New Mexico Primary Elections, Horse Slaughter Facility in Roswell & NM’s new Democratic Party chairman

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, should the state’s major political parties be allowed to hold “closed” primaries? The executive director of an influential Santa Fe think tank says it’s time to rethink the practice, opening the state’s taxpayer-funded primary elections to all voters. But a state representative argues it’s a solution looking for a problem and that there are more pressing election issues to fix.

The Line opinion panel looks at what’s ahead for New Mexico’s health insurance exchange. The Legislature and Governor Susana Martinez finally agreed on the framework to enable a state-run exchange. But at the group’s first meeting, word came from a consultant that meeting an October deadline is a longshot at best. Does this mean the federal government will step in?

The group also looks at the future of a proposed horse slaughter facility in southeastern New Mexico. The USDA signaled this week that the agency is likely to approve a permit in the absence of an extension for a federal ban on the practice.

New Mexico’s Democratic Party has a new chairman. The panel examines the potential impact of Sam Bregman’s role as head of the majority party in New Mexico.

GUESTS:
Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe
Fred Nathan, Executive Director, Think New Mexico

LINE PANELISTS:
Dan Foley, Former New Mexico House Republican Whip
Laura Sanchez, Attorney
H. Diane Snyder, Former New Mexico State Senator
John Wertheim, Former New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman

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 644 for air May 3, 2013