Voters_guide Election 2012

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    The President is the head of state of the United States of America and is th e Chief Executive Officer and is the Commander in Chief of all military fo

    powers of the President are described in th e Constitution and federal law. The President appoints the members of the Cabinet, ambassadors to other n

    the United Nations, Supreme Court J ustices and federal judges, subject to Senate approval. The President, along with the Cabinet and its agencies, is

    for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the United States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United States Congress.

    UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

    UNITED STATES SENATORPRESIDENT Of ThE UNITED STATES Four-year term. Annual Salary

    The Vice President, together with the President, is elected to a four-year term of office. The Vice President is the first person in the presidential lin

    succession, and would ascend to the Presidency upon the death, resignation, or removal of the President. Under t he Constitution, the Vice President

    of the United States Senate. In that capacity, he or she is allowed to vote in the Senate when necessary to break a tie.

    UNITED STATES SENATORVICE-PRESIDENT Of ThE UNITED STATES Four-year term. Annual Salary

    P.o. Bx Chicag, IL www.barackbama.cmtwir: @Barackobama

    DeMoCRAtIC

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    UNITED STATES SENATORUNITED STATES SENATOR 6-year term, Annual Salary $174,000

    The League

    asked:

    Descrbe your specfcexperence and abltes thatprepare you for the offce ofUnted States Senator.75 ws

    What should the federalgovernment do to strengthenthe natonal economy andcreate jobs? 75 ws

    What, f anythng, shouldthe federal government doto mprove affordablty andaccess to qualty health care? 75 ws

    What should the federalgovernment do to slow clmatechange? 75 ws

    Marin t. Hinrich Demail: [email protected]:

    As the son of an electrician andafactory worker,Iam acommittedadvocate for New Mexicosmiddle class families.Iam oneof only ahandful of members ofCongress with abackgroundinscience andtechnology andbringaunique perspective to creategood,sustainable jobs in growingindustries like clean energy andbiotechnology.

    The federal governmentneedstrade andtax policies thatputthe USand every other countryon alevel playing field.Rightnow,countries like Chinahave ahuge advantage because of theirlow wages andterrible workingconditions.I have foughtbadtrade deals thatsendour jobsoverseas andwill workto closetax loopholes for UScompaniesthatoutsource American jobs,while providing incentives forcompanies to return to the US.

    Ihave consistently foughttoprotectthe benefits our seniorshave earnedfromconstantattacks by those who wouldrather give tax breaks to thesuper-rich andbig corporationsthan keepthis countryspromises to our parents andgrandparents.We can and mustreduce our deficit butI willnever agree to do so on the backsof New Mexicos seniors.

    Ihave always foughtto make ourcountry energy independent.In Congress,Iintroduced theClean Energy Promotion Act,bipartisan legislation to promoterenewable energy projects onpubliclands.I also votedforthe American Clean EnergyandSecurity Actof 2009. NewMexico,with its abundantwindandsolar resources,can andshouldbe the epicenter of theclean energy economy andI amcommittedto make thatbelief areality.

    Hahr A. Wilsn Remail: [email protected]:

    My recordof service startedwhen Ienrolledat the U.S.

    Air Force Academy. As an AirForce officer,Iserved on theU.S.mission to NATO andlaterworkedin the White Houseunder the firstPresidentBush.In 1995,I became cabinetsecretary of New MexicosChildren,Youth andFamiliesDepartmentwhere we ledefforts to reformwelfare lawsandimprove early childhoodeducation. Ialso servedin theCongress for 10 years.

    There is nothing more importantin Americarightnow thancreating jobs andgrowingthe economy. That meanslow taxes,a moratoriumon

    job-killing regulations,an all-of-the-above energy strategyandgovernmentreformthatwill control the unsustainablegrowth in governmentspending.

    We also needa balancedlong-termenergy policy thatmakes Americamore energyindependentand keeps costsof energy down so thatwe canattractbusiness andcreate jobs.

    The health care actwas amistake. Itshould be repealedandreplaced. It drives uphealthinsurance costs,cuts Medicare,increases taxes andcoulddevastate rural healthcare. I willcontinue my workto improvethe health status of low income

    Americans andquality of patientcare. We mustallow doctors andpatients to make decisions aboutcare,make healthcare moreaffordable,pass medical liabilityreform,andcontinue to leadtheworldin healthcare research.

    The earth has been in a periodof warming for the last11,900years,since the lastice age.The question is how much ofwarming in recentcenturies isdue to human activity andwhat,if anything,can andshouldbedone aboutit. We mustimprovethe science to reduce the highlevel of uncertainty thatexistsin our models andincrease theamountof datafromwhich todraw conclusions.

    Jn Rss Barri IAPemail:[email protected]:

    Iam aUSAFVietnamVeteran.Myexperiencehasbeeninaviationandalternativehealth(HomeopathicPractitioner.) Imanagedlargebudgetsandkeptcostsundercontrol. MyemploymentwiththeFederal

    AviationAdministrationhasgivenmetheexperienceandawarenessofgovernmentinvolvementintheprivatesector. Iwillnot continuethepresentpracticeof taxing,spendingandoverregulatingournation.I willdonate1/2ofmysalarytochildrenwithdisabilitiesinNewMexico.

    Our citizens are being overtaxedandoverregulated. The nationmustreturn to afree marketsociety. The federal governmenthas to be reducedto itsconstitutional limits andthenprosperity will increase. WE thepeople can create jobs withoutgovernmentinterference. Thegovernmentis notthe answer.

    Askany business owner andtheywill tell you two things: reducetaxes and eliminate burdensome,unnecessary regulations. Thatalone will create jobs andstrengthen the economy!!

    The federal governmentshouldnot be in the healthcare business. Their huge taxprogramis notthe answer.The free marketcan andwillprovide affordable access toquality health care.This isacompassionate nation andthe states andindividuals willdevelopalternatives for lowincome andthose in need. If wede-regulate andlower taxes ourhealth care systemwill enjoyimmediate benefits to us all.

    My research into this issuehas revealedthatthere areno definitive human causesof climate change of anysignificance. The majorityof reputable scientists haveconcludedthatman-causedglobal warming is notan issue.

    Rbr L. Andrsn Iemail:[email protected]: DeCLAReD WRIte-IN

    Have been aprofessor of politicalscience andother liberal artsfields for nearly 20 years now.Obtaineda PhD fromUNM.Livedin New Mexico for 40years. Servedin the Air Force

    during the VietnamWar,sawcombat,honorably discharged.

    Ama clientof the VeteransAdministration medical services.Workedas asteelworker. Ranacommunity center for 8 yearsworking with low income andunemployed. Workedfor peaceandjustice campaigns for

    Abandon trickle down economicsandimplementa progressivetax structure (tax the rich,notworkers),close corporate taxshelters andloop holes,rollbackthe outrageous military

    budgetandputthatsavingstowards investmentin our stateseducation,health environmentalneeds andasolar basedgreenNew Deal. Higher educationshouldbe free andhomemortgage foreclosures cancelledto keepfamilies in their homes.Supportworker ownershipprograms anddecolonize NewMexicos economy.

    Remove private sector insurancecompanies fromcontrollingaccess to health care for privateprofit. The problemis notaffordable insurance butthebuilding of a Medicare-for -all

    systemfor the whole country.Combatveterans like me alreadyhave this through the Veteranshospital systemandit couldbeexpandedto all Americans. Itis justa political will question.Funds couldcome by recoveringthe welfare given to Wall Streetbanks andthe military-industrialcomplex.

    Stopusing fossil fuels which arecausing atmosphericwarmingfromuse in industry,cars andhome heating. We needa crashprogramto go to sustainableenergy sources andstopnuclear

    power like Japan is doing beforewe have a similar major disaster.

    A major solar,wind power,bio-fuels andother programs needtobe developedimmediately whichshouldemploy the under 25ageworkers so we can builda newmiddle class.

