Around the Roundhouse

Stefani Lord and John Block are two of the most outspoken members of the state’s Republican House caucus and have developed quite a reputation in the Legislature. The two lawmakers, who share an office, join the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss their close friendship, how they get along with members of both parties, and whether they think their reputation is warranted. 

Lord, R-Sandia Park, and Block, R-Alamogordo, also discuss their thoughts on President Donald Trump’s first weeks back in office. Host Daniel J. Chacón gets their reactions to the federal funding cuts and freezes, as well as the recent layoffs to federal employees. He also asks about their level of concern with LGBTQ+ rights under the Trump administration. 

Getting back to New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session, Chacón asks Lord and Block about the Democrat-sponsored bills they dislike the most and about their favorite bills they’re sponsoring. They say that they support more bipartisan legislation than most people might think.

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Angel Charley is a mother of three, an advocate, an organizer and the first Native American female to represent Senate District 30. The Democrat from Laguna Pueblo joins “Around the Roundhouse” to speak about her experience through the first 30 days of the 60-day legislative session as she balances her roles as a working mother and first-term senator.

Charley provides an overview of the legislation she is sponsoring, including a bill to create a Turquoise Alert system to help locate missing Native Americans in New Mexico and a bill to establish criteria for comprehensive sex education for students from grades 8-12 across the state.

The freshman senator talks about her support of fellow Laguna Pueblo member Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Interior Secretary and U.S. Congresswoman, in her run for governor of New Mexico. Charley also shares her thoughts on how the state government can help tribal nations amid potential federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.

In the second segment, host Daniel Chacón shares highlights from Week 5 of the session, getting comments from legislators on how they’re feeling at the midway point and chatting with New Mexican reporter Margaret O'Hara about what's been going on with the latest proposal for paid family and medical leave.

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Fresh off formally launching her campaign for New Mexico governor, Deb Haaland took time to speak with Santa Fe New Mexican politics reporter Daniel Chacón to share why she has decided to join the race. In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” the former congresswoman and U.S. interior secretary talks about how her lived experiences — including her financial struggles as a single mother — have shaped her politics and helped her relate with people across the state.

Haaland, a Democrat who is a member of Laguna Pueblo, spoke about her priority of bringing down the cost of housing in New Mexico and talked about her upcoming tour around the state to speak to people about the challenges they face. She addressed Republicans’ criticisms of her being too progressive and shared her thoughts on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s tenure. Haaland was also asked whether her position on drilling around Chaco Canyon has changed and about her position on President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

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From an advocate, to a legislative staffer, to the majority floor leader of the state House of Representatives, Reena Szczepanski has experienced New Mexico politics from a variety of perspectives. The Santa Fe Democrat joins “Around the Roundhouse” to share her story about her path to leadership and her push for representation throughout her career. 

Szczepanski shares what it was like to work with former House Speaker Brian Egolf as his chief of staff and how her time as a staffer and advocate has helped her in her current role. She also discusses her biggest priorities for the 60-day legislative session, including improving affordability of everyday life for New Mexicans and working to improve health care access. 

The first Asian American to hold a leadership position in the New Mexico legislature, Szczepanski also talks about her role in the effort to bring more women and people of color into state government. She speaks with pride on her time as executive director of Emerge New Mexico, an organization that has worked to increase the number of Democratic women in public office.

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In this week's episode of "Around the Roundhouse," host Daniel J. Chacón speaks with Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer to ask him about his skills at filibustering and his objectives for the Republican caucus for the 60-day legislative session. 

Sharer, who is from Farmington and represents District 1, speaks about the challenges and opportunities of organizing a Republican Senate caucus that has 10 new members. He also talks about the struggles the party has had in messaging, saying that Republicans have allowed Democrats to define them to New Mexicans rather than Republicans defining themselves. 

The discussion also touches on the state's crime issues, with Sharer saying New Mexico needs to be stronger at the border to rein in cartel activity. The conversation closes with Sharer criticizing the "Clear Horizons" pollution reduction bill in colorful fashion. 

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In the latest episode of "Around the Roundhouse," state Sen. Crystal Brantley joins the show to offer an overview of the legislation she'll be supporting during the 60-day session, including increased penalties for fentanyl dealers and incentives to support schools in efforts to reduce cellphone use in the classroom.

Brantley, a Republican from Elephant Butte, shares how having kids spurred her to get involved in politics. She also offers her thoughts on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's State of the State address, saying she agreed with much of what the governor said but wants to see action from Democratic lawmakers when it comes to passing legislation to combat crime and reform the troubled state Children, Youth and Families Department. Brantley also talks about concerns in her district relating to the U.S.-Mexico border, and tells the story of how her vehicle was broken into during last year's special session that was intended to focus on public safety.

After the interview with Brantley, Chacón shares highlights from the first week of the legislative session, focusing on the governor's State of the State address.

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In the first episode of "Around the Roundhouse," House Speaker Javier Martínez joins host and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to preview New Mexico's 60-day legislative session.

Martínez, a Democrat from Albuquerque, shares a bit about himself including his upbringing along the U.S.-Mexico border, and speaks about how his background influences his perspective as a lawmaker. He also discusses the House Democrats' priorities heading into the session, from a focus on public safety and behavioral health to a reform of the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department. Martínez speaks about his relationship with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham following critical words during a short-lived 2024 special session on public safety, and discusses the possible impact of a large crop of new legislators this session. 

Following the interview, Chacón shares highlights from separate recent press conferences by House Democrat and Republican leaders in Albuquerque. 

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