Do you have faith in the systems? How has government response to the pandemic eroded or reinforced that for you? It seemed important back in what we collectively refer to as “normal times.” But what have public officials done to instill our faith? In Episode 69, we talk about the long list of pre-pandemic ills that plague us during this plague. We talk with the secretary of state about what it takes for politicians to keep voters invested and journalists about why there is a lack of faith—and whether it can be restored.
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver talks about the links between the digital divide, voting, and COVID in New Mexico, the importance of local leadership, and trust at state, county, and municipal levels.
Gene Grant, host of New Mexico in Focus, examines voter faith in the political system and President Trump’s missed moment to unite the country during the COVID pandemic.
Katherine Lewin with the Santa Fe Reporter tells us about the uneven distribution of federal small business PPP loans, which were disproportionally distributed to businesses in Republican-run states, with only 12 percent of N.M. small businesses that applied for those loans getting them.
The SF Reporter's Julia Goldberg talks about people's faith in the federal and government vs. the local government, and how public trust for political entities changed in recent decades.
Algernon D’Ammassa from the Las Cruces Sun News, fills us in on absentee ballots and voting dynamics in New Mexico’s southern counties.
National expert Tim Wise dives into the importance of general elections for change, and how white supremacist nostalgia fuels authoritarian politics in the U.S.
And a news update: Restaurants are reopening in New Mexico, and that means enforcement of the public health orders, too, according to KOAT. On the first day, State Police say they got 13 complaints about eateries not following the rules. The BioPark in Albuquerque is reopening in phases, too, KOB reports, with the Botanic Garden and Tingley set to invite patrons back in this month.
State officials announced 133 new confirmed cases today, which makes the total 7,493, according to the Santa Fe Reporter. They also announced nine more deaths. The death toll stands at 344.
Find a full list of the resources we talk about on each episode + opportunities to donate or help online at: bit.ly/ynmghub. And here's what we got for today.
RESOURCES:
- Read more from Tim Wise by heading to timwise.org or head to speakoutnow.org
- Hit up the Santa Fe Reporter to read the work from Julia Goldberg and Katherine Lewin
- Reveal news has a story and data about which states got ppp money.
- You can catch Gene Grant on air at New Mexico PBS Friday nights at 7 p.m. And find past episodes of the show online here.
- THE PRIMARY IS ON TUESDAY. Check out the League of Women Voters online voter guide.
How are things going for you? We'd love to hear about it. Share your pandemic stories by calling (505) 218-7084 and leaving us a message. We could roll them into a future episode.
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.
