2012 Democratic Party Opposition Research File for Janice Arnold-Jones (NM-01)

7/31/2019 2012 Democratic Party Opposition Research File for Janice Arnold-Jones (NM-01)

1/117

Janice Arnold-JonesBudget Issues ...............................................................................................

Business and Consumer Issues .................................................................... Campaign Finance Issues .............................................................................

Choice Issues ............................................................................................... Crime & Public Safety Issues ...................................................................... Economic and Financial Issues ....................................................................

Education Issues .......................................................................................... Energy Issues ...............................................................................................

Environmental Issues ................................................................................... Ethics Issues .................................................................................................

Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea ....................Gay and Lesbian Issues ................................................................................

Gun Issues .................................................................................................... Health Care Issues .......................................................................................

Immigration and Border Issues .................................................................... Israel ............................................................................................................ Labor and Working Family Issues ...............................................................

Other Social Issues ......................................................................................

Senior Issues ................................................................................................ Social Issues .................................................................................................Political Issues .............................................................................................

Tax Issues .................................................................................................... Tea Party ......................................................................................................

Transportation Issues ...................................................................................


2/117

Budget Issues

Business and Consumer Issues

Campaign Finance Issues

Choice Issues

Pro-Life Even in Cases of Rape and Incest

In 2010, Arnold-Jones asked where do you stand on that when its rape, incest, and life of themother? She said Through the years I have thought ok, and I know having dealt with victims ofsexual assault, how difficult this is. But I, over the years have changed my mind about those two

instances. I actually know too many people now who were the product of rape and incest. Thoselives are valuable. And the only exception that I take is, you know there are compelling reasonsfor a woman to not support the birth of a child if especially when there are other childreninvolved. And that is the only exception I take. [Jim Villanucci KKOB-770, 1.21.47, 04/08/10]

Crime & Public Safety Issues

Economic and Financial Issues

Education Issues

Would Cut Department of Education

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones responded to a question about the possible creation of a tourismagency in the US and said she would be willing to cut the Department of Education. Arnold-Jones said, So as you know I am not a fan of expanding government. But I am a fan of cuttingthose parts that you dont need in favor of things that will be productive. And let me give you acouple of examples: the department of education may have outlived its usefulness nationally.And so you may be able to make a trade but the one thing I dont want to do is expand it beyondwhere we are. She added that we were very lucky to get an education before the Departmentof Education was created in 1979. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 3.31, 5/17/12]

Said Arts, Education, and the EPA Should Be Cut

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones said cuts should be made from the arts, the Department of Education,and the EPA. Arnold-Jones said, And so where do we start: You hate to go up and cutanybodys favorite program, some of the arts programs will probably be heavily hit. I do believethat the department of education could be done away with. There are a number of agencies, andlets talk about the EPA. Lets talk about the fact that they are doing or performing functions that


3/117

are performed by many other agencies and it is duplicative, so lets cut there Well they [states]have their environment department and so why are we layering upon layer when we truly needto get the job done it should be done at the state level [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 19.55, 5/17/12]

Energy Issues

Environmental Issues

Ethics Issues

Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea

Gay and Lesbian Issues

Did Not Support Same-Sex Marriage

In 2012, it was reported that Janice Arnold-Jones did not support same-sex marriage. I believethe family is the foundation of a strong America and that marriage between a man and a womanis the best foundation for strong families, her websites issues page said. [New Mexico Telegram,5/9/12]

Said Marriage Between Man and Woman was Best Environment for Raising Children

In 2012, Janice Arnold-Jones said male-female marriages were best for rearing children. Ibelieve the family is the central foundation of a strong America and that marriage between a man

and a woman is the best environment for raising children, Arnold-Jones said.

She said domestic partnerships with living wills and property rights should be recognizedalongside end-of-life decision-making or other catastrophic events that limit an injured personsability to speak for themselves. [Albuquerque Journal, 5/11/12]

Gun Issues

Health Care Issues

Immigration and Border Issues

Said She Would Tighten Security on Mexican Border

In 2012, Janice Arnold Jones said she would push to tighten up security on the Mexican borderand said anyone who came here illegally should not get a free ride to citizenship. [krqe.com, 5/9/12]


