR THAT CAREGIVING.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS.

THEY'RE THE BACKBONE OF OUR LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM.

THEY ARE OFTEN THE ONES THAT HAVE THE MOST STRAIN, FINANCIAL STRAIN, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL STRAIN, OF BEING THE CAREGIVER.

SO, WE NEED TO STEP UP AND SUPPORT THEM.

NEW MEXICARE IS AN INCREDIBLE PROGRAM.

AND A PRIORITY FOR ME TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT IT GETS ROLLING ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Megan: HOW IS IT FUNDED?

AND HOW WILL IT GROW?

>> Kaltenbach: IT'S A STATE-FUNDED PROGRAM AT THIS POINT.

>> Megan: FROM THE GENERAL FUND?

>> Kaltenbach: FROM STATE GENERAL FUND.

AND IT IS -- THE ELIGIBILITY ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT ON MEDICAID BECAUSE WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE FALL THROUGH THAT GAP.

SO OUR MEDICAID, AGAIN, NEW MEXICO DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS ON MEDICAID CAN GET HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PERSON WHO IS JUST OVER THAT ELIGIBILITY LIMIT?

THAT'S WHERE NEW MEXICARE COMES IN.

>> Megan: MY BROTHER-IN-LAW IN CALIFORNIA TAKES CARE OF MY HUSBAND'S SISTER WHO HAS EARLY DEMENTIA.

THEY HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR HERE.

I THINK YOU CAN QUALIFY AND BE THE CAREGIVER AND YOU'RE COMPENSATED FOR SOME OF THAT.

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, IT'S REALLY, REALLY CRITICAL.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT MOST OF OUR CARE IN OUR RURAL AREAS ARE BEING PROVIDED BY NEIGHBORS AND LOVED ONES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> Megan: FOLKS MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT ALSO HELPS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

WHAT KINDS OF CHALLENGES IN NEW MEXICO ARE WE FACING, IN TERMS OF PEOPLE BECOMING DISABLED AND NEEDING HELP?

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, SO WE NOT ONLY -- WE OFTEN ARE CALLED DEPARTMENT OF AGING.

>> Megan: AND LONG-TERM CARE.

>> Kaltenbach: AND LONG-TERM CARE.

BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT ADULTS IN NEW MEXICO.

AND THE NUMBER OF ADULTS WHO MAY BE LIVING WITH A DISABILITY, WHO ARE GETTING OLDER THEMSELVES.

AND THEY ALSO NEED THE HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.

SO, JUST THE SAME TYPES OF SERVICES, REALLY, ABOUT CAREGIVING IS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE THERE'S DEFINITELY OVERLAP.

WE FIND THAT, OFTENTIMES, PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES MAY BE AT HIGHER RISK FOR ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR EXPLOITATION.

SO, SUPPORTING THEM -- A REALLY IMPORTANT BILL IS GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S CALLED SUPPORTED DECISIONMAKING.

>> Megan: I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> Kaltenbach: SO, IT'S AN ALTERNATIVE TO GUARDIANSHIP FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO STILL WANT TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, BUT NEED A LITTLE EXTRA HELP AND SUPPORT.

SO, WE ALL REALLY HAVE SUPPORTED -- WE HAVE SUPPORTS IN OUR LIFE, RIGHT?

IF WE'RE MAKING A DECISION, SOMETIMES WE GO TO, YOU KNOW, I MIGHT CALL MY BROTHER AND SAY, 'WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?'

WHETHER IT'S AROUND A FINANCIAL DECISION, OR HEALTH CARE DECISION.

SO, IT REALLY WAS BORN OUT OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMUNITY OF ADULTS WHO WANT TO CONTINUE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS BUT JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.

AND WHERE FULL GUARDIANSHIP ISN'T APPROPRIATE.

>> Megan: AND FULL GUARDIANSHIP IS LITERALLY SOMEONE TAKES OVER ALL THESE THINGS, AND WE'VE SEEN SOME PROBLEMS HERE IN NEW MEXICO WITH THAT.

