Tribes Sue Over Water Rule, Ben Ray Lujan
This week on New Mexico in Focus, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan joins the program from Washington, D.C. to talk about the federal government’s plans to pay for and expand access to broadband internet service. It’s been a major challenge in New Mexico. Correspondent and Axios reporter Russ Contreras also speaks with the senator about the immigration crisis at the southern border.
In March, the pueblos of Jemez and Laguna sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a 2020 rule that weakens or eliminates protections for ephemeral or intermittent waterways. The pueblos are represented by the University of New Mexico Clinical Law Program, and according to the complaint, the Trump-era rule “ignores the U.S. Government’s trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and violates the Administrative Procedure Act and intent of the Clean Water Act.” It would also make it harder for pueblos to regulate upstream polluters. Laura Paskus speaks with two key players in the suit.
The Line opinion panel tackles two issues: masks and voting in the special election for the 1st Congressional District. With the mask mandate largely lifted, New Mexico businesses and residents are feeling out what seems smart, safe and comfortable as they expand their daily lives into the public sphere. Turnout is low so far in the special congressional election. The group talks about whether voters are fatigued, distrustful, distracted or simply voting later in the race to replace Deb Haaland.
Host: Gene Grant
The Line Opinion Panel:
Dede Feldman, former state senator
Dave Mulryan, Everybody Votes
Kristelle Siarza, Siarza Social Digital
Segments:
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan
Correspondent: Russell Contreras, Axios
Guest: Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico
NM Tribal Communities Sue Over Trump Water Rule
Correspondent: Laura Paskus
Guests: Clifford Villa, UNM School of Law
Chris Toya, Pueblo of Jemez