    UNITED STATES SENATORUS REPRESENTATIVE-DISTRICT 1 2-year term. Annual Salar

    The League

    asked:

    Descrbe your specfcexperence and abltes thatprepare you for the offce ofUnted States Representatve.75 ws

    What should the federalgovernment do to strengthenthe natonal economy andcreate jobs? 75 ws

    What, f anythng, shouldthe federal government doto mprove affordablty andaccess to qualty health care? 75 ws

    What should thegovernment do tochange? 75 w

    Michll Lujan Grisham Demail: [email protected]:

    After earning my law degree,Iworkedas director of the state

    Agency on Aging andprotectedseniors fromscamartists. AsHealth Secretary,I foughtforwomens health anddoubledthe number of school-basedhealth centers andbannedjunkfoodin schools.As aBernalilloCounty Commissioner,I heldleaders accountable andcreatedhundreds of new jobs.I own asmall-business that provideshealth care access to residentswho were deniedhealthinsurance.

    During my firstyear in Congress,Iwill fightto end the Bush TaxCuts on millionaires andgetridof loopholes for corporateinterests.We mustshow the

    American people thatwe areserious aboutputting the MiddleClass first.Iwill also supportaplan to helpsmall businesses getaccess to capital.

    Iwill advocate for healthcareprograms to manage theunderlying cause,notjust treatthe symptoms,andpreventmore people frombecomingobese so thatthese problemsandtheir associatedcosts do notoccur atthe rates thatwe seetoday.Iwould startby creatingpilotprograms with medicalprofessionals and lower-costbutwell-trainedparaprofessionalsthateffectively treatobesity.Iwill also push to haveparaprofessionals to have theirfees coveredby insurance.

    Iwill standup to polluters andBig Oour land,our air a

    As the home to twNew Mexico can bthe developmentoTechnologies.In Cchampion the devthose technologieplanet,our citizeneconomy of New M

    Janic e. ArnldJns Remail: [email protected]:

    As afour-termNM House

    Representative,I earnedareputation as aleader committedto honesty,transparency,and awillingness to build consensus.Ill do the same in Congress. As aprivate citizen,I builta businessandworked with businessowners to provide jobs andmakeapayroll. With experience bothin the private andpublic sectors,Ihave the experience to serve theneeds andvalues of our district.

    We mustlook pastthe policy

    failures thatcreated thiseconomicdownturn andimplementcommon sensesolutions such as eliminatingloopholes,ending duplicatedregulations,revising financialindustry rules so smallbusinesses have access toloans anddeveloping our owndomesticenergy production.These changes will create anenvironmentfor jobgrowththroughoutNew Mexico. Withmore consistentandreliableregulations,job creators willhave the tools to plan for theirfuture andstart hiring.

    Affordability andaccess to

    health care will improveexponentially if governmentengages the private sector. Wheninsurance companies are forcedto compete in an open market,patients will always choose theprovider thatoffers the bestcareatthe bestprice. When providersadaptto the needs of patientsby providing greatcare at agreatprice,Americas workingfamilies will reapthe benefits.

    With so many of A

    working families smusttake abalanccurbing harmful ewouldcontaminapollute our air. Thin pursuing apolicenergy independethatincludes enerthatkeep AmericThe broader our elower our relianceenergy componenstronger our counassuring affordablenergy.

    Mary Jann Pahls Gemail: [email protected] WRIte-IN

    Workedwith affordable housingissues andthe homeless;Lived ininner city housing cooperativesandreservations;witnessedthe obstacles that marginalizedpeoples experience in the U.S.;

    Workedwith refugees;organizedto supportchildren in war-tornimpoverishedareas overseas;wentand saw firsthandthedevastation wroughtthere byour own foreign policy; Workedfor nuclear disarmament;peaceactivist;Extensive experiencein the fieldof education andworking with at-riskchildren;www.PahlsforCongress.org

    We mustdo the following:Eliminate tax cuts to the wealthy;Require corporations to paytheir share in taxes;Cut theDefense budget;Nationalizecompanies thatrequire bailouts/tax cuts;return those companiesprofits to workers (eliminatingstockholders);require banks toreturn equity to homeownerswhen foreclosing;supportsmallbusinesses,which hire locally,rather than corporations whichexploitoverseas;adequatelyfundeducation;require entitiesto honor employee pensionagreements;increase affordablehousing.

    Itis agoodfirststep,initiatingadiscussion aboutthe rightto adequate health care andprobably saving many lives atthe same time. Itunfortunatelyrequires more people to turn tothe insurance companies,whighcurrently suckmore than $400billion of our health care dollarsper year (http://www.pnhp.org/facts/single-payer-resources) .

    We needagovernmentnonprofit,which will guarantee health carefor all andkeepcosts down. Thisis single-payer healthcare.

    We mustfully puenergy options:sowater power;locaandlocal product(notgas powered)transit,bicycling,efforts. Coal and nare unacceptablepollution andradiClimate change isreality. Corporatiregulatedto preveandenergy consuKeystone Excel pian option. It furthandclimate chang

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    UNITED STATES SENATORUS REPRESENTATIVE-DISTRICT 3 2-year term. Annual Salary $174,000

    The League

    asked:

    Descrbe your specfcexperence and abltes thatprepare you for the offce ofUnted States Representatve.75 ws

    What should the federalgovernment do to strengthenthe natonal economy andcreate jobs? 75 ws

    What, f anythng, shouldthe federal government doto mprove affordablty andaccess to qualty health care? 75 ws

    What should the federalgovernment do to slow clmatechange? 75 ws

    Bn R. Lujan Demail: [email protected]:

    Iwas born andraisedin thecommunity of Nambe where Itendedto our acequias,land, andanimals. Ilearned the values,culture,andtraditions thatmakeNorthern New Mexico suchaspecial place. Over the pastfour years Ihave been honoredto representNorthern NewMexico in Congress,andI hopeto continue my efforts to protectour landand water,strengthenour economy,andpreserve SocialSecurity andMedicare for our ...

    The federal governmentmustmake responsible investmentsin innovation andeducation thatstrengthen our manufacturingsector.We needto prepare ouryoung people with the skills andtraining for jobs in the scienceandtechnology fields so theycan out-innovate the restof theworld. In addition, governmentinvestments in renewable energycan pave the way for acleanenergy economy thatcreates new

    jobs by harnessing New Mexicosabundantrenewable resources.

    The Affordable Care Acttookimportantsteps thatarealready benefiting seniors,children,young adults,andsmallbusinesses in New Mexico.Seniors receive free preventivecare through Medicare anddiscounts on prescriptiondrugs.Children can no longer bediscriminatedagainstbecause ofapre-existing condition. Youngadults can stay on their parentsplans until age 26. And smallbusinesses are receiving taxcredits to helpthem affordhealthinsurance for their workers.

    With more than half of thecountry suffering fromdroughtconditions,we cannotwait toaddress climate change.Throughinvestments in renewableenergy andnatural gas,we canreduce carbon emissions andour dependence on foreign oil. Ihave been a strong supporter ofnetmetering,which encouragesthe use of renewable energy inhomes andoffices by allowingconsumers to produce theirown power through renewablesources andsell excess power toutility companies.

    Jffrsn L. Byrd Remail: [email protected]:

    Ihave a lifetime of experience

    in agriculture andthe energyindustry,andtoday run myown small business on aranchoutside of Tucumcari.We need aCongressman who understandsthe districtand where the jobscome from,who will standupfor New Mexicans andfightfor New Mexico.Ill be a truerepresentative for northern NewMexico who will representrealNew Mexico values.

    Iwill fightfor andintroduce

    legislation thatwill stimulateAmericas economy andgetNew Mexicans backto workagain.I will workto implementan ambitious New Jobs NewMexicoplan thatwill reduceregulations andboostprivatesector jobs in industriesimportantto Northern NewMexico.Simplifying our tax codeandregulatory systemwill go along way to creating aclimatewhere businesses can grow andthrive.

    Iwould like to repeal the

    Affordable Healthcare Actandaddress each issue separately.Ibelieve health insuranceproviders shouldbe allowedto compete in order to reduceprices,much like car insurancecompanies do now.I believeinsurance shouldcoverthose who have pre-existingconditions.Ibelieve we needto address tortreformin orderto reduce frivolous lawsuits.Ibelieve thatstates shouldbeallowedto implementtheir ownhealthcare reforms.

    Being an Environmental

    Engineer Ido notbelieve in theMan Made Global WarmingTheory.This theory is basedin very poorly foundedscience.

    Although we have to worktoprotectthe environment,this isnota factor of concern.Scienceis notaconsensusbut the facts.For those who wantto readmoreaboutthis Iencourage themtosee:http://www.middlebury.net/op-ed/global-warming-01 .html.Climate Change is naturaloccurrence.

