U.S. Senator Tom Udall & Governor Susana Martinez on the upcoming legislative session in Santa Fe

With a new Congress assembling in Washington, D.C. and the upcoming legislative session in Santa Fe, this week NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS talks to key leaders.

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D), just four years into his first term, is now the senior senator from New Mexico. NMiF producer Matt Grubs speaks with Sen. Udall about the fiscal cliff’s real cost to middle class taxpayers and the battle the senator is leading to reform the filibuster in the Senate.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez is already making news with the announcement that she’ll accept a federal offer to expand the state’s Medicaid program. NMiF correspondent Sarah Gustavus talks to the governor about what’s likely to come out of the legislative session and why New Mexico’s economy continues to lag behind the rest of the West and the nation.

An all-journalist Line panel offers opinions on important legislative narratives that will play out over the next two months, including leadership battles and what issues are likely to gain traction as lawmakers gather for their annual assembly.

GUESTS:
Senator Tom Udall
Governor Susana Martinez

THE LINE GUESTS:
Dan Boyd, Albuquerque Journal
Russ Contreras, Associated Press
Rob Nikolewski, Capitol Report New Mexico
Matt Reichbach, New Mexico Telegram

CORRESPONDENTS:
Matt Grubs, NMiF Producer
Sarah Gustavus, Executive Producer, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation

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 628 for air January 11, 2013