4/117

Said Senators Who Chose Not to Use E-Verify Did Not Honor the Constitution

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones was asked for her opinion on Senators who said that E-Verify wasnot effective. Arnold-Jones said, As a federal contractor weve been using E Verify for anumber of years. And all I can tell you is that if master card and Visa can figure out how to work

the databases so can the federal government. E Verify is not perfect but it is really a pretty goodsystem. And to choose not to use it means that they really do not honor our constitution, muchless our economy. So why they get there, I dont know. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 33.27,5/17/12]

Israel

Labor and Working Family Issues

Other Social Issues

Senior Issues

Supported Ryan Budget

In May 2012, when asked which plan she supported on spending and debt, Arnold-Jones said shesupported the Ryan budget. Arnold-Jones said, You know I am a legislator but I like PaulRyans plan. Is it perfect? It is not. But he gets extra Kudos because the man put out a plan.Simpson Bowles I think is a very conservative way to approach our problems. Both plans, in myopinion, do not address the debt quickly enough. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 6.13, 5/17/12]

Said Entitlements Should Be Cut, Not Defense

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones said that we should look at entitlements instead of defense for cuts.Arnold-Jones said, Well actually I am glad you brought up defense. Defense is only 19% of thebudget, the lowest it has been since 1945, which is a remarkable story. And so where we aregoing to have to cut are in that administrative sliver. There are entitlement programs that Iunderstand that the Supreme Court says we cant cut but they wont be there if we dont startfinding another way to approach it. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 19.55, 5/17/12]

Praised Tax Cuts in Ryan Budget Plan

In 2012, Janice Arnold-Jones claimed that she had not read the Ryan budget plan, but praised thetax cuts in the proposal.

Its obvious Congressman Ryan learned from history that tax cuts increase revenue, Arnold-Jones said, citing proposals to lower the corporate tax rate and allow companies to repatriateforeign earnings as good policy. [Albuquerque Journal, 3/24/12]


5/117

Social Issues

Political Issues

Claimed Democrats Wanted to ChangeN

ation and Constitution

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones said that voters should support her because the Democrats runningwanted to change the Constitution and the nation. Arnold-Jones said, Let me remind you weare in the middle of a primary and while I may not have an opponent I need your vote. And youneed to go to the vote centers, we do have vote centers in here in Albuquerque in particular andyou can vote down there anytime, anyplace, any precinct and it is important but its exactly whyyou need to go and vote now. Because the democrats who are running, truly Dave, truly areintent in my opinion on changing our nation and certainly changing our constitution. [JimVillanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 34:01, 5/17/12]

Said She Was an American Individualist

In May 2012, Arnold Jones said she was an individualist. Arnold-Jones said, I think where youare going is the radical democrats truly believe that the government will make a better decisionfor you than you will. As an American I reject that, I am an individualistIts just a problem andwe need to work it. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 7:40, 5/17/12]

Tax Issues

Supported a Flat Tax

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones was asked if she supported a flat tax or fair tax. Arnold Jones said,When it comes to taxation you know I sat on the tax committee for eight years and I am a muchgreater fan of a flat tax. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 21.53, 5/17/12]

But Said Additional Revenue Sources Were Also Needed

Arnold-Jones added, But I understand, and here is where we get into revenue and totaxes, I understand that the government functions that we do want have to be sustainableand stable. And so you have to have enough revenue sources to make sure that happens.So a single flat tax on a single piece is probably not going to do it. So I would suggest toyou that we need a couple of inputs, at least three to make it stable. And thats what we

look for in our government is stable services. A stable government that can defend ournation. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 21.53, 5/17/12]

Would Not Tax Wealthy to Balance Budget

In 2012, Janice Arnold Jones said her top priority was cutting the deficit and balancing thebudget, but she wouldnt raise taxes on the wealthy to do it. [krqe.com, 5/9/12]


6/117

Called the Buffett Rule the Buffoon Rule

In 2012, Janice Arnold Jones called the Buffet rule the buffoon rule and criticized the proposal.She said Well lets start with the buffet rule, although at my Saturday morning discussions theycall it the buffoon rule. You are only taxed on capital gains, if you have done something

remarkable as a risk taker. You made money and you saved it. And from those investments youare charged a second tax called capital gains, but it is at a lower rate. No one pays capital gainswho does not save money. And yet you are supposed to think that anyone who pays capital gainsis evil, is greedy. [Torrance County Republican Women Forum, part 1 of 2, 2:09, 5/12/12]

