Around the Roundhouse

Latest Episodes:

‘No Kings Day’ preview with Indivisible Santa Fe member Dr. Heidi Li Feldman Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Demonstrations against President Donald Trump have taken place across the country in the first months of his second term in office as citizens opposed to his policies have protested against what they call authoritarian actions. On Saturday, June 14, a nationwide “No Kings” protest is planned in nearly 2,000 locations, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The mass demonstration falls on the same day as Flag Day and a military parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army. It’s also Trump’s birthday.

On the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Dr. Heidi Li Feldman joins host Daniel J. Chacón to discuss No Kings Day and share her thoughts on Trump’s second term so far. Professor of Law, Emeritus at Georgetown University Law Center, Feldman speaks about what has concerned her most about Trump’s actions and how she feels the court system has done in upholding the rule of law.

Feldman, an active member of Indivisible Santa Fe, also talks about the organization and shares the aim of the No Kings Day demonstrations.

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State Rep. Rebecca Dow sees an opening for Republicans to gain ground in New Mexico Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Rebecca Dow defeated a Democratic incumbent to win House District 38 in November to return to the New Mexico Legislature after an unsuccessful run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2022. Dow’s win was the only flip of a state House seat in 2024, but she sees opportunities for Republicans to gain more ground in New Mexico in coming elections.

Dow, who lives in Truth or Consequences, joins Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss her House seat victory, the race for governor, her thoughts on the 2025 legislative session and what legislation she plans to bring back for next year’s session.

Dow shares her feeling that the priorities of progressive Democrats in control of the Legislature don’t align with the values of most New Mexicans. She talks about her thoughts on public safety issues facing the state and New Mexico, including the governor’s decision to mobilize the National Guard to help tackle crime in Albuquerque.

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State Auditor Joseph Maestas speaks on Santa Fe's audits, a DOGE-like proposal and funding issues May 29, 2025

Show notes

Joseph Maestas has spent much of his life in public service, with time as a city councilor in Española and Santa Fe, the mayor of Española and a member of the Public Regulation Commission. He says his current job, state auditor, has been the most rewarding as he works to safeguard taxpayer money across the state.

In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Maestas joins Santa Fe New Mexican senior political reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss his background, his current role as auditor and his plans for the future.

Serving in his third year as state auditor, Maestas talks about some of the issues his office is facing, including a contracting public accounting industry and a budget he feels falls short in allowing his department to perform its duties at the level he would like.

Maestas shares his thoughts on a DOGE-like proposal brought forth in the latest legislative session. He also talks about what’s been going on at the federal level, saying the Trump administration’s firing of federal inspectors general places more responsibility on state governments in battling fraud, waste and abuse.

Chacón asks Maestas about the city of Santa Fe’s standing as it has worked to catch up from years of late audits. He also inquires about a recently announced special audit into Mora County amid allegations of financial improprieties, including an estimated $2.7 million in unaccounted public funds.

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New Mexico Democratic Party Chair Sara Attleson speaks on efforts to strengthen the party May 22, 2025

Show notes

Even before she was elected to be the new chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico in late April, Sara Attleson was traveling the state and spreading the message of party unity while visiting 22 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. She has continued her travels in her first month on the job, saying her focus is to show up and listen.

Attleson joined Santa Fe New Mexican senior state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to share her mission for the state’s Democratic Party and talks about the work she’s been up to so far — including establishing party infrastructure in the six counties in the state that have none.

Chacón asks Attleson, a former librarian, about what drew her to New Mexico, how she became involved in politics and why she decided to run for the Democratic Party chair. She is asked if the party has lost its way and about how the party should respond after Donald Trump made inroads in the state in the 2024 presidential election.

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Sen. Moe Maestas on N.M.'s careless driving statute, probation reform and modernizing the police force May 16, 2025

Show notes

New Mexico’s careless driving statute returned to the spotlight recently with the tragic death of 75-year-old Glen Smith, who was struck and killed by a city bus driver operating a city-owned vehicle while Smith was sitting on a bus stop bench near the Santa Fe Place mall. Police investigators believe there is reason to charge the driver with careless driving, a petty misdemeanor. They didn’t, however, because the crash occurred on private property.

In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Santa Fe New Mexican public safety reporter Nicholas Gilmore speaks to state Sen. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque, about several public safety topics, including attempted changes to the state’s careless driving statute.

Maestas, a member of the interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee, discusses the difference between reckless and careless driving. He talks about attempts to amend the careless driving statute that have all failed in the last 15 years, and what his plans are moving forward.

Gilmore also asks Maestas about issues involving the state’s Law Enforcement Certification Board and Law Enforcement Academy. Maestas speaks of the need to fix the relationship between the certification board and the Department of Public Safety.

