Equality New Mexico, CYFD, Spanish Conquistador Don Juan de Oñate, SNAP

On the next New Mexico in Focus, Amber Royster from Equality New Mexico sits down with producer Sarah Gustavus to talk about the recent same sex marriage ruling from the Supreme Court and the protections LGBT advocates would like to see enacted to protect individuals and families across the country.

Correspondent Megan Kamerick speaks with two mothers about the challenges they faced when they tried to access childcare assistance through the Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD). We also hear from a childcare provider and organizer with the OLÉ Working Parents Association.

Host Gene Grant and this week’s line opinion panelists debate New Mexico’s continued use of the image Spanish Conquistador Don Juan de Oñate. If southern states are removing the Confederate Flag from public buildings, should New Mexico remove the image of Oñate? The panelists also share their thoughts on proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the new law that stops local law enforcement from seizing assets before an individual is convicted of a crime.

GUESTS:
Amber Royster – executive director of Equality New Mexico
Tara Carey – organizer, OLÉ Working Parents Association
Cecilia Maldonado, parent – OLÉ Working Parents Association
Ilene Marchant – Chief Operating Officer, TLC Development Centers
Raquel Roybal – parent, OLÉ Working Parents Association

LINE PANELISTS:
Dede Feldman, former New Mexico State Senator
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group PR
Rob Nikolewski, Watchdog.org
Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez, executive director of Enlace Comunitario

CORRESPONDENTS:
Sarah Gustavus
Megan Kamerick

HOST:
Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Sarah Gustavus. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation Communications Fund, Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Episode 902 airs July 10, 2015