VOTER'S GUIDE

Climate Science-Based Policy

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

   1. Yes

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. Yes

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. I would work to establish a robust Office of Just Transition that would provide significant new funding to support existing energy workers facing displacement. Additionally, I would promote policies that require robust labor standards and worker-focused procurement standards on all clean energy projects and infrastructure.

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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. We need to prioritize rent control, a just transition to clean energy, lowering prescription drug costs, and bringing the trades back into the public school system.

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

   1. Communities deserve more than just a seat at the table when it comes to environmental justice. Community voices need to be dictating policy priorities and community needs.

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. Communities are the experts on the challenges they face and the solutions that will work best for them. By actively engaging with community members, leaders can gain valuable insights and ensure policies are tailored to local needs and priorities. When addressing generational issues, community engagement is even more crucial. These deep-rooted problems require nuanced, multi-faceted solutions that only the community can provide.

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. I believe we need to make some key changes to ensure community-driven solutions get the support they deserve, rather than being overshadowed by private profit-driven ideas. Legislation should require diverse community members, especially from marginalized groups, to have a seat at the table when decisions are made. When evaluating policy proposals, lawmakers should give equal or greater priority to ideas that come straight from the community, not just from big businesses. Also, Policymakers must be transparent about how they're engaging with communities and show how that input shaped their decisions. This builds trust and demonstrates a real commitment to community-centered policymaking.

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

   1. I would start by actively listening to community members, especially those from marginalized groups, to understand the unique challenges they face and the solutions they believe would be most effective. Legislation would require the inclusion of diverse youth voices in all policy discussions and decision-making. Young people have a profound stake in the issues that affect them, and their perspectives must be given equal weight alongside other stakeholders.

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 worked with working class families for decades through my union trades work. I plan to use that experience to connect with communities and the youth, listen to their voices, and advocate for their priorities.

 

 

 

 

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. I see clear connections between our state's economy, budget, and environmental/climate impacts - such as negative effects on key industries like agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism, increased costs for energy, water, and other resources, as well as disproportionate economic harm to marginalized communities that have fewer resources to adapt. At the same time, investing in climate change mitigation and adaptation can create jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and help consumers save money in the long run.

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. The oil and gas industry is a major economic driver in New Mexico, providing thousands of jobs and generating significant tax revenue for the state. Any efforts to transition away from fossil fuels will need to be carefully managed to avoid economic disruption and ensure a just transition for workers and communities.

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

   1. Environmental racism manifests in the disproportionate siting of polluting industries, toxic waste facilities, and other environmental hazards in minority and low-income neighborhoods. Environmental racism is rooted in systemic power imbalances, with wealthier, whiter communities often able to avoid having these undesirable facilities placed in their backyards. Meanwhile, marginalized communities of color and low-income populations bear a disproportionate burden of the environmental and public health consequences. An example of this is the air pollution in Albuquerque being significantly worse and under-treated in the South Valley and lower-income sections of downtown.

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

   1. If elected, I will work to ensure a just transition that protects workers, communities, and the environment. It will require difficult tradeoffs and tough decisions, but I am committed to finding solutions that protect our environment, support workers and communities, and secure a sustainable future for all New Mexicans.

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. The older generations have made the planet virtually uninhabitable for the youth. It is up to us to ensure that the young people have somewhere to live that is sustainable.

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

   1. Pollution and contamination impact our youth and communities by making community members sick and their land and environment uninhabitable.

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

   1. In my opinion, Traditional Land Based Knowledge is a cornerstone of tribal consultation. I plan to include both in all of my policy development.

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-down B) 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. These two plans are integral planning pieces to a long-term just transition to renewable energy.

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

   1. I would prioritize tax increases on oil and gas production.

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

    1. Although these are alternatives to fossil fuels, these are half measures that do not have long-term benefit to the environment.

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. Yes

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. The fossil fuel industry is majority responsible for cleanup. I plan to hold the industry accountable for pollution and cleanup through state mandate policy.

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. We need a paid legislature so that our legislators are accountable to the people and not private industry lobbyists.