New Mexico State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I believe that a woman should be able to make all health care decisions with her physician without interference from the government.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Fairness is important to me. Our tax system should reflect fairness, and so I would support a review of the tax rates paid in all brackets to ensure they're helping us to achieve our state's economic objectives. The analysis should ensure that we aren't balancing our budget on the backs of our most disadvantaged families.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Voters in New Mexico overwhelmingly support campaign finance reform. I want to honor their voice. I believe strongly in transparency at all levels of government. I would like to help pass legislation requiring disclosure of ALL activities, expenditures, and contributions to campaigns from ALL entities. I would also like to help New Mexico establish citizen-funded, publicly financed elections. Most importantly, I want to make sure that every resident of New Mexico knows that they have a place at the table, and that there are many avenues by which they can have a direct impact on legislation passed.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding the legalization of cannabis: I think we should legalize it but only very carefully and very responsibly. We already have a big problem with DWI in our state, and I don't want to pass legislation that could potentially exacerbate that problem. However, there are excellent economic opportunities associated with legalizing cannabis, as well as opportunities to prevent unequal treatment of minorities with regard to possession prosecution. There are many positive aspects to legalizing cannabis.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of New Mexico?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding promoting economic growth: only in the most fiscally sound manner possible. I do not believe in excessive government spending when the spending is not supported by sound policy. Regarding lowering taxes: only on some tax brackets. Currently our wealthiest taxpayers pay the lowest tax rates and our lowest income pay the highest. This is fiscally irresponsible. When the highest income taxpayers are paying the lowest rates our revenues are lower than they could be.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in New Mexico?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from New Mexico high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing funding for the state education budget?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding charter schools: I believe that Charter Schools should be held to the same standards and funding as traditional schools. Charters are often mismanaged, and the funds given to them are better spent in traditional schools, where there is more oversight. Regarding increased funding: Consideration of increased funding is necessary, however, I also support a review of all Public Education Department (PED) rules that have created an unbalanced education budget. I will work to ensure that future education decisions and spending are done through the legislature, rather than by rule from PED.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Do you support the implementation of a nuclear waste storage facility in New Mexico?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Families are the cornerstone of my campaign, and therefore it's no surprise that I care deeply about conservation efforts in our state. Families deserve clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and clean land to enjoy for generations. Our environment must be preserved for future generations. I believe that we can protect our most valuable natural resources while supporting the needs of New Mexicans.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I think a better phrase is "gun safety" legislation. Gun violence is an epidemic, with death rates in New Mexico that are 51% higher than the national average. I absolutely support the second amendment, but I believe it should be approached responsibly, so that guns don't end up in the hands of unstable or violent individuals. I will support bills that propose responsible background checks and flagging for dangerous individuals.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through New Mexico's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding aid-in-dying: I support every individual's right to live and die with dignity. I would like to work with legislative colleagues to pass legislation giving people options to die on their own terms if they have been diagnosed with certain terminal medical conditions.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Mexico's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New Mexico's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by New Mexico state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Should New Mexico adopt "Sanctuary State" immigration policies?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding "Sanctuary State": Immigration is a federal issue, and decisions at the local level should focus on allowing law enforcement to build and maintain relationships with those who live in the community, regardless of their immigration status.

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My top priority is to improve education (from Pre-K to college) through ensuring that ALL schools are adequately and equally funded and that we attract and retain the best teachers/professors by providing salaries that reflect the importance of what teachers do every day. My second priority is to improve the economy through providing an educated workforce, attracting a broader base for state revenues and additional jobs.