VIEWS ON TOP ISSUES
1. What are the top two things you would do to improve the economy in New Mexico?
GARCIA: First, we need to improve educational and economic opportunities for youth and young families. Education, from pre-K through college and university, should be better funded and aligned with economic development opportunities in the state. Secondly, we need to diversify our economy with home-grown industries in renewable energy, high-tech and value-added agriculture.
TRUJILLO: Invest in our local homegrown businesses curtailing/offsetting economic leakage, which is the import of products into New Mexico that we could otherwise produce for ourselves. This would greatly benefit our rural communities. Also, workforce development. We cannot grow our local businesses or recruit out-of-state industry without a quality workforce.
SANCHEZ: Support the Office of the State Engineer/Interstate Stream Commission effort to help the 16 Regional Water Planning regions update their water plans. Without adequate water infrastructure, NM can’t address the many other water needs. We need to expand broadband infrastructure to rural areas for both education purposes and economic development.
2. Do you support or oppose legalizing recreational marijuana use in New Mexico and taxing its sales?
GARCIA: I support medicinal cannabis and I support decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis. I would consider legislation on legalization and taxation based on data on successful implementation from other states, including economic and public health impacts.
TRUJILLO: Yes, I support. We have to regulate and tax properly, preferably at a lower tax rate, to help creative a competitive advantage over our neighboring state.
SANCHEZ: I fully support medical use and am open to supporting recreational marijuana if the pros outweigh the cons. We can look at other states with similar demographics and their impact with recreational marijuana.
3. Do you support or oppose raising New Mexico’s minimum wage, currently $7.50 per hour? If so, by how much?
GARCIA: Increasing the minimum wage is one of the most direct ways to support working families. I support increasing the minimum wage in New Mexico to $10 per hour by 2020 and $13 by 2023 to bring New Mexico in line with Colorado and Arizona.
TRUJILLO: I would advocate for $10.00 an hour.
SANCHEZ: I support a raise of the minimum wage in New Mexico. The number determined should not have a negative impact on our small businesses. Basic economics tells us when money moves, the economy moves.
4. Do you favor making New Mexico a sanctuary state?
GARCIA: Being an undocumented immigrant is not a crime. If a law enforcement agent detains an immigrant who is cleared of criminal activity, that person should not be detained by local or state law enforcement for federal immigration authorities. This is often referred to as “safe cities” or “sanctuary.”
TRUJILLO: No.
SANCHEZ: Yes.
5. What would you support to make New Mexico schools safer? Would that include changing New Mexico’s gun laws? If so, what specific changes to the gun laws would you support?
GARCIA: I support school safety measures including improved security, surveillance, and centralized ingress and egress. I support common sense gun laws, such as closing loopholes on background checks, requiring waiting periods, regulating assault rifles, limiting the number of weapons purchased at one time and keeping guns out of the wrong hands.
TRUJILLO: We need to set a standard for school security and surveillance. For all schools to stay monitored properly. Right now, I don’t believe it is necessary to change our gun laws.
SANCHEZ: We need to give schools the resources to identify red flags that may not easily be identified with students that have potential issues. Also limit gun access for people with permanent protective orders from domestic violence incidents.