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Candidate for District 22 state representative

Name: Janice Saxton, Democrat

Age: 65

Campaign Web site address: www.jsaxton.org

Occupation: Retired software engineer

Family: Husband Jerry Saxton; two grown daughters, Jana and Stefani; one granddaughter, Savannah.

Education: Bachelor's, mathematics and physics, Northwestern State University, Oklahoma; master's in environmental science and computer science, University of Texas at Dallas.

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

I am and have always been a grassroots Democratic party activist. I was a working mother of two daughters so I understand the problems faced by families with two working parents. I am the current president of the Democratic Women of Sandoval County, which I organized in 2005.

My broad background includes the following: I spent my childhood in a small town and on a dairy farm; I paid for all my college expenses by working as a waitress; I had a successful and exciting career as a software engineer; and I have volunteered in the past as a reading tutor, a fire fighter, an income tax preparer and currently volunteer with my church group for Habitat for Humanity.

Have you ever been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor? If yes, explain. No, never.

What is the best meal you can cook from scratch?

Thanksgiving dinner: 20-plus pound turkey stuffed with rice, sausage, onion and walnut dressing; mashed potatoes with giblet gravy; whole-berry cranberry sauce, green beans with mushrooms, spicy corn salad; condiment tray with olives, pickles, pickled okra and carrot sticks followed by pecan pie and sweet potato pie for dessert.

Last book you read:

The last book I read was "The Left Hand of God" by Michael Lerner.

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

My graduate school teaching assistantship was rescinded because I was pregnant with my first child. I could not afford a child at the time and was unable to find work until after our daughter was born. I learned that women were not treated fairly in the work place or in higher education and vowed to work to change that.

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?

Yes, I would support a statewide minimum wage increase to $7.50 an hour. We, as a society, have an obligation to ensure that everyone who works full-time can support themselves and their family with at least the minimal necessities. The current minimum wage falls far short of this goal. The small business and retail trade sector will benefit from a raised minimum wage because their customer base will be broader with more income to spend.

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

I would implement public financing of campaigns with a plan similar to the reforms recommended by Common Cause. Public financing removes the ability of special interests to "buy" an election and enables qualified candidates to run for office without large financial backing or personal fortunes.

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

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

Would you support a measure that would allow chronically ill patients to use marijuana? Yes, if recommended by their physician.

What more should New Mexico do in response to drought?

New Mexico should consider giving the state engineer more discretion in issuing well permits. Water rates should be increased to large users to encourage conservation. Tax credits should be given for xeriscaping. Studies should be funded statewide to determine exactly how serious the water problem is so appropriate action can be taken without arguments over whether or not a water shortage actually exists.

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

Increase funding to reduce class size. Encourage volunteer and parental involvement in mentoring, tutoring, teacher assistants, etc. through publicity and possibly tax incentives. Demand excellence from teachers and then allow them to teach without rigid testing so that they do not constantly teach the students only those materials needed to prepare for tests but rather encourage students to think and learn imaginatively and independently.

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

The current system works because allocations are determined by the representatives elected by the voters to make these decisions. If the voters are dissatisfied with the present system, then changes should be made by the voters in the voting booth.

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

No, more funds should be allocated to rehabilitation, job training and probation for minor non-violent offenses. Imprisoning non-violent offenders reduces the chances of the offender turning their life around and leads to more serious criminal activity.

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

Yes, a small salary or an increase in the per diem would make it possible for more citizens to choose to serve in our state government and would reduce the likelihood of a conflict of interest in dealings with lobbyists.

What is the greatest need in your district?

My district is very diverse and consists of many small communities, each of which has inadequate resources to meet all their needs. Growth is an important issue in my district. The rural/suburban areas are concerned with retaining their rural characteristics while those areas in an urban growth corridor are faced with planning for beneficial growth and limiting sprawl and with providing adequate infrastructure to accommodate future growth. The urban areas in my district are concerned with sprawl and providing services to the rapidly developing areas. Water availability, stressed by growth, is a huge issue in my entire district.

How long have you lived in your district?

I have lived in my district for five years.