Gov. Bill Richardson might not be finished with the New Mexico Legislature for 2008. His health care reform package was not passed before the 30-day session ended and the governor could still call back the legislators to debate this issue. “New Mexico In Focus” will discuss this and other topics in this week’s episode of KNME’s weekly prime-time TV news magazine. The show airs on KNME, Channel 5 Fridays at 7 p.m. and repeats on Sundays at 6:30 a.m.
Co-hosted by Santa Fe Reporter staff writer David Alire Garcia and Albuquerque Journal columnist Gene Grant, “New Mexico In Focus” takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, health, education and arts issues and explores them in-depth, with a critical eye to give them context beyond the "news of the moment."
This week, Alire Garcia will sit down with Lt. Gov. Diane Denish to discuss the recently ended legislative session, how her priorities fared in the session, and what the future holds for her.
Grant and Alire Garcia will be joined by regular panelists Margaret Montoya, UNM School of Law and UNM School of Medicine, and Jim Scarantino, columnist for the Weekly Alibi.
Guest panelists this week include:
* Scott Darnell, NM Republican Party Communications Director
* Jim Barry, Consumer Electronics Association
The topics for this week’s show include:
* Governor Richardson's health care reform package is in need of resuscitation, after this year's short legislative session. While the governor considers his options for a special session, many people are left to wonder what happens now to the 400,000 New Mexicans that still don't have health insurance. “New Mexico In Focus” is partnering with the PBS Newshour's “By the People” project to further the discussion on universal health care.
* The panelists offer their opinions on some of the lesser-known issues that did see some movement in the legislative session, as well as those that came up a bit short.
* Lastly, in less than one year, viewers will face the biggest revolution in television-watching since the introduction of color TV. What you need to know about the upcoming Digital TV conversion.
The producer of “New Mexico In Focus” is Kevin McDonald. This episode is co-produced by Karl Swanson, UNM Intern. Support for “New Mexico In Focus” has been provided by McCune Charitable Foundation. Closed Captioning of “New Mexico In Focus” has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.