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

>> Lou: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, DOWNING THE GOLDEN PARACHUTE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAUL TORREZ EXPLAINS HIS LAWSUIT OVER A $1.9 MILLION BUYOUT TO WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY'S OUTGOING PRESIDENT.

>> Torrez: WE'RE PREPARED TO GO THE DISTANCE TO TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOVER AS MANY -- AS MUCH OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS AS WE CAN BECAUSE I JUST THINK THIS IS SUCH AN EGREGIOUS BREACH OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.

>> Lou: AND ROUNDHOUSE ROUNDUP.

A GROUP OF JOURNALISTS DIGS INTO THE PROPOSALS AND SKIRMISHES WE'RE EXPECTING AS LAWMAKERS PREPARE TO GATHER IN SANTA FE NEXT WEEK.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I'M SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DiVIZIO.

WE'RE LOOKING AHEAD TO THE START OF THE 60-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT THE ROUNDHOUSE NEXT WEEK.

IN JUST A LITTLE OVER 15 MINUTES, POLITICS CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND AND A GROUP OF STATE HOUSE JOURNALISTS EXAMINE THE PRIORITIES OF STATE DEMOCRATS AND HOW THEY FIT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA.

EDUCATION WILL SURELY BE A FOCUS FOR LAWMAKERS IN SANTA FE THIS YEAR.

IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I SIT DOWN WITH THE CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY'RE PREPARING FOR POTENTIAL CHANGES TO FEDERAL EDUCATION POLICY AS DONALD TRUMP TAKES OFFICE.

BUT WE BEGIN WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CONCERNS OVER WNMU'S $1.9 MILLION BUYOUT FOR OUTGOING PRESIDENT JOSEPH SHEPARD.

JOURNALIST JOSHUA BOWLING, FROM SEARCHLIGHT NEW MEXICO, BROKE THIS STORY WITH AN INVESTIGATION INTO LAVISH SPENDING AND OTHER QUESTIONABLE CONDUCT AT THE UNIVERSITY SINCE 2023.

SINCE JOSHUA'S STORY HIT THE SEARCHLIGHT WEBSITE, SEVERAL STATE AGENCIES HAVE OPENED THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS.

THIS WEEK, HE INTERVIEWS ATTORNEY GENERAL RAUL TORREZ IN OUR STUDIO TO ASK WHY HIS OFFICE STEPPED IN AND HOW THE ALLEGED MISUSE OF PUBLIC MONEY WENT UNNOTICED FOR SO LONG.

>> Joshua: ATTORNEY GENERAL TORREZ, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

>> Torrez: THANKS HAVING FOR ME.

>> Joshua: SO, YOUR OFFICE HAD ITS FIRST DAY IN COURT REGARDING WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY AND OUTGOING PRESIDENT JOSEPH SHEPARD ON MONDAY.

A JUDGE DENIED YOUR REQUEST TO BLOCK SHEPARD'S $1.9 MILLION SEVERANCE.

TO BLOCK FROM HIS ABILITY TO SPENDING IT.

AND SAID, QUOTE, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT.

SO, I WANT TO ASK, WHERE DOES THE CASE GO FROM HERE?

KIND OF, LONG TERM, ARE WE LOOKING AT AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING?

WHAT'S UP NEXT?

>> Torrez: WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO THE REGULAR PROCESS OF LITIGATION AND WE'LL ENGAGE IN DISCOVERY, GATHERING INFORMATION, INTERVIEWING WITNESSES.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR CONTEXT IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT, IN MANY RESPECTS, WE'RE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORIES.

BOTH FOR THE TYPE OF FILING WE HAD TO INITIATE AT THE DEPARTMENT JUSTICE, BUT ALSO FOR THE LEGAL ISSUES THAT WERE PRESENTED FOR THE COURT.

I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE JUDGMENT THAT THE COURT CAME TO THAT THE JUDGE REACHED, IT REALLY DIDN'T TOUCH ON THE MERITS OF THE CLAIMS AND THE THINGS WE HAD ADVANCED, WHAT WE BELIEVED TO BE BREACHES OF FIDUCIARY DUTY, VIOLATIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT HAD TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RECOVER MONEY AT THE END AS OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS PRETTY ADMITTEDLY A HIGH BAR FOR IMPOUNDING THOSE FUNDS ON THE FRONT END.

>> Joshua: CALLING A TIME OUT, ESSENTIALLY.

>> Torrez: YEAH.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE TRY TO STRESS IS -- BUT IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT BURDEN TO PROVE, IS THE IRREPARABLE HARM THAT WOULD RESULT FROM ALLOWING HIM TO SPEND THE MONEY.

THE JUDGE BASICALLY SAYS IF YOU WIN, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO CLAW IT BACK AND RECOVER IT.

I HOPE THAT'S TRUE.

WE'RE OBVIOUSLY RUNNING THE RISK THAT ITS SPENT, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE ENCUMBERED IN SOME WAY.

BUT AS I INDICATED LAST WEEK WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT TAKING THIS ACTION, WE'RE PREPARED TO GO THE DISTANCE TO TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE RECOVER AS MANY -- AS MUCH OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS AS WE CAN BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS SUCH AN EGREGIOUS BREACH OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.

>> Joshua: SURE.

THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF INK SPILLED ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

I THINK IT'S WORTH CLARIFYING THAT YOUR SUIT IS, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING, NARROWLY FOCUSED ON THE TERMS OF SHEPARD'S DEPARTURE AND NOT ON THE OTHER ISSUES OF POTENTIAL FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT, WHICH WE CAN DISCUSS.

BUT THAT MAKES ME WONDER WHAT DID YOU SEE IN THE TERMS OF HIS SEVERANCE, IN THE TERMS OF HIS DEPARTURE THAT PROMPTED YOU TO ACTION?

>> Torrez: WELL, I THINK THE THING THAT JUMPS OUT RIGHT AWAY, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, IS THE GROSS DISPARITY IN THE PAYOUT AS COMPARED TO WHAT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO POTENTIALLY UNDER HIS EXISTING EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.

AND ALSO, THE CIRCUMSTANCES ABOUT HOW THAT SEPARATION AGREEMENT CAME INTO BEING.

IF YOU READ HIS ATTORNEY'S FILINGS IN RESPONSE TO OUR MOTION, THE NARRATIVE STARTS ON DECEMBER 20th.

THE WHOLE THING, THE STORY BEGINS ON DECEMBER 20th.

ANYBODY WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY KIND OF COMPLEX NEGOTIATION KNOWS THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IF THEY SHOWED UP ON THE 20th TO FINALIZE AND BLESS AN AGREEMENT THAT HAS AS MANY DIFFERENT COMPLEX PIECES INCLUDED IN IT, IT WAS OBVIOUSLY UNDER DISCUSSION FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

SO, WHEN AND HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

WAS IT INITIATED BY DR. SHEPARD?

WAS IT INITIATED BY THIS SO-CALLED PERSONNEL SUBCOMMITTEE?

WE DON'T KNOW AND WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS TO THAT, BUT WHAT SEEMS REALLY CLEAR AND FRANKLY TROUBLING TO ME IS THAT THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WERE OBVIOUSLY IMPLICATED IN SOME OF THE FINDINGS THAT WE HAVE IN THE LETTER OF CONCERN ISSUED BY THE STATE AUDITOR, THE REGENTS, THOSE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATING THIS SEPARATION.

SO, IT REALLY LOOKS TO ME LIKE ONE FINAL ABDICATION OF THEIR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES TO PUT THE INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS AND THE UNIVERSITY FIRST, AND THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN.

IT SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE WORKING AS HARD AND AS FAST AS THEY COULD TO PAY THIS PERSON AND GET HIM OUT THE DOOR AND TAKE CARE OF HIM AND REALLY HAD NO BROADER CONSIDERATION FOR WHAT THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR AT THE UNIVERSITY.

WE'VE HEARD FROM STUDENTS.

WE'VE HEARD FROM FACULTY.

MY OFFICE HAS EVEN RECEIVED INFORMATION AND SOME SUPPORT FROM THE CUSTODIANS AT THAT UNIVERSITY WHO HAVE IDENTIFIED, HEY, THERE ARE THINGS HAPPENING ON THIS CAMPUS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT.

WE'RE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH YOU.

