Solutions for New Mexico

Families in House District 45 are investing their future in New Mexico and we must invest in them. Linda has worked with diverse communities to improve wages and working conditions for our families. She advocated for wage increases that resulted in raises for more than 8 million workers in 6 states and Washington DC that garnered support from a bipartisan group of legislators and small businesses.

Linda strongly believes that all New Mexicans deserve:

• Statewide Living Wage – New Mexico has one of the highest rates of working poor: hard working people that still live in poverty. By establishing a statewide living wage our families will have a real chance to step out of poverty.
• Paid Sick Leave – Today, thousands of workers will go to work sick, exposing our communities to unnecessarily to illness. For the sake of all of our community all workers deserve time to get better.
• Paid Family Leave – Family is the foundation of our New Mexican families yet too many New Mexicans must choose between their livelihood and caring for their families when they most need it. It’s time our policies reflect our values and our families have paid leave.
• Fair Scheduling – Our families are investing their futures in New Mexico and they should have an opportunity to build that future without inconsistent schedules which make it impossible for some workers to go to school or care or their families.
• Empowered Unions – We’re seeing county by county attacks on unions and we must protect unions at the state level because unionized states consistently have better pay and benefits for their workforce. And New Mexicans deserve it.
• Statewide Broadband – If we’re serious about attracting 21st century businesses to New Mexico, we must invest in the infrastructure necessary to enable these companies to expand in our state and build our future.

Linda is proudly raising her family in New Mexico. Her daughter was born up the road at St. Vincent’s and experienced the welcoming environment we foster for new families. But there is so much more we can do to ensure our families thrive and to give our children the best future. Our children are strong, smart, and ready to be taught. They deserve every opportunity to succeed.

• Utilize Capital Outlay – We must invest in local programs that give our young adults the opportunity to learn about their abilities and plan their futures. Our children are smart and capable and deserve outlets where they can be kids.
• Early Childhood Education – We must invest in programs that support new families as they navigate the first years and expand early childhood education programs for our children’s futures’ and safety.
• Taking Responsibility for Our Youth – Our children should rely on us to keep them safe. As the Trump administration attacks healthcare and programs that offer healthcare and food security, our state must take up the mantle to protect our children and increase our investment in their well being.

In New Mexico, we value family and our veterans. Our families are multi-generational and we are blessed when we can always return to our parents homes and our abuelos’ values. While our veterans have served our nation. These folks are important to our community and remain integral to our families success. Our veterans have stood for our nation. Our seniors have been there for us. It’s time we stand for them.

• End the Social Security Tax and Veterans’ Benefits – We must change the tax code to end the unfair taxes on our seniors and veterans. New Mexico has the second-highest taxation on social security benefits in the nation. Our seniors should not be paying for our state’s well being.
• Lower Prescription Drug Costs – Whether it’s seniors accessing their monthly drugs or children that need insulin to survive, we must fight to ensure all families can afford the healthcare they need for their well-being.
• Governor’s Senior Trust Fund – All seniors deserve to have access to resources that help them thrive whether they live in Park Plazas or La Cienega. We must make sure that our seniors can live well, without physical abuse or monetary scams.

All New Mexicans deserve to affordable, accessible, and universal healthcare. And while we wait for national solutions, we can take action right here.

• COVID-19 preparedness – Today’s pandemic is unlike anything we could have predicted just six months ago. New Mexico has taken the right steps and is covering all uninsured New Mexicans who get this terrible virus in our High Risk Pool. Still, this pandemic revealed the structural deficiencies in our society. We must do more to make sure all New Mexicans always have access to affordable, quality healthcare; paid sick leave; and paid family leave so we are keeping our entire community safe and healthy throughout the year.
• Expand Rural Hospitals – Under the previous governor, many rural health care providers shut their doors forcing New Mexicans to drive hours to their providers. We need to continue to ensure we all can access health care.
• Lower Prescription Drug Costs – Whether it’s seniors accessing their monthly drugs or children that need insulin to survive, we must fight to ensure all families can afford the healthcare they need for their well-being.
• Medicaid Buy-In Program – New Mexico can begin by offering a Medicaid Buy-In Program. Our state has one of the highest rates of working poor. While, many children are covered by national programs, too many parents and other children fall outside of those programs. A Medicaid Buy In program would enable New Mexicans to opt in to affordable health care.
• Convene Roundtable on Medicare for All – We need to seriously review medicare for all options within New Mexico and understand fully the impact of a state-based program.

New Mexico House District 45 is special. We are filled with the working families and community building seniors that make Santa Fe incredible. We need to continue to welcome all community members and continue to build our community however we can.

• Equal Rights – Let me be clear. There are certain universal truths: women have a right to make decisions regarding their body without government interference. Love is love and we should all be able to marry who we love. Our trans brothers and sisters should live freely and not in fear. Immigrants make our nation great. I will fight for these truths in all of my work.
• Smart Gun Laws – We deserve smart gun laws that put New Mexican families first. We all deserve to feel safe to worship, learn and play in our community. Smart gun laws like those that regulate semi-automatic weapons or require safe storage of weapons, protect our families while ensuring our rights to hunt and own a gun. We can prioritize and protect our families and preserve our heritage.
• Prioritize Transit – House District 45 community members are active throughout the city and we must ensure that New Mexico is supporting efforts to expand transit for our locals that live in the community.
• Increase Opportunities Locally – It’s simple we must do more to bring resources closer to our district. Our children shouldn’t have to cross town to find entertainment. Local businesses can expand in our community. And working families should be able to work and find care for their families right here.
• Care for Our Homeless Population – Throughout HD 45 we see the crushing effects of homelessness. We must increase access to mental health facilities and shelter so that our homeless can take steps to ensure that they are safe and increase long-term housing.
• Capital Outlay – We must invest our capital outlay in programs that help our young people explore future possibilities worthy of their dreams and capabilities.