New Mexico News
| STATE SENATE DISTRICT 13 CANDIDATE Q&As |
| Posted by () on May 21 2008 at 4:54 PM |
Dede Feldman
POLITICAL PARTY: Democrat
PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
AGE: 61
EDUCATION: B.A. political science, University of Pennsylvania, 1968; M.A. political science, University of Pennsylvania, 1969.
OCCUPATION: Public relations consultant, 1985-present; adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico and the University of Albuquerque, 1981-1994; journalist, 1975-1982; high school teacher, 1970-1975
FAMILY: Husband Mark, one daughter
POLITICAL/GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: New Mexico Senate, 1997-Present
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Earning one of the highest national awards (Silver Anvil Award of Merit) for public relations campaigns in 2000
MAJOR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT: Taking 10 high school students on a work camp to Idi Amin's Uganda to build classrooms
1. What issues would you want to work on most as a member of the Legislature? I want to continue working for affordable, accessible health care for all, ethics and campaign finance reform, water and energy conservation and consumer protection
2. Would you support or oppose a state law creating domestic partnerships that would give heterosexual and homosexual couples the same rights and benefits as married couples? Support. This builds on America's tradition of advancing civil rights and erasing inequities. Many rights are now denied to longstanding domestic partners— the right to visit a sick spouse, make medical decisions, receive benefits, inheritances.
3. Would you support or oppose giving the state engineer authority over the drilling of deep wells for brackish water? Support. The state must have control of the straws that are stuck into the aquifer to suck out scarce groundwater water. We must guard against the impairment of other water rights and prevent pollution.
4. Would you support or oppose opening legislative conference committee meetings to the public? I have supported and sponsored this measure several times in spite of opposition from leadership. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.
5. Would you support or oppose civil penalties for government officials who violate the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act? Support— as long as the penalties were applied only to deliberate cover-ups and stonewalling, not inadvertent errors.
6. How can state government expand health care coverage to uninsured New Mexicans and still adequately fund Medicaid? Medicaid can be reformed to save money with more prevention programs, disease management and bulk purchasing. We must leverage federal Medicaid funds to expand coverage to working New Mexicans through the State Coverage Initiative.
7. Would you support or oppose creation of an independent state ethics commission to oversee the conduct of elected officials, including legislators? Support. I have pushed for this for two years in the Senate and will continue.
8. What does New Mexico need to do to see significant improvement in student test scores and graduation rates? Basically, the assessment model (No Child Left Behind) is flawed. We need accountability but not constant testing. For more graduates, we need parental involvement, and alternatives for different learning styles.
9. What should New Mexico do to deal with the problem of repeat DWI offenders? We have increased the penalties in the Legislature, now we need a better combination of more effective treatment programs, strict enforcement of existing laws, and better judicial management of DWI cases.
10. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens? No.
11. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding? No.
12. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? No.
13. What do you consider the top priorities and projects for the constituents of your district? More affordable, accessible health care, lower property taxes, preservation of the unique character of the area (the bosque, ditches and river), and better schools with well-paid teachers and staff.
Carlos Cordova
Attempts to reach Cordova during the past month have been unsuccessful.
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