I HAVE A FEELING THAT WHEN WE DIG DEEPER INTO THAT UNIVERSITY AND ALL THE UNMET NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS, THE FACULTY, AND THE STAFF, WE REALLY ARE GOING TO BRING INTO SHARP RELIEF THE TOTAL MISMANAGEMENT AND MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE DUTIES THAT THIS BOARD OF REGENTS HAD.

THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON THE CORE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND THE PEOPLE THAT EDUCATE THOSE STUDENTS, AND NOT THE PRESIDENT WHO HAS USED HIS POSITION TO ENGAGE IN LAVISH SPENDING AND OVERSEAS TRIPS ON THE TAXPAYER'S DIME.

SO, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON, THE TERMS OF THAT SEPARATION.

BUT AS YOU POINT OUT, WE'RE GOING TO WAIT FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THE AUDITOR'S EXAMINATION AND THE STATE ETHICS BOARD.

AND WE WILL VERY LIKELY INITIATE OUR OWN SEPARATE INVESTIGATION AND MAY TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION FOR SOME OF THE UNDERLYING ALLEGATIONS THAT GAVE RISE TO THIS.

>> Joshua: SURE.

I WANT TO DRILL INTO WHAT YOU MENTIONED WITH THE AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE.

YOU ARGUE IN COURT, A LITTLE MORE THAN THREE TIMES, WHAT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN DUE IF HIS CONTRACT WOULD HAVE BEEN TERMINATED WITHOUT CAUSE.

IN TERMS OF HOW THIS CONTRACT AND THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT WERE NEGOTIATED, IT APPEARS THAT IT WAS LARGELY OUT OF THE PUBLIC'S VIEW AND DID NOT HAPPEN AT A DAIS.

SO, DO YOU SEE A POTENTIAL FOR A VIOLATION OF THE OPEN MEETING ACT?

>> Torrez: YES.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE INCLUDED IN OUR COMPLAINT, WHICH WAS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE SPECIFIC EMERGENCY HEARING THAT WE ASKED THE JUDGE TO ENGAGE IN.

ON ITS FACE, WE DON'T SEE THE REQUISITE STEPS BEING TAKEN, THE OPEN MEETING VOTE TO CREATE THE COMMITTEE, THE CONSIDERATION OF THE TERMS, AND FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

IF THAT IS TRUE, EVERYTHING THAT FLOWS FROM THE BOARD'S ACTION IS POTENTIALLY NULLIFIED AT INCEPTION.

BUT THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE MANY LEGAL INFIRMITIES WE'VE IDENTIFIED WITH THIS PROCESS.

>> Joshua: SURE.

CAN YOU, BRIEFLY, WALK ME THROUGH -- I THINK THERE'S SOME CONFUSION OUT THERE AS TO WHY THERE ARE, ONE, SO MANY STATE INVESTIGATIONS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

AND TWO, WHY THEY'RE HAPPENING FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT OFFICES.

YOURS, OF COURSE, BEING THE LATEST.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN ANY COORDINATION WITH, JUST TO NAME A FEW, THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITOR, STATE ETHICS COMMISSION.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FROM WHERE YOU'RE SITTING?

>> Torrez: WELL, PROCEDURALLY, THE WAY THESE ISSUES AND MATTERS ARE INVESTIGATED ORIGINATES, I BELIEVE, WITH YOU AND SOME OF THE JOURNALISM YOU ENGAGED IN UNCOVERING THIS PRACTICE.

IT THEN IS REFERRED TO DIFFERENT AGENCIES WITH PRIMARY JURISDICTION IN THIS CASE.

THE STATE AUDITOR INITIATED HIS ACTION.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND WAIT FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THAT PROCESS BEFORE WE START MAKING DETERMINATIONS.

BUT THERE'S A SEPARATE PART, AND THAT'S THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION.

THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION WAS CREATED AND HAS BEEN EMPOWERED TO INVESTIGATE THESE SORTS OF PENDING CLAIMS.

OUR ROLE IN THIS IS TO WAIT FOR THAT PROCESS TO UNFOLD AT ITS OWN PACE, AND THEN BUILD ON THE EVIDENTIARY RECORD AND THE THINGS THAT WERE GATHERED IN THE COURSE OF THAT INVESTIGATION.

SO, WE WERE IN A POSITION TO WAIT AND SEE HOW THAT ALL PLAYED OUT WHEN THIS FINAL ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

THAT'S WHEN WE HAD TO STEP IN BECAUSE THE AUDITOR AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION ARE NOT EMPOWERED TO TAKE THIS KIND OF EXTRAORDINARY LEGAL ACTION IN THE WAY THAT WE ARE EMPOWERED TO DO.

SO, I KNOW IT'S CONFUSING FOR THE PUBLIC.

BUT WHAT THIS REALLY IS THAT DIFFERENT AGENCIES HAVE DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES, AND INTERVENE GIVEN THE NATURE OF POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS.

IT WAS THE CRAFTING OF THAT SEVERANCE PACKAGE WHICH TRIGGERED OUR ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE WE HAD HOPED, AS YOU KNOW, TO ENGAGE IN AN ACTION THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE PAYMENT AND UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO WHAT I THINK IS AN INTENTION LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY ON THE PART OF THE LEADERSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> Joshua: SURE.

SO, YOU TOUCHED ON THIS A SECOND AGO.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I CLARIFY.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, AND THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, STATE ETHICS COMMISSION, EVERYONE ELSE HAS DONE THEIR WORK AND PUT IT OUT THERE, AND AS YOU SAY YOU VERY LIKELY OPEN YOUR OWN INVESTIGATION, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AND WHERE DOES THAT LEAD?

ARE WE TALKING ANOTHER CIVIL LAWSUIT?

IS THIS A POTENTIAL CRIMINAL CASE?

WHAT OPTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

>> Torrez: ALL OF THOSE OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE.

AS I MENTIONED IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK, WE DON'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE AT THIS POINT THAT WOULD GIVE RISE TO A POTENTIAL CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

BUT WE NEVER CLOSED THAT DOOR, AND WE WON'T MAKE THAT FINAL DETERMINATION UNTIL WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE AUDITOR'S FINDINGS.

THERE IS A LOT MORE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, NOT ONLY ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN THAT UNIVERSITY OVER THE LAST MONTH, BUT OVER THE LAST MANY YEARS WHERE THIS PATTERN AND PRACTICE OF BEHAVIOR OF, YOU KNOW, PERSONAL EXPENDITURES, LAVISH TRIPS, THE GIVING OF A P-CARD TO SOMEONE WHO IS A SPOUSE, NOT AN EMPLOYEE OF THE UNIVERSITY TO USE THAT FOR REASONS THAT WE CAN'T CLEARLY DEFINE OR UNDERSTAND.

ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE, I THINK, THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY THE AUDITOR, BY THE ETHICS COMMISSION, AND ONCE THEY'RE DONE WITH THEIR WORK WE'LL EVALUATE ALL OF THAT IN TOTAL.

BUT WE REMAIN AND RETAIN THE POSSIBILITY OF INITIATING BOTH CIVIL OR CRIMINAL ACTIONS, SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.

>> Joshua: GOT IT.

SO, ONE QUICK QUESTION BEFORE WE SHIFT GEARS A LITTLE BIT.

THE CONTRACT THAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY SUING OVER WITH DR. SHEPARD AND THE REGENTS CONTAINS AN INDEMNITY CLAUSE.

FROM WHERE YOU'RE SITTING, DO YOU THINK THAT INDICATES THE TAXPAYERS CAN BE ON THE HOOK FOR EITHER HIS REPRESENTATION OR THE REGENTS OR BOTH?

>> Torrez: WELL, I ACTUALLY THINK IT POINTS TO A FATAL FLAW IN THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE OF THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT ITSELF.

TO INDEMNIFY HIM IN A WAY THAT BINDS THE UNIVERSITY, BUT BY EXTENSION THE TAXPAYERS OF NEW MEXICO, TO HIS DEFENSE IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS CONTRARY TO PUBLIC POLICY.

AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE OTHER ELEMENTS OF CONSIDERATION, YOU KNOW, NOT TO GET TOO FAR INTO THE WEEDS, BUT EVERY CONTRACT MUST BE SUPPORTED BY VALID CONSIDERATION.

