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. First, I appreciate this question and the model of a regenerative economy. Specifically, for District 2 and for Santa Fe County overall, we need to incentivize the group discount purchases of solar panels for homes.  We also need to reinstate the water conservation policies- we have single family homes that are over $1m that are water guzzlers (see SF Reporter).  It's imperative we reinstate the water conservation measures and work closely with the City of Santa Fe. Solar energy and group purchases at a discount price of solar panels that are more affordable to local people and lifting the ban on the use of solar panels on traditional areas such as Apodaca hill need to be part of rejenerative justice.

 

 

 

 

 

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. There are so many needs in a gas and oil industry dependent state and equity and social and racial justice priorities. I'm going to respond to the District 2 and Santa Fe county government as a candidate for Commissioner. Overall, we have a "rio abajo el rio" with underlying socio-political currents of injustice and racism impacting our current issues of lack of affordable housing, increase of residents who are unhoused and homeless, overdevelopment with unchecked authority and lack of investment into community parks and infrastructure and the crises of lack of water and commodification of water over indigenous science principles of "water as life."  Finally, behavioral and mental health prevention and treatment are needed.

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

   1. Are we not interconnected?  How did we arrive at a bifurcation of community vs. environmental/climate justice? Communities of color are most impacted by environmental racism and the District 2 and Santa Fe’s Southside, Associated Asphalt and Materials which receive approval to consolidate it's 2 plants as well as the forever PFAS contamination of the water of La Cienega due to the National Army Guard.  We need to bridge the relationship between communities of color and government in the way that holds industries accountable as well as government itself. Being in the County Commission seat will provide the platform to be a unifying force, bringing in city and county and state as well as federal government with champions in our community.

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. The policy that works is built on the foundation of community voice. I developed in collaboration with statewide community advocates and leaders an Equity in Policy Institute to center and elevate the voices of communities in NM most impacted by structural racism. This training fits a unique gap in our nation with both a focus on equity policy and engaging diverse partners to conduct policy analysis. Too often, policies are made within the confines of power, politics, white-privilege and intellectual colonialism and the voices, lived experiences and community data of the ‘oppressed’ are ‘suppressed. In order to equalize power differentials, knowledge must be produced from multiple diverse communities.  https://equityinpolicy.org/

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. Policy matters because it is the manifestation of our core values as a society (in this case a county) and is the mechanism in which we make claims on our collective resources that we all pay into. Therefore, and in my role as County Commissioner, I  will center communities in District 2 who are most impacted by inequities, whether it be on the southside, Las Acequias and neighbors in the airport road area, or Agua Fria Village or the neighborhoods off of the Camino Rael/Agua Fria as well as area 1 B residents or homeless and others who have been marginalized in Santa Fe.

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

   1. Youth are priority for District 2 as well as elders and families who carry epistemic knowledge of the deep lived experiences of Santa Feans and residents of District 2.  There are multiple ways to engage with communities starting with having the youth leaders, community anchors and many "tesoros/as/x's" in Santa Fe who have been championing change and fighting to preserve our cultures, environment and well-being.  I have demonstrated 35 years of community engagement with diverse communities through summits, local town halls, trainings and anti-racist work for policy change. 

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. Protecting the environment through sound public policy and civic engagement.

   2. For 35 years, I’ve worked for and with local and state government, public education institutions, non-profits and philanthropy, I have dedicated my career to public health equity, including environmental and social justice for the most dis-enfranchised communities in New Mexico, binationally and nationally.  As a policy analyst for our NM State Legislature (1994 and 2001), for the Legislative Health and Human Services Interim Committee and as a policy fellow for Health, Education and Labor Pensions Committee (Senator “Ted Kennedy, 2006), I have conducted “evidence-informed” research for policy making and engaged with diverse stakeholders as a method for advancing sound public policies.  In a collaboration with a senior colleague at UC Berkeley (Dr. Meredith Minkler), we developed a community engaged policy making model drawing from two environmental justice projects in California (Old Town National City (OTNC) in San Diego, California, a dumping ground for polluting industry and warehouses and the Trade, Health, and Environment (THE) Impact Project involves a regional effort to address goods movement through the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports.   These two long-term environmental justice partnerships demonstrate the power of civic engagement and street science in changing local policies and increasing redistributive and procedural justice through increased environmental protections for local communities, stricter industry regulations and electing local advocates into political office. 

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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. To ensure that state and local budgets foster economic, environmental, and climate justice, policymakers should prioritize transparent and inclusive decision-making processes that engage stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, incorporating principles of equity and justice into budget allocations and policy decisions can help address systemic disparities and ensure that resources are distributed fairly and equitably.

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 role of oil and gas corporations in New Mexico's future will depend on various factors, including global energy trends, regulatory policies, technological advancements, and societal attitudes towards climate change and environmental sustainability. A proactive approach that considers both economic opportunities and environmental responsibilities will be crucial in shaping a resilient and sustainable future for the state.

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

   1. Racism systematically advantages white and priveleged communities while at the same time disadvantaging communities of color.. Power and privilege are distributed unevenly across space and time—as are the characteristics of the human environment—enabling racist structures and institutions to influence the environments in which people live, play, and work. Environmental racism is founded in core ideologies that creates a ladder system of human worth, where communities of color are considered less human and white and elitist communities of greater worth. Communities of color are located next to pollution sources such as major roadways, toxic waste sites, landfills, and chemical plants.

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

   1. I haven't worked in the countering fossil fuel industries in NM.  However, based on my research to best answer your questions, here is what I would promote: Advocacy and education for policies and initiatives that support renewable energy development, environmental protection, and equitable transition programs. Engage with local communities, especially those directly impacted by fossil fuel extraction or transitioning industries, to understand their needs and concerns. Invest in and support renewable energy projects and initiatives in New Mexico. Support job training programs and workforce development initiatives focused on renewable energy and other sustainable industries. 

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, I do believe that investing in preserving and saving our mother earth is a priority for intergenerational justice.  It is the responsibility of all generations to sustain our mother earth and care for her so that we all can thrive.

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

   1. Pollution and contamination pose serious threats to the health, well-being, and prosperity of youth and communities. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive strategies that prioritize environmental justice, public health, and sustainable development to create healthier and more equitable communities for all.

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

   1. Indigenous epistemologies are the basis for moving our world and communities forward and assuring we sustain our land, water, air and environment for future generations.  Decolonized belief systems need to be revitalized in local governance to assure policies are developed with long-term impact vision and goals.

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, I support both A and B. Community health is interdependent on our earth's health.

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

   1. I am not an expert in alternative sources, but based on my research to respond to your questionnaire, here are a few evidence based strategies I propose: Encouraging the development of renewable energy projects such as solar and wind farms can generate revenue through taxes, lease payments for land use, and permit fees. Implementing a carbon pricing mechanism or pollution fees on industries that emit greenhouse gases or pollutants can generate revenue while incentivizing emission reductions and promoting cleaner technologies. Introducing fees or taxes on certain land uses, such as commercial development or resource extraction, can generate revenue while encouraging sustainable land management practices.

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

    1. Based on my research, here is what I would support: the development of hydrogen energy, nuclear energy, CCS, or any other energy technology in New Mexico should be based on a comprehensive assessment of environmental, economic, and social factors, as well as meaningful engagement with stakeholders and communities. Prioritizing sustainability, safety, and equity will be essential in shaping New Mexico's energy future in a way that benefits both present and future generations.

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. Local autonomy in creating innovations in energy alternatives is imperative.

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. Yes, industry should be accountable.

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 to move away from our dependency on the oil and gas industry.