Students with special needs, Equal pay initiatives, The Line

This week on New Mexico in Focus, producer Sarah Gustavus leads a discussion about discipline of students with disabilities or special health needs. Matthew Bernstein, an attorney with Pegasus Legal Services for Children, and Alvino Sandoval, program manager for EPICS, share their professional knowledge about the legal rights and challenges that families face navigating the needs of their children in schools.

The needs of working families are a key area of focus for our 2016 election coverage. This week, correspondent Stan Wilson sits down with Pamelya Herndon, executive director of the of the Southwest Women’s Law Center, to talk about equal pay initiatives at the state and national level.

Host Gene Grant leads a discussion with the Line panelists on the Department of Justice’s decision to stop using private prisons for federal inmates, and what the implications might be for state prisons. The Line also discusses Governor Martinez’s announcement that she will pursue reinstating the death penalty during the 2017 legislative session.

Guests:
Pamelya Herndon, Southwest Women’s Law Center
Matthew Bernstein, Pegasus Legal Services for Children
Alvino Sandoval, Education for Parents Of Indian Children with Special Needs

Correspondents:
Sarah Gustavus
Stan Wilson

Line Panelists:
Merritt Allen, Vox Optima
Dan Foley, former New Mexico house minority whip
Andy Lyman, reporter with NM Political Report
Sophie Martin, attorney and editor of DukeCityFix.com

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 1009 airs August 26, 2016 at 7:00pm on Ch.5.1