    NEW MEXICO STATE JUDICIAL OffICES

    Vacancies for courts in New Mexico are filled through appointment by the governor from a slate of potential nominees submitted by a judicial nomin

    committee. The newly appointed judge must then run in a contested, partisan election at the next general election. Thereafter, the judge runs in non

    retention elections for set terms. In a partisan election, the candidate receiving the most votes will be elected. In a retention election, the justice or ju

    receive a 57% yes vote out of all the votes cast on the question of whether the justice or judge should remain in office.

    The five justices on the Supreme Court are elected by all voters in the state and serve eight-year terms. To be eligible to hold the office of Justice of th

    Court, a person must be 35 years old, have practiced law for at least 10 years, and have resided in New Mexico for the last 3 years. The Supreme Court

    administrative head of the New Mexico judicial branch of government. It is the court of last resort for state appellate actions, regulates attorneys an

    has superintending control over all lower state courts. It has jurisdiction over civil cases where jurisdiction is not specifically vested in the state Cou

    appeals from criminal cases imposing the death penalty or life imprisonment, appeals from decisions of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commiss

    review of state Court of Appeals decisions, and cases certified to it by the state Court of Appeals or any federal court. Annual salaries: Chief Justice, $

    Justice, $123,691.

    UNITED STATES SENATORThE NEW MEXICO SUPREME COURT

    UNITED STATES SENATORJUSTICE Of ThE SUPREME COURT CONTESTED

    The League

    asked:

    Wht ttt n xn o fo Nw mxo scot Jt? wrds

    Wht th t t nkng th j nnnt foot nfn? wrds

    Wht og n hngth Nw mxo s c

    o k to nt

    wrds

    Barbara J. vigil D

    As aDistrictCourt Judge for 12 years Ihaveextensive judicial experience which is themostsignificantexperience for serviceon the Supreme Court.As Chief Judge Iamresponsible for the oversightof courtoperations. My values are shapedby myexperiences.Having liveda life knowingtragedy,hardship,the importance of familyandhard workI understandthe challengespeople face

    An independent,fair,and impartial judiciaryis indispensable to our systemof justice.The Code of Judicial Conduct governs thepolitical activities of judges in order tomaintain those principles which sustainan independent,impartial and competent

    judiciary.All judges including myself mustobey the Code of Judicial Conductin order topreserve these principles.

    The Supreme Courtalong withjudiciary has been forcedto inbudgetdecreases.Although this an equal branch of governmbudgetis 2.5%of the entire staLarge cutbacks affectthe admof justice by limiting the numb

    judgeships,the implementatiotechnology neededto managepay competitive salaries.

    Paul J. Knndy R

    When Iwas appointedto the Supreme Courtten years ago,Ihelped clear alarge backlogof cases,some of which hadbeen pending forover ayear. Additionally,Ihave practicedlawin New Mexico for over 35years,first servingas apublicdefender andthen in privatepractice where Ihave focusedon both civilandcriminal cases.

    The laws of the land,of New Mexico,and ofthe UnitedStates,are the expressedwill ofthe people. Itis fundamental,in factcritical,thatjudges guardagainstthe temptationto substitute their individual preferencesfor the law itselffor whatis already in ourstatuteseffectively overriding t he judgmentof all New Mexicans. A truly independent

    judiciary mustadhere to these principles.

    Courts shouldbe more responpeople. Delays costNew Mexiimpede the cause of justice. Wprocedures thatprovide for timof cases,andbecause we servethe other way round,we shoulpublish written opinions of evThe people deserve to know was well as how andwhy.

    UNITED STATES SENATORJUSTICE Of ThE SUPREME COURT RETENTION

    The League

    asked:

    Wht ttt n xn o ong to o nt Nwmxo s cot Jt? wrds

    Wht th t t nkng th j nnnt foot nfn? wrds

    Wht og n hngth Nw mxo s c

    o k to nt wrds

    Richard C. Bssn D

    With 18 years on the bench,8 with the Ct/App(two as Chief Judge) and10 on theSupreme Court(two as Chief Justice),I havethe mostappellate experience of any sitting

    judge andmore than almostanyone over thepast50 years. Despite the longevity,Iworkhardeach day andampassionate aboutthepursuitof fairness andequal justice for all.

    Judges mustremain free of partisanshipandthe appearance of being political.This meansavoiding partisan gatherings,fund raisers,endorsements,or even justassociating in amanner thatcouldbe construedas political.

    Andthis includes your private life as well andeven your family. Itcan be lonely,but thatisthe price of being part of the judiciary.

    The Supreme Courtfunctionsgoodpeople geton the Court. Uthe presentpay scale and requof running a state-wide politidiscourages many excellentappursuing an interest. I wouldchanges affecting the politicalfor appellate judges,perhaps ain Arizonawhere only trial judpartisan elections.

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    UNITED STATES SENATORJUDGE Of ThE COURT Of APPEALS PARTISAN

    The League

    asked:

    How h o tnng, ofonxn, n ntt oto on th Nw mxo cot ofa? wrds

    Wht ont n n thcot of a n how o thoont nt? wrds

    Wht th t t nkng th j nnnt foot nfn? wrds

    M. Mnica Zamra D

    Ihave servedas aDistrictCourt Judge forthe pastseven years. As a civil trial attorneyfor over 18 years,I practicedthroughouttheState andin Federal Courts,including theTenth CircuitCourtof Appeals andthe U.S.Supreme Court. My extensive experience ofarguing cases as well as presiding over trialshas preparedme for this position.

    We currently have avery goodCourtof Appeals bench. I wouldnot proposeimprovements,but rather propose toenhance the Courtof Appeals by expandingits collective experience to include juvenile

    justice,abuse andneglectcases andadoptions.There is no currentsitting Courtof Appeals judge with this experience.

    Under the Code of Judicial Conduct, judgesare requiredto establish,maintain andenforce high standards of conduct. Weare also requiredto personally observethose standards so thatthe integrity andindependence of the judiciary will bepreserved. When we are sworn in as judgesandwe puton thatblack robe,we acceptthose restrictions freely andwillingly. Thereare no exceptions.

    J. Mils Haniss R

    My service as aCourt of Appeals Judgefollows seventeen years of extensive appellatepractice. Having workedfor three federalappeals judges,representedthe United Statesin appellate litigation for adecade,and nowbeen aparticipantin dozens of appellaterulings,Iadd specificexperience andpassionfor appellate law to our ten-member courtthatresolves nearly 1000 cases per year.

    Citizens will see their access to courts sufferif funding to the Judiciary is notmeaningfullyincreased. Our appellate anddistrictcourtsoperate under budgetary constraints thatresultin hardshipto both litigants andcourtpersonnel. Adverse effects include delayin case resolution,less access to indigentservices,anda decrease in the capacity toresolve disputes outside of the courtroom.

    The mostsignificantethical dilemmapreventing our judiciary fromachievingpolitical independence are elections basedupon party affiliation. Appointedjurists likemyself serve only after recommendationby Bi-partisan Judicial NominatingCommissions and selection by the sittinggovernor,regardless of party.It disserves thepublicthatimmediately afterwardwe arerequiredto associate with a single politicalentity in order to be elected.

    UNITED STATES SENATORJUDGE Of ThE COURT Of APPEALS RETENTION

    The League

    asked:

    Wht ttt n xn o ong to o nt Jgof th cot of a? wrds

    Gn o xn Jg of thcot of a, wht ont n n th cot of an how o tho ont nt? wrds

    Wht th t t nkng th j nnnt foot nfn? wrds

    Rdrick t. Knndy

    23 years judging,11 on Courtof Appeals.Recommendedfor retention by bipartisancommission. Have presidedin magistrate,Metropolitan,tribal anddistrictcourtsthroughoutNew Mexico.Handledmorethan 65,000 cases,civil and criminal,inMetro Court.Human experience informs mydecisions. Awards:ABOTA 2011 Outstanding

    Appellate Judge,British ForensicSociety;NMBar. Write andteach aboutscience andthe law,including atUNMLaw.

    The speedof justice is slowedby lack ofresources.Cases are more complicatedeveryyear.Budgetcuts resultin slower appealsandless personnel to handle them efficiently.Lower courts have trouble moving appeals tous on time for the same reasons. Courts useabout3% of total state budget,andthere isno slackleft. Priority setting with legislatureandGovernor is required.