Claimed Payroll Tax Cuts Put Social Security at Risk

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones claimed that payroll tax cuts had put Social Security at risk. Arnold-Jones said, So I am a real fan Bill of making sure that we keep our promises. And by the way Idont view Social Security as an entitlement program, I believe you paid for that. And so wehave put that at risk with the payroll tax deduction that we have done recently. Its not being

replenished. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 1, 19.55, 5/17/12]

Tea Party

Said Tea Party Made a Difference

In May 2012, Arnold-Jones was asked what she thought of the Tea Party. Arnold-Jones said,You know the proof in the pudding is the tea party I think gets a very bad rap for some people.These are real people who have said I have ignored my government, I cant anymore and nowIm getting involved and they made a difference. [Jim Villanucci 770 KKOB, part 2, .12, 5/17/12]

Transportation Issues

Transcriptions

[KSFR 101.1 Santa Fe, .00 , 1/23/09]

Commentator: Janice Arnold-Jones is a member of the tax and revenue committee. She says she is going to plug in a

webcam into the legislature. So it looks like we will finally have webcasting in the roundhouse?

[KSFR 101.1 Santa Fe, .36 , 1/23/09]

Arnold-Jones: Well, I would say certainly not the route I thought we would go but indeed. We will

Commentator: Now you are going to be webcasting the tax and revenue committee meetings, how will that work.?

Arnold-Jones: Well there is a narrow line here, and there are rules. So, in service to my constituents and I do meet

with them every Saturday. And they really wanted this. I will be using a very small web camera with a really goodmicrophone and it will go to a website civicplaza.net. That is linked to my website.

Commentator: Civic Plaza. Net


7/117

Arnold-Jones: There is however a caveat about doing it on the floor. And on the case of the house, let me just say

that you know, webcasting the floor, at least early on, would be just amazingly boring for the viewers. Because we

really do the work in the committees

Commentary: That was my first thought too, that watching full session would be tedious.

Arnold-Jones: Right, and these early weeks you know, what we are doing is introducing legislation and it looks like

people are just standing around talking, well theyre talking about the legislation but thats what it looks like, is that

we are all just visiting but thats the process. But towards the end I am hoping that we will be able to also, webcast,with permission the floor sessions.

Comment: Now you say you are going to be using a very simple webcam so we cant expect amazing quality?

Arnold-Jones: No and at this moment, unless I can find somebody else to help me, you will get a one camera view.

But you will be able to hear and you will be able to see. But it wont be great.

Commentary: But it will be something.

Arnold-Jones: Yes sir.

Commentary: And when do you plan on starting this?

Arnold-Jones: Monday. And I was ready to go this Wednesday but our meetings, our committee meetings did not

meet to organize. And so Monday will be the first organizational meeting of tax and revenue.

Commentary: So the webcams had the funding several years ago wasnt it?

Arnold-Jones: Oh yeah

Commentary: The cameras were purchased why didnt it happen?

[KSFR 101.1 Santa Fe, 2.51, uploaded 1/23/09]

Arnold-Jones: The leadership, and since I was not there in that particular meeting. But the leadership, even though, I

want to point out that this was voted on by both bodies and signed by the governor. But they decided to have the

cameras taken down and Im guessing, and here is the argument against broadcasting. Is that people will not

understand when there are filibusters and why that happens. It will change the body and people will grandstand.

That the camera operator could give a false impression of what is happening, for example, instead of watching the

speaker that you might be watching the crowd. Or for most of us to take the camera off of the actual discourse and

watch somebody picking their nose, nobody wants that. And I dont think those are a good enough reason to keepour citizens from participating.

Commentary: The c-span model works pretty well. No one gets distracted there do they?


Arnold-Jones: Well you know part of the c-span model is if you really want to stand up and do speech making there

is a special time for you to go do that. Theres nobody there and now they actually show that theres nobody there.

Thats the type of deception that I think people are worried about. For me I have kind of a set of standards, and one

is that you should have an accurate depiction of what is happening in our committee. Are there a lot of people there,

are there not a lot of people there? And then my own standard is that the video will follow the speaker. And that Iwill follow the due process, for example, people speak when they are called upon, if there is somebody who is

speaking out of turn in the back, it is not my job and nor do I intend to give them air time when that is not

appropriate.


8/117

Commentary: How do your fellow committee members feel about this? Are they anxious to be webcast?


Arnold-Jones: You know this is something, because this is so dicey I did not want to pull in my fellow committee

members pro or con. Because, if there is any backlash, it should be mine and mine alone.

