A conversation with city officials and local business owners along Central about A.R.T. construction

This week on New Mexico in Focus, city officials and business owners weigh in on the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit project. Correspondent Megan Kamerick sits down with two city leaders to talk about funding, support for businesses along the route, and what’s ahead. And two local business owners located on Central Avenue give first-hand accounts of their experiences as construction is taking place right outside their doors.

And Gene Grant and the Line opinion panelists debate several top stories in the news, including some of the 141 bills that Governor Martinez vetoed this year, and how scammers skimmed more than $400,000 from Albuquerque’s coffers.  They also discuss the Hunger-Free Student’s Bill of Rights Act, signed into law last week, that aims to end “lunch shaming” practices across New Mexico.  An excerpt from a conversation with Sen. Michael Padilla, the bill’s sponsor, will also be shown in this week’s episode. 

Host:
Gene Grant

Correspondents:
Sarah Gustavus
Megan Kamerick

Studio Guests:
Gary Oppedahl, director, Economic Development Department, City of Albuquerque
Dayna Crawford, ART project manager
Gabriel Amador, Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria
Collin Troy, The Octopus and the Fox
Sen. Michael Padilla, D – Bernalillo

Line Panelists:
Janice Arnold-Jones, former state representative
Andy Lyman, NM Political Report
Sophie Martin, attorney and editor of DukeCityFix.com
Dan McKay, reporter for the Albuquerque Journal

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New Mexico in Focus is involved, informed, in-depth media airing weekly on New Mexico PBS. The program debuts Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS 5.1 and appears online at www.newmexicoinfocus.org. The show rebroadcasts on NMPBS 5.1 Sundays at 7 a.m. and on NMPBS 9.1 on Saturdays at 5 p.m and Sundays at 3 p.m.

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