Education — key to a better future for for New Mexico children
In recent years, funding for New Mexico schools has declined from 51% of the state budget to 43% of the state budget. House Bill 241, introduced by Representative Mimi Stewart (D, HD 21), attempted to address this shortfall. Read the introduction in this bill here. The current funding formula has 25 different criteria; HB 241 simplified this to 4 needs—poverty, English language learners, special education, and “mobility,” or environment instability and seven sufficiency criteria (plus the need for adequate staff). The bill died in the Senate Finance Committee, and none of the revenue bills passed either.
The New Mexico Constitution states that education for New Mexico children must be “sufficient,” but currently our schools are underfunded by at least $340 million. If elected, I will join the effort to improve our schools and find funding sources. Read my notes on the Legislative Education Study Committee October 2007 meeting here.
Water — sustainable use technology
In our tri-county area we face a series of water-related challenges and opportunities. The Pecos compact mandates that Chaves county send water to Texas, while population growth in the Roswell area increases local demand. Ruidoso is facing a major overhaul of its wastewater processing plant. Otero residents are looking at the Otero Mesa (with its underlying aquifer, the Salt Basin) as a possible new water source. Cloudcroft is pioneering new wastewater recycling technology. I have been attending and participating in meetings of the Water and Natural Resources Interim Committee, the South Sacramento Water Group (where I serve as Secretary) and the Pecos Valley Water Users Organization. During the 2008 legislative session I testified in favor of Senate Bill 227, sponsored by Senator Phil Griego, which has now been signed into law. This legislation will alleviate the problems caused by the mandated compliance with the Pecos compact.
In the state of New Mexico the focus is on water:
- The Ute pipeline project in northeastern New Mexico
- The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
- The proposals for the use of the 14,000 ac-ft conditionally awarded to our state by the Arizona Water Settlements Act passed by Congress in 2004.
This focus is reflected in the initiation of an annual “Water Matters!” publication by the Utton Transboundary Resources Center (UNM School of Law). The first issue, published in 2007, was a tribute to retiring State Representative Joe Stell. This year’s issue, dedicated to Representative Cisneros, is a summary of NM water law and water projects. (You can download it from the web site, http://uttoncenter.unm.edu .)
Because of my scientific expertise (Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Purdue University, ranked 15 th in the nation in chemistry, project engineer industrial experience) I am far better qualified to make a positive contribution to solving New Mexico water needs than my opponent, who has an online degree in bible studies and has taught Spanish, etiquette and protocol at Valley Christian Academy and NMMI.
You can read my detailed minutes of various SSWG meetings here.
Health Care — find solutions that work for families
During the legislative session we were told that there are about 400,000 New Mexicans that do not have health insurance. That is twenty percent of our population, and the complaint is that they use expensive emergency room treatment as their primary source of health care. Even for insured New Mexicans, the cost of health care plus insurance is so high that it is ruining the family budget. The legislature considered, and rejected, two major and several minor proposals during the 2008 legislative session. The Governor’s Health Solutions Act, HB 62 (99 pages long), originally mandated insurance for all, with penalties for non-compliance. I and other liberal Democrats opposed this proposal, and it was removed. The battle cry was “Health CARE, not Health Insurance!” In my opinion, the main problem with U.S. healthcare is that the system is profit-driven, by the pharmaceutical and insurance companies, rather than actually being oriented to improving length and quality of life for the population. This bill passed the House, but died in the Senate Finance Committee.
The Health Security Act, HB 214 (56 pages), proposed a state commission to oversee health care for New Mexicans, and did include preventive health care. It died in the House Judiciary Committee. HB 147, The Health Authority Act, proposed a new Board to analyze NM health care needs. It also died.
None of these proposals considered the healthy uninsured New Mexican, or any alternative health care methods. I presented a proposal to add representatives from the healthy uninsured population to the Board members specified in HB 147. As the daughter of two medical doctors, one of them a pediatrician, I will advocate for more emphasis on alternative and preventive medicine and wellness care rather than on treating people only after they become seriously ill. I want New Mexico to establish a system that has our health as its first priority.
Economic Development — for prosperous communities
What do New Mexicans need for sustained, successful economic development? Each community is different, but all communities need three things: Opportunity, Strategic Planning, and Commitment.
Opportunity : The state government offers tax incentives and various grants, including grants and low-interest loans for start-up businesses, but each community needs to identify its current economic base and decide the direction they want to go. Which leads to—
Strategic Planning : Define goals for the community for the next ten years. How much population growth (if any)? What kind of business growth? This can mean either bringing in new businesses or encouraging the growth and expansion of established local businesses (Catherine Zacher of Santa Fe calls this ‘economic gardening.’).
What kind of infrastructure will be needed to support this growth? Here’s where concerns about balancing water supply and demand come into play. Expand supply? Drill more wells and/or buy water rights from surrounding areas? Or reduce demand? Establish a pricing system that rewards conservation and/or invest in water recycling systems and practices? Which is the less expensive way to avoid shortages in your community?
Communication between all levels of government, from legislators to governmental departments to county commissions and city councils, and between government and the public are vital to the planning process. This includes utilization of our university system as a valuable provider of data collection and analyses.
Commitment : Are your economic partners, the Chambers of Commerce, the community colleges, the Small Business Development Center leaders, the SNMEDD/Council of Governments, etc. involved in the planning? Once again, communication is vital to the process. Have your community and county elected officials been involved in the planning and assessments, and do they support the goals? Have the plans been adequately publicized, and public comments and suggestions been solicited and incorporated into the final strategy? Then your state legislators can work with you to find funding and other resources for your community. I understand your needs, and I can help you to achieve your goals.
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