State of New Mexico secondary Archives: on Environment
Allen Weh:
Balance between conservation and welfare of human beings
New Mexico has some of the most beautiful land in the entire country. While we absolutely need to preserve and protect this land, we are obligated to find a responsible balance between necessary conservation efforts and the welfare of human beings
struggling to make a living in a state that is largely rural.While most Dona Ana County residents support an Organ Mountains National Monument, most did not agree with our two senators on skirting the legislative process with an executive order.
In a recent poll they favored legislation that focused on protecting the Organ Mountains proper by 73 to 18 percent, and rejected the idea of restrictions being placed on an additional 700 square miles of land throughout the county, as proposed in
Udall's bill. This bill was considered the model for Obama's executive order.
The federal government needs less control of less land, not more. This is federal government overreach at its worst.
Source: 2014 New Mexico Senate campaign website, AllenWeh.com
Sep 1, 2014
Bill Richardson:
Expand and create new state parks
As we expand our economy, we must always remember that the great natural beauty of New Mexico, the pristine gift of our land and sky is who we are-loving and protecting our land, air, and water pervades every aspect of what it means to be a New Mexican.
We are expanding and creating new state parks, because there is no greater responsibility given to government than the preservation of our environment-our way of life. I will never shirk from that responsibility.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
Bill Richardson:
Develop a comprehensive water management plan
Water remains the key to our future - and committing the resources to use it more wisely, stretch it farther and conserve it better is a critical priority. We have $2.7 billion of community water and wastewater needs to be met between now and 2007. We
must commit the resources & put a funding plan in place to address those needs. I want every water system to develop a comprehensive water management plan, and when possible, work with other communities to develop regional systems that combine resources.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
Bob Walsh:
Fight EPA regulatory over-reach
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?
A: Strongly support
Source: OnTheIssues interview for 2020 New Mexico race
May 1, 2020
Gary Johnson:
EPA has an important role to play
Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)?Martin Heinrich (D): No. EPA needed to protect health & well-being, & move to clean energy economy.
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear. Believes that the EPA has an important role to play.<
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Gary King:
More recycling; more water & wildlife conservation
Hatch indicated he supports the following principles concerning New Mexico's environment.- Provide funding for recycling programs in New Mexico.
- Request flexibility from the federal government in enforcing and funding federal environmental
regulations.
- Maintain minimum environmental quality as mandated by current federal regulations.
- Create a state task force to focus on the planning of water conservation and use in New Mexico.
-
Q: Do you support expanded hours of operation of hazardous waste recycling centers in New Mexico?
A: Yes. - Q: Do you support the 1995 amendment to New Mexico's Wildlife Conservation Act, which excludes some species formerly covered by the Act?
A: No. - Q: Should mining operations which are smaller than 25 acres and do not use chemical processing be exempt from New Mexico's mining laws?
A: No.
Source: New Mexico Governor 1996 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1996
Gary King:
Promote New Mexico tourism: 'Stay another day'
King said, "When my dad was governor, he had a project with tourism department called 'Stay another day.' They really worked hard to figure out what would cause tourists to stay another day in New Mexico. They had information when (tourists) went to
Carlsbad Caverns about cooling off in the mountains at Ruidoso or Cloudcroft and encouraged people to extend their trips and make sure they spent a little more of their vacation money in New Mexico."
Source: Ruidoso News on 2014 New Mexico governor race
Jul 31, 2014
Joe Cervantes:
Open space preservation & comprehensive water management
Q: Do you support state funding for open space preservation?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding for the
development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
A: Yes.
Q: Please explain your top two or three priorities if elected.
A: - Adoption of comprehensive water management, conservation and adjudication policies.
- Reform of public education including
revisions to school calendar, and learning methods.
- Reevaluation and elimination of non-productive tax credits and incentives to select businesses.
Source: New Mexico 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Joe Cervantes:
Invest in healthy soil program to improve health & yield
HB204: House Bill 204 appropriates $5.15 million from the general fund to New Mexico State University to create a healthy soil program.Summary by Conservation Voters New Mexico: HB 204 creates a healthy soil program within the
Department of Agriculture which would promote and support farming and ranching systems and other forms of land management that increase soil organic matter, carbon content, aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention to improve
the health, and yield and profitability of the soils of the state.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 48-6-16 on Mar/6/2019; Passed Senate 34-0-8 on Mar/9/19; State Sen. Joe Cervantes voted YES; Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Apr/2/2019
Source: Conservation Voters N.M. on New Mexico voting record HB204
Mar 9, 2019
Mark Ronchetti:
Oppose environmental extremism; it crushes middle class
I oppose the Green New Deal and environmentalist extremism. While the atmosphere is warming and there are steps we can take to protect our environment, we can't restrict our economy when countries like China and India continue unrestricted pollution.
The financial burden would crush our middle and lower class. The purpose of the GND isn't about the environment, it is a complete restructuring of the economy with free college, guaranteed income and universal healthcare.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
Mark Ronchetti:
The Green New Deal is about socialism
I strongly oppose the GND--it's not serious legislation. With $93-trillion price-tag, it will crush our economy. The purpose of the GND isn't about the environment,
it's a complete restructuring of our economy that guarantees income for those who choose not to work.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
Martin Heinrich:
EPA needed to protect health & well-being
Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)?Martin Heinrich (D): No. EPA needed to protect health & well-being, & move to clean energy economy.
