The young people who appeared on the latest episode of KNME’s “Public Square” described the wide variety of reasons why they’ve struggled to stay in school. Some left to work and support their families, some dropped out because they were bored and others quit when they became parents themselves. They’re passionate, emotional, moving stories. They make me proud to be the producer of this awesome show!
Gov. Martinez won’t go for a compromise driver’s license bill
I’ve interviewed Susana Martinez on camera three times now (pretty sure it’s just three). The first time was during the campaign, the second was this winter during the regular legislative session and the most recent one was during this special session. Each time she’s been twice as polished as the last.
Here she talks about push-back from Democrats on her agenda, her struggle to ban driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants and why she won’t go for a compromise from the Legislature, all the while masterfully framing her answers around jobs.
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Demesia Padilla, Allen Sanchez debate driver’s licenses for illegals
I had a fantastic interview with Taxation and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla and Allen Sanchez from the Conference of Catholic Bishops on Gov. Susana Martinez’s plan to stop giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. I couldn’t have asked for a feistier pair!
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Hanna Skandera lays out agenda for education in New Mexico
Education Secretary Designate Hanna Skandera talked about her plans for how to raise graduation rates, improve literacy, identify and promote the best teachers. We talked in her wood-paneled office in Santa Fe.
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U.S. Rep Ben Ray Lujan on encouraging innovation
Congressman Lujan visited the Roundhouse Monday to address a joint session of the state Legislature. Afterwards I grabbed him in the hall for a quick interview. Here he talks about encouraging innovation, especially in agriculture:
Damian Garde is the man behind NMDefamationSuit.com
Damian Garde, a former editor of the Daily Lobo, revealed on Saturday that he’s the no-longer-anonymous voice behind the NMDefamationSuit blog. Garde outer himself during a panel discussion at the University of New Mexico’s annual Journalism Boot Camp. Garde also worked on The gubernatorial campaign of Republican Allen Weh.
Garde said he hopes his audience is made up of people less-involved in politics than Joe Monahan’s alligators (whom he described as “old and awful”).
Garde also emphasized the satirical nature of the site, saying: “I would hope that I’m not a primary source for anyone, because it’s like 60 percent made up.”
The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Steve Terrell, speaking on the same panel with Garde, said he thinks there’s definitely a place for humor in the political landscape.
Watch the state of the state LIVE
Want to watch Gov. Susana Martinez’s speech Tuesday? Watch it on KNME-TV channel 5 or on the Web at www.knme.org. New Mexico in Focus’s Gene Grant will will introduce the speech at noon and Martinez is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m.
Video: Film policy debate
Courtesy of the magnificent New Mexico in Focus on KNME, here is full video from the film policy debate:
Film policy debate coverage likely benefits supporters
Seems to me from looking at the coverage of last night’s film policy debate that supporters are probably pretty happy with how it went. Rep. Dennis Kintigh should have won an award for his self-assigned role as Darth Vader; he really riled up the crowd with his arguments against incentives. But there were many more supporters at the event and they got a lot of good soundbites out there. Here are some links for you. Continue reading
NM film policy debate tonight at NHCC
I’m moderating a debate tonight on New Mexico’s film industry rebate program. It’s hosted by the libertarian-leaning Rio Grande Foundation and the newly-formed Motion Picture Association of New Mexico. On the pro side are Santa Fe Democratic Rep. Brian Egolf and Sandia Park Republican Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort. On the con side are Roswell Republican Rep. Dennis Kintigh and Albuquerque Republican Rep. Janice Arnold Jones.
The debate starts at 4 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque (4th and Bridge). The theater only holds a few hundred people, so call (505) 338-8957 to RSVP. If you can’t be there, you can watch the webcast, which should be here.
I’ll ask some questions for the first half hour, then I’ll pose some from the audience. So show up with your questions! They’ll be selected by Paul Gessing of the Rio Grande Foundation and Eric Witt of the Motion Picture Association.
This is a particularly timely debate because just yesterday, Gov. Susana Martinez released her budget proposal, which recommends cutting the film industry rebate from 25 percent to 15 percent.