Commentary: Do they know that they will be seen?

Arnold-Jones: Ya, I believe that most of them know.

Commentary: State representative Janice Arnold-Jones will be watching on Monday. Many thanks.

[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 1 of 3, .21, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: Wow. Thank you. Wow. You know I have a few thank yous and I know it is a little warm in here so,

I promised I would speak slowly but for you Im going to speak really fast. Hows that? This is absolutely

outstanding, I am absolutely overwhelmed. And there are some thank yous in order. I want you to know that

everything you see here today was accomplished All by a remarkable group, a growing group of volunteers. And Iinvite you to join me, and to all of the volunteers: Well done? I know that you have met my family but I dont

believe my husband was appropriately introduced may I introduce my arm candy: John Jones. Now if youre not

sure that running for governor is all about our future. It is all about our future so there are two special people I wouldlike to acknowledge. Michael Hickman come on up here. Michael is a recent graduate from El Dorado High School,

he just completed his first week at UNM. All of the graphic and design you see are Micheal Hickmans. And I

couldnt thank him enough. And Michael Horunburg where are you? Michael, this is Michael Horunburg and I

would like you to know he is also a recent graduate from El Dorado High School having just completed his first

week at UNM. And I just wanted you to know that the organization and management of this activity in moving

forward is due in large part to his remarkable skill and I do tease him saying that he is the only 32 year old 18 year

old that I know. I introduced them because they are our future. And I want you to have confidence. Our young

people are amazing, it is our job to make sure that they are able to take our state to the next level.[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 1 of 3, 3.08, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: So let me begin if youre not sure. I have something to say which is why youre here and I will try to

say it quickly. Former Governor Carter thank you so much for coming Thank you so much for honoring us. All of

my collegauges in the legislature I am honored and just humbled to be in your presence tonight. I am Janice Arnold-

Jones and I am running for governor[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 1 of 3, 4.09, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: Sit down because: Thank you so much and I will have to talk even faster now. New Mexico is at a

crossroads we can continue to do what has placed us at the bottom of all the good lists and the top of all of the bad

lists. Or we can break new ground and reverse those long standing negative rankings. I am running for governor

because I want to lead us to the top of the good lists and because we all want New Mexico to be so much more. I am

running for governor because we have all grown tired of New Mexico being known for () corruption and poor

service It is time for New Mexico to be known for the ethical choices we make and for the responsive, innovative,quality services provided to our citizens. Instead of being known by the failures of our education system New

Mexico will be know for the successes of our children. Instead of household incomes that are among the lowest in

the nation New Mexico will have better jobs, better pay, and an economy that honors our land and traditions. While

leading the nation to the development of sustainable energy production and smartgrid technology. Instead of beingforced to leave our rural communities for jobs, we will make it possible for New Mexicans to live where they

choose, and to work where they choose and we will have safe, clean, connected communities for our families. Nowmake no mistake, there are those among us who experience lives of joblessness, hopelessness and despair, drug and

alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, and who have been victims of crimes or who have spent time in prison or are facing

dozens of other social problems. We can help turn lives around by lending a hand up where we can, embracing

education and commerce as a means to rise up , and remembering that the greatest form of empowerment is

individual responsibility.[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 1 of 3, 7.10, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: New Mexicans are ready to embrace a future of prosperity, what has been missing is principles of

leadership. Leadership, connects the necessary dots and principles transform behavior leading to new and better

outcomes. I am running for governor to bring to New Mexico a new and smarter economy. I will connect our vast


9/117

natural, technological and human resources, to transform our state to one that excels instead of one that fails. It is

time for New Mexico to lead, to do so clearly requires a new approach. I am running for governor to transform state

government into a public servant. Government is meant to be a servant of the people not a master that steadily

erodes our individual liberties. For the past seven years we have had unbridled spending, an absentee governor, and

numerous highly paid political appointees who were in positions of power and authority who were often ineffective,

incompetent, or both. We have also had the same old closed door, back room politics, pay to play process turningout policies that make headlines but accomplish little. Regulation has run amok and it is stifling our entrepreneurs.

