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Candidate for District 14 state representative

Name: Miguel P. Garcia (i), Democrat

Age: 55

Campaign Web site: None

Occupation: Educator

Family: The son of José Petronio Garcia (deceased) and Paulita Magdalena Chávez (maiden name). One son, Petronio; one stepdaughter and two stepsons; three brothers and four sisters

Education: Bachelor's degree in secondary education, Spanish and history majors, Eastern New Mexico University, 1973; master's degree in elementary education, Spanish immersion major, University of New Mexico, 1993

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

New Mexico state representative, 1997 to present, serving the District 14 communities of Atrisco, Los Ranchos de Atrisco (Armijo), Barelas, the Country Club and Five Points. Chairman of the House Labor and Human Resources Committee since 2005. Co-chairman of the Legislative Land Grant Interim Committee since 2003. Member of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Members of the Legislative Health and Human Services Interim Committee, the State Permanent Fund Task Force Interim Committee, and the Welfare Reform Oversight Interim Committee. Twenty-three years as a community and civic leader in the South Valley prior to being elected in 1996. In the 2006 session, appointed chief negotiator for the House in seeking compromise with the Senate on minimum wage bill.

Have you ever been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor? If yes, explain.

In 1971, I was arrested for a "sit-in" in the president's office at Eastern New Mexico University. Chicano students were demanding an end to discriminatory hiring practices of Hispanics.

What is the best meal you can cook from scratch? Red chile enchiladas, chile rellenos and calabacitas with diced fresh corn, green chile and onions

Last book you read: "The Sinister Pig" by Tony Hillerman

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

Have made many mistakes in my life and have learned valuable lessons from all those mistakes, but can't say that I have one "big" mistake.

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. A higher minimum wage is the best anti-poverty program. I was co-sponsor of the 2006 bill to raise the state minimum wage to $7.50. Part of the debate by Democrat House members centered on the fact that states that pay a minimum wage above the federal minimum wage of $5.15 have healthier economies and faster job growth.

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

Prohibit elected officials and state, county and municipal employees from being paid lobbyists for the private or public sector.

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

Yes. Life imprisonment without probation or parole is a wiser and less expensive policy than the current death penalty. Our present death penalty is costly to implement. As a state, we are wasting millions of dollars trying to implement the death penalty. We could use these millions to provide child care, health insurance, job training and improved educational opportunities for New Mexicans.

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?

Some New Mexico residents with debilitating diseases and malignant cancers respond negatively to addictive painkillers and prescriptive medication. Medical marijuana has been a godsend for some chronically ill patients, helping to ease some of the pain and discomfort associated with their illness. If New Mexico adopts a medical marijuana policy, it must strictly regulate and control its planting, harvesting and distribution. I could support such a measure with those safeguards.

What more should New Mexico do in response to drought?

Look at condensation efforts of water cultivation for both private and public applications and uses.

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

Opt out of the No Child Left Behind boondoggle. Provide updated and adequate library books. Modernize our old schools. Emphasize bi-literacy from K to 12 using research-proven practices. Provide a $3,000 pay incentive to teachers with a master of arts degree if they teach in a school where 90 percent or more of the students are on a free or reduced lunch program. Recruit more native New Mexicans into the teaching field by providing incentives and tax breaks. Provide competitive salaries to school employees.

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

More attention needs to be given to rural areas that lack basic infrastructure and old communities and neighborhoods in our municipalities, town and counties that have an outmoded infrastructure, or no infrastructure.

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

As a 9-year veteran of the Legislature, I have not been presented with a needs analysis on building another prison. I personally would prefer to see new schools and community centers built rather than country club-style jails or prisons.

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

Having a salaried Legislature would allow for more time and attention in addressing the needs and concerns of our respective districts and constituents. Yes, I am supportive of such initiative.

What is the greatest need in your district?

Health insurance for the uninsured. Continued funding for road improvements, storm drain systems, multipurpose center, gates on ditches, street lights, speed humps, and senior and youth programs. Stomp out drug dealers, crime and slum lords. Traffic safety. And lastly, the need to build the economy so as to provide jobs and livable wages to our New Mexicans.

How long have you lived in the district: 33 years.