Incumbent, New Mexico State Senate
District 39
Democrat
Liz Stefanics
Climate Science-Based Policy
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Do you agree with climate scientists that we are facing a climate emergency?
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Yes
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Do you agree with climate scientists that the brunt of the impacts we face due to climate change will be put on those who contributed the least emissions? (The global South, Indigenous, and low-income communities)
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Yes
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Do you agree with climate scientists that greenhouse gas emissions must be reversed within 6 years in order to achieve carbon neutrality in time to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees and to avoid catastrophic runaway climate disruption?https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ - IPCC Report
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Yes
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If elected, what specific policies will you initiate in your first year of service to begin transitioning our state economy from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy within the timeframe set by the world's leading scientist?
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Continue to work on renewable energy, water, energy storage, etc
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Community Engagement Questions
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What are the current needs or issues you see across the state, city, or county and how do you plan on addressing those issues if you are elected?
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Clean water - old infrastructure with lead and asbestos
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What is your vision of the ideal relationship between communities and environmental/climate justice?
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Voluntary actions by communities to protect the environment for the future
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What role do you believe communities actively play in policy development? Especially when addressing issues that have been inherited and faced for generations?
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Communities can bring attention to the issues and hopeully recommendations
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What changes will you propose so that community driven solutions have equitable influence over policy-making, and are valued as much if not more than private profit driven solutions?
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It is up to communities to convince lawmakers to enact certain policies
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How do you plan on engaging communities and youth in policy development or proposals?
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I am always happy to meet with groups in advance of the legislative session for a meaningful discussion. During the session we are reduced to a few minutes.
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Describe your previous experience working on social/health/environmental justice issues, do you have experience working with impacted communities to co-develop solutions? How will you use this experience to tackle the climate crisis?
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Background in teaching Resource Management at university level and practical experience working in Health and Human Services. All are related
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A Just Transition
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What connections do you believe exist between our state/local economy and budget and environmental and climate impacts? How will you work to ensure that the state/local budget fosters economic, environmental, and climate justice?
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State budget is a living policy document that should reflect future goals
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How do you see the role of oil and gas corporations in New Mexico’s future as a result of the climate crisis?
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Adapting to environmental standards - right now we cannot financially eliminate them so enforcing environmental standards
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Define environmental racism in your own words and provide an example in NM.
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Various races excluded from decision making about what impacts them directly - clear example are the Downwinders without coverage for all of the health issues
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How will you be playing a role in a just transition away from fossil fuels for NM?
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Renewables and energy storage
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Do you believe climate action is an issue of intergenerational justice? What is the responsibility of your generation to the youth and future generations if elected? Explain.
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I need to protect the future for next generations. I also need to acknowledge youth in my listening
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How can pollution and contamination impact our youth and communities?
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First - personal health issues then family heath issues then community health issues. Of course, death and procreation would be affected
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How will you include Traditional Land Based Knowledge when developing policy?
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I have been open to amending or voting for bills to include language that recognizes tribal consultation or specific requests.
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If elected, will you support investing some of the money from oil and gas revenues to fund A) dedicated resources for a Just Transition Study to model alternative economic pathways for our state including oil and gas revenue replacement and phase-down B) create a just transition fund to invest in community-driven climate planning for local economies to divest from harmful industries and build alternative economic visions and investments that effectively contribute to climate mitigation and community health? Explain.
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Yes - this might be a better path than the Green Amendment which people fear as a means to litigation. The ideas above are proactive rather than reactive.
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Name specific alternative sources for state/local revenue that you'd pursue and propose if elected
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Renewable energy; outdoor recreation; arts and culture - but we need something else
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Do you support the development of Hydrogen energy, nuclear energy, and/or carbon capture and sequestration in NM? Why or Why Not?
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Not a yes or no answer - green hydrogen would be the goal but not sure if attainable with water sources. Carbon capture and sequestration are necessary for environmental standards. Would need to study nuclear energy further.
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Do you support community ownership of energy where Cities/Counties/Indigenous Nations are able to own, produce, and sell electricity to residents and keep energy dollars local?
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Yes
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What do you believe is the fossil fuel industry/utility’s responsibility for cleanup and how as an elected official in the public office for which you are running do you plan to hold industry accountable for pollution and cleanup?
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The most recent fine for oil and gas company in the Permian basin is the route - both federal and state.
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Do you support the State Land Office’s moratorium/prohibition on new oil and gas leasing on state trust lands within one mile of schools or other educational facilities?https://www.nmstatelands.org/2023/06/01/commissioner-garcia-richard-bans-new-oil-and-gas-leasing-within-one-mile-of-schools/ | Would you support legislation to create a public health buffer zone prohibiting oil and gas drilling within one mile of schools on ALL NM lands?
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Yes
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Have you accepted any donations from fossil fuel companies or utilities?
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Yes
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Can you commit to not accepting donations or funds from fossil fuel companies if you are elected?
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No
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What are your ideas to loosen the grip of industry on the state legislature and strengthen our democracy?
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The industry provides the majority of the state budget but ultimately, the Democrats are not very supportive of the industry.
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