>> Kaltenbach: EXACTLY.

AND MAKE FULL DECISIONS.

NOW, GUARDIANSHIP IS STILL REALLY CRITICAL AND AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SYSTEM OF CARE FOR FOLKS, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT 27 OTHER STATES NOW HAVE.

TEXAS WAS THE FIRST TO CREATE SUPPORTED DECISIONMAKING IN THEIR LAW, SO WE'RE HOPING NEW MEXICO WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

AGAIN, IT'S REALLY AN IMPORTANT WAY TO SUPPORT ONE'S INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY.

AND RESEARCH HAS FOUND IF FOLKS MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, THEY'RE GOING TO LEARN AND BECOME MORE AND MORE INDEPENDENT FROM THAT.

SO, WE'RE EXCITED.

THAT'S FOR ADULTS WHO MAY BE LIVING WITH DISABILITY, FOR OLDER ADULTS, AND OTHERS.

>> Megan: ESPECIALLY IF THEY DON'T HAVE PEOPLE, LIKE THEY CAN'T CALL A BROTHER IF THEY DON'T HAVE ANYONE.

>> Kaltenbach: YEAH, OR THEY MAY DECIDE THAT BROTHER IS THAT SUPPORTER TO HELP THEM MAKE DECISIONS.

HOW OFTEN DOES SOMEONE GO INTO A BANK AND THE STIGMA OF SOMEONE WITH, PERHAPS, SOME DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT LAW FOR THOSE THIRD PARTIES.

WHETHER THAT'S THE HOSPITAL OR THE BANK, TO KNOW THERE'S A LEGAL SYSTEM TO SUPPORT THESE SUPPORTERS.

>> Megan: WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Kaltenbach: YES, WE ARE.

>> Megan: AMONG YOUR BUDGET REQUEST IS A MILLION DOLLARS TO REVIVE THE LONG-TERM CARE DIVISION.

>> Kaltenbach: YES.

>> Megan: WHAT WOULD THAT DO?

>> Kaltenbach: SO, I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WHEN I WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT, AGAIN, 15 YEARS AGO, 20 YEARS AGO, WE RAN THE HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR MEDICAID.

SO, AT THAT POINT IT LIVED IN AGING AND LONG-TERM SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

IT MAKES SENSE.

THEY'RE ALL NOW IN HCA, WHICH IS THE BEST -- >> Megan: HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY?

>> Kaltenbach: HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY.

THE NEW HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY.

BUT BACK TO THE EXAMPLE OF NEW MEXICARE THAT I WAS TALK ABOUT.

THESE ARE LONG-TERM CARE PROGRAMS FOR NON-MEDICAID INDIVIDUALS.

WE HAVE A VETERAN'S SELF-DIRECTED CARE PROGRAM.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT HELPS TRANSITION FOLKS FROM NURSING HOMES BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

BUT ALL THOSE PROGRAMS, RIGHT NOW, ARE SPREAD ACROSS OUR DEPARTMENT.

AND THEY NEED A HOME.

WE NEED TO CREATE A CONTINUUM OF CARE IN OUR DEPARTMENT THAT CAN THEN BE -- WE CAN BETTER SERVE OUR POPULATION.

SO, WE'RE ASKING TO PUT THOSE PROGRAMS TOGETHER, SO THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON THE LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE GROWING POPULATION.

>> Megan: SO, THAT WILL BE A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO CONTEMPLATE LONG-TERM CARE, YOU KNOW, EITHER IN THE HOME OR IN THE FACILITY?

>> Kaltenbach: EXACTLY.

AND WE CAN -- CAREGIVING SUPPORT AND TRAINING.

WE CAN BRING THAT TOGETHER SO IT'S CENTRALIZED, AND IT WILL SUPPORT OUR OTHER DIVISION'S WORK.