Part 2

[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 2 of 3, .10, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: This is not principled leadership and it certainly does not deserve out trust. In Santa Fe we are facinga moral train wreck and it is costing the tax payers money and confidence. To lead us out of this moral crisis I will

pursue recurring mandatory ethics training for all public employees from the top down. In that vein I will encourage

and reward whistleblowers who share my goal of eliminating from government arcane or failed hiring practices and

administrative practices and a number of other abuses. I will establish high standards in state business practices to

eliminate the real and perceived conflicts of interest. I will make it easier for New Mexico businesses to identify and

acquire opportunities from state government and I with respect and the fact that I honor the legislature, I will

demand from its leadership open meetings, the wide use of technology to provide access across the state, real time

tracking of bills and the full and complete vetting of legislation including detailed cost analysis and revenue resourceexpectation.

[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 2 of 3, 1.51, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: You know I took a camera, actually its more like I schlepped a camera, but I took a camera to thelegislature so New Mexicans could participate in their government. I took a webcam into the legislature because

New Mexicans deserve a right to know. That effort had a positive effect but there is so much more to be done. One

of the things that I can assure you of when I am governor, on a regular basis my cabinet meetings will be accessible

to the public. I am running for governor and I hope you all noticed my pin, ask me later and Ill tell you what its

about.


Arnold-Jones: I am running for governor to transform our education system. We have two national laboratories,

white sands missile range, intel, an r&d infrastructure that is the envy of the nation. We have more PHDs per capitathan any other state. You tell me how on earth it is that our children are next to last in math, science, and

engineering. How did that happen? Worse or perhaps amazingly we are systematically denying knowledge to our

children. Over the last twenty years New Mexico has progressively gotten worse outcomes in education. Over the

last ten years our student population has only increased by 3200 students but our adult employees of the education

system has increased by 5400 individuals. Something is wrong, and so our students are dropping out and checkingout at an alarming rate. Ladies and Gentleman there is something terribly, terribly wrong. By the end of 2012 can

and must be in the top 5 in the nation in math, science, and engineering. Regardless of background, income level, or

ethnicity, I know our kids are smart and they can accomplish this goal. It is about attitude, it is about expectations,

and it is about believing in ourselves. I have a vision, I have a plan, and together we can do this.


Arnold-Jones: I am running for governor to facilitate the expansion of the connective infrastructure in New Mexico.

That means connecting our state for energy transmission, better telephone and internet access, improved cell phonecoverage, and roads by engaging and enabling private enterprise. You know, generating electricity from wind and

solar and other alternate forms of energy is terrific but it absolutely means nothing if you cant get that power to

market. Improving our telephone and internet access is critical to improving our educational outcomes and economic

opportunities for our state. And cell phone coverage, lets just focus on that for a second, cell phone coverage is apublic safety issue. It is an economic opportunity issue and it is an issue whose time has come. And roads, roads that

are passable year round are crucial. By focusing on the power of connectivity and by you and me, we, we the peopleof New Mexico participating and connecting. We can overcome our geography, honor our environment, enhance our

education and improve our economic well being. New Mexico deserves nothing less.

Part 3

[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 3 of 3, .14, 9/22/09]Arnold-Jones: I am running for governor to bring about tax and regulatory reform. Over the last seven years our tax

system has moved from low and broad to an increasingly vertical system where fewer people are carrying the

burden. This change has created an unfair tax climate. Local businesses are frequently put at a disadvantage as a

result of economic development incentive. That have often failed and its costing you millions. It is time to


10/117

reconvene a blue ribbon tax commission to provide recommendations for simplifying our tax code and simplifying

the filing processes. Similarly I will set about to reduce or eliminate regulations and licensing activities that create

uncertainty, increase costs, and unnecessarily slow down business but also fail in their mission because there is little

or no oversight or enforcement. We have an opportunity to change what we do by making a choice in what is

important to do, let me repeat that, we have an opportunity to change what we do by making a choice in what is

important to do. We can do this.[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 3 of 3, 1.43, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: I am running for governor to bring about a commitment to service. When you call or visit state offices

you will talk to informed employees who will be pleasantly responsive to your needs. I see I struck a chord with a

few of you, you dont like those answering machines, whats the problem huh? New Mexico deserves a governmentthat is friendly, open, accessible, accountable, and effective all the time. And our state employees deserve the

support and training necessary to provide these services.


