Issues
Clean & Ethical Government
We tend to take our democracy for granted. But it's a living idea. It requires care and attention and constant recommitment.
People dislike politicians for their self-serving agendas, their double-speak and for not honoring their commitments.
A healthy, robust democracy is one in which legislators listen to and are beholden solely to the voters in their districts -- not big campaign donors and lobbyists. Today I believe we need to free our democracy from the power of money.
I support clean election public financing of campaigns. The adoption of the Clean Elections system – "voter-owned" elections -- by Albuquerque was a great moment for ethics reform. It's a system that has worked extremely well in Arizona and Maine. We need it in New Mexico.
I support an independent ethics commission that can investigate corruption and conflicts of interest.
Green Jobs & The Clean Energy Economy
As State Senator, I will work to make New Mexico a leader in addressing global warming and reducing fossil fuel dependence. The economic benefits of developing our state's renewable energy resources are many—new jobs, more revenues, increased savings and a cleaner environment.
Government can partner constructively with the private sector, by providing vision and strategic investments in technology development.
The new "Green-collar" jobs are good jobs that will pay family wages and provide opportunities for advancement along a career track of increasing skills and wages.
Green-collar jobs can provide pathways out of poverty. These are middle-skill jobs requiring more than high school, but less than a four-year degree - well within reach for low-skilled and low-income workers with appropriate training programs.
Energy efficient buildings, solar and wind power – these are the technologies of our future.
Health Care for All
Too many New Mexicans have no insurance or are underinsured. Too many live in fear of losing their coverage or being having claims denied. And all the while, small businesses that provide coverage for their employees are hammered by exploding insurance costs.
My first principle: We need health care reform that puts people first—not the interests of insurance and drug companies. The battle for universal quality health care has already begun in Santa Fe. It will be a long fight, but it's one that I'm ready to join.
Education -- Our Commitment to Future Generations
Two quotes express perfectly my attitude about education:
"A child miseducated is a child lost." - John F. Kennedy
"A teacher affects eternity." - Henry Adams
Public education is one of the foundations upon which America was built. I am a product of the Albuquerque Public Schools and so are my two children.
Governor Susana Martinez has provided tremendous leadership in moving New Mexico’s schools forward, beginning the hard climb from the low rankings in which our state has been mired for so long.
At the end of the day, if we want to build a world-class education system, we must reward the profession of teaching accordingly. Those of us lucky enough to have benefited from the care and attention of a good teacher often have no idea what these mentors go through; the early mornings, late nights and paying for school supplies out of their own pockets.
We must redouble our efforts to strengthen public education with a focus on the classroom, better teacher pay and professional development for quality teaching.
Our children deserve no less.
