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Candidate for District 60 state representative

Name: Thomas E. Swisstack (i), Democrat

Age: 59

Campaign Web site address: N/A

Occupation: Director of the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center

Family: Engaged

Education: Bachelor's in sociology and psychology; post graduate work in public administration

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

My political and professional experience helps me build effective bipartisan coalitions getting results. Three terms as a Sandoval County Commissioner (1988-94); mayor of Rio Rancho (94-98), state representative (02-06); 16 years with the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center, with eight years currently as the director. All these demand lots of leadership, energy, team building skills, "get results" orientation that does just that. I work hard to solve real problems.

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?

If I had a challenge, it would be cooking. I do windows, bathrooms, iron, clean house and I guess the best meal I can say would be the meal that someone else cooks. But, since the question is cook from scratch, it would be fajitas.

Last book you read: "All Too Human" by George Stephanopoulos

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

I believe that mistakes and setbacks are steps toward finding solutions and answers. My biggest mistake would probably be not having children. This lesson has allowed me to redirect my energies into the Juvenile Justice System, allowing me to work intensely with youth at risk.

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?

While I believe the minimum wage issue needs to be addressed at the federal level, I would support an increase in the statewide minimum wage. I believe that minimum wage increases by individual committees could have a negative impact upon economic growth in those communities where the statewide minimum wage does not exist.

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

The one change I would recommend would be that all legislative committee conference meetings be open to the public.

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

Yes, but only if it was substituted for life imprisonment without parole.

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?

Doctors should be allowed to recommend marijuana for medical purposes to treat their patients, particularly for seriously ill or terminal patients in order to reduce the pain associated with diseases such as cancer, AIDS and glaucoma.

What more should New Mexico do in response to drought?

I believe it is imperative that New Mexico begin to develop a water transportation system. For example, a means by which water can be transported to more populated areas. The Gallup Navajo pipeline should be completed, the Clovis/Portales connection to Ute Lake, the Ruidoso Downs, the Salt Basin (this particular area has a lot of good fresh water). The transportation and infrastructure needed to move water within New Mexico is a critical component to our future. It is also evident that the agricultural water rights will play an important role in New Mexico's future.

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

Increase funding for building additional school for fast growing districts, reduce class sizes, develop multi system approach to education that would include public, private and charter schools.

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

I believe the present system is working. It allows for local communities to work through their legislators for funding on projects that are important to their communities. The present system also allows for resources to be directed to large state projects that benefit a multitude of communities and the state.

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

I believe that the adult prison system needs to be restructured so that resources are provided at the front end for alternatives to incarceration that do not jeopardize communities but allow for structured supervision within the communities. This I believe would free up beds needed for the more violent and at risk inmate population. History has proven that we cannot build our way out of this issue.

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

I would support the development for legislative support staff so that we would have a more efficient and responsive way of interfacing with our constituents. In addition, an increase in per diem would be my choice.

What is the greatest need in your district?

Because of the growth in Rio Rancho, some of the major needs facing our community are roads and additional school buildings.

How long have you lived in your district? Twenty years