Issue Position: Economy and Jobs

Issue Position

Our community deserves high paying jobs so our young people can stay here and raise their families. In May 2015, New Mexico had 20,000 jobs less than in May 2008. We have not recovered from the recession and 67% of our jobs are in low paying industries. I'm running so I can support the living wage, efforts to diversify our economy and continue the development of broadband infrastructure.

People who work should make enough money to provide their family with more than just basic necessities. Right now, 42% of New Mexico's families make low-income wages. This is the second highest rate in the nation. These wages are primarily used for healthcare, housing and food. A living wage will help improve the lives of families. I support increasing the minimum wage to a minimum of $10.10 an hour and adjusted for inflation. This law has helped Santa Fe's families; I believe it would do the same for all of New Mexico's families.

We must continue to diversify our economy. To this end, I support efforts to make New Mexico the number one film production destination in the world. This includes funding film industry workforce development starting as early as middle school and continuing through college. I also support making New Mexico an outdoor recreation destination. We have amazing ski resorts, biking and hiking trails, great fishing and hunting, national parks and monuments. I support promotion of our outdoor recreation industry and efforts to grow that industry. These are good paying jobs that attract young people and have low environmental impact.

New Mexico is last in Internet access. Only 64% of New Mexico's citizens have access to the Internet in their homes. The NM Legislative Interim Jobs Council has identified access to broadband as the #1 obstacle to creating high paying jobs in New Mexico. I support efforts to utilize capital funds and developing policy that will increase broadband access to businesses, schools, hospitals, fire and police, and to the home. This will improve access to education, increase jobs, improve public safety and improve the delivery of health care in New Mexico.

While serving on the Santa Fe School Board, I've supported the creation of a five-year digital learning plan. The goal of the plan is to bring equitable access to technology for learning and teaching in the Santa Fe Public Schools. The district is in year two of an Education Technology Note (ETN), which will update infrastructure, provide staff development for teachers and ensure that teachers and students have the tools to meet district and community education goals.

I support access to broadband and technology to create jobs, improve education, make our community safe and improve the health care in Santa Fe and all of New Mexico.

These policy initiatives would attract talent and decrease the obstacles to job creation. More importantly, it will increase the standard of living and improve the quality of life throughout New Mexico.

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