    My Constitutional duty is to be independentandimpartial.Courts referee disputes,sometimes saying the will of the majorityis wrong. Forcing partisan electionson judges selectedon their meritbybi-partisan commissions conflicts with

    judges responsibility to the judicial oath ofimpartiality. Retention races,andcurrentevaluation commissions protect the publicinterestin judicial quality andindependencebetter than the currentsystem.

    Michal vigil

    Ihave been an attorney since 1976. As aprivate attorney,Ihandled awide varietyof civil andcriminal cases,and servedasappellate counsel in over 50 formal publishedcases of firstimpression. I have been aJudgesince February,2003,and Iam the author ofdozens of cases of first impression,both civilandcriminal.

    The courtmustseekto find ways to renderquicker decisions while maintaining ahighlevel of quality.

    Iwould abolish partisan,political elections ofall judges.

    UNITED STATES SENATORNEW MEXICO STATE LEGISLATURE

    UNITED STATES SENATORNEW MEXICO STATE SENATOR Four-year term. No salary (per diem and mil

    The League

    asked:

    d th ton,xn n t tht o fo th off. wrds

    Wht w o ot fo th gt? Wh hot , f n? wrds

    Wht ho th ttgt o to o thono n Nw mxo nn jo gowth? wrds

    Wht ho thgt o to o ng mxo h ffo, qhth? w

    Senate District 39

    Phil A. Grig Demail: [email protected]:

    Ima proudnative New Mexican.Igrew upin SantaFe andlearnedhardworkandwhatit means toserve acommunity alongside myloving father who ownedTitosMarketin SantaFe. IgraduatedfromSt. Michaels High andlaw degree fromAntioch. Imahusband, father,grandfather,small business owner,rancher,former SantaFe City councilmanandState Senator for sixteen

    Everything will be upfordiscussion because we mustproduce andmaintain ahealthybudget,however,Iwill lookfirstatwasteful spending andotheropportunities to reduce butnotatthe expense of the middle classhardworking man andwoman. Iwill findways to reduce without

    jobcuts or stripping educationfunding andvital programs forneedy New Mexicans.

    Thesinglemostimportantissuefacingourstateis rebuildingtheeconomyandjobcreation.Weneedshort-termjobstoaccelerategrowthnow.Smallbusinessisourlifebloodandwe mustmakeiteasierto succeedwith simple,straightforwardsolutions. Weneedlong-termcareergrowththroughwidespreadtechnologyre-training.Wind,solarandalternativeenergyjobsarealsokeyin NMwherewehaveabundantsunshine...

    We mustaccept thexpansion so that170,000 more peobe covered. I willthe opportunity texample to the rein our determinatNew Mexican hasaccessible healthrejectany andall aweaken andrepeaCareAct.

    Aubry Dunn Remail: [email protected]:

    Secondgeneration native NewMexican.Raisedon appleorchardin High Rolls NewMexico.Graduate of ColoradoState University with AnimalScience Degree.25years asbanker lastten of those asPresidentandCEO of FirstFederal Bank.Currently rancheron Cattle ranch in LincolnCounty.Vastexperience inbusiness world, budgets andcommunity service.

    Education wouldbe firstpriority.Cuts wouldbe be in areas of leastcritical services to maintain thehighestlevel of available for thebudgetconstraints.

    Create abusiness friendlybusiness climate,making sure tonotgive more favorable tax ratesto outof state headquarteredcorporations over New Mexicobasedcorporations.Removeunessesary regulations,whilestill protecting the scenicbeautyandevironmentof New Mexico.

    Create incentivesmore physicians tMexico.Increasenatural resourcesneededservices.Cenough state reveaffordable healthc

    NEW MEXICO STATE REPRESENTATIVE Two-year term. No salary (per diem and mile

    house District 43

    Sphani Garcia Richard [email protected]:

    Originally fromSilver City,NM,I attendedBarnardCollege,ColumbiaUniversity,andreceivedmy teachingcertification atCaliforniaStateUniversity-LA.Working wellwith others,being goal oriented,anddemonstrating leadershipandenergy are the skills thatprepare me for office.Workingoverseas in communities withconsiderably less than ours,andas amother,Ive learnedhow tobe economical while keeping aneye on budgets.

    Priorities:creating jobs toimprove our economy,investingin education andestablishingequitable healthcare.The Statehas cutover $700Mfromthebudgetin the lastfour yearsandat some point,cuts becomecounterproductiveespecially ineducation.Lets examine the over$1Bin tax exemptions specialinterests receive annually.Furthermore,lets take advantageof the economicbenefits of thenew healthcare law.

    Our policymakers mustmakedecisions thatpromote jobgrowth andsupportlocalbusinesses.Iwas surprisedwhenmy opponentvotedto continue toallow out-of-state corporationsto notpay taxes on the incomethey make in NM.This costsus millions andunfairly putsNMs business on unfair footing.Isupport supports jobskillstraining andeducation,andcapital to help small businessesaddjobs.

    Iwill push for impto awide variety oservices,increasiof New Mexicanshealth insurance csupportpreventionon-traditional mmustmove as fastestablish astrongInsurance Exchansupportadoptingof Medicaidserviunder the new law

    The ten judges on the Court of Appeals are elected by all voters in the state and serve eight-year terms. To be eligible to hold the office of Judge of the Court of

    Appeals, a person must be 35 years old, have practiced law for at least 10 years, and have resided in New Mexico for the last 3 years. As the intermediate appellate

    court between the district courts and the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals currently reviews appeals in all cases, except criminal cases involving sentences of

    death or life imprisonment, appeals from the Public Regulation Commission, and cases involving habeas corpus. The judges sit in panels of three judges to decide

    cases. Annual salaries: Chief Judge, $119,406; Judge, $117,506.

    UNITED STATES SENATORThE NEW MEXICO COURT Of APPEALS

    house District 43

    Jams W. Hall Remail: [email protected]:

    As a42 year residentofNorthern NM,Ihave extensive

    experience in manual labor,management,consulting,andpublicservice. I have degreesin math (undergraduate) andmanagement(graduate). Ihavebeen a construction worker,firefighter,LANL divisionleader,successful consultant,NMcabinetsecretary,and smallbusiness owner. Iwas electedtwice to,andchaired, both the LASchool Boardandthe LA CountyCouncil.

    My budgetpriorities are K-12Education,health care,and

    rural infrastructure (roads,water systems,andwastewatersystems). These areas needboth funding and improvedeffectiveness in their operations.Cuts shouldfocus on reducingduplication andoverheadcosts,especially in higher educationinstitutions andamong stateagencies

    Our historic dependence onfederal funding is unsustainable.

    New Mexico must grow privatejobs by doing three things.First, improve K-12 education.Second, reform the business taxcode, especially gross receiptstaxes on services and multipletax credits that distort alevel playing field among NewMexico businesses. Finally,streamline the states regulatoryobstacle course to bringpredictability and confidence toour investment climate

    Federal policy limoptions. Howeve

    improve health cathrough three actreform Medicaidcoverage to be expacceptable cost.Second, implemeexchange that offemultiple options health care insurensure sliding scaclinics are widelyNM.

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    10 2012 vote 2

    NEW MEXICO STATE REPRESENTATIVE Two-year term. No salary (per diem and mileage only).

    The League

    asked:

    d th ton,xn n t tht o fo th off. wrds

    Wht w o ot fo th gt? Wh hot , f n? wrds

    Wht ho th ttgt o to o thono n Nw mxo nn jo gowth? wrds

    Wht ho th ttgt o to ntht o ng nNw mxo h to ffo, qthth? wrds

    house District 48

    Lucian Lucky varla Demail: [email protected]:

    25yrs.State Govt./ 26 yrsLegislature Chair/Vice ChairLFC/ Deputy Chair HAFC

    Health care Education PublicSafety./ Economicincentives forsmall businesses./ Broden ourtax base Avoidharmful cuts toservices.

    Broaden our tax base Eliminateunessary tax loopholes.Promotesmall busines tax incentives/Create jobs.

    Encourage preserving MedicareatFederal level take advantageof Affordable Care ActandexpandMedicaidto cover morechildren andthe poor.

