Spaceport America, S.Valley Killings & Gun Control, and Public Retirement Accounts

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, supporters of Spaceport America say they’ve struck a deal that will protect companies working at the Southern New Mexico facility from frivolous lawsuits. The move could pave the way for more development at the taxpayer-funded spaceport, but will political maneuvering mean a failure to launch? The Line opinion panel examines the idea.

Much of the week’s news has been centered on the South Valley shootings that took the lives of five family members and forever changed the life of the accused shooter, the family’s 15-year-old son. Will the killings renew calls for additional gun control measures? Is it proper to point to the incident as reason for new laws? The Line examines that idea, while NMiF producer Matt Grubs speaks to lawmakers who have filed bills both limiting guns and expanding their availability.

Before going “on the clock” with the week’s other headlines, the Line peeks in on a joint-session of the Legislature, designed to give lawmakers a clear view of the problems faced by public retirement accounts. The fix needed to shore up the badly-lagging pension funds could cost hundreds of millions and will affect thousands of current and former public employees.

GUESTS:
Rep. Zach Cook, R – Ruidoso
Rep. Nora Espinoza, R – Roswell
Rep. Miguel P. Garcia, D – Albuquerque

LINE GUESTS:
Dede Feldman, Former New Mexico Senator
Al Park, Former New Mexico Representative

LINE PANELISTS:
Dan Foley, Former NM House Republican Whip
Sophie Martin, Editor in Chief, New Mexico Law Review

CORRESPONDENT: Matt Grubs, NMiF Producer

HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation. Subscribe to the New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes.

Episode 630 for air January 25, 2013