Micaela Lara Cadena

Affordability and taxes: Many New Mexicans are struggling with the cost of housing, food, utilities and other necessities at a time when the state is collecting historically strong revenues. What changes to taxes, spending or state programs would you support to make New Mexico more affordable for working families?

As the Vice-Chair of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee, I’m proud that we have: lowered the state gross receipt tax for the first time in 40 years; expanded and increased the Working Families Tax Credit; increased and indexed, to inflation, the Low Income Comprehensive Tax Rebate; created a new state Child Tax Credit; and, exempted most seniors from paying taxes on Social Security benefits. We have made great strides in building a tax system that is fair and progressive. And together, we have more to do.

Crime and public safety: What changes should the Legislature make to address violent crime, repeat offenders and drug-related crime, and how should the state balance tougher enforcement with prevention, treatment and rehabilitation?

We must respond to this crisis. Addiction is a disease and people deserve access to the healthcare they need. Accountability and care are not mutually exclusive and I do not believe tougher enforcement is the way forward.

Education: New Mexico has substantially increased spending on public education but continues to struggle with student achievement. What should the state do differently, and what measures would you use to determine whether those policies are succeeding?

It’s been time that New Mexico comes into compliance with the New Mexico Supreme Court’s 2018 Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico decision. The Court found that the constitutional rights of New Mexico students were being violated, particularly American Indians, English language-learners, low-income students, and students with disabilities.

Closing in on a decade since this decision was first made, the State must address these educational inequities and make certain that all students receive the necessary support and resources to thrive as they should. We must trust New Mexico Nations, Tribes, and Pueblos. We must trust New Mexico educators. We must trust New Mexico families.

Water, energy and growth: Doña Ana County is pursuing significant economic development while facing long-term concerns about water availability, energy demand and infrastructure. What requirements or limits should the state place on large developments, including data centers, to ensure economic growth does not shift environmental or infrastructure costs to residents?

Water is life. In the Mesilla Valley, water is not just a resource, it is a relationship that we’ve been negotiating for generations. Should I have the honor to return to the Roundhouse, I will be introducing a ban on hyperscale data center development in New Mexico. As a compromise, I will also be shaping a moratorium, or pause, on these developments so that New Mexicans have room to put appropriate protections and parameters in place. Serving on the House Agriculture, Acequias, and Water Resources Committee, it is vital to have someone who understands this place and carries our values to advocate for southern New Mexico families in the Roundhouse.

The Bulletin asked each Dona Ana County candidate four questions to allow voters to assess where the candidates stands on important issues heading into the election. The questions vary for each office, but are the same for every candidate running for the same office.

We attempted to wait to publish until we heard from all candidates for a race, but in this race, we have not received a response from Kiki Vigil, the Republican candidate for House District 33. If we can get a response from his campaign this week, we will run his answers in the Oct. 30 edition of the Bulletin.