    Bb Walsh Lemail: [email protected]:

    Iam amathematician withdegrees in physics andbiology

    andexperience in accountingandregulatory analysis. I amPresidentof my neighborhoodassociation,have assistedlegislators,and teamedwithother activists to achievepaper ballots. I helpedstartRocky Mountain EMS. I amdivorcedwith 2 children and5grandchildren,an ACLUGuardian of Liberty,anda SilverLife Master in Duplicate Bridge

    The state musteducate school-age children,maintain aNational

    Guard,control pollution,andpay its debts. The state may beunable to pay future employeepensions unless itcatches thefunds upto a level consistentwith arealisticreturn oninvestment. The Legislatureshouldinstitute standardaccounting controls to stopthe ongoing corruption,whereonly dumbmistakes getcaught.Everything else couldbe cut.

    Some Nobel economistsmaintain thatmostgovernment

    actions impede the economy.The PublicRegulationCommission,intended to controlmonopolies,now protects themonopolies of its cronies. Moststate agencies are siphoningthe peoples wealth to corruptandunproductive individuals.

    Agencies andboards thatrestrictcompetition shouldbeeliminated. However,there are afew actions thatmight help(Seethe nextanswer,for example.).

    The NMConstitution sets nohealthcare goal. However,the

    state shouldseize opportunitiesto benefitits residents,even if wedisagree with Federal programs.

    We shouldcommitabout $500million through 2020 to expandMedicaidto about170,000people. Federal contributionswill create enough providerandsecondary jobs thattaxrevenue shouldcover state costs.However,Medicaid literatureshouldclarify thatbenefits maybe temporary.

    house District 50

    house District 50

    Sphn P. easly Demail: [email protected]:

    Charls Larry Millr Remail: [email protected]:

    IearnedaPh.D.andworkedas auniversity professor andresearch scientistfor 20 years.Ihave ownedan InformationTechnology services companyfor 17 years.Iunderstand theneeds of small businesses.Iservedon the Alamogordo CityCommission.I workedfor sevenyears as atopIT executive inNMstate governmentand amexperiencedwith the executiveandlegislative branches.

    My topbudget priorities willbe adequate publiceducationfunding,workforce developmentandjob creation,andfundingto improve protections for ourclean air,land,and water.TheRichardson eratax cuts for topNMearners shouldbe repealed,andunwise andunnecessarytax loopholes,such as those forbig box chain stores,should beeliminated.These will mitigatethe needto cut state services.

    The legislature mustusecapital outlay funds to improvethe states infrastructure,particularly green energyprojects andthe developmentof new sources of water.Companies will notcome to NMunless we have well-developedinfrastructure.New companieswill bring new jobs.We alsomustfund programs atour highschools andcolleges to buildahigh quality workforce to attractnew companies andnew jobs.

    The legislature shouldfollow theprovisions of the Affordable Care

    Act.Expansion of Medicaidwillprovide health care insuranceto 150,000 citizens who arecurrently uninsured.The Federalgovernmentwill pay 100% of thecostfor several years and90%thereafter.Respectedeconomistshave shown thatthis approachwill bring billions of dollars toNM,leaving anetcost to thestate of $0.

    Ihave had the privilege toserve New Mexicans througheducation:9 years as SchoolSuperintendent;15yearsatMoriarty High School asCounselor/AssistantPrincipal;

    2 years atTVI;currently servingas Principal of Estancia ValleyClassical Academy.My experience extends to the USDepartmentof Interior,7 yearsandNM State Planning Office,3 years.Imoved my family toEdgewoodin 1981.

    Now thatwe have abalancedbudgetunder Governor Martinezwe mustmaintain thatstatus.However,we must continue toself-monitor all governmentprograms andilluminate

    unnecessary spending.Oneareaof concern in dollars andproductivity is how we usewelfare.There are legitimateneeds metby welfare butwemustbe responsible andbe surewe are offering ahand-upnot anongoing hand-out.

    We can create better jobopportunities by doing awaywith unnecessary regulationsandreducing the tax burden.Oneareaof developmentthat cancontinue to be expandedin New

    Mexico is in the field energy,helping Americato strive forenergy independence.EnactingaRight-to-Worklaw wouldcreate apermanentboast inemploymentand income growth.

    We mustunderstand the fundingof health care;then make carefulanalysis of health care needsandempower individuals andcommunities to tailor health careto meettheir needs.The action

    of the State Legislature includesproper cost/benefitanalysisin health care (the system)comparedto patientcare (theservice).

    PRESIDENT

    AND VICE-PRESIDENTOFTHE UNITED STATES

    dot

    BarakObamaand Joe Biden

    rn

    MittRomney andPaul Ryan

    conttton

    Virgil Goode andJim Clymer

    ltn

    Gary Johnson andJames P.Gray

    Nw mxo innnt pt

    Ross C.RockyAndersonandLuis J.Rodriguez

    GnJill Stein andCheriHonkala

    UNITED STATESSENATOR

    dot

    Martin T.Heinrich

    rn

    Heather A.Wilson

    innnt an pt

    Jon R.Barrie

    d Wtn/innnt

    RobertL. Anderson

    UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 1

    Precincts 15,73 & 84

    dot

    Michelle Lujn Grisham

    rn

    Janice E.Arnold-Jones

    d Wtn/Gn

    Jeanne Pahls

    UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 3

    PRECINCTS:

    All precincts except15,73 and 84

    dot

    Ben R.Lujn

    rn

    Jefferson L.Byrd

    JUDGE OFTHE SUPREME COURT

    dot

    BarbaraJ.Vigil

    rn

    Paul J.Kennedy

    JUDGE OFTHE COURT OFAPPEALS

    dot

    M.MonicaZamora

    rn

    J.Miles.Hanisee

    STATE SENATORDISTRICT 5

    dot

    RichardC.Martnez

    STATE SENATORDISTRICT 6dot

    Carlos R.Cisneros

    STATE SENATORDISTRICT 19

    rn

    Sue Wilson Beffort

    STATE SENATE DISTRICT 24

    dot

    Nancy Rodrguez

    STATE SENATE DISTRICT 25

    dot

    Peter Wirth

    STATE SENATORDISTRICT 39

    dot

    Phil A.Griego

    rn

    Aubrey Dunn

    STATE REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 22

    rn

    James E.Smith

    STATE REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 41

    dot

    Debbie A.Rodella

    STATE REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 43

    dot

    Stephanie GarciaRichard

    rn

    James W.Ha ll

    STATE REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 45

    dot

    JimR. Trujillo

    STATE REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 46

    dot

    Carl P.Trujillo

    STATE REPRESENTATIVEDISTRICT 47

    dot

    Brian F.Egolf,Jr.

    STATE REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 48

    dot

    Luciano LuckyVarela

    ltn

    BobWalsh

    STATE REPRESENTATIVE

    DISTRICT 50

    dot

    Stephen P.Easley

    rn

    Charles Larry Miller

    PUBLICREGULATION COMMISSION

    DISTRICT 3

    dot

    Valerie L.Espinoza

    DISTRICT ATTORNEY

    1ST JUDICIALDISTRICT

    dot

    AngelaR.Spence Pacheco

    PUBLICEDUCATION COMMISSION,

    DISTRICT 10

    dot

    Jeff Carr

    COUNTY COMMISSIONER

    DISTRICT 2

    dot

    Miguel Chavez

    COUNTY COMMISSIONER

    DISTRICT 4

    dot

    Kathleen Suzanne Holian

    COUNTY COMMISSIONER

    DISTRICT 5

    dot

    Elizabeth T.Stefanics

    COUNTY CLERK

    dot

    Geraldine Salazar

    COUNTY TREASURER

    dot

    PatrickVarela

    ELECTION OF

    NON-PARTISAN JUDGES

    Vote Yes or No for Each Judg

    Shall RichardC.Bosson be reJustice of the Supreme Cour

    Shall RoderickT.Kennedy b

    aJustice of the Court of App

    Shall Michael Vigil be retain

    Judge of the Court of Appeal

    Please note: not all these candidates will appear on every ballot in Santa Fe County. To see a replica of the ballot you will be using when you vote, visit

    Clerks website: http://www.santafecounty.org/clerk/elections_information.php

    (including both contested and unconteALL CANDIDATES ON ThE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT

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    12 2012 vote 2

    On November 6,2012,five proposedconstitutionalamendments will appear on the New Mexico generalelection ballotas the resultof passage of jointresolutionsby the New Mexico Legislature in its 2011 and 2012regular legislative sessions. For adoption,aconstitutionalamendmentrequires ratification by amajority of thosevoting on the constitutional amendment.Proposedconstitutional amendments become effective uponapproval by the voters unless an effective date is providedwithin the textof the proposedamendment.

