It’s a weird time. We’ve got a global pandemic, an uprising against racist police violence and a special legislative session dropped in the middle of it—the likes of which no one’s ever seen before. Maybe one that people still aren’t seeing because there’s been so many access issues. In episode 79 we dig in to bring you what’s new and developing with the emergency legislative session. What bills have been passed, what is on the way, and what is being held until January are just a few of the topics we cover. We talk with journalists from New Mexico PBS and the NM Political Report. I also talk with an organizer who is on the forefront of voting rights in tribal lands.
Amber Carillo, organizer with Common Cause New Mexico reminds us why temporary changes to voting procedures are important for Indigenous communities during the pandemic, and the challenging decision by tribal administration to limit or cut polling elections during the primary.
Matt Reichbach, journalist with the New Mexico Political Report talks about how COVID-19 and social distasting has changed the legislature special session, and the narrow focus of law makers for this session including the controversy around absentee ballots and the primary voting process.
Gene Grant and Kevin McDonald, producers and journalists at New Mexico In Focus, tell us about what they are hearing in the emergency legislative session including the debate over using police body cameras in New Mexico, the complications of absentee ballots, and the frustration for teachers whose raises are on the chopping block.
And in local news:
Here in New Mexico, the Albuquerque Journal reports Steven Baca, who shot and critically injured a protester in Old Town Albuquerque last week, was ordered released Monday by a Bernalillo County District judge. While the judge said Baca does pose a danger to the community, certain conditions could mitigate the risk, including being prohibited from possessing a firearm or attending protests while charges are pending.
This year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Albuquerque Journal reports the event has been pushed out to next year.
The New Mexico Department of Health announced Monday the state saw no new deaths related to COVID-19, a first since mid-April. 128 new cases were reported today, bringing the statewide total to 10,694.
We want to hear your story. What’s shaping you during this time of change? Share your thoughts by calling: (505) 218-7084 and leaving us a message. We may include them in a future episode.
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Your New Mexico Government is a collaboration between KUNM, New Mexico PBS, and the Santa Fe Reporter. Funding for our coverage is provided, in part, by the Thornburg Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the New Mexico Local News Fund.