THAT'S A THING OF VALUE EACH PARTY NEEDS TO EXCHANGE TO SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, A MUTUAL AGREEMENT WHERE THEY HAVE RECIPROCAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

THIS SEEMS TO BE TOTALLY ONE-SIDED.

HE IS EFFECTIVELY RELEASING ANY CLAIMS THAT HE MAY HAVE AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT CLAIMS HE MAY HAVE FOR HIS OWN MISCONDUCT.

SO, IT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE UNIVERSITY AND THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO IS GETTING IN EXCHANGE FOR THE $1.9 MILLION.

BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO DIG INTO THOSE DETAILS.

>> Joshua: SURE.

SO, LET'S DISCUSS THE LONG TERM.

AT YOUR PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, YOU SAID YOU WERE WORKING WITH STATE LAWMAKERS TO CRAFT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PUBLIC ABOUT WANTING TO SEE THAT COME OUT OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S ON THE TABLE NOW?

>> Torrez: WELL, OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY IN CRAFTING LEGISLATION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ELIMINATE THE BROAD GRANT OF DISCRETION THAT HAS ENABLED THIS TO OCCUR IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I KNOW THERE WERE SOME DISCUSSION LAST WEEK ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS AND THEN THERE WAS A RECONSIDERATION IN THE PUBLIC ABOUT VARIOUS PROPOSALS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST ABOUT THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS AND WHETHER OR NOT RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS SHOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT FORM OF GOVERNANCE AS OPPOSED TO REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES.

THAT'S NOT MY PRIMARY FOCUS.

MY PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT GOLDEN PARACHUTES THAT WERE HANDED OUT TO PEOPLE LIKE JOSEPH SHEPARD, BUT OTHERS OVER THE YEARS, ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO BE DICTATED OR HANDED OUT BY BOARDS OF REGENTS WHO HAVE, AT THIS POINT, VERY BROAD AUTHORITY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTEND IN OUR COURT CASE IN SILVER CITY.

WE ACTUALLY APPRECIATE THE CLARITY THAT DR. SHEPARD'S COUNSEL MADE IN HIS REMARKS AND IN HIS RESPONSE TO OUR MOTION.

HIS ARGUMENT IS BASICALLY THIS, THE BOARD OF REGENTS CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.

THAT'S THE CRUX OF THEIR LEGAL ARGUMENT.

BUT IF YOU TAKE A STEP BACK, WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING IS THERE IS NO OUTER LIMIT.

THERE IS NO LIMIT.

WE'RE HAVING A FIGHT TODAY ABOUT $2 MILLION, WHAT IF THEY HANDED HIM $20 MILLION?

WHAT IF THEY HANDED HIM $30 MILLION?

BY THAT LOGIC, THERE'S LITERALLY NO LIMITATION ON WHAT THESE UNELECTED PEOPLE COULD DO IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, PADDING THE NEST OF SOMEBODY THAT THEY HAVE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH.

SECOND TO THAT, BUT EQUALLY IMPORTANT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE VERY CURIOUS FACTS THAT WERE PRESENTED, NOT BY US BUT BY THE OTHER SIDE, THEY WENT SOME WAYS TOWARDS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT, AND WHETHER OR NOT IT HAD BEEN EXPEDITED.

AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS MADE A POINT OF SAYING SHE REACHED OUT TO LEGAL COUNSEL.

OKAY, WHO IS THE LEGAL COUNSEL REPRESENTING?

WERE THEY REPRESENTING THE BOARD OF REGENTS WHO ARE ARGUABLY HAVE ALREADY BREACHED THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTY BY ENGAGING IN THIS NEGOTIATION TO THE DETRIMENT OF WESTERN?

WHAT LEGAL COUNSEL IS DOING IN THIS CONTEXT IS, ARE THEY SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE UNIVERSITY?

ARE THEY ACTING AS AGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY?

OR ARE THEY ACTING AS AGENTS OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS?

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE IN THIS POSITION WHO ARE RELYING ON LEGAL COUNSEL TO GIVE THEM GUIDANCE.

YOU SAW, AND THIS IS A VERY CURIOUS THING THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF, THE REGENT WHO IS THE STUDENT REGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING THE ISSUANCE OF PAYMENTS, REGENT JONES I BELIEVE HIS NAME IS, HE RESIGNED.

AND HE WAS CONTACTED BY DR. SHEPARD.

WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT CONVERSATION.

AND THEN HE RESCINDED HIS RESIGNATION RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR HIM TO PUT HIS FINAL SIGNATURE ON THE PAYOUT.

THAT SEEMS TO BE AN INVERSION OF THE RELATIONSHIP.

IF THE REGENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE UNIVERSITY, WHY IS THE PRESIDENT CALLING THE REGENT TO TELL HIM WHAT HE SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T BE DOING AND HAS CLEARLY ENOUGH INFLUENCE TO ACTUALLY GET THIS REGENT TO RESCIND A RESIGNATION.

ALL OF THIS, ALL OF THIS REVEALS THIS MESS THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE TOTALLY MISUSED AND ABUSED THE PUBLIC TRUST.

MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT, REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS CASE, WE CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN BY BUILDING IN INDEPENDENT CHECKS AND BALANCES ON HOW THOSE CONTRACTS ARE NEGOTIATED, WHO IS REPRESENTED, WHO AND WHAT LIMITS ARE PLACED ON THEIR AUTHORITY.

AND SPECIFICALLY, HAVING AN OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY HAVE TO APPROVE PAYMENTS LIKE THIS THAT AFFECT AND IMPACT SENIOR LEADERS INSIDE A UNIVERSITY.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY'RE QUITE CLEARLY TOO CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE THAT, FRANKLY, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE OVERSEEING, MANAGING, AND TO A CERTAIN EXTENT ENSURING THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICAL RULES.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM NOW WHERE IF EVERYBODY BECOMES TAINTED BY A FAILURE TO ADHERE TO BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE, WHO IS THERE TO STAND UP AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC FISC IS PROTECTED, AND THE INTEREST OF THE STUDY IS PARAMOUNT IN THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS?

>> Joshua: SURE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL TORREZ, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.

>> Torrez: APPRECIATE IT.

>> Romero: WE AS A STATE, SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REMOVE TITLE ONE AND ANY OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMMING, BE ABLE TO STEP IN.

AND AS CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, I HAVE ASKED THAT OUR STAFF AND US AS MEMBERS REALLY BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WE ENTER THE JANUARY SESSION, SO THAT WE'RE PREPARED TO REALLY ANSWER DURING SESSION, SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKE ANY SORT OF MOVE AS FAR AS TITLE ONE OR ANY OTHER SORT OF FEDERAL PROGRAMMING.

>> Lou: MY INTERVIEW WITH REPRESENTATIVE ANDRES ROMERO IS COMING UP IN A LITTLE OVER TEN MINUTES.

YOU CAN READ ALL OF JOSHUA BOWLING'S REPORTING ON SPENDING AT WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY AT SEARCHLIGHTNM.ORG NOW, WE TURN TO THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEXT WEEK IN SANTA FE.

DEMOCRATS STILL HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION, AND THEY RETAINED CONTROL OF BOTH CHAMBERS IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

WE'LL BE WATCHING TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE ABLE TO CHECK OFF FROM THEIR LIST OF PRIORITIES.

OF COURSE, THEY'LL ALSO NEED TO DECIDE HOW THEY WANT TO SPEND ANOTHER RECORD YEAR OF REVENUE IN THE NEXT BUDGET.

THAT'S WHERE POLITICS CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND WILL BEGIN WITH A VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE OF JOURNALISTS WHO WILL BE AT THE ROUNDHOUSE NEXT WEEK.

HERE IS GWYNETH.

>> Gwyneth: MY THREE GUESTS TODAY ARE JULIA GOLDBERG, EDITOR IN CHIEF AT SOURCE NEW MEXICO, A NEW JOB FOR JULIA.

AND TRIP JENNINGS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.

WE ALSO HAVE DAN BOYD, WHO IS THE CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF AT THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> Boyd: THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Gwyneth: I WANT TO START WITH THE MONEY.

AS WE KNOW, EVERY YEAR LAWMAKERS' NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO COME UP WITH A BUDGET.

THIS YEAR, WE HAVE ANOTHER YEAR OF RECORD OIL AND GAS REVENUES.

THAT MEANS THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY TO WORK WITH AND FIGHT OVER.

THERE'S NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW MONEY.

BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE COME OUT WITH THEIR BUDGET PROPOSALS.

THEY'RE NOT TOO FAR APART, EDGING UP TOWARD $11 MILLION.

DAN, AS YOU REPORTED EARLIER, THE STATE BUDGET HAS INCREASED BY ABOUT 45% DURING MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM'S TERM.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT THIS.

IS THIS RUNAWAY INFLATION OR RECKLESS SPENDING?

OR IS THIS, WELL, OIL AND GAS IS BOOMING?

OR ARE YOU HEARING SOME RESPECT FOR THE MONEY THEY'VE PUT AWAY INTO TRUST FUNDS?

WHAT'S THE VIBE?

>> Boyd: YEAH, I THINK THE AMAZING THING IS IT'S INCREASED BY 45% AND COULD HAVE INCREASED EVEN MORE.

THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE FLOWING INTO THE STATE, LARGELY FROM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, BUT FROM OTHER SOURCES AS WELL.

IT'S UNPRECEDENTED.

I THINK LEGISLATORS HAVE DISCOVERED THAT HAVING THIS MUCH MONEY IS A BLESSING, BUT IT ALSO DOESN'T SOLVE A LOT OF THE ISSUES OVERNIGHT.

I THINK DEALING WITH WORKFORCE ISSUES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE, JUST TRYING TO THROW THESE AMAZING SUMS OF MONEY AT PROBLEMS, AND IT TAKES TIME.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE THESE ISSUES OVERNIGHT.

I THINK THERE IS LEGISLATORS THIS YEAR, A FEELING OF LET'S INCREASE SPENDING, BUT LET'S ALSO BE PRUDENT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS OIL BOOM ISN'T GOING TO LAST FOREVER.

ALREADY, WE'RE SEEING SOME SIGNS THAT IT MIGHT BE PLATEAUING.

AND THAT'S WHY THEY TURNED TO SOME OF THESE TRUST FUNDS TO SET ASIDE SOME OF THE MONEY FOR FUTURE YEARS WHEN WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THIS HUGE WINDFALL.

>> Gwyneth: AND WE'LL TALK SOME MORE ABOUT THOSE.

JULIA, YOU KNOW, AS EVERY ONE OF US WATCHING KNOWS, WHEN WE MAKE OUR OWN BUDGETS, WE MAKE STATEMENTS ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES AND OUR VALUES.

WE CHOOSE TO SAVE A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PAY FOR COLLEGE OR RETIREMENT, OR WE SAY FORGET IT, I WANT TO TAKE A VACATION OR BUY A NEW CAR.

YOU KNOW, THIS SAYS A LOT ABOUT US.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE LOOKING AT IN THE BUDGET, JULIA, THAT YOU THINK ARE INTERESTING AND SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHERE WE ARE NOW AND WHAT THEY'RE UP TO?

>> Goldberg: YEAH, AS DAN POINTS OUT, WE HAVE MONEY.

AND THAT REALLY MAKES US AN OUTLIER IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE MOST STATE LEGISLATURES ARE GRAPPLING WITH NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY.

I THINK WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR BUDGET IS A LOT OF THE MONEY IS GOING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WHERE WE'RE ALSO AN OUTLIER, USUALLY NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

BOTH THE LFC AND THE EXECUTIVE BUDGETS ARE PRETTY CLOSE.

I THINK THE LFC IS CLOSE TO $4.7 BILLION, AND THAT'S JUST A GIANT CHUNK OF IT.

THERE'S ALSO QUITE A LOT OF MONEY HEADING TOWARD THE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY.

OVER $2 BILLION.

AND A LOT OF THAT IS IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MEDICAID AND OTHER COSTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE RISING.

AND THEN THERE'S SOME SMALLER THINGS THAT I THINK ARE INTERESTING IN TERMS OF MONEY.

THEY'RE TRYING TO SOCK AWAY FOR DISASTER LOAN RECOVERY.

THAT'S CERTAINLY A TOPICAL SITUATION.

AND SOME MONEY GOING TOWARD THE 50-YEAR WATER PLANNING AND SOME INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS AS WELL.

>> Gwyneth: TRIP, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

>> Jennings: WELL, EVERYTHING THAT BOTH JULIA AND DAN HAVE MENTIONED AS FAR AS THE BUDGETING AND THE VALUES AND PRIORITIES.

WE'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING -- THERE'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WRITING ABOUT AND COVERING SINCE 2022 WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW NEW MEXICO CONTINUES TO BE LEADING THE NATION IN ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS.

FOR THREE YEARS, THERE'S BEEN A PUSH TO INCREASE THE TAX ON ALCOHOL, WHICH RESEARCH SHOWS THAT INCREASES THE COST WHICH MEANS THAT WILL REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION.

WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT AS PART OF THE BUDGET.

WE'LL ALSO BE WATCHING SOME OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MONEY.

THERE'S GOING TO BE $100-200 MILLION -- SOMETHING IN THE BUDGET.

DIRECT MONEY.

AND THERE WILL BE THIS TRUST FUND THAT SOME FOLKS ARE TALKING ABOUT, WHICH IS A BILLION DOLLARS, WHICH WILL GENERATE INTEREST TO ACTUALLY HELP ALSO.

AND A TRUST FUND IDEA THAT DAN WAS TALKING ABOUT, WILL THEY BE ABLE TO CREATE IT IN ONE YEAR?

A BILLION DOLLARS, THERE'S SOME DISCUSSIONS.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO PUT AWAY FOR ONE YEAR.

>> Gwyneth: IS THAT A TRUST FUND FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

>> Jennings: YES.

YES, IT IS.

IT'S FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

SO, IT WOULD BE A TRUST FUND, ALSO $100-200 MILLION.

THIS IS ALL PART OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS.

>> Gwyneth: YEAH.

WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH A LITTLE BIT LATER.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE TWO BUDGET PROPOSALS.

DAN, YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING AT BOTH OF THESE RECENTLY.

THEY'RE REALLY NOT THAT FAR OFF, IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNTS OF MONEY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

BUT ARE YOU SEEING ANY PINCH POINTS WHERE WE'RE SETUP FOR CONFLICT A LITTLE BIT?

>> Boyd: YEAH, I THINK MY EXPERIENCE COVERING THE ROUNDHOUSE EVERY THE YEARS, IS EVEN WHEN THE BUDGETS APPEAR SIMILAR IN AMOUNT, THEY ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING TO DISAGREE ON.

SO, WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE YET WHAT THOSE KIND OF FLASH POINTS MIGHT BE.

BUT THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES IN THE TWO PROPOSALS.

THE LFC BUDGET HAS A LITTLE MORE FOR COMPENSATION.

A 4% RAISE FOR STATE TEACHERS, STATE WORKERS, EVEN INCREASING STARTING TEACHER PAY TO $55,000 A YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET HAD 3% RAISES.

SO, SIMILAR, BUT A LITTLE DIFFERENT THERE.

THERE'S ALSO A FEW INITIATIVES THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET DOES NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT.

I'M THINKING OF THE STRATEGIC WATER RESERVE OR WATER SUPPLY THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED.

THE LFC DOESN'T HAVE THAT IN ITS BUDGET, BUT THEY'VE SAID A LOT CAN HANOVER 60 DAYS, AND GIVE US A BILL AND WE'LL TALK A LOOK AT IT.

>> Gwyneth: THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID SHE WANTED $50 MILLION TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

$50 MILLION FOR A RURAL HOSPITAL FUND.

AND HER BUDGET IS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT $720 MILLION.

IT'S A 7% INCREASE.

THE LFC, ABOUT $600 MILLION MORE.

AND THAT'S ABOUT A 6% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR.

YOU KNOW, THE LFC IS SPELLING OUT CLOSE TO $2 BILLION.

$1.7 BILLION IN TRANSFERS AND ENDOWMENTS AND OTHER FUNDS.

AND 33% OF THE BUDGET IN RESERVES.

TRIP, YOU'VE BEEN REPORTING ON THIS LEGISLATURE FOR A LONG TIME.

IS 33% GOING TO RESERVES KIND OF A STANDARD NUMBER?

I DON'T REMEMBER IF THAT'S HIGHER OR LOWER THAN WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.

>> Jennings: YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 2005.

AND SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, THE RESERVES WERE DOWN TO 10%, 15%.

