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Gail Chasey (i), Democrat
Gail Chasey
The Job of State House of Representatives: Districts 18
Write state budget and craft laws affecting schools, prison and government agencies. Two-year term. Legislators are given $144 per diem for each day in session, along with mileage reimbursement. (i) denotes incumbent.
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Candidate for District 18 state representative
Name: Gail Chasey (i), Democrat
Age: 62
Campaign Web site address: None
Occupation: Retired educator; second-year law student
Family: Husband, David Norvell; sons, Garrett and Tyler Beam; step-children, Teresa, Felicia and Jack Norvell and Connie Beers.
Education: Master's and doctorate in special education
Please list the experience you think would make you a good state representative.
I have served as state representative for District 18 for 10 years and currently chair the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and serve on House Judiciary and House Rules. During the interim, I co-chair the Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee and serve on the Courts, Corrections and Justice, the Health and Human Services Committees and the Funding Formula Task Force. I've lived in my district for 29 years, and my sons are graduates of the public schools.
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor? If yes, explain. No.
What is the best meal you can cook from scratch?
Grilled salmon (but I don't catch it myself)
Last book you read: "Wait 'til Next Year" by Doris Kearns Goodwin
What was your biggest mistake in life and what lesson did you learn?
I wish I'd spent more time with my children when they were very young - for my sake more than for theirs. I try to put family first now.
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 support a living wage of $7.50 per hour, indexed to inflation, with no pre-emption of local ordinances that may exceed this amount. People deserve the dignity of being able to support their families adequately, and research has shown that small business does not decline because of such laws.
The Legislature in 2007 will consider some ethics reforms. What one change would you make to improve ethics in our state government?
We need uniformity in reporting of expenditures and contributions by all elected officials and lobbyists.
Would you vote to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico?
I support replacing the death penalty with a sentence of life without possibility of parole. I have sponsored this legislation in the past.
Would you support and fund a way for the Legislature to keep better tabs on public building projects?
We need to organize the system electronically to have instant access to amounts requested, amounts needed, past funding, ongoing needs - for legislative and monitoring purposes.
Would you support a measure that would allow chronically ill patients to use marijuana?
Yes.
What more should New Mexico do in response to drought?
Continue to find more ways to conserve water. Assume that drought is our natural state and plan for it. Support the state engineer in administering our water policy.
What can be done to improve the state's public schools?
We have done much to improve the public schools already, and the Funding Formula Task Force is studying our system and level of funding to recommend improvements. If we had the best public schools in the country, we'd need no other economic development incentives.
Is the current system for allocating the state's capital improvement money working? Why or why not? What specifically would you change?
It could be improved. See above.
Should the state build another prison to deal with the increasing inmate population?
No.
Would you support an increase in lawmaker per diem or a salaried Legislature?
I don't believe we need an increase in per diem. We should seriously consider a salaried legislature and staff for legislators, who struggle to do their regular jobs and still respond to constituents.
What is the greatest need in your district?
My district is concerned with quality education, health care for all New Mexicans, and sound environmental policies.
How long have you live in your district: 29 years
