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Kathy McCoy (i), Republican
Kathy McCoy
The Job of State House of Representatives: Districts 22
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 22 state representative
Name: Kathy McCoy (i), Republican
Age: 58
Campaign Web site address: www.repkathymccoy.com
Occupation: Retired
Family: Husband, David J. Holcomb; daughter: Heather, and husband, Steve Walls; grandchildren: Morgan and Owen
Education: Bachelor's from the University of New Mexico
Please list the experience you think would make you a good state representative.
Twelve years working in the East Mountain community regarding land use and water issues.
Four years in the New Mexico state Legislature, two as a state representative
A hard-earned recognition that there is rarely a right or wrong solution to issues - usually the answer is somewhere in between.
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?
Used to make a pretty good peach pie (some of us consider this a meal), but cooking is a distant memory since I was elected.
Last book you read: "Until I Find You" by John Irving.
What was your biggest mistake in life and what lesson did you learn?
I should've learned to drive before I wrecked my father's car. I learned that my father was extremely forgiving.
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 believe that a minimum wage, whatever it is, should be set at the federal level rather than at the state level. Don't think patchwork solutions (across the states) work.
The Legislature in 2007 will consider some ethics reforms. What one change would you make to improve ethics in our state government.
More detail and real-time reporting of campaign reports.
Would you vote to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico?
No.
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?
Uncertain.
What more should New Mexico do in response to drought?
Adjudicate water rights so we have a definitive idea of how much there is and who owns it. This will enable us to plan for the future. Eliminate the "use it or lose it" laws.
What can be done to improve the state's public schools?
More academic discipline (no free passes). Push for more parental involvement. Reduce administrative costs and put them in the classroom. Put our strongest efforts into the youngest students. Build "neighborhood" schools, not super-sized structures where kids get lost in the shuffle.
Is the current system for allocating the state's capital improvement money working? Why or why not? What specifically would you change?
Not working. When we learn that capital funds are going to parties, obviously we need more oversight. We also need a more equitable and inclusive way of allocating funds to various districts that serves both state and local needs.
Should the state build another prison to deal with the increasing inmate population?
Perhaps we should house them in big tents as is done in Arizona.
Would you support an increase in lawmaker per diem or a salaried legislature?
We are "citizen" legislators and knew when we were elected that this was an unpaid position. Instead of a salary, it would be much more helpful to have a paid staffer and possibly shared office space in our districts. Our paperwork can be incredibly heavy, and we have no place to meet constituents or other contacts when we're out of session.
What is the greatest need in your district?
Infrastructure.
How long have you lived in your district?
Fourteen years.
