Skip to content

NM Lottery Scholarship, Legislative Session Constitutional Amendments, Fluoride in Water, The Omaree Varela tragedy

This week, NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS features another trip to Santa Fe’’s Capitol Building as NMiF correspondent Gwyneth Doland talks with Senators Stuart Ingle, Mary Kay Papen and Michael Sanchez and Representative Jim Smith on funding the financially troubled Lottery Scholarship.

Doland also speaks with Senators John Ryan and Richard Martinez and Representative Gail Chasey about constitutional amendments, of which there are many more than usual in this legislative session.

A measure has been introduced by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority to start adding fluoride to drinking water again, after the city stopped the practice in 2011. Gwyneth Doland talks with a County Commissioner and a dentist on the pros and cons of water fluoridation.

NMiF host Gene Grant and The Line opinion panel look at the Senate Rules committee’s hearing on deals that were made to extend the lease on the Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino.

The group also looks at community groups that are calling for action in the wake of the Omaree Varela tragedy.

The Obama administration plans to designate southern New Mexico’’s Organ Mountains as a national monument.

GUESTS:
Rep. Gail Chasey, D-Albuquerque
Jesús Galván, Chief Dental Officer, Delta Dental
Sen. Stuart Ingle,R-Portales
Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Espanola
Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces
Sen. John Ryan, R-Los Ranchos
Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen
Rep. Jim Smith, R-Sandia Park
Maggie Hart Stebbins, Bernalillo County Commissioner

LINE PANELISTS:
Dan Foley, Former House Minority Whip
Rob Nikolewski, Editor, Capitol Report New Mexico
Laura Sanchez, CEO, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce

LINE GUEST PANELISTS: Julie Ann Grimm, Editor, Santa Fe Reporter

CORRESPONDENT:
Gwyneth Doland, NMiF Correspondent
Megan Kamerick, NMiF Producer

HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.

Episode 733 for air February 14, 2014