Maestas talks about some of his legislative priorities, which include probation reform and police training reform. He also shares his thoughts on a possible special session focused on public safety that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham hinted at following the conclusion of this year’s 60-day legislative session.

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Rep. Christine Chandler speaks on paid family and medical leave, public safety and AI May 09, 2025

Show notes

New Mexico state Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, was a co-sponsor of a contentious paid family and medical leave bill that stalled out in the Senate Finance Committee during this year's 60-day legislative session after it had passed through the House. A different paid family and medical leave bill last year passed the Senate but narrowly failed in the House.

Chandler joined Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Margaret O'Hara for the latest episode of "Around the Roundhouse" to discuss the changes and compromises that were implemented to the most recent version of the bill and shares her thoughts on the path forward.

Chandler talks about House Bill 8, a public safety package with criminal competency reforms that passed during the session, and the issues it addresses. She also offers her thoughts on the possibility of a special session to further tackle public safety issues, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham hinted at at the conclusion of the 60-day session.

O'Hara closes by asking Chandler about what she will focus on during the legislative interim. Some of the issues she mentioned include juvenile crime and juvenile justice, and a regulatory framework about how artificial intelligence is used to make consequential decisions.

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N.M. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver talks election integrity and semi-open primaries May 01, 2025

Show notes

New Mexico received a No. 1 ranking in MIT’s Election Performance Index last year, a mark Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver takes pride in. She won a special election in 2016 after former Secretary of State Dianna Duran resigned amid fraud and embezzlement charges, and Toulouse Oliver has worked to rebuild the public’s trust in the office in the ensuing years.

She joined Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss election integrity in New Mexico, concerns about artificial intelligence, the state’s switch to semi-open primaries, and more.

Toulouse Oliver shares how she became involved in politics and the impact working on former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s campaign had on her young career. She also discusses how conspiracy theories and misinformation have impacted her office’s job since she became secretary of state, and shares her thoughts on the debate over voter ID requirements at the polls.

Chacón closes the conversations by asking Toulouse Oliver about her proudest accomplishments as secretary of state and what she plans to do after her term ends.

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N.M. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales discusses a possible run for governor and his role in the Roundhouse Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Howie Morales served 11 years in the New Mexico Senate and has been lieutenant governor since 2019. In the latest episode of "Around the Roundhouse," Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Daniel J. Chacón speaks to Morales about his role in the Roundhouse working with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and his thoughts on a possible run for the Democratic nomination for governor. Morales discusses his decision between a run for governor and applying to be the president of Western New Mexico University, which is in his hometown of Silver City. He talks about what he learned from his previous attempt at running for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014, and his thoughts on the two candidates that have formally announced their campaigns so far — former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. After asking Morales about his opinion on this year's 60-day legislative session and a possible special session, Chacón touches on some lighter topics including Morales' reputation as being one of the nicest people in state politics and his sports background.

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State Sen. Jay Block speaks on his military background, his DOGE-like idea for New Mexico and the governor's race Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

A freshman state senator from Rio Rancho, Republican Jay Block made headlines during his first legislative session by introducing a plan to create an office in New Mexico similar to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. In 2022, Block was also in the spotlight when he ran to be the GOP candidate in the governor’s race. He recently joined Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss what lies ahead for his DOGE-like idea and to share his thoughts on the 2026 governor’s race, including if he plans to run again.

The interview includes Block discussing his military background, which spanned more than 20 years as a nuclear weapons officer. He also shares his experience when he volunteered for a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2005-06, which he describes as his best and worst tour in the military.

Block is asked about his thoughts on potential cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, what it was like in his first term as a state senator serving in the minority party, and how he feels about the candidates that have declared for the governor’s race so far.

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Sam Bregman throws his hat in the New Mexico governor’s race Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman formally launched his bid for New Mexico governor Thursday in Las Vegas, N.M. The Albuquerque Democrat joins host Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss his decision to join the race and share his vision for the state.

Bregman spoke about how he plans to balance his role as DA with campaigning for the state’s top office. Chacón also asks Bregman about former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the only other person to declare for the race so far, and how he plans to compete with Haaland’s significant fundraising lead.

Bregman has been a supporter of stricter penalties for juvenile crime. During the interview, he offers a critical assessment of lawmakers' handling of the issue during the recent 60-day legislative session and talks about how he would try to spur progress as governor.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently declared a state of emergency in Albuquerque and said the level of crime in the city warrants the assistance of the New Mexico National Guard. Bregman shares his thoughts on the move and talks about what he thinks it will take to get a better handle on crime in the city.

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