    The following is alistof the amendments thatwill appearon the ballotin the 2012 General Election with a briefsummary of each amendmentwith for and againstarguments.More comprehensive information can befoundon the New Mexico Legislatures website:http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/reports.aspx.

    cONsTiTuTiONal ameNdmeNT NO. 1

    Proposing an amendmentto Article 6, Section 32 of theConstitution of New Mexico to provide for two additionalmembers to siton the judicial standards commission,amunicipal judge anda publicmember.

    brieF aNalysis:Constitutional Amendment 1 would amend Article6, Section 32 of the New Mexico Constitution andincrease the membership of the Commission from 11to 13 by adding two commissioner positions. One newcommissioner would be a municipal judge, selected in amanner set by the Legislature to serve a four-year term.The second would be a citizen who is neither a judge noran attorney, appointed by the Governor to serve a five-year term.

    arGumeNTs FOr:

    1) Municipal judges representthe largestcategory ofjudges in the state,and yetthere is no dedicatedslotfor amunicipal judge on the commission.Adding amunicipaljudge to the commission provides equal representation onthe oversightbody that monitors their jobperformance.

    2) Itis unfair for complaints regarding amunicipaljudges jobperformance to be resolvedsolely by peoplewho lackthe current,firsthandexperiences andviews ofamunicipal judge.Thus,adding a municipal judge as amember of the Commission increases fairness.

    3)Adding amunicipal judge anda citizen member wouldretain the currentbalance of power on the Commission.This change wouldensure thatviews of municipaljudges wouldbe heardalong with those of the otherjudges,attorneys,andcitizen members.This is especiallyimportantwhen amunicipal judge is the subjectof acomplaintalleging misconduct.

    arGumeNTs aGaiNsT:

    1)Adding two more members to the Commission,for atotal of 13,would make its workunnecessarily difficult.Itis always challenging to reach consensus whenmore people are involvedin a process.All disciplinaryrecommendations of the Commission require a majorityconsensus.It is notin the best interests of the citizenry to

    slow down the judicial oversightprocess.

    2)A Constitutional Amendmentis unnecessary becausesuch changes couldbe accomplishedby amending currentlaw through the Legislature instead of permanentlychanging the Constitution.A bill requiring thatamunicipal judge be amember of the Commission couldbepassedby the Legislature.

    3) Adding more members to the Judicial StandardsCommission would increase the costs to the taxpayerfor funding the Commissions work. Members of theCommission are entitled to per diem and mileage

    reimbursement.

    cONsTiTuTiONal ameNdmeNT NO. 2

    Proposing an amendmentto Article 11,Section 1 of theConstitution of New Mexico to increase the qualificationsfor Public Regulation Commissioners.

    brieF aNalysis

    Constitutional Amendment 2 would amend Article11, Section 1 of the New Mexico Constitution torequire the Legislature to enact a statute increasingthe qualifications of Public Regulation Commission(PRC) commissioners. Currently, PRC commissionersare only required to be at least 18 years of age, notconvicted felons, and registered to vote in New Mexico.The increased qualifications would apply starting withcommissioners elected at the 2014 general election, aswell as any commissioner appointed to fill a vacancyafter July 1, 2013.

    arGumeNTs FOr:

    1) The New Mexico PRChas a broader jurisdictionthan any other regulatory agency in the country and

    makes decisions thatimpactthe daily lives of all of NewMexicos citizens,ranging from setting utility rates toregulating motor carrier safety and prices.Increasingthe qualifications for commissioners wouldhelpmakesure thatthey have a basicunderstanding of the complexindustries they regulate.

    2) Because PRCcommissioners are expectedto actmuch like judges,making their decisions by applyingthe relevantlaw to the evidence on the record,it iscritical thatcommissioners understandthe law and thespecifics of the subjectareas they regulate.Too often,andattoo high a cost,the New Mexico Supreme CourthasoverruledPRCdecisions because commissioners havenotunderstoodthe law.

    3) Many other states already require their utilitycommissioners to have educational or professionalexperience in afieldrelevantto utility regulation,suchas accounting,finance,engineering,publicor businessadministration,administrative law,or economics.

    arGumeNTs aGaiNsT:

    1) The amendmentleaves itupto the Legislatureto establish the specificqualifications for PRCcommissioners,meaning thatvoters wouldnot knowexactly whatthose qualifications wouldbe before theyvote on the amendment.

    2) Depending on whatqualifications are enactedintolaw,some citizens may notbe qualifiedto run for theoffice of PRCcommissioner,even though they wouldbequalifiedto run for other electedpositions in state andlocal government.

    3) Itis unclear whether the Legislature is actuallycommittedto enacting serious,substantive qualificationsthatare rigorous enough to ensure thatPRCcommissioners are truly qualifiedto do the job.

    cONsTiTuTiONal ameNdmeNT NO. 3

    Proposing to amend Article 11, Section 2 of theConstitution of New Mexico and to enact a new sectionof Article 11 to remove authority to charter and regulatecorporations from the Public Regulation Commissionand provide authority to charter corporations to theSecretary of State.

    brieF aNalysis:

    Constitutional Amendment3 proposes to amendArticle11,Section 2 of the Constitution of New Mexico toremove the responsibility for chartering and regulating

    corporations fromthe Public Regulation Commission(PRC) andtransfer the responsibility for charteringcorporations to the Secretary of States office.

    arGumeNTs FOr:

    1)According to the National Conference of StateLegislatures,41 of the 50 states assign responsibilityfor chartering corporations to their Secretaries of State.

    Aligning New Mexico with the overwhelming majority ofstates wouldmake it easier for businesses,particularlythose thatare new to New Mexico,to know where to filetheir documents.

    2) Transferring the responsibility for corporate filingsto the Secretary of State wouldcreate a one-stopshopfor all businesses filings.Currently,the Secretary ofState registers some businesses,like LimitedLiabilityPartnerships,while the PRCregisters others,like LimitedLiability Companies.The Secretary of State also registersstate trademarks andservice marks and files documentsrequiredby the Uniform Commercial Code.

    3) Removing responsibility for chartering businesseswouldallow the PRC to focus on its core duties ofregulating utilities,which are very different fromthe

    secretarial duty of filing business documents.

    arGumeNTs aGaiNsT:

    1) There wouldbe a one-time costassociatedwithtransferring the PRCs corporate registrationresponsibilities to the Secretary of State.

    2) The Legislature has notstudiedwhether the Secretaryof States office is the ideal state agency in which to placethe responsibility for corporate registration,so thatduty shouldremain with the PRC until the Legislatureundertakes such astudy.

    3) The corporate registration division has not been thesource of mostof the scandals or corruption thathaveplaguedthe PRC,so moving itwouldnot address thoseproblems.

    cONsTiTuTiONal ameNdmeNT NO. 4

    Proposing to amendArticle 11 of the Constitution ofNew Mexico to remove the regulation of insurancecompanies andothers engagedin risk assumption fromthe PublicRegulation Commission andplace itunder aSuperintendentof Insurance appointedby the InsuranceNominating Committee as providedby law.

    brieF aNalysis:

    Constitutional Amendment4 proposes to amendArticle11 of the Constitution of New Mexico to remove theresponsibility for regulating insurance fromthe PublicRegulation Commission (PRC) and create an Office ofthe Superintendentof Insurance to regulate insurancecompanies andothers engagedin risk-assumption inthe state.The amendmentwould establish an InsuranceNominating Committee to appointthe Superintendentof Insurance basedupon qualifications for the positionestablishedby the Legislature.The Legislature wouldalsoestablish how the members of the Insurance NominatingCommittee are appointed.

    arGumeNTs FOr:

    1) The insurance industry is so complex andso importantto the lives of New Mexicans thatit shouldbe overseenby an independentagency thatis solely focusedon thattask.PRC commissioners lackthe specializedexpertise tosuccessfully oversee the insurance industry.

