Rebecca Avitia of the NHCC, Gwendolyn Hallsmith of the Public Banking Institute and Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales

This week on New Mexico in Focus, Producer Megan Kamerick talks with Rebecca Avitia, the first female executive director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Avitia, a native New Mexican, left a successful law career to take on the challenges facing the center following numerous leadership changes and financial issues.

We explore public banking, banks set up and run by government entities. Public banking has been presented as a viable solution to the present economic crisis in U.S. states, capable of reducing economic impact of recessions and providing capital for local governments. Megan speaks with Gwendolyn Hallsmith, executive director of the Public Banking Institute and Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales about efforts to start a public bank in New Mexico. A public banking symposium takes place Saturday, September 27 in Santa Fe.

The Line opinion panel reviews the political and legal scuffle on jurisdiction over general election ballots. Santa Fe and Bernalillo County Commissioners voted to place non-binding questions on the ballot this fall but Secretary of State Dianna Duran declared such questions unconstitutional. The counties went to the New Mexico Supreme Court, the Secretary of State sought federal intervention which was denied, and the counties won.

Our panelists also bring us up to date on the race for Governor of New Mexico, from this week’s lackluster candidate forum, campaign claims and counterclaims, to the departure of a campaign manager. The Line also delves into the Albuquerque City Council’s passage of an ordinance to establish a new and robust civilian police oversight agency.

Correspondent: Megan Kamerick

Guests:
Rebecca Avitia, Executive Director, National Hispanic Cultural Center
Gwendolyn Hallsmith, Executive Director, Public Banking Institute
Javier Gonzales, Mayor of Santa Fe

Line Panelists:
Dan Foley, Former House Minority Whip
Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group
Sophie Martin, Attorney
Laura Sanchez-Rivét, Sanchez Legal Solutions

Host: Gene Grant

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

Episode 811 for air September 26, 2014