BUT AT THIS POINT IT'S JUST FRAGMENTED ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT.

>> Megan: WE ARE FACING A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY IN FEDERAL FUNDING RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY WITH MEDICAID.

WE HAVE OVER 700,000 PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO ON MEDICAID, AND MANY OF OUR PROGRAMS RELY ON MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT TO OPERATE.

HOW IS YOUR AGENCY PREPARING FOR WHAT LOOKS TO BE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE?

>> Kaltenbach: IT'S VERY UNCERTAIN.

I KNOW THERE'S LOT OF FEAR, AND A LOT OF THE FOLKS WE SERVE GET SERVED WITH FEDERAL FUNDING.

EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T RUN AND OPERATE THOSE MEDICAID PROGRAMS, WE ARE A DOOR INTO THOSE PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE NAVIGATORS AND OPTIONS COUNSELORS WHO ARE HELPING ADULTS NAVIGATE THIS VERY COMPLEX SYSTEM.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND A LOT OF FEAR AROUND THAT.

ABOUT A QUARTER, A LITTLE LESS THAN A QUARTER, OF OUR BUDGET IS FEDERALLY FUNDED.

SO, WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT.

I WANT TO REASSURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDING CARE TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE, REGARDLESS.

SO, WE'RE GOING TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

AND THOSE IMPORTANT MEALS THAT HAPPEN AT SENIOR CENTERS AND THOSE TRANSPORTATION RIDES TO DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND -- WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIND A WAY TO DO THAT BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS WE SERVE.

SO, IT IS AN UNCERTAIN TIME, BUT I'M VERY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE, AND I KNOW THE GOVERNOR IS, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF NEW MEXICANS.

>> Megan: EMILY KALTENBACH, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND TALKING ABOUT THIS.

>> Kaltenbach: THANK YOU, MEAGAN.

IT'S A REALLY, IMPORTANT ISSUE TO OUR STATE.

SO, I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING PART OF THE AGING WORLD AND MAKING SURE NEW MEXICO IS A LEADER IN AGING.

>> Megan: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Kaltenbach: THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: THANKS AGAIN TO EMILY KALTENBACH FOR STOPPING BY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH MEAGAN.

LET'S RETURN TO THE CAPITAL ONE MORE TIME.

POLITICS CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND IS BACK TO DIVE INTO AN IDEA THAT'S BEEN PERCOLATING IN SANTA FE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, A TAX HIKE ON ALCOHOL, AND SOME CHANGES TO HOW THE EXTRA REVENUE WOULD BE SPREAD AROUND.

HOUSE BILL 417 GOT ITS FIRST HEARING THIS WEEK WHEN THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE VOTED 6-4 TO MOVE IT ALONG.

GWYNETH CAUGHT UP WITH DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE CRISTINA PARAJON, ONE OF THE BILL'S SPONSORS, AND SINDY BOLA OS-SACOMAN, CO-FONDER OF THE NEW MEXICO TRIBAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER'S ASSOCIATION, TO TALK ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY WOULD GO AND WHY.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE PARAJON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE WAY WE TAX ALCOHOL AND TO DO SOME DIFFERENT THINGS WITH IT.

RIGHT NOW WE -- ACCORDING TO YOUR CHEAT SHEET THAT'S VERY HELPFUL, RIGHT NOW WE TAX ALCOHOL AT DIFFERENT RATES WHETHER IT'S HARD ALCOHOL, BEER, WINE.

AND IF IT'S LOCAL, IT'S LOWER A TAX RATE.

YOU'RE PROPOSING TO JUST FREEZE THAT THE WAY IT IS.

BUT YOU WANT TO SPEND THAT TAX MONEY SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT?

>> Parajon: I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT PART ABOUT THIS BILL IS THAT WE ARE AMENDING THE WAY THAT IT'S DISTRIBUTED.

