RELATED STORIES

• 2006 Voter Guide
• William "Bill" R. Rehm (i), Republican

More Local Politics

• Red lights, cameras, action: Albuquerque program back on, but so is feud
• New Mexico hopefuls for U.S. Senate tout experience at debate
• Reports: Personal funds help some New Mexico congressional candidates

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Albuquerque Old Town
• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

Candidate for District 31 state representative

Name: Barbara Scharf, Democrat

Age: 58

Campaign Web site address: None

Occupation: Currently, homemaker. Previously, director of public relations and volunteer services, New Mexico State Hospital, Las Vegas, N.M., 1978-1983; wellness director, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Albuquerque, 1984-1994

Family: Married with four children and three grandchildren

Education: Sandia High School, graduated 1969; University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., bachelor's of arts, cum laude. Major: English literature; minor: philosophy. Post graduate work: University of New Mexico, 1975-1976, English literature

Please list the experience you think would make you a good state representative.

My education in English literature and philosophy helped me develop critical thinking skills essential in evaluating legislation. I worked for the New Mexico State Hospital and learned how state government functions. Ten years at Ethicon Endo-Surgery taught me about business decisions and the economic struggles of the hourly wage earner. My volunteer work in the community engaged me with the needs not only in my district but in Albuquerque, which impacts the people in District 31.

Have you ever been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor?

I have never been arrested or charged with a felony.

What's the best meal you can make from scratch?

The best meal I cook from scratch is a chicken pasta dish.

Last book you read:

I just read "Conservatives without Conscience" by John W. Dean

What was your biggest mistake in life and what lesson did you learn?

The biggest mistake I made in the political arena was not becoming a candidate for state representative in District 31 sooner. I have learned that if I want to make a difference, I have to commit myself to the task.

A recent report by the Fiscal Policy Institute found that states with a minimum wage above $5.15 have had faster job growth in the small business and retail trade sector than states with the federal minimum wage. Given that, would you support a statewide minimum wage of $7.50 Why or why not?

I would support raising the minimum wage to $7.50 although I believe it should be higher.

The Legislature in 2007 will consider some ethics reforms. What one change would you make to improve ethics in our state government.

I would support more direct oversight of each department.

Would you vote to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico?

I oppose state-sponsored execution, so I would vote to repeal the death penalty.

Would you support and fund a way for the Legislature to keep better tabs on public building projects?

I would support and fund a way for the Legislature to keep better tabs on public building projects. There is so much need in New Mexico, we cannot afford to waste money on inefficiency or on a project that may reap little benefit.

Would you support a measure that would allow chronically ill patients to use marijuana?

I believe a law should be passed allowing the health caregiver to prescribe marijuana if he or she believes, based on current studies, that its use would relieve the patient's pain and suffering.

What more should New Mexico do in response to drought?

We should promote water saving devices such as re-circulating hot water and continue to support efficient low flow toilets, drought-resistant plants and a monitored watering schedule. We also need to look at ways to pipe more water into the state, make better use of the water we have such as treating used bath, laundry and dishwater.

What can be done to improve the state's public schools?

We need to pay our teachers better salaries so we can recruit highly qualified people into the profession and retain the teachers we have. We need smaller class sizes. We also need qualified nurses, counselors and educational assistants to address student problems, such as, stress at home, health problems due to lack of proper medical care (the parents can't afford health insurance) in some instances hunger and malnourishment.

The schools in this state are trying to address these issues, but the Legislature needs to take a three-pronged approach to better fund schools, promote health care reform and give businesses incentives to pay higher wages.

Is the current system for allocating the state's capital improvement money working? Why or why not? What specifically would you change?

I do not have enough information on allocating the state's capital improvement money to give you an intelligent and thoughtful answer.

Should the state build another prison to deal with the increasing inmate population?

Building more jails has not solved the crime problem. I think we need alternative plans for non-violent offenders such as mandatory drug and alcohol treatment, placing the mentally ill in a treatment facility instead of in a cell and more mentoring of at risk teens and young adults so they can find an option to joining a gang or robbing a bank.

Would you support an increase in lawmaker per diem or a salaried Legislature?

I would want to study the proposal of a salaried Legislature, carefully, to learn how this money would be allocated.

What is the greatest need in your district?

The greatest need in District 31 is help for working families, i.e. health care reform and improved wages.

How long have you lived in your district?

I have lived in District 31 since August of 1997