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Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation, says New Mexico needs to works on reforms during the 2020 Legislative session.  Gessing says making improvements to the Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) should be the top priority; he is not alone in stating that the GRT discourages investment in the state.  Gessing also says he supports a proposal to end the state income tax on Social Security; New Mexico is one of only 13 states to tax Social Security, a fact not lost on many publications that fail to put the state on lists as a good place to retire.  Gessing also says the state should reform its capital outlay process.

Fred Martino talks with Bill McCamley, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.  They discuss the state's recent "rapid hire" event, the increase in the minimum wage, growing the hemp industry, the potential for recreational cannabis should it be approved, and more.

Poet Terry Lucas graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy in 1974. The Poet Laureate of Marin County, California was in Las Cruces for campus visit.  While he was here, Lucas talked with Fred Martino.

Fred Martino speaks with singer-songwriter Jesse Cann.  The Las Cruces native and University of New Mexico graduate lives in Virginia.  But his thoughts are in New Mexico on his latest album, "A New Song."  Track 2 on the album is "Land of Enchantment," a love letter to his home state. 

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján — the No. 4 ranked Democrat in Congress — announced his campaign Monday for the state's open U.S. Senate seat in 2020.

Democrats hope to maintain their hold on to the seat held by Sen. Tom Udall, who announced last week that he won't seek a third term.

Luján hails from a prominent New Mexico political family and helped his party retake the U.S. House majority in 2018 midterm elections as former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Education will be a major topic during the 2019 New Mexico Legislative Session.  The state is under a court order to provide more resources to ensure than all students receive constitutionally-mandated educational services.

Fred Martino discussed various priorities for educators represented by the the National Education Association-New Mexico with the organization's Government and Media Relations Director, Charles Goodmacher.

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A recent report by Truth In Accounting ranks New Mexico low when it comes to financial transparency. Sheila Weinberg, Founder and CEO of Truth In Accounting shares why the state scored one of the lowest in the country. 

A town hall meeting on Monday will focus on family caregiving.  The event will be held at Centennial High School in Las Cruces from 2 to 3 in the afternoon. The rapidly aging population has made this a major issue for New Mexico and the entire nation. 

To learn more, Fred Martino spoke with Tommy Hernandez, the public policy director for the Alzheimer's Association of New Mexico.

The 14th Annual Diabetes Expo is coming to Las Cruces on November 3.  The event takes place at Alma D'Arte High School  from 8am to 2:30pm.  The $12 admission includes lunch. 

Fred Martino discussed the event with Ruben Marquez, Assistant Executive Director of Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach.

Commentary: New Mexico voters have an unprecedented chance to send an important message this November that New Mexico takes corruption seriously and will hold government officials, candidates, and contractors accountable when they cross ethical boundaries and violate the law.  As former statewide elected officials, we wince every time we see the state tarnished by poor national rankings for good government and ethics, and worry that the perception of corruption is costing us business and opportunities, discouraging civic participation and decreasing voter turnout.  New Mexico is one of only six states that does not have a statewide ethics commission.

Sylvia Ulloa with New Mexico In Depth has been covering child well-being in New Mexico and early childhood education. Ulloa has also reported recently on rural education in the state. She talks about what she has learned on In Focus from KRWG Public Media. 

Republican Candidate for New Mexico House District 33, Charles "Chuck" Wendler shares why he is running for office.