SO, WHAT THAT MEANS IS PREVIOUSLY WE USED TO USE ALCOHOL-RELATED INJURIES FROM 2000 TO 2002 AND THAT WAS FROZEN AS A NUMBER.

IT WOULDN'T CHANGE OR UPDATE, AND THEN WE USED GROSS RECEIPTS TAX.

SO, COUNTIES THAT HAD LOT OF TOURISM, FOR INSTANCE, GOT MORE OF THE FUND EVEN IF THEIR ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS WERE LOWER.

SO, NOW WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'RE USING POPULATION AND WE ARE ALSO USING ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS.

SO, WHAT THAT'S GOING TO DO IS THAT COUNTIES THAT SUFFER LOT FROM ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS, DISEASE, THEY'RE GOING TO GET A LOT MORE OF THE FUNDING AND BE ABLE TO TREAT LOT MORE PEOPLE IN THEIR COUNTIES.

>> Gwyneth: NOW, THE SECOND PART OF THIS IS THAT YOU WANT TO IMPOSE A NEW ALCOHOL TAX.

I HEARD YOU SAY EARLIER THAT NEW MEXICO HASN'T CHANGED ITS ALCOHOL TAX RATE IN 30 YEARS.

BUT YOU WANT TO PUT A 6% SALES TAX THAT I WOULD PAY AT THE RESTAURANT NEAR MY HOUSE.

AND YOU WANT TO DISTRIBUTE THAT MONEY IN A NEW WAY.

WHAT'S THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE WAY YOU WANT TO SPEND THE 30 TO $60 MILLION A YEAR THAT NEW TAX WOULD BRING?

>> Parajon: SO, I'M THE YOUNGEST WOMAN IN THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE, IN ALMOST 90 YEARS.

SO THIS TAX IS ACTUALLY ALMOST AS OLD AS I AM.

SO, THE PHILOSOPHY HERE IS REALLY BRINGING OUR SPENDING INTO THE 21st CENTURY.

AND FOR ME, THAT MEANS THAT WE ARE PUTTING THE MONEY WHERE IT'S MOST NEEDED.

THIS 6% TAX, THE FIRST PORTION OF IT WILL BE GOING TO UNM TO DO RESEARCH ABOUT HOW THE TAX WILL WORK IN OUR STATE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE ARE INVESTING IT'S GETTING TO THE RIGHT PLACES, TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

AND THE PART WHERE WE'RE SENDING IT TO IAD TO DISTRIBUTE FROM A COUNCIL, THAT IS REALLY ANOTHER BIG VALUE STATEMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING.

>> Gwyneth: AND THAT'S THE INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT?

>> Parajon: YES, THE INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

>> Gwyneth: SO, TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT VALUE STATEMENT.

>> Parajon: RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A BIG ATTACK ON ALL OUR INSTITUTIONS.

REALLY, REALLY BRINGING SOME OF OUR INSTITUTIONS BACKWARDS, IN TERMS OF EQUITY.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AND FOR OUR LEGISLATURE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE STILL CARE ABOUT MAKING INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HURTING THE MOST, INCLUDING OUR NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY THAT SUFFERS THE MOST HARMS FROM ALCOHOL DISEASE, AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A NATIVE-FOCUSED TREATMENT CENTER IN OUR STATE.

FOLKS HAVE TO GO OUT OF STATE FOR THAT.

SO, THIS IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SAY WITH THIS AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, IS THAT WE WANT TO STAND UP.

OUR LEGISLATURE IS COMMITTED TO HELPING THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED IN OUR STATE.

>> Gwyneth: SO, THERE ARE LOT OF WAYS THAT YOU COULD HAVE SPENT THE 30 TO $60 MILLION A YEARS AFTER THE RESEARCH PHASE.

I IMAGINE THAT THERE ARE OTHER CONSTITUENCIES WHO ARE SAYING 30 TO $60 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY.

WHY GIVE IT ALL TO INDIAN AFFAIRS?

DID YOU THINK ABOUT SPENDING IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS?