IT'S BEEN ABOUT RATING AGENCIES.

AS I RECALL, YOU AT LEAST NEEDED 5% TO BE RATED A CERTAIN DEGREE.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE HAPPENED.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, IT SCARED A LOT OF FOLKS WHEN THEY BEGAN TO GET THIS -- OVER SEVERAL YEARS, THIS HISTORIC INFLUX OF OIL AND GAS MONEY.

THERE WAS A PUSH TO REALLY RAISE THE OPERATING RESERVES BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO COVERS THE BUDGET, OR INVOLVED OR STAYS UP ON THIS STUFF, OIL AND GAS IS THE LARGEST INDUSTRY HERE AND IT'S BOOM AND BUST.

>> Gwyneth: I'M GOING TO MOVE AHEAD TO JULIA REALLY QUICK.

YOU WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT HOW UNUSUAL IT IS THAT NEW MEXICO HAS ALL THIS EXTRA MONEY.

ONE OF THE OTHER UNUSUAL THINGS THAT WE'VE GOT IS, YOU KNOW, A TRIFECTA WITH A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, AND BIG MARGINS IN THE SENATE AND IN THE HOUSE.

JULIA, YOU'VE WATCHED MANY ADMINISTRATIONS NOW.

WHAT ARE YOU OBSERVING ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND HER OWN PARTY?

HOW IS THAT GOING?

>> Goldberg: WHAT I THINK IS INTERESTING IS HOW DEMOCRATS HAVE UNVEILED SOME OF THEIR PROPOSALS LAST WEEK AND MADE A POINT OF SAYING WE'RE REALLY WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WE'RE REALLY IN THE SAME PLACE.

WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO PUSH THROUGH A LOT OF THIS PUBLIC SAFETY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN THE FIRST MONTH.

I'M KIND OF HEARING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THEIR PROPOSALS.

I DON'T HEAR A YES WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

SHE HAS CERTAINLY, AS RECENTLY AS MONDAY, WAS AT HER 12th TOWN HALL IN TEN MONTHS SAYING CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT.

SO, SHE SEEMS LIKE SHE'S STILL READY TO BE IN CONFLICT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S COMPLETE AGREEMENT, BY ANY STRETCH, OVER THESE ISSUES OF COMPETENCY HEARINGS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CRIME.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME TENSION, IF THERE IS SOME.

>> Gwyneth: LET'S COME BACK IN A MINUTE.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK HERE.

WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO SOME OF THESE ISSUES WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND HER OWN PARTY AND REPUBLICANS AND THE PUBLIC.

SO, WE'LL SEE YOU IN A MINUTE.

>> Lou: GWYNETH AND HER VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE OF STATE HOUSE REPORTERS WILL BE BACK IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

LEADING UP TO DONALD TRUMP'S INAUGURATION NEXT WEEK, WE'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADERS IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS TO ASK HOW POTENTIAL FEDERAL POLICY CHANGES COULD IMPACT NEW MEXICO.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE FOCUSING ON EDUCATION AND THE LEGISLATURE'S ROLE IN FORTIFYING OUR STATE'S PRIORITIES IN THE CLASSROOM.

AS CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, IT'S SOMETHING STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANDRES ROMERO THINKS ABOUT OFTEN.

ROMERO IS A TEACHER AT ATRISCO HERITAGE ACADEMY IN ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND KNOWS FIRST-HAND HOW IMPORTANT FEDERAL FUNDING IS FOR NEW MEXICO STUDENTS.

THIS WEEK, I ASK REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO ABOUT POTENTIAL CUTS TO TITLE 1 FUNDING, AND WHAT STATE LAWMAKERS CAN DO THIS SESSION TO PROTECT OUR EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANDRES ROMERO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Romero: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Lou: THE VAST MAJORITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOLS RECEIVE SOME AMOUNT OF THEIR FUNDING THROUGH TITLE 1.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN EXACTLY HOW THAT FEDERAL FUNDING STREAM WORKS AND WHAT DO SCHOOLS USE THAT MONEY FOR?

>> Romero: SURE.

TITLE 1 IS FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND IT'S UTILIZED FOR REDUCING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IS ITS INTENT.

IT GOES TO THE SCHOOLS WITH HIGH POPULATIONS OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS TO HELP WITH VARIOUS THINGS SUCH AS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS.

IT GOES TOWARD TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TEACHERS IN THAT AREA.

SO, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, LARGE PORTION OF OUR STATE IS A RECIPIENT, AND DISTRICTS IN OUR STATE, ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THESE FUNDS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, YOU'RE A TEACHER IN ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT MONEY BEING USED IN YOUR SCHOOL AND DISTRICT?

>> Romero: YEAH, WE SEE IT USED FOR PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT IS PART OF IT.

WE SEE IT USED FOR INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, READING INTERVENTION PARTICULARLY FOR A STUDENT.

IT'S CERTAINLY VERY IMPORTANT FOR, NOT ONLY OUR SCHOOL, BUT FOR OUR DISTRICT AND IN OUR STATE AT LARGE.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, WHILE ALMOST NINE OUT OF TEN NEW MEXICO SCHOOLS RECEIVE SOME TITLE 1 FUNDING, THE PERCENTAGE OF THE SCHOOL'S BUDGET THAT IT MAKES UP VARIES DISTRICT TO DISTRICT.

HOW DOES ITS IMPORTANCE VARY FROM A DISTRICT LIKE APS VERSUS SOME OF THE SMALLER MORE RURAL DISTRICTS IN OUR STATE?

>> Romero: YEAH, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE, NO MATTER WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE ACTUAL BUDGET PER DISTRICT IS BECAUSE THAT COULD MEAN PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS, IT MEANS PROGRAMMING FOR PARENTS, IT MEANS PROGRAMMING FOR THE COMMUNITY IN THAT DISTRICT.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S A NEW MEXICO ISSUE, WHETHER IT'S RURAL DISTRICTS, OR URBAN DISTRICTS, IS THE RELIANCE ON THAT MONEY AND WHAT THAT MONEY IS UTILIZED FOR IN HELPING OUR STUDENTS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

TITLE 1 FUNDING, THE REASON THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT HERE IS IT MIGHT BE IN JEOPARDY IF DONALD TRUMP FOLLOWS THROUGH ON THE ROADMAP LAID OUT BY PROJECT 2025 ONCE HE TAKES OFFICE.

WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN NEW MEXICO?

AND WHICH DISTRICT WOULD FEEL IT FIRST?

>> Romero: I THINK ALL OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD FEEL IT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE -- THIS ISN'T A PARTISAN ISSUE.

THIS ISN'T A DEMOCRAT VERSUS REPUBLICAN ISSUE.

THIS IS REALLY A NEW MEXICO STUDENTS ISSUE THAT IF OUR STUDENTS AREN'T GETTING ACCESS TO -- AREN'T HAVING ACCESS TO THE FUNDING, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE PROGRAMMING, THE HELP THAT THEY DESERVE, THEY WILL BE FEELING IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITHIN THE STATE.

AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING.

I THINK CONCERNING TO ME AS AN EDUCATOR AND THE CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO ALL OF US AROUND THE STATE.

>> Lou: HOW WOULD SCHOOLS MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE THERE?

COULD EVERY SCHOOL IN NEW MEXICO CONTINUE TO FUNCTION, AND WHICH SCHOOLS MAYBE COULDN'T?

>> Romero: I DON'T THINK ANY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD REALLY BE ABLE TO -- THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO FUNCTION OBVIOUSLY, BUT THEY WOULD BE FUNCTIONING AT A LOWER CAPACITY THAN WHAT THEY CURRENTLY ARE.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE IT UP IN TERMS OF THEIR OPERATIONAL BUDGET.

WE AS A STATE WOULD, OBVIOUSLY, TRY TO COME IN AND FILL THOSE GAPS FOR THE DISTRICT AND THE DISTRICTS THAT OFFER THESE PROGRAMS.

BUT I REALLY THINK WE WOULD BE IN A VERY DIRE SITUATION SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PULL THAT FUNDING FOR TITLE 1 FROM ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS BECAUSE IT'S SO PREVALENT ACROSS ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS THAT WE'LL BE FEELING THE IMPACTS IMMEDIATELY AND WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, NEW MEXICO AS IT STANDS HAS STRUGGLED TO HELP STUDENTS IDENTIFIED IN THE YAZZIE/MARTINEZ CASE.

