Legislature Coverage Throwback Thursday

Way back when I covered the New Mexico State Legislature for KOAT-TV.  I was the first full time television reporter to be assigned to that beat.

It was a terrific learning experience, something today's TV reporters should have to experience - learning how to tell a story, accurately.

In this old yellowed newspaper clipping I can be seen focusing our cheap camera in on some activity in a legislative committee.  In the foreground, Senator Ike Smalley from Deming - one of the most feared legislators - but one with a kind heart.   The legislature needs people like him, today.

While attempting to watch some local TV news recently I have been reminded how things have changed.  Not the stories that get covered, necessarily, but what is in those stories.

Last evening a reporter for KRQE sent down a story that included comments from "democratic speaker" Brian Egolf, and comments from "majority speaker" Nate Gentry.

Who?  What?

There is only one "Speaker" in the House of Representatives - it's a gentleman from Socorro by the name of Don Tripp.

There is no "democratic speaker".  Nor is there a "majority speaker".

Imagine how confused students of government must be.

Lordy, Lordy, Lordy - throw us back this Thursday to the times of yesteryear when facts made a difference!