>> Parajon: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

WE ARE SPENDING $50 MILLION, STILL, FOR THE REST OF THE STATE.

SO, THERE IS QUITE A LOT.

THERE'S A REALLY GREAT QUOTE THAT I LOVE THAT'S, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S MULTIPLE HOUSES THAT ARE BURNING -- OR ONE HOUSE THAT'S BURNING, YOU DON'T GO AND PUT WATER ON ALL THE HOUSES.

YOU PUT WATER ON ALL THE HOUSE THAT IS BURNING.

AND FOR LOT OF OUR NATIVE COMMUNITIES, ALCOHOL DISEASE IS A REALLY -- ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE KILLERS.

SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PUTTING THE RESOURCES WHERE IT'S NEEDED AND GET THE NUMBERS ON AVERAGE OF OUR STATE DOWN.

>> Gwyneth: SINDY BOLA OS-SACOMAN, YOU ARE THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE NEW MEXICO TRIBAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER'S ASSOCIATION.

SO, YOU WORK WITH ALL OF THESE FOLKS WHO ARE ON THE GROUND IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO, LOOKING AT WHAT ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE LOOKS LIKE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

WHY IS THE NEED GREATER THERE?

>> Bolanos-Sacoman: FOR GENERATIONS, TRIBAL COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DISPARITIES.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE TARGETED FOR ALCOHOL IN GENERAL.

I WORK WITH A LOT OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

I'M ALSO AN EVALUATOR.

I WORK WITH A LOT OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WHERE ALCOHOL LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENTS ARE SURROUNDING TRIBAL RESERVATIONS THAT ARE DRY.

WHICH MEANS THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ALCOHOL NEAR THEM HAD THESE ESTABLISHMENTS NOT TARGETED THEM.

NOT ONLY WITH PRICE REDUCTIONS, SPECIAL SALES, AND THESE HEALTH DISPARITIES HAVE IMPACTED TRIBAL COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS.

SO, HAVING FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES, THE CULTURAL NEEDS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE CONSTANTLY HEAR, ESPECIALLY IN OUR ASSOCIATION, HOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE BEING SENT OUT OF STATE FOR TREATMENT, FOR RECOVERY, AND I KNOW THAT OUR DETENTION CENTERS ARE BEING USED A LOT OF THE TIMES AS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT PEOPLE.

BUT WE KNOW THAT DETENTION CENTERS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT SET UP TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

BUT IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, THOSE DETENTION CENTERS ARE ALSO LOCATED OUT OF STATE.

SO, WE'RE TAKING PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THEIR COMMUNITY, OUTSIDE OF THEIR CULTURE, AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY, AWAY FROM WHAT THEY KNOW AS PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND CULTURAL FACTORS.

AND CULTURAL HEALING.

>> Gwyneth: SO, IF THIS ALCOHOL TAX BILL PASSES, AND IF A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD 30 TO $60 MILLION A YEAR IS GOING TO THE INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE IN THE COMMUNITIES YOU WORK WITH?

>> Bolanos-Sacoman: IT'S LITERALLY -- IT WOULD GIVE COMMUNITIES HOPE TO NOT ONLY ADDRESS THEIR LOCAL NEEDS BECAUSE PUEBLOS, NAVAJO NATION, APACHE TRIBES, THEY ALL LOOK DIFFERENT.

THEIR PRACTICES ARE DIFFERENT.

THEIR APPROACHES ARE DIFFERENT.

THEIR LAND IS DIFFERENT.

SO, WHAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITY LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT FOR ALL OF THE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

SO, THIS WOULD MEAN BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE PREVENTION SERVICES.

CURRENTLY, OUR STATE DOES HAVE PREVENTION.

BUT FOR OVER 20 YEARS, PREVENTION PROGRAMS HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT $100,000 FOR AN ENTIRE COUNTY FOR 20 YEARS.