STUDENTS ARE EITHER LOW INCOME, ENGLISH LEARNING, INDIGENOUS, OR DISABLED, OR SOME COMBINATION.

WHAT NEW HURDLES WOULD BE ADDED FOR TEACHERS AND THOSE STUDENTS IF THAT FUNDING WERE ELIMINATED?

>> Romero: I THINK IT WOULD JUST COMPOUND THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING.

WE STRUGGLE TO, OBVIOUSLY, AND HAVE BEEN FUNDING, BUT PROVIDING PROGRAMMING FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN OUTSIDE PARTNERS FOR OUR STUDENTS TO WORK WITH, TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN EDUCATORS, TO BE ABLE TO GIVE EDUCATORS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO WORK WITH OUR DIVERSE POPULATION AROUND THE STATE.

SO, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE AS A STATE, SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REMOVE TITLE ONE AND ANY FEDERAL PROGRAMMING, BE ABLE TO STEP IN.

AND AS CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, I HAVE ASKED THAT OUR STAFF AND US AS MEMBERS REALLY BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WE ENTER THE JANUARY SESSION, SO THAT WE'RE PREPARED TO REALLY ANSWER DURING SESSION SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKE ANY SORT OF MOVE AS FAR AS TITLE 1 OR ANY OTHER SORT OF FEDERAL PROGRAMMING.

>> Lou: DOES THAT LOOK LIKE BUDGET REQUESTS?

HOW DOES THAT SPECIFICALLY, I GUESS, DEVELOP WITHIN YOUR COMMITTEE?

>> Romero: IT CAN COME IN ANY FORM.

A BUDGET REQUEST WOULD DEFINITELY BE THE ROUTE FOR BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS, SHOULD WE HAVE TO HAVE POLICY TO BACK IT.

WE COULD BE READY WITH THAT.

BUT WE ARE KIND OF, AT THIS POINT, ON STANDBY WATCHING TO SEE WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES BECAUSE THESE HAVE BEEN THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID WERE NOT A PART OF THE AGENDA FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND NOW MIGHT BE IN PLAY FOR THE UPCOMING ADMINISTRATION.

SO, WE'RE KIND OF -- HAVE GOTTEN MIXED MESSAGED.

WE'RE CONTINUING AS THOUGH THIS MAY BE A STRONG POSSIBILITY, BUT OF COURSE IT'S VERY SERIOUS, AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEW MEXICANS NEED TO TAKE JUST AS SERIOUSLY.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, IN GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM'S BUDGET PROPOSAL SHE PUT OUT RECENTLY, SHE'S CALLING FOR $50 MILLION FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES.

IS THERE A CHANCE THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS COULD GO AWAY TOO?

AND IS THAT AN AREA WHERE YOU'RE CONCERNED ALSO?

>> Romero: WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING DIRECTLY, BUT CERTAINLY IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE KEEPING OUR EYE ON BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE AN EXACT SENSE OF WHAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE CUT EXACTLY.

BUT WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR OPTIONS AS TO WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO POTENTIALLY BACKFILL AND PROVIDE ADDED POLICY TOWARD MOVING INTO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO, I THINK WE'RE KIND OF JUST WATCHING ALL OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT MAY BE COMING DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SO THAT WE'RE READY.

AND THIS IS DEFINITE ONE OF THOSE.

>> Lou: OKAY.

ONE OF THE BROAD POSSIBILITIES IS MAYBE ABOLISHING THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THAT'S ALSO IN THE PROJECT 2025 ROADMAP.

HOW WOULD THAT CHANGE THE WAY NEW MEXICO SCHOOLS FUNCTION?

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, QUITE A FEW WAYS.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR SUCH A BROAD POTENTIAL PROBLEM?

>> Romero: THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

SO, OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FUNDING ISSUES.

CERTAINLY, AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE HAVE STANDARDS IN TERMS OF FUNDING, IN TERMS OF CURRICULUM THAT I THINK ARE POTENTIALLY VERY STRONG.

BUT WE'RE IN THIS HOLDING PATTERN RIGHT NOW OF WHAT MAY COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE'RE READY TO ADDRESS IT, BUT THERE'S OBVIOUSLY THE CONCERN THAT THEY COULD END THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

AND WHAT THE FALLOUT WOULD BE FOR NEW MEXICO WOULD BE THE LACK OF THOSE FUNDINGS WOULD BE THE MOST IMMEDIATE AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OVERSIGHT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDES TO THE STATE IN VARIOUS AREAS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, IF IT WEREN'T ABOLISHED OUTRIGHT, THERE WILL SURELY BE SOME CHANGES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE DURING THE FIRST TERM FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP WHERE WE SAW CHANGES WITH BETSY DEVOS AND ALL THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DRAW ON FROM THOSE FOUR YEARS TO, MAYBE, NARROW DOWN A LITTLE BIT OF THIS UNCERTAINTY?

>> Romero: YEAH.

I THINK AS FAR AS THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE OF THINGS IN NEW MEXICO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE GOING IS WE HAVE VERY STRONG COMMUNITIES, AND OUR COMMUNITIES ARE VERY ROOTED IN THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IN THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND THAT'S ONE THING THAT REALLY UNITES URBAN AREAS AND RURAL AREAS IN NEW MEXICO.

IT STARTS WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.

ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE, WE HAVE OUR LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE DURING THE INTERIM.

SO, WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT HAS DEVOTED STAFF TO STUDYING EDUCATION ISSUES WITHIN OUR STATE, SO THAT WE CAN BE INFORMED AND WELL-PREPARED WITH EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN WE ARE IN SESSION AND WHEN WE ARE OUT OF SESSION.

SO, I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON IS THE STRENGTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO THE STRENGTH IN OUR LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO HELP GUIDE US THROUGH ANY POTENTIAL CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> Lou: OKAY.

YOU TALK ABOUT COMMUNITIES.

OBVIOUSLY, INDIVIDUALS, PARENTS, THEY CAN'T SECURE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

BUT WHAT CAN THEY DO TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THIS STATE?

>> Romero: YEAH, I THINK THEY DO IT EVERY DAY BY SENDING THEIR STUDENTS OUT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WHEN THEY ENGAGE WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH THEIR STUDENTS, WITH THEIR STUDENT'S EDUCATORS AT SCHOOL, BUT CERTAINLY ENGAGING WITH POLICYMAKERS.

ME AND MY CONSTITUENCY THERE, THEIR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATORS AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT ALSO AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO CONTINUE THE FUNDING FOR TITLE 1 PROGRAMMING, FOR OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMMING, TO ENSURE THAT THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS STILL THERE.

THEY CAN ADVOCATE AND ENSURE THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE, AND THEY ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CONGRESS PEOPLE THAT THEY HELP FUND THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, AS WE TALK ABOUT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS THAT FUNDING CUTS COULD HAVE IN OUR STATE, WE REMAIN 50th IN THE COUNTRY IN A LOT OF EDUCATION METRICS.

BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE SEEN FROM TRUMP'S PROPOSALS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, ARE THERE ANY POTENTIAL POSITIVES FOR SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS IN OUR STATE?

>> Romero: I DON'T SEE THAT FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

HONESTLY, I SEE A LOT FROM THE STATE LEVEL.

BECAUSE WE'VE BOLSTERED TEACHER RECRUITMENT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS WE HAVE, AND WE KNOW, THAT STUDENTS SUCCEED WHEN THE EDUCATORS ARE FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES.

SO, WE HAVE BOLSTERED TEACHER RECRUITMENT, TRAINING PROGRAMS, TO GET MORE QUALIFIED EDUCATORS IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE'VE ALSO PUT MONEY TOWARD PARTICULAR PROGRAMMING AIMED AT THE STUDENTS IN MARTINEZ/YAZZIE, WHICH ARE THE STUDENTS OF NEW MEXICO, AND OUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS BEING ABLE TO BOLSTER ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS FOR OUR STUDENTS IN THE STATE.

SO, I SEE A LOT OF HOPE IN THE THINGS THAT WE ARE STARTING TO ADDRESS IN NEW MEXICO.

BUT FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY HELP US AT THE STATE LEVEL TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDING, AND THAT ADDED FUNDING FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DO OUR JOB IN THOSE AREAS.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO SET THE FEDERAL UNCERTAINTY ASIDE, WHAT OTHER IDEAS AND IMPROVEMENTS DO YOU HAVE IN MIND GOING INTO TO THE 60-DAY SESSION, SPECIFICALLY WITH EDUCATION?