    2)Removing insurance regulation fromthe PRC andplacing itwithin an independentagency wouldhelp toinsulate itfrompolitics.The political pressure placedonthe Insurance Division by the PRC(for example,to hire

    unqualifiedstaff) is a major reason why the NationalAssociation of Insurance Commissioners placedthedivision on probation for several years anda 2012 reviewby the Center for Integrity gave t he Division an F.

    3) This amendmentwouldalign New Mexico with the35other states that have stand-alone departments ofinsurance.

    arGumeNTs aGaiNsT:

    1) The amendmentleaves itupto the Legislature toestablish the membershipof the nominating committeeandthe qualifications of the Insurance Superintendent,meaning thatvoters wouldnotknow exactly whatthosewill be before they vote on the amendment.

    2)Although the PRCs Insurance Division has sufferedfromnumerous problems,the PRC has been working toimprove itand shouldbe allowedto continue the process.

    3) Having the Superintendentof Insurance appointedbyanominating committee rather than by the PRCmeansthatvoters wouldno longer vote directly for the peoplewho appointthe Superintendent.

    cONsTiTuTiONal ameNdmeNT NO. 5

    Proposing an amendment to Article 6 of the Constitutionof New Mexico to add a new section that provides forthe organization of an independent Public DefenderDepartment.

    brieF aNalysis:

    ConstitutionalAmendment5wouldamendArticle6 oftheNewMexicoConstitutionto establishthe PublicDefender

    Departmentas anindependentstateagencynotunder theGovernorsauthority.Itwouldcreatea PublicDefenderCommissionempoweredto appointandprovideguidancetothe ChiefPublicDefenderandoverseeadministrativeaspectsoftheDepartment.TheamendmentwouldalsoallowtheLegislaturetoestablishtheterm,mannerofappointment,and qualificationsforthe ChiefPublicDefenderandmembersoftheCommission.

    arGumeNTs FOr:

    1) Funding for the Departmentis currently inadequate.An independentPublicDefender Departmentmay bebetter able to secure the resources to properly performitsconstitutional mandate of protecting the rights of peopleaccusedof crimes who cannotaffordattorneys.Fundingthe defense of allegedcriminals is often politicallyunpopular,particularly with officials seeking re-election.Many other states have independentpublicdefenderdepartments thatcan lobby more effectively for necessaryfunding removedfromthe political process.

    2) Having an independentDepartmentwouldensurecompliance with the Rules of Professional Conductfor Attorneys.Because the Chief PublicDefender isappointedby and serves atthe pleasure of the Governor,there is potential for interference with the attorneysindependentjudgment,especially when defendinganotorious or unpopular allegedcriminal.As anindependentstate agency,the Departmentwouldbe lesssusceptible to political influence.

    3) The Governor already sets many policies of the

    criminal justice systemby appointments to variousdepartments andthrough the executives legislative

    initiatives andpriorities. The Governor cuappoints the Chief PublicDefender and ovPublicDefender Department,giving the extoo much power in determining the policieof the criminal justice system. Having an idepartmentwouldoffer a clear way to bala

    arGumeNTs aGaiNsT:

    1) Making the PublicDefender Departmenindependentstate agency andrequiring thPublicDefender Commission to oversee itto taxpayers.The currentper diemrate is $have no way of knowing how many membeon the Commission nor how many days of wtravel andexpenses the state wouldincur fmembers.

    2) This amendmentcreates yetanother levunnecessary bureaucracy. The proposedCwouldnot actually assistin representing idefendants or performing core functions. superfluous layer of management,requirinon and oversightof decisions better lefttoChief PublicDefender. A Commission wouunnecessary delays in the Departments op

    3) Concernsaboutunduepoliticalinfluencrepresentingindigentdefendantsareeffectbythe rulesofprofessionalconductthat prfrompermittinganonclient,includingtheinfluencetheir judgmentin renderinglegal

    client.Changingthe Departmentsexecutitoavoidpoliticalpressureisunnecessary.

    PROPOSED 2012 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

    General obligation bonds allow the state to borrow money

    to finance capital improvementprojects.The principal

    andinterest on the bonds are paidoutof property taxes.

    The specificamountof property taxes collectedin a given

    year is attributable to anumber of factors,including

    the amountof debt service requiredfor existing general

    obligation bonds,the projecteddebt service required

    for the new bondissue,the latestassessedvaluation of

    nettaxable property,cash balances in bonddebtservice

    accounts,the date of issuance,andthe actual interestrate

    obtainedon the bondsale.

    Basedon currentprojections,the State Boardof

    Finance estimates thatthe three bonds will generate a

    maximumof $140.2 million atthe currentState property

    tax mill levy rate of 1.36 mills.If all three bonds are

    approvedby the voters in November 2012,the average

    costto the owner of a property worth $100,000 over a

    10-year periodwill stay ata flatrate of $8.04per year.Of

    that$8.04 average costper year,$6.88 is attributable to

    the higher education bond,$0.59 to the senior facilities

    bond,and $0.56 to the library acquisitions bond.If any of

    the bonds are notapproved,the State property tax mill

    rate coulddecline slightly.

    Acompletebreakdownofthecapitalprojectsdesignated

    ineachbond issuecanbefound onthe NewMexico

    Legislatures website: www.nmlegis.gov.

    bONd a SeNIoR CItIZeN FACILItIeSCoNStRUCtIoN AND IMPRoveMeNt

    ($10,335,000)The 2012 Capital Projects General Obligation BondAct

    authorizes the issuance andsale of senior citizen facility

    improvement,construction andequipmentacquisition

    bonds.Shall the state be authorizedto issue general

    obligation bonds in an amountnot to exceedten million

    three hundredthirty-five thousanddollars ($10,335,000)

    to make capital expenditures for certain senior citizen

    facility improvement,construction and equipment

    acquisition projects and provide for ageneral property

    tax imposition andlevy for the paymentof principal of,

    intereston and expenses incurredin connection with

    the issuance of the bonds andthe collection of the tax as

    permittedby law?

    Summary of Senior Center Projects in Santa Fe

    County: This bond includes $1,222,800 for 11 projects in

    Santa Fe County.

    bONd b ACADeMIC, PUBLIC, ANDtRIBAL LIBRARIeS ACqUISItIoNS ANDCoNStRUCtIoN ($9,830,000)

    The 2012 Capital Projects General Obligation BondAct

    authorizes the issuance andsale of library acquisition

    andconstruction bonds. Shall the state be authorized

    to issue general obligation bonds in an amountnot to

    exceednine million eighthundredthirty t housand

    dollars ($9,830,000) to make capital expenditures

    for academic,publicschool, tribal andpubliclibrary

    resource acquisitions andconstruction and provide for a

    general property tax imposition and levy for the paymentof principal of,intereston andexpenses incurredin

    connection with the issuance of the bonds andthe

    collection of the tax as permittedby law?

    bONd c HIGHeR eDUCAtIoNINStItUtIoNS AND SPeCIAL SCHooLSACqUISItIoNS AND CoNStRUCtIoN($120,000,000)

    The 2012 Capital Projects General Obligation BondAct

    authorizes the issuance andsale of higher education and

    special schools capital improvementandacquisitionbonds.Shall the state be authorizedto issue general

    obligation bonds in an amountnot to exceedone hundred

    twenty million dollars ($120,000,000) to make capital

    improvements and acquisitions for certain higher

    education andspecial schools andprovide for ageneral

    property tax imposition andlevy for t he paymentof

    principal of,intereston andexpenses incurredinconnection with the issuance of the bonds andthe

    collection of the tax as permittedby law?

    Summary of Higher Education and Special School

    Projects in SantaFe County:This bondinc

    $1,000,000 for SantaFe Community Colle

    the Institute of American Indian Arts,and

    the SantaFe Indian School.

    cOuNTy Fire eXcise TaX

    Shall the County of SantaFe,New Mexico,

    purposes of,financing the operational exp

    ambulance services or capital outlay costs

    fire districts or ambulance services provid

    county,impose an excise tax equal to one-f

    percent(.25%) of the gross receipts report

    to be reportedby the person pursuantto th

    Gross Receipts andCompensating Tax Ac

    exists or as itmay be amended?

    GeNeRAL oBLIGAtIoN BoN

    QuesTiON 1

    Shall SantaFe County issue up to $19,000,

    obligation bonds payable fromgeneral (ad

    to acquire,construct,design, equipand im

    within the County?

