NEW MEXICO HOUSE DISTRICT 46
1. How have your prior experience and education prepared you for this position?
I was elected in 2018 to represent HD46. We have only just begun to address the housing crisis, championed climate legislation, prioritized teachers and education, passed a Child Tax Credit, and to advance the opportunity with the legalization of adult recreational cannabis. I was born and raised in Northern New Mexico. My father, was the first in his family to graduate college, became an engineer, creating great opportunities for my family and setting me on stable path with a love for education. After attending elementary, middle, and high school in Santa Fe Public Schools, I graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Political Science. I am currently completing my law degree at the UNM School of Law.
In my opinion, listening to our community members is the most important characteristic for this position. I have spent the last 8 years doing just that as the District 1 Santa Fe County Commissioner. This experience has been invaluable and has prepared me for this position. I also earned my degrees from Northern NM College and have worked in the government and private sector which also contributes to my experience.
2. What three important issues would you plan to work on?
Water and Our Environment: Protection & stewardship for the incredible environment that allows us to thrive—the places we rely upon for our livelihoods, food, recreation, tradition, prayer, and family gatherings need protection and we must do more to advance water protections and proper management of our scarce resources. Diversifying our Economy by Supporting Small businesses, entrepreneurs & local jobs: Smart economic development supports local small businesses & our people by paying them what they are worth. This includes promoting outdoor recreation, film, technology, & other industries that reflect our climate-driven and cultural values.
We Need to invest and work on our children’s education and opportunities. I’m appalled that we are 49 th in the country in education. Second, addressing drug addiction and mental illness in our communities. We need more behavior health facilities and experienced staff to help people with addictions and mental illness. The good news is, if we can address our educational system, I believe over the long term, we may see less and less people that need this assistance. And third, expanding broad band infrastructure. This will help provide economic, work, and telemedicine opportunities both in the rural areas as well as in the urban areas. I believe if our children can dream and see opportunity, it will make for healthier and safer communities.
3. How can the legislature balance the needs of farmers and ranchers with the priorities of cities and towns?
Rooted in the foundation of surviving and thriving in our rural and urban communities is robust statewide water planning and management. The universal worry about our most precious resource--water--is how we will sustain growth in the future. This is one of the most important issues that the legislature can focus on to balance the needs of farmers and ranchers with the priorities of cities and towns.
Ranchers and farmers need a larger portion of water to survive, whether it is to provide water for their livestock or the corn or chile they are growing. This is where we can be smarter with the use of technology. By deploying broadband throughout the state, including the rural areas, farmers can take advantage of technological advancements in smart watering systems (that take much less water) and smart farming techniques. We are all in this together, whether you live in the city of the country, you want fresh vegetables and healthy proteins at your dinner table. The legislature can expand broadband deployment to rural areas and incentivize smart farming techniques.
4. What can be done to support the aging population, i.e., elderly housing, elder care, transportation?
Affordable housing is one of the greatest investments we can make, where we receive a 29:1 return on investment. Our elders deserve stable & desirable affordable housing. We must continue to expand at-home care & telehealth capabilities, & address high costs of lifesaving prescription drugs. I am a big supporter of Prescription Drug Affordability legislation that will standardize costs of medication and ensure that everyone can afford the life saving medications they need. Finally, we need to address easier & more universal access to transportation. Many of us have use Uber & Lyft as options, our aging population deserves a readily available option where they can request a ride in-person with the same ease technology provides.
Currently we have a department in state government called the New Mexico Aging and Long-Care Services. They do offer many services and manage capital outlay monies that are funded to help improve the lives of the elderly. Keeping this department fully funded is extremely important. Moreover, if we have this agency do listening sessions across the state and bring back those results to legislators so that we could look at funding the new programs for the elderly from listening to what is important and needed to them.