>> Romero: YEAH.

SO, ONE OF THE THINGS IS CONTINUING TO BOLSTER OUR CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

SO, WE'VE HEARD FROM PARENTS, WE HEAR FROM STUDENTS, ALL THE TIME ABOUT WHAT'S THE RELEVANT -- WHY IS SCHOOL RELEVANT TO ME.

AND ONE OF THE THOSE THINGS IS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

AND TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE REAL JOB TRAINING AND WORK FOR OUR STUDENTS THAT ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, ARE OUR READING INITIATIVES THAT WE'VE REALLY WORKED ON IS TO HELP BOLSTER STUDENTS IN THEIR READING LEVELS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON IS A REDESIGN OF OUR STATE EQUALIZATION GUARANTEE, HOW OUR SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED IN THE STATE.

SO WE CAN BETTER TARGET OUR STUDENTS WITH THE FUNDING AND THE PROGRAMMING THAT THE DISTRICTS NEED, AT A LOCAL LEVEL, TO HELP THE STUDENTS THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR CLASSROOM BECAUSE NEW MEXICO IS SO DIVERSE THAT WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR LOCAL EDUCATORS AND OUR DISTRICTS ARE AS PREPARED AS THEY COULD POSSIBLY BE TO EDUCATE THE STUDENTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

I THINK THAT'S -- TO TIE IT ALL TOGETHER, THE FEDERAL FUNDING IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT PROVIDES THAT FLEXIBILITY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE ON, IN CONSULTATION WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES, THE PROGRAMMING THAT THEIR STUDENTS NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT THEY'RE FACING.

>> Lou: SO, IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WERE TO ABOLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HOW DO YOU SEE THAT -- WHAT DOES THAT COMMUNICATE ABOUT WHAT OUR GOVERNMENT THINKS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION?

AND HOW, AS A STATE LEGISLATOR, CAN YOU COMMUNICATE THAT IT DOES MATTER HERE AND THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET BETTER AND EDUCATION IS VITAL FOR THIS STATE?

>> Romero: YEAH, I THINK IT WOULD SEND A VERY SCARY MESSAGE, QUITE FRANKLY, TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WERE TO ABOLISH THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

I THINK, ON THE STATE LEVEL, WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE A UNIFORM AND SUFFICIENT EDUCATION TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE STATE.

I THINK, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, IF THEY WERE TO END THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IT WOULD SEND A VERY SCARY MESSAGE.

BUT I THINK IN NEW MEXICO WE'VE ENSURED THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE, WE STILL HAVE A PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WHO ADMINISTERS MANY OF THE ONGOING ISSUES ACROSS THE STATE, AND WE HAVE VERY STRONG DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE WORKING EVERY DAY TO EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS >> Lou: OKAY.

UNDERSTOOD.

REPRESENTATIVE ANDRES ROMERO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Romero: YEAH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Lou: THANKS TO REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO FOR HIS TIME.

WE'LL BE WATCHING THE DEBATE OVER EDUCATION FUNDING CLOSELY IN THE COMING WEEKS.

NOW, BACK TO POLITICS CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND.

IN THIS SEGMENT, SHE AND HER PANEL OF ROUNDHOUSE REPORTERS WILL FOCUS ON SOME OF THE SPECIFIC ISSUES LAWMAKERS HOPE TO ADDRESS IN ADDITION TO THE BUDGET.

>> Gwyneth: WELCOME BACK TO OUR PREVIEW OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I AM HERE WITH JULIA GOLDBERG OF SOURCE NEW MEXICO.

DAN BOYD AT THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL.

AND TRIP JENNINGS FROM NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUDGET PROPOSALS OF AROUND $11 BILLION, AND WHAT LAWMAKERS OTHER PRIORITIES ARE GOING TO BE.

JULIA, BEFORE THE BREAK, YOU MENTIONED HAVE SOME REPORTERS GOING TO SOME OF THOSE TOWN HALLS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN DOING.

SHE'S GOT HER OWN PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA.

SHE HAS ENCOUNTERED OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRATS, PRIMARILY, ON THOSE IDEAS.

SO, SHE'S BEEN TRYING TO SELL THE PUBLIC ON THEM.

HOW'S THAT BEEN GOING?

>> Goldberg: I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO HARD TO SELL THE PUBLIC ON CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

AT RATON ON MONDAY NIGHT AND ALAMOGORDO LAST WEEK, ANYWHERE SHE GOES IT'S A SELF-SELECTING PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP TO A PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN HALL THAT HAVE PROBABLY HAD AN EXPERIENCE THAT THEY'RE UNHAPPY ABOUT.

BUT PEOPLE ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THEY'RE SEEING MORE CRIME.

THE NEW YORK TIMES COVERED THE GOVERNOR'S CRIME TOUR LAST MONTH AND NOTED THAT NEW MEXICO'S VIOLENT CRIME RATE IS VERY HIGH COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

HER MESSAGE IN THESE TOWN HALLS IS VERY CLEAR.

SHE WANTS A REVIEW OF COMPETENCY.

SHE WANTS STRICTER PENALTIES FOR VIOLENT CRIME.

AND SHE WANTS PEOPLE TO CALL THEIR LAWMAKERS AND TELL THEM THAT THEY WANT THIS TOO.

SO, I THINK SHE'S LOOKING AT THE FAILURES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> Gwyneth: AND YOU COVERED -- WAS IT DANNI PROKOP THAT COVERED THAT ONE IN ALAMOGORDO?

>> Goldberg: LEAH ROMERO.

>> Gwyneth: LEAH ROMERO COVERED IT.

SORRY, LEAH.

SO, THAT'S DEEP-RED OTERO COUNTY.

VERY REPUBLICAN TURF.

I SAW A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT WAS PRETTY FRIENDLY ABOUT THAT.

SO, I THINK WE MAY SEE SOME OF THE SAME UNUSUAL BED FELLOWS IN THIS DEBATE.

>> Goldberg: WELL, THAT'S WHERE THE TENSION ALSO WILL COME WITH HER OWN PARTY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE HAS BEEN SORT OF ACCUSED OF USING KIND OF THE REPUBLICAN PLAYBOOK IN TERMS OF KIND OF MAKING PEOPLE NERVOUS ABOUT THIS IDEA OF, YOU KNOW, REVOLVING-DOOR CRIMINALS.

>> Gwyneth: MM-HMM.

DAN, STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE ALREADY PRE-FILED CLOSE TO 100 BILLS.

A BUNCH OF THEM ARE TARGETING CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THEY'RE GOING IN SOME DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN LAWMAKERS' CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CRIME AND WHAT THEY WANT TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> Boyd: YEAH, I THINK EVEN DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS -- I THINK THEY'RE FEELING A LITTLE PRESSURE TO ACT ON CRIME TOO.

WE DID HEAR HOUSE DEMOCRATS SAY LAST WEEK THAT THEY'LL SUPPORT BILLS DEALING WITH TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR FENTANYL TRAFFICKING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

WE COULD SEE SOME BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON THOSE KIND OF ISSUES.

I DO THINK, LIKE JULIA SAID, WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMPETENCY ISSUES, INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS ACCUSED OF CRIMES, THOSE THINGS ARE TRICKIER.

I THINK THAT -- I DON'T THINK THERE'S AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ON THOSE ISSUES.

ESPECIALLY WITH LEGISLATORS OF HER OWN PARTY.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET UNTANGLED BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET INTO THE DETAILS OF THOSE AND ENSURING EVERYONE HAS DUE PROCESS AND A FAIR RIGHT TO TRIAL, THOSE ARE IMPORTANT BEDROCK ISSUES.

I THINK A LOT OF FELLOW DEMOCRATS AREN'T SOLD ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ON THOSE ISSUES.

>> Gwyneth: TRIP, EARLIER, YOU MENTIONED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

AND WE HEAR THIS TERM GET THROWN AROUND A LOT.

YOU'VE BEEN REPORTING ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

REMIND THE MERE MORTALS, THE CIVILIANS WHO ARE WATCHING, WHAT DOES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MEAN?

>> Jennings: REALLY, I'VE ALWAYS HEARD THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES.