    QuesTiON 2

    Shall SantaFe County issue up to $10,000obligation bonds payable fromgeneral (ad

    to acquire real property andnecessary wt

    andto construct,design,equip, rehabiltat

    wter andwastewater projects within the C

    QuesTiON 3

    Shall SantaFe County issue up to $6,000,0

    obligation bonds payable fromgeneral (ad

    to acquire,design,construct,improve,equ

    open space,trails andparks within the cou

    STATE Of NEW MEXICO

    PROPOSED 2012 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND TAXES

    SANTA fE COUNTy

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    14 2012 vote 2

    212 GENERAL ELECTiON POLLiNG PLACES BY PRECiNCT

    Precnct Locaton

    1, 2 Sombrllo Elementary School, 2C State Road 16

    Benny J. Chvez Center, A Juan Medna Road:

    Cundyo Fre Staton, Jose Smon Drve:

    El Rancho Communty Center, 9 County Road :

    6 Tesuque Pueblo intergeneratonal Center, 9 TP

    7 Ro En Medo Communty Center, 1 El Alto

    Tesuque Elementary, 1 Bshops Lodge Road

    9, 6, 7 Acequa Madre Elementary School, 7 Acequa Madre.

    1, Fort Marcy Complex, 9 Bshops Lodge Road.

    11, 2, 21 Gonzales Communty School, 1 W. Alameda St.

    12, 62 La Cenega Communty Center, 16 Camno San Jose.

    1, 6 Hondo Fre Staton #2, 6 Old Las Vegas Hghway

    1 Turquose Tral Elementary School, 1 San Marcos Loop.

    1, 16 South Mountan Elementary School, 77 State Road .

    17 Galsteo Communty Center, County Road A.

    1, Edgewood Mddle School, 17 W. Venus Road.

    19 Stanley Communty Center, 1 W. Knsell Avenue.

    22, 2 Montezuma Lodge, 1 Paseo de Peralta.

    2 Namb Head Start, 1 B State Road .

    2 Academy at Larragote, 16 Agua Fra.

    2, Aspen Communty Magnet School, La Madera.

    26, 27 El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, Camno de La Famla.

    29, 6, 7 Santa Fe County Far Buldng, 229 Rodeo Road.

    1, 2, Salazar Elementary School, 121 Apache Avenue.

    , Nava Elementary School, 26 Srngo Road.

    7, , 1 Capshaw Mddle School, 1 W. Za Road.

    , 9, 9, 7 Kearny Elementary School, 91 Avenda de Las Campaas.

    San ildefonso Pueblo, 2 Tunyo Po.

    1, 1 De Vargas Mddle School, 172 Llano Street.

    2, Publc Schools Admnstraton Buldng, 61 Alta Vsta.

    Wood Gormley Elementary School, 11 E. Booth.

    , 6 Untaran Church, 17 W. Barcelona.

    Atalaya Elementary School, 721 Camno Cabra.

    2 E.J. Martnez Elementary School, 1 W. San Mateo.

    Pasa Tempo Senor Center, 66 Alta Vsta Street.

    Elks BPOE 6 Lodge, 161 Old Pecos Tral.

    7 Gloreta Fre Staton, Fre Staton Road.

    , 79 Abedn Lpez Communty Center, 1 A Camno de Quntana.

    9, 6 Pojoaque Mddle School, 1797 B State Road 2.

    61 Namb Head Start, 1 B State Road .

    6, 6, 69, 71 El Dorado Communty School, 2 Avenda Torreon.

    6, 7 Sweeney Elementary School, 1 Arport Road.

    66, Agua Fra Communty Center, 1 Prare Dog Loop.

    67 Ramrez Thomas Elementary School, 2 Calle Po Ae P.

    7 Amy Behl Communty School, 1 Avenda del Sur.

    72 St. Josephs Parsh Hall, 7 Frst Street.

    7, Edgewood Elementary School, 171 State Road .

    76, 77 Chaparral Elementary School, 21 Avenda Chaparral:

    2 La Terra Fre Staton, 6 Arroyo Calabasas:

    Unty Church of Santa Fe, 11 La Cuchara Road.

    6 Ortz Mddle School, 16 S. Meadows Road:

    Voters who reside in the unincorporated areas of Santa Fe County will have the

    opportunity to vote on the renewal of the County Fire Protection Excise Tax on

    November 6, 2012.

    Q: Wh snt F cont kng ot to nw th F potton exTx?a: Ithas been put forwardfor the purpose of financing the operations,capital outlayandambulance expenses of the Santa Fe County Fire Department.The tax will cover

    essential maintenance andimprovements to the Departments 32 fire stations,as well

    as to fund the purchase of replacementfire trucks,ambulances,firefighting andmedical

    equipment,andprotective gear for volunteer and career firefighters and paramedics.

    Q: W th F potton ex Tx fo o ?a: No.State law prohibits Fire Protection Excise Tax funds frombeing usedto paythe salaries or benefits for Firefighters,Emergency Medical Technicians,or other fire

    departmentpersonnel (NMSA 1978,7-20E-16).

    Q: Th ot oton to nw th tx. Whn w t ogn o nhow h t nft snt F cont?a: The tax was originally imposedin the 1980s andserved for 25years as an essentialfunding source usedby the SantaFe County Fire Departmentand the departments 14volunteer fire districts.It expiredin 2008 andin order to be reinstatedwill once again

    require the approval of voters in unincorporatedSantaFe County.

    The Fire Protection Excise Tax was the primary means to fund equipmentand

    apparatus purchases for the county fire department.It was usedto replace fire trucks,

    water haulers,andambulances;repair and maintain fire stations;purchase essential

    gear andequipmentfor volunteer andcareer firefighters;and to purchase new apparatusandequipmentto meet the growing demandfor emergency services throughoutSantaFe

    County andenhance the safety andabilities of our firefighters andmedical personnel.

    Q: i th F potton ex Tx t jt to nt ?a: No.The original sunsetclause was removedfromthe law by the New Mexico StateLegislature in 2004.Removal of the clause was recognizedas an importantmeans to

    allow county fire departments to better prepare for the future by anticipating capital

    needs andtying those needs to a dedicatedfunding source with predictable revenue.

    Deletion of the sunsetwill also provide the departmentthe opportunity to fund revenue

    bonds.This provides greater flexibility in planning andcan allow a more costeffective

    means to purchase expensive fire andEMSapparatus and equipment,resulting in costsavings to tax payers.

    Q: Wht n th tx n fo?a: The tax can be usedto replace aging andworn outfire engines and water trucks,repair andmaintain the departments fire stations,replace hose andnozzles, andreplace

    or repair damagedand worn outfirefighting equipmentincluding protective coats,

    pants,helmet,gloves,boots,and firefighter breathing masks andair tanks.

    The tax revenue can be used to replace worn outambulances and medical equipmentto ensure that the Departments Emergency Medical Technicians andParamedics have

    essential modern appliances like defibrillators,oxygen systems,extrication tools like the

    Jaws of Life,and other essential rescue andlife-saving equipment.

    The tax revenue can also fund wildland firefighting equipment and protective gear,

    be used to purchase and maintain brush trucks and wildland fire engines and water

    tenders, and maintain and enhance the Departments radios, pagers, and radio repeater

    sites to ensure reliable and rapid communications over a two thousand square mile

    response area.

    Q: How h th Tx?a: The tax is a one quarter of one percent(0.25%) gross receipts tax imposedon all non-medical andnon-fooditems purchasedin the unincorporatedareas of SantaFe County.

    This equates to 25cents on a one hundreddollar purchase.

    Q: Who w th tx?a: The tax is only leviedon the unincorporatedareas of Santa Fe County.Incorporatedareas of the County such as the City of SantaFe and Town of Edgewoodwill nothave the

    tax levy.

    Q: do oth cont h F potton ex Tx?a: The tax has been enactedin twenty other counties in the State of New Mexico.

    Q: How h w th tx gnt n th n kt n snt F cont?a: Itis estimatedthat the tax will generate $1.24million annually to helpfundthecritical needs of the County Fire Department.All of the revenue fromthe tax is retained

    locally.

    Q: How o snt F cont ntf dtnt n?a: The fire departmentuses a five year planning process to identify apparatus andequipmentin needof replacement.The 2010-2014Plan was approvedby the Board of

    County Commissioners andis linkedon the departments website.

    COUNTy fIRE PROTECTION EXCISE TAX 2012

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