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Issues
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
New Mexico’s greatest asset is our children, but we don’t give them a reason to stick around. Trust lands lie in the path of progress and have new potential for residential, commercial, and industrial development – and that means jobs for New Mexicans. I will be aggressive in my efforts to create opportunities for existing businesses to expand, and new businesses to find a home on state trust lands.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
New Mexico is one of the sunniest and windiest places on Earth and that is good news for education. With nine million acres of surface estate owned by the trust, the Land Office plays a pivotal role in the development of clean renewable energy supplies.
The Land Office has leased, optioned for lease, or accepted applications to lease, nearly 600,000 acres for wind, solar, and biomass power plant production. One of the biggest constraints is the capacity of the transmission grid to move that energy to homes, schools and businesses. As your land commissioner, I will work with existing lessees, community leaders, and local, state, and federal governments to identify and recognize transmission corridors that will deliver clean electricity to consumers.
NATURAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
The extractive industries generate 95 percent of revenues earned by the Land Office. Oil production on trust lands equates to 38 percent of total state production; natural gas production, 18 percent. The Land Office owns 13 million acres of mineral rights, yet only three million are leased for energy production. I will encourage more exploration and development in the frontier areas, I will schedule quarterly oil and gas committee meetings to address policies and concerns, and I will implement a cost-share surface reclamation program.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The Constitution tells us that the Commissioner of Public Lands “shall have the direction, control, care and disposition of all public (trust) lands.” However, I feel it is in the best interest of the trust to partner with elected officials, community and business leaders, the industries with which we do business, as well as many peers, who influence and impact the Land Office’s mission to generate revenue for 89 public school districts and seven universities.
OPEN DOOR POLICY
As your Commissioner of Public Lands, my open-door policy will ensure that all interests are represented when making decisions that affect our efforts to maximize revenues for public education.
ACCESS TO TRUST LANDS
The Land Office operates pursuant to a multiple land use concept. It is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Public Lands to sell such rights in the land to generate revenues for education. As an avid sportsman, rancher, and businessman, I have an acute understanding of each of these constituents’ land use needs which I will bring with me to the Land Office.