mailingstate
NM
Occupation
Retired University Professor
Filing County
Bernalillo
Throughout my life, I have stood for the values of our democracy, fighting with and leading the people of New Mexico as a champion for educational equity and civil rights. My work on the Martinez and Yazzie lawsuits centered on the constitutional rights promised to all children of our state. As a researcher and appointed Hispanic Education Liaison, I exposed the achievement patterns we are now addressing in legislative education reforms. My contributions to public education and justice earned me a lifetime achievement award from MALDEF. I bring academic expertise, legislative experience, and deep community roots. My strong commitment to families, fairness, and opportunity make me the strongest advocate for the people of House District 30.
I would address my highest priorities collaboratively, listening to my constituents and to a variety of experts on the topic. With the critical issues we face together, I would create a task force to contribute collective expertise and identify the root cause of the issue or the highlight of the priority. Data is usually present in the form of numbers and the stories we share. However, we would identify any areas that need further study or current data. We would identify solutions that are working and build on those. We would create new ideas, protecting our natural resources and population, pilot these ideas, and assess every aspect of our work along the way. At any point, this could become the basis for legislation.
Water 2130 (ABC Water Authority's 100-year plan) is doing a great job of preserving groundwater supplies by renewing surface water.
Our legislature must prioritize building on this plan statewide by calling upon great water experts and wisdom in New Mexico ranging from centuries-old tribal irrigation practitioners, the New Mexico Acequia Association, hydrologists, ABC Water Authority, Office of the State Engineer, Public Land Commissioner, and farmers. I am partnering with faculty at the UNM School of Law with expertise on water law and conservation to create a task force. We need current data on surface water and groundwater withdrawals and steps for water conservation. The state may need to consider additional incremental reductions.
Our resources and people must always be protected in New Mexico. We must require that all proposed large economic development projects include analysis and evaluation in terms of environmental resources and impact. This includes fresh water usage, water recycling and waste, solid waste and recycling, air pollution, utilities, and any land resources or form of toxic impact. The impact on communities and residents already living in the area and region should also be assessed and must include impact on community resources (police, hospitals, etc.) and public school resources, given the projected impact on school age population and potential declining enrollment and school closures, Community voice must be supportive after thorough review.
1. Christus St. Vincent has found success with clinician-led improvement, culturally grounded care, advanced technology, extra safety and workforce development, greatly improving patient outcomes. 2. Between this work, the new School of Medicine facility, and the doubling of the BA/MD program at UNM, we will become a model for the rest of the country in provider preparation. 3. APS Public-school community health clinics have been cut to 12 hours a week due to budget cuts. Given that New Mexico has the highest percentage of private equity healthcare/hospitals in the country I would propose a bill that would inspire private equity to sponsor full care community health clinics at public schools, since they benefit directly from my district.
mailingstate
NM
Campaign Phone
505-822-7997
Occupation
Civil Engineer (retired)
Filing County
Bernalillo
As a professional engineer in NM, I have spent 35 years in the construction engineering, power plant design, highway design and project management business. As with many engineers I am in the problem solving business. This is what civil engineers do in their career. NM has many infrastructure needs where my expertise would serve the state well. Lets stop dragging these badly needed projects on for decades. These delays are the result of poor planning and execution where I can help.
My management skills will also help me navigate other non engineering solutions.
1. Education (we have a failed system with poor grades across the board.) NM is last in reading and math proficiency, and money is not the problem. It is common sense.
2. Soft on crime, means the revolving door will keep revolving until there are real consequences.
3. Election integrity is crucial to our democracy.
4. NM can attract doctors if we have the right patient/doctor protection laws. Other states do not have this problem!
1. Initiate a domestic water saving campaign followed by a graduated cost for excessive usage.
2 . Impose golf course watering restrictions (no day time watering) and implement water metering.
3. Zero scape all new home construction where possible.
4. Use artificial turf on sports fields where possible.
I have managed more than 10 (Environment Impact Statement) EIS studies for large NM projects: This includes a new 2000 megawatt power plant 3 year site study and numerous new highway alignment studies. With the following criteria:
1. Water usage.
2. Workforce (local work force and outside workforce)
3. Long term Health issues.
4. Noise, light and air pollution
5. Traffic impact analysis.
6. Ground water impact. from pumping and discharge.
7. Infrastructure requirements i.e. power, roads, and rail.
8. Impact by direct and indirect support businesses.
9. In some cased the results of an EIS was to build with conditions or a (no build option), where the impact was greater than the benefit.
1. In general, NM laws must be written to balance our doctors and patients health care needs, where we all win. I do not think we have to reinvent the wheel. There must be one state in this country that has a proven program that works, lets use it. When a sick New Mexican is in pain for months to see a local doctor, this is criminal. Recruitment incentives do work. PHD students from the UNM medical program should be recruited with the right money and protection incentives.