SO, THE AMOUNT OF IMPACT THAT HAS RIGHT NOW IS LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED FUNDING.

BUT THAT MEANS TRIBES CAN THEN CREATE PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT WORK FOR THEM.

TREATMENT PROGRAMS THAT WORK FOR THEM.

A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH CULTURAL HEALING, WITH MEDICINE MEN, WITH CULTURAL -- PEOPLE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT CULTURE BEING PREVENTION.

WITH CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND REINTEGRATION INTO CULTURE, THERE'S SUCH LOSS OF LANGUAGE, SUCH LOSS OF CULTURAL PRACTICES, THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR ALL OF THAT TO COME BACK IN.

>> Gwyneth: NOW, LET ME PLAY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE FOR ONE MINUTE.

THIS BILL WOULD ADD A 6% TAX ON DRINKS THAT YOU GET AT A RESTAURANT.

SO, LET ME JUST ASK YOU WHY SHOULD I, AS A RESTAURANT PATRON, PAY MORE FOR MY GLASS OF WINE WHEN I GO OUT TO DINNER?

AND WHY SHOULD, YOU KNOW, WHY SHOULD RESTAURANTS HAVE TO CHARGE MORE AND THEREFORE SELL LESS?

WHY NOT JUST SPEND MONEY THAT WE'VE GOT ALREADY?

>> Bolanos-Sacoman: SO, A COUPLE OF THINGS.

NUMBER ONE, INCREASING THE PRICE OF ALCOHOL IS A PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGY THAT IS KNOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE.

THE CDC, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ALL SUPPORT IT.

INCREASING THE PRICE, IN ITSELF, IS THE STRATEGY.

SO, THAT'S ONE.

>> Gwyneth: YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE DRINK LESS ALCOHOL.

>> Bolanos-Sacoman: EXACTLY.

>> Gwyneth: YOU WANT THEM TO BUY LESS AND SELL LESS?

>> Bolanos-Sacoman: EXACTLY.

BUT THE GOAL IS TO HAVE FOLKS DRINK A LITTLE BIT LESS.

THAT MIGHT MEAN YOU GO OUT WITH SOME FRIENDS AND DRINK TWO OR THREE GLASSES OF WINE.

THE GOAL WOULD BE, CAN YOU DRINK TWO?

ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL THAT IS BEING CONSUMED WOULD INCREASE HEALTH OUTCOMES THROUGH THE ROOF.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE DO KNOW THAT THERE IS ALCOHOL-RELATED DATA.

I JUST LOOKED AT THE YRS DATA FOR 2025 MIDDLE SCHOOL.

41.2% OF MIDDLE SCHOOLERS ARE BINGE DRINKING.

EXACTLY.

MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.

SO, AT SOME POINT THE PRICE OF ALCOHOL DOES NEED TO INCREASE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IT'S AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY.

THE OTHER THING IS WE HAVE GONE OUT TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND I HAVE GONE OUT TO TALK TO ADOLESCENTS AND 20-YEAR-OLDS, AND THEY SAY THAT THEIR CONSUMING AND BINGE DRINKING AT MASSIVE RATES.

SO, WHAT WE CONSIDER HEAVY DRINKING, THEY'RE DOING IN THREE OR FOUR DAYS IN THAT WEEK.

RIGHT AFTER WORK.

AND STILL DRIVING.

SO, WE KNOW THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A DECREASE.

THE OTHER THING IS ALMOST EVERYONE THAT I'VE ASKED EITHER DOES NOT KNOW HOW MUCH THEY PAY IN ALCOHOL TAXES RIGHT NOW, OR THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY AN EXTRA AMOUNT.

THEY WERE EVEN WILLING TO PAY AN EXTRA 25 CENTS, AT ONE POINT, WHEN WE ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED THE BILL BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE NEED IN OUR STATE.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO GWYNETH FOR ALL HER WORK AT THE ROUNDHOUSE, AND TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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