mailingstate
NM
Campaign Phone
505-450-2455
Occupation
Retired Elementary Spanish Language Arts Teacher
Filing County
Bernalillo
In my 30 years as a legislator, I have been an unrelenting fighter for our school kids and needy children, for our working families, for our Spanish Land Grant communities and tribes, for equality of all New Mexicans, and for property tax relief to our veterans and low-income elderly and disabled. I have served the House of Representatives as Chairman of the Labor Committee from 2005-2014, and as Chairman of the Local Government, Land Grants, and Cultural Affairs Committee from 2017 to 2021.
In the County (Atrisco) portion of my district, road improvements with a modern storm drain system are crucial. Many households in the valley are in a designated FEMA flood plain where flood insurance is required with a qualified mortgage. That insurance can run anywhere from $500 to $4,000 a year. When roads are improved with a modern storm drain system, the flood insurance can be waived. Another significant issue is the need to be consistently vigil and proactive in defending our constitution.
The non-Pueblo irrigators and farmers in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District are in crisis, and their water deliveries for the past 4 years have dwindled by 75%. They are having to cull their herds because of limited water deliveries to irrigate their pasture crops. The MRGCD has abandoned their responsibility to their farmers and irrigators by prioritizing Bureau of Indian Affairs and Rio Grande Compact water mandates. A legislative task force to reform this dilemma is urgently needed.
What is imperative in our current reality of profound and devastating climate changes, and a prolonged drought crisis is that New Mexico cannot afford to build large scale data centers anywhere in our state. These energy and water guzzling entities will eventually obliterate our centuries old agrarian heritage and make sustainability of our communities next to impossible.
We must ensure that we are properly funding our School Based Health Clinics at the high school level. We must also ensure that all our elementary schools and mid-schools have a full-time nurse on staff. Our legislature and higher education institutions must work in tandem to grow our health care workforce by prioritizing the recruitment of New Mexico residents from rural and underserved areas in all health-related careers.
mailingstate
New Mexico
Campaign Phone
505-378-7443
Occupation
Electrician apprentice
I’m believe in doing the right thing even when it’s not what I want. I believe elected officials are the voice of the average citizen. People are tired of the same old promises that never get fulfilled. It’s time the will of the people be done, in the name of good!
I would rally and garner the support of the people who are affected by all policies. I would ensure that the policies align with the people’s desires and effectively communicate this message in the New Mexico House of Representatives. By doing so, I would empower the people and give them a voice. Our government was established to serve the will of the people and protect their interests. It’s time for “we the people” to be prioritized once again!
We will make it our goal to preserve our precious water. We will enforce existing practices and create new ones that will help us conserve and recycle the water we use. New Mexico is incredibly resilient, and with the right people and practical guidelines, it can continue to be a bountiful, beautiful, and prosperous home for generations to come.
The public and state should always benefit from any economic development project. We should strive to complete projects early and on time, while ensuring they are completed safely and within budget. It’s crucial to thoroughly analyze the long-term costs and benefits of any project, prioritizing the best welfare of New Mexico’s residents. Transparency should be the cornerstone of all project management.
We must address the physician shortage problem to ensure a great provider-to-patient ratio. Focusing on retaining current quality physicians will be crucial. We need to become competitive and offer a safe environment for both patients and providers. Expanding our telehealth and mental health programs is also important. Finally, making quality healthcare accessible to our rural communities is a major priority.