THIS IS LIKE MENTAL ILLNESS, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

AND THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

THESE ARE PROGRAMS -- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REFERS TO THIS, THE PROGRAMS.

THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF HUMAN-ON-HUMAN HELP.

LIKE THERAPY, STUFF LIKE THIS, RATHER THAN YOU INJECT MONEY INTO A PROGRAM AND IT'S JUST ASSISTANCE LIKE PAYING FOR SOMETHING OR HEALTH CARE, WHICH IS MEDICAID INSURANCE.

>> Gwyneth: WE'RE IN CRISIS NOW BECAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

RECAP THAT FOR US, REAL BRIEFLY.

>> Jennings: YES.

IN 2013, THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR, THE SUSANA MARTINEZ ADMINISTRATION EFFECTIVELY SHUT DOWN MOST OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM BY TARGETING MANY OF THE PROVIDERS THAT WERE PROVIDING THESE SERVICES.

>> Gwyneth: SHE THOUGHT THERE WAS FRAUD, AND IT TURNED OUT THERE WASN'T.

>> Jennings: THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS FRAUD.

THEY DEFINITELY THOUGHT THERE WAS OVERBILLING AND ALSO WE THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FRAUD.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS IS THAT OVERBILLING WAS INFINITESIMAL AND NO FRAUD WAS FOUND.

BUT IT EFFECTIVELY REALLY DISRUPTED THE ENTIRE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM.

>> Gwyneth: NOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW THESE SUPPORTS MIGHT BE CONNECTED TO OTHER PROBLEMS WE'RE EXPERIENCING.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS ARE?

YOU MENTIONED PUTTING A BUNCH OF MONEY IN A TRUST FUND FOR THESE SERVICES.

ARE THERE -- IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE GOING ON?

>> Jennings: WELL, YOU KNOW, THE $100-200 MILLION, THE TRUST FUND IS GOING TO GENERATE ABOUT $50 MILLION A YEAR TOWARD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

THE $100-200 MILLION IS ACTUALLY TO BUILD UP INFRASTRUCTURE.

LEASING BUILDINGS, MORE BEDS THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF FOLKS, YOU NEED MORE BEDS.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BEDS IN THE STATE.

SO, THERE'S THE ACTUAL REALITY OF BRICK-AND-MORTAR STUFF THAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

AND THEN THERE'S A LAW -- I TALKED TO PETER WIRTH ABOUT THAT.

HE IS THE MAJORITY LEADER.

HE'S BEEN WORKING ON THAT.

KIND OF TESTING THIS OUT FOR THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF TO TWO MONTHS TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, GET AT LEAST SOME AGREEMENT GOING INTO THE SESSION, CONCEPTUALLY.

CRISTINE CHANDLER, WHO IS THE HOUSE JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN, I TALKED TO HER YESTERDAY.

SHE'S WORKING ON A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW D.A.s AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO -- THERE ARE PEOPLE BEING ARRESTED FOR LOW-LEVEL CRIMES.

THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE BEING ARRESTED FOR MURDER.

THESE ARE PEOPLE YOU WOULD SEE IN ALBUQUERQUE AT CENTRAL AND STUFF LIKE THIS.

THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO CREATE SOME PROCEDURE FOR ASSISTED-OUTREACH TREATMENT.

>> Gwyneth: YEAH.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A POINT OF DEBATE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GO HARDER ON THAT WITH CIVIL COMMITMENT, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT LAST YEAR.

AND WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW UP ON ALL OF THESE TOPICS THIS WHOLE SESSION.

JULIA, YOU'VE BEEN TALK TO SOME OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.

SO, THE GOVERNOR'S GOT HER IDEAS, LAWMAKERS HAVE THEIR IDEAS, AND THEN THERE ARE ALL THESE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS THAT ALSO ARE GOING TO BE PUSHING FOR THEIR PRIORITIES.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

>> Goldberg: I'M HEARING A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS GOING TO SUCK ALL THE AIR OUT OF THE ROOM AND IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO GET ANYTHING ELSE SOME AIRTIME.

BUT THERE ARE -- DANI PROKOP, FOR SOURCE NEW MEXICO, DID WRITE ABOUT COMING BACK FOR ANOTHER TIME, HEALTHY CLIMATE NEW MEXICO, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY'RE HOPING TO SEE A CLIMATE HEALTH PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP THE STATE START TRACKING THE IMPACTS FROM HEAT, FROM WILDFIRE SMOKE, FROM DROUGHT, FROM FLOODING.

HOPEFULLY WHAT'S HAPPENING IN L.A. WILL KIND OF GIVE THAT A LITTLE BIT OF MOMENTUM.

THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING TO FUND SOME LOCAL AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS IN ORDER TO BETTER RESPOND TO WEATHER DISASTERS.

AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, MIMI STEWART, HAS SOME BIG CLIMATE CHANGE-RELATED LEGISLATION THAT SHE IS GOING TO BE TRYING TO PUSH THROUGH.

ONE WOULD BE ACTUALLY CODIFYING THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER AROUND CLIMATE CHANGE SO NO MATTER WHO COMES ALONG -- SOMETIMES WHEN ADMINISTRATIONS CHANGE PRIORITIES CHANGE TOO.

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE.

SO, IT WOULD CODIFY THAT AND IT WOULD ALSO PUT -- THAT'S CALLED THE CLEAR HORIZONS ACT.

AND A COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND TO TRY TO GET SOME MORE MONEY INTO THESE LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT WOULD ACTUALLY GIVE STATE AGENCIES SOME MORE FUNDING TO TRY TO ADHERE TO THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER AS WELL.

SO, THERE'S ARE JUST A FEW OF THE BIG ONES.

>> Gwyneth: AND WE'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING SO MANY ISSUES IN A 60-DAY SESSION OUR HEADS WILL BE SPINNING.

WE'VE GOT ONE MINUTE LEFT.

DAN, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS, OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, THAT YOU WILL BE WATCHING?

>> Boyd: YEAH.

REAL QUICK, I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING THE PACE OF THE SESSION.

I THINK 60-DAY SESSIONS IN THE PAST SOMETIMES START SLOW AND BUILD TO A CRAZY FINISH.

THERE'S BEEN TALK THIS YEAR ABOUT TRYING TO EXPEDITE SOME OF THESE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS.

MAYBE WITH THE THINKING TO GET THEM UP TO THE GOVERNOR QUICKER AND MAKE HER ACT ON THEM.

I THINK THAT KIND OF STRATEGY WILL BE INTERESTING.

AND IT MIGHT BE -- WE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BUSIER EARLIER IN THE SESSION THAN WE HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST.

>> Gwyneth: THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

TRIP, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?

>> Jennings: WE'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING THE ALCOHOL TAX DEBATE.

WE'LL BE WATCHING THE DISCUSSION AROUND MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS FOLK.

WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON EDUCATION, AS IT RELATES TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.

YOU KNOW, MAKING DISCLOSURE MORE CULTURALLY OKAY UP AROUND THE CAMPAIGN REPORTING ACT.

LOBBYIST REGULATIONS REFORM.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SOME TAX REFORM IDEAS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH.

>> Gwyneth: AND CYFD OVERSIGHT.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT TOO.

I KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

JULIA, YOUR TEAM AT SOURCE, WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GUYS COVERING?

>> Goldberg: AFFORDABLE HOUSING WILL DEFINITELY BE ON OUR RADAR.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE CLIMATE CHANGE AND PUBLIC SAFETY INTERSECT AND A BIG NATIONAL PROBLEM.

AND ONE LOCALLY TOO.

>> Gwyneth: THANK YOU, THE THREE OF YOU, SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US AND SHARING.

WE WILL BE WATCHING THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL AND NEW MEXICO IN DEPTH AND SOURCE NEW MEXICO ALL SESSION.

WE'LL BE FOLLOWING YOUR REPORTING.

AND WE HOPE THE REST OF YOU WILL STICK WITH US THROUGH THIS 60-DAY SESSION.

>> Lou: THANKS TO GWYNETH, DAN BOYD, JULIA GOLDBERG, AND TRIP JENNINGS.

YOU CAN EXPECT REPORTS FROM THE ROUNDHOUSE THROUGHOUT SESSION AS GWYNETH GATHERS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH LAWMAKERS EACH WEEK.

FOR NOW, THANKS TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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