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear. Believes that the EPA has an important role to play.<
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Melanie Stansbury:
Invest in healthy soil program to improve health & yield
HB204: House Bill 204 appropriates $5.15 million from the general fund to New Mexico State University to create a healthy soil program.Summary by Conservation Voters New Mexico: HB 204 creates a healthy soil program within the
Department of Agriculture which would promote and support farming and ranching systems and other forms of land management that increase soil organic matter, carbon content, aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention to improve
the health, and yield and profitability of the soils of the state.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 48-6-16 on Mar/6/2019; State Rep. Melanie Stansbury sponsored bill and voted YES; Passed Senate 34-0-8 on Mar/9/19; Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Apr/2/2019
Source: Conservation Voters N.M. on New Mexico voting record HB204
Mar 6, 2019
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
State recovered over $1 million from corporate polluters
Last year, we gave $75,000 to the state Office of Natural Resources Trustee, which was underfunded and indeed forgotten about for many, many years. In return, that small state office has already recovered more than a million dollars from corporations
responsible for harming New Mexico communities and our environment, a 15-fold return on investment. And, with the help of tribal partners, those dollars will be going straight into communities that have suffered from contamination and pollution.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Invest in healthy soil program to improve health & yield
HB204: House Bill 204 appropriates $5.15 million from the general fund to New Mexico State University to create a healthy soil program.Summary by Conservation Voters New Mexico: HB 204 creates a healthy soil program within the
Department of Agriculture which would promote and support farming and ranching systems and other forms of land management that increase soil organic matter, carbon content, aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention to improve
the health, and yield and profitability of the soils of the state.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 48-6-16 on Mar/6/2019; Passed Senate 34-0-8 on Mar/9/19; Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Apr/2/2019
Source: Conservation Voters N.M. on New Mexico voting record HB204
Apr 2, 2019
Mick Rich:
Protects environment with sustainable construction
New Mexico's natural beauty is one of its top draws for both residents and tourists. But as with many things of beauty, our natural environment is fragile.
Not surprisingly, New Mexico is among America's leading states in awareness and practice of sustainable construction and landscaping. The demands of sustainable construction are great, but so are the rewards.
Source: 2018 New Mexico campaign website MickRichForSenate.com
Jan 1, 2017
Mick Rich:
Wants commercial use of natural resources on federal lands
Announcing his federal campaign filing Tuesday, Rich emphasized his support for the commercial development of natural resources on federal lands as a way to boost New Mexico's economy. He criticized Heinrich's vote against the confirmation of Energy
Secretary Rick Perry as a liability for New Mexico in efforts to ensure funding for national nuclear weapons laboratories overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy, and vowed to be a better broker for New Mexico interests with the federal government.
Source: US News & World Report on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Apr 19, 2017
Mick Rich:
Cost-benefit analyses for environmental improvement projects
Q: What do you see as the major environmental challenge facing our country and how would you address it?A: Policy ideas to solve our environmental challenges should be based on analysis of all direct and indirect impacts to the environment. Example:
Is the Gulf of Mexico algae bloom an indirect result of increased Midwest corn production to produce ethanol? The government performs cost benefit ratios for almost every project; it should do the same for environmental improvement projects.
Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 9, 2018
Mick Rich:
Environment is fragile, but businesses are overregulated
Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)?Martin Heinrich (D): No. EPA needed to protect health & well-being, & move to clean energy economy.
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear. Believes that the EPA has an important role to play.<
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Rebecca Dow:
Invest in healthy soil program to improve health & yield
HB204: House Bill 204 appropriates $5.15 million from the general fund to New Mexico State University to create a healthy soil program.Summary by Conservation Voters New Mexico:
HB 204 creates a healthy soil program within the Department of Agriculture which would promote and support farming and ranching systems and other forms of land management that increase soil organic matter, carbon content,
aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention to improve the health, and yield and profitability of the soils of the state.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House 48-6-16 on Mar/6/2019; State Rep. Rebecca Dow voted YES; Passed Senate 34-0-8 on Mar/9/19; Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Apr/2/2019
Source: Conservation Voters N.M. on New Mexico voting record HB204
Mar 6, 2019
Steve Pearce:
Burdensome regulations kill jobs, like logging industry
Heavy taxes and burdensome regulations have killed jobs across America. Regulatory balance is needed--commonsense solutions that do not cost a single job.
I have introduced legislation to restore jobs in New Mexico's logging industry, where reckless regulation crippled a once-flourishing economy. With careful laws like this one, we can restore jobs to New Mexico.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial website pearce.house.gov
Aug 22, 2017
Susana Martinez:
$3.3M in fines from those who break environmental rules
I recently visited General Mills as well, which just finished a $100 million expansion, creating 60 new and permanent jobs, all while achieving the highest levels of environmental standards. I said last year that I believe we can support the growth of
businesses and protect the environment. We are going to help those who play by the rules and punish those who do not.When Intel needed an air quality permit, we held them to high standards.
And when they met those standards, we got them their permit in less than four months--quicker than ever before. But when corporations broke our environmental laws, when they tried to sidestep our safeguards, we went after them, collecting over
$3.3 million in fines from utility, energy, and oil and gas companies. With sensible, predictable regulations we can grow our economy and protect our environment. We can and we must do both.
Source: 2012 New Mexico State of the State Address
Jan 17, 2012
Tom Udall:
A founder of bipartisan International Conservation Caucus
Tom has fought to enforce landmark environmental laws like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Protection Act.
He's supported protection of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and a strong and healthy National Park System all across the country. He is also a founder of the bipartisan International Conservation Caucus.
Source: 2021 New Mexico Senate campaign website TomUdall.com
Jul 28, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023