The state of the New Mexico economy seems to be on everyone’s mind in recent weeks. On this episode of “New Mexico in Focus,” co-host David Alire Garcia sits down with various New Mexico city leaders to discuss their cities and the economy. “New Mexico in Focus” will air on KNME-TV, channel 5, on Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and repeats on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 a.m.
“New Mexico in Focus” looks at social, political, economic, health, education and arts issues and gives them context beyond the "news of the moment." The one-hour show brings viewers important topics, opinions and insight, in an integrated and cohesive package.
This week Alire Garcia is joined at the table by Corrales mayor Philip Gasteyer, Rio Rancho mayor Tom Swisstack, Galen Buller, the city manager of Santa Fe, and Anna Lamberson, the Chief Financial Officer with the City of Albuquerque to talk about their individual cities and how the current economic crunch is impacting them. Then “New Mexico in Focus” takes a look at Santa Fe and its increased minimum wage.
Co-host Gene Grant and regular panelists Margaret Montoya, a professor with the University of New Mexico School of Law and School of Medicine, Jim Scarantino, an Albuquerque Journal columnist and moderator of NewMexicoLiberty.com, and political consultant Whitney Cheshire are joined by Laura Sanchez, the former executive director of the New Mexico Democratic Party. The group debates the potential of an equestrian center at Expo New Mexico, gaming and the Navajo Nation, the passing of New Mexico political icon Emilio Naranjo, and Senator Joe Lieberman retaining his committee chairmanship.
Producers of ‘New Mexico In Focus’ are Kevin McDonald and Kathy Wimmer. Closed captioning has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.
Media Contact: Evy Todd, (505) 277-1218; e-mail: etodd@knme.org