VOTER'S GUIDE

Climate Science-Based Policy

1. Do you agree with climate scientists that we are facing a climate emergency?

   1. No

2. Do you agree with climate scientists that the brunt of the impacts we face due to climate change will be put on those who contributed the least emissions? (The global South, Indigenous, and low-income communities)

   1. Yes

3. Do you agree with climate scientists that greenhouse gas emissions must be reversed within 6 years in order to achieve carbon neutrality in time to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees and to avoid catastrophic runaway climate disruption? https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ - IPCC Report

   1. I haven't seen the reports.

4. If elected, what specific policies will you initiate in your first year of service to begin transitioning our state economy from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy within the timeframe set by the world's leading scientist?

   1. First, I need to see the reports and then If the premise of the question is correct, I will work with the environmental Caucus to pass sensible legislation. I took a pledge to not take any money from any corporation like the oil and gas companies that will harm the environment.

   2. I also joined the environmental caucus.

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Community Engagement Questions

1. What are the current needs or issues you see across the state, city, or county and how do you plan on addressing those issues if you are elected?

   1. Drug addiction, Homelessness, Crime and the environment will on my top agenda. 

   2. By helping out the drug addiction and homelessness that will help lower the crime and help the environment. There are many things we can do, and I plan on listening to the experts and the community to address their environmental needs.

2. What is your vision of the ideal relationship between communities and environmental/climate justice?

   1. It needs to be taught in schools and encourage kids to get involved with things like field trips and nature hikes and trips to the beach. Show them the beauty of the earth and they will want to protect it. We need to financially support groups that support a clean environment..

3. What role do you believe communities actively play in policy development? Especially when addressing issues that have been inherited and faced for generations?

   1. We need to kick out the leaders who have given us this mess and train new young leaders who think of the environment and vote for leaders who want to hand down a clean earth to the next generation.

4. What changes will you propose so that community driven solutions have equitable influence over policy-making, and are valued as much if not more than private profit driven solutions?

   1. Both can be accomplished with simple things like a Plastic Bottle return or a bottle return on Alcohol. Meaning there could be a $.05 deposit on a bottle like in many states. It creates jobs, revenue and helps keep the earth clean. it is a win for everyone. More funding for recycle centers in a community. There are so many things that can be done, and each community may be different, so it is important to have committees and work together to talk about those issues.

5. How do you plan on engaging communities and youth in policy development or proposals?

   1. Through helping fund community outreach programs like this who encourage youth leaders to get involved. By going to meetings and listening to them.

6. Describe your previous experience working on social/health/environmental justice issues, do you have experience working with impacted communities to co-develop solutions?  How will you use this experience to tackle the climate crisis?

   1. I have none except that I have seen it all because I worked in the Oil and Gas industry for years. I have been in the nuclear industry for years as well as oversite. I have seen a lot of environmental issues that can get addressed.

 

 

A Just Transition

1. What connections do you believe exist between our state/local economy and budget and environmental and climate impacts? How will you work to ensure that the state/local budget fosters economic, environmental, and climate justice?

   1. By concentrating on the safety issues and the wasted resources that are waisted daily when it comes to flaring.

2. How do you see the role of oil and gas corporations in New Mexico’s future as a result of the climate crisis?

   1. I see them maintaining a huge roll in the economic success for the next couple of decades however that well will run dry and we need to counter that success with new energy resources.  We can do a better job for the environment and continue to drill at the same time. There are many issues that need to be addressed. 

3. Define environmental racism in your own words and provide an example in NM.

   1. No thank you! I will let you handle that..

4. How will you be playing a role in a just transition away from fossil fuels for NM?

   1. Helping Fund research for clean energy. Please understand that fossil fuels are in almost everything including the clothes we wear. I don't want to end fossil fuels just extract it a lot safer than we have been doing. We need it for everything from my couch foam to the clothes I wear.

5. Do you believe climate action is an issue of intergenerational justice? What is the responsibility of your generation to the youth and future generations if elected? Explain.

   1. Yes! It should be every leader's duty to leave the next generation a cleaner and more prosperous environment. They have failed the youth! I am sorry to say but our leaders have failed us. I will not fail. It will be a fight but one I am willing to take on.

6. How can pollution and contamination impact our youth and communities?

   1. Diseases, Unhealthy water unhealthy air.

7. How will you include Traditional Land Based Knowledge when developing policy?

   1. Have an exit strategy for these companies. Health risk assessments 

8. If elected, will you support investing some of the money from oil and gas revenues to fund A) dedicated resources for a Just Transition Study to model alternative economic pathways for our state including oil and gas revenue replacement and phase-downB) create a just transition fund to invest in community-driven climate planning for local economies to divest from harmful industries and build alternative economic visions and investments that effectively contribute to climate mitigation and community health?  Explain.

   1. Yes!

9. Name specific alternative sources for state/local revenue that you'd pursue and propose if elected

   1. First, we need to clean up crime and improve the education system before business will want to move to NM. We also need to lower the corporate tax rate. Those things will make NM a business friendly state..

10. Do you support the development of Hydrogen energy, nuclear energy, and/or carbon capture and sequestration in NM? Why or Why Not?

    1. Yes, to Nuclear because it is the cheapest form of energy however the mining needs to be done safer and under federal and local oversite. All the others are too expensive.

11. Do you support community ownership of energy where Cities/Counties/Indigenous Nations are able to own, produce, and sell electricity to residents and keep energy dollars local?

    1. That has been done in several states like Maine and it results in an extremely high energy cost. Maine is now the second highest in the nation at $.25 per kilowatt. It is a failed system.

12. What do you believe is the fossil fuel industry/utility’s responsibility for cleanup and how as an elected official in the public office for which you are running do you plan to hold industry accountable for pollution and cleanup?

    1. Absolutely! great question. We are addressing this issue with the environmental caucus. The issues need to be handled before the permit is given. A higher bond can be given in the event a company declares bankruptcy and leaves us a mess to clean up.

13. Do you support the State Land Office’s moratorium/prohibition on new oil and gas leasing on state trust lands within one mile of schools or other educational facilities? https://www.nmstatelands.org/2023/06/01/commissioner-garcia-richard-bans-new-oil-and-gas-leasing-within-one-mile-of-schools/ Would you support legislation to create  a public health buffer zone prohibiting oil and gas drilling within one mile of schools on ALL NM lands?

    1. Yes.

14. Have you accepted any donations from fossil fuel companies or utilities? 

    1. No.

15. Can you commit to not accepting donations or funds from fossil fuel companies if you are elected?

    1. Yes

16. What are your ideas to loosen the grip of industry on the state legislature and strengthen our democracy?

    1. Propose a clean election system and take away corporate contributions to Politicians.