Arnold-Jones: I am running for governor to address many other important issues, including: fulfilling our promise to

our state employee retirement programs. It is a promise. Health care, crime, public safety, border issues, water

resources, and the management of the state budget. These issues cannot and will not be ignored. The fact is: over the

last 70 years one party control has existed in our state. It is clear that New Mexicos potential has been limited by

the result of entrenched insiders who have trampled our dreams and squandered our resources.[Gubernatorial Announcement Speech Part 3 of 3, 3.20, 9/22/09]

Arnold-Jones: When I am your governor I will show you leadership that connects, principles that transform, and

prosperity that enables every part of the state to excel. When I am your governor I will provide principled leadershipthat advocates for individual liberty, economic opportunity and prosperity for all New Mexicans. It is time for all of

us to stand up for New Mexico and to embrace our dreams. Please join me in this revolution now. Together,

connected we will lead the nation


11/117

[Capitol Press Conference, .09, 11/02/09]

Arnold-Jones: Thank you all for coming I do appreciate it. I am Janice Arnold-Jones, I am a candidate for governor

of New Mexico. I presently serve in the House of Representatives, representing district 24in Albuquerque. Let me

begin by saying, that the deficits we are facing are huge. A combined shortfall for the current and next fiscal year is

approaching 1 billion dollars. These deficits are most likely going to impact our state for the next several yearsbecause they are both structural and cyclical in nature. Our structural problem is caused by using one time money

for recurring expenditures. Our cyclical problem stems from the changes in the general economy such as reduced

gross receipts taxes, less money for regular citizens to spend, reductions in oil and gas receipts, reduced personal and

corporate income taxes, and rising unemployment because businesses are closing sometimes forever. What is clearis the checkbook is overdrawn and the rent is due. Now it is up to legislature to put our collective household back on

solid ground. This is a monumental task. And the wisdom and help of every New Mexican to figure out this problem

along with all the principled leadership we can muster is absolutely a necessity.

[Capitol Press Conference, 1.31, 11/02/09]

Arnold-Jones: The sad thing is that everyone will share in the discomfort of the solution. Regrettably, New

Mexicans continue to have too little access to the process unlike most states that have made their budgets and

deliberations easily accessible, New Mexico remains closed to the public except for those small steps made during

the last regular legislative session. This is not the states debt, this is your debt and whether we raise taxes or cutprograms and services New Mexicans should have access and should participate in the decision. So here is the

situation, the 2009 budget is overdrawn and the books have not been closed. The 2010 budget will be overdrawn

based on what was signed into law. To balance the 2009 budget all reserves and restricted funds will have to beused, leaving a deficit to begin 2010. To close the 2009 budget and balance the 2010 budget based on our best

estimates today we must cut between 16 and 20 percent of the budget, almost 1 billion dollars. Put in terms of your

family budget, if you earn 50,000 dollars a year to take care of your family your income would drop to 40,000

dollars. If you earn 30,000 dollars to take care of your family, your income would be cut to 24,000 dollars, and if

you earn 15,000 dollars a year to take care of your family your income would be reduced to 12,000 dollars. That is

the problem we are facing. Given this situation most of us would go yikes! We are spending more money than we

are taking in and we have to cut back. You would begin to consider your options and you would make decisions

based on trying to keep the things that are most important to you while sacrificing those things that are lessimportant to you. All the while you know that youre not going to like what you have to do. That is real life, that is

what we do in our homes. Current estimates show that the administration over spent the 2009 budget by more than

200 million dollars. This violates a constitutional mandate to balance the budget in New Mexico. As of today the

administration has not closed the books on 2009 so we are actually unsure of our financial condition today. This is

not much different however, than your spouse overspending. When the other spouse finally figures out what hashappened your relationship, your children, your home, your credit score are all at risk.


Arnold-Jones: The problem is clear, spending must be controlled. Every household in New Mexico knows what it

means when you are not making enough money, you have to cut spending, you have to cut your expenditures to

make it work. You have a couple of choices when you make those decisions: one is clearly is to reduce spending, the

other is to go find another job or two if they are available, the last and least desirable is to live off of your credit

cards kicking the problem down the road, often times ending in bankruptcy court. Most of us find a way to cutspending. The 2010 budget as signed into law anticipates revenues of about 5.6 billion dollars. The revenue estimate

today, thats the money coming in, is hovering at about 4.9 billion dollars. Every household understands when less

money is coming in there can be fewer expenditures. When the money declines you have to cut, every business,

every home understands this. But I must tell you that starting 2010 in a deficit does not make paying the bills anyeasier. There is also talk of using federal stimulus dollars to help balance our budget. Thats a bit like receiving a

really nice gift from your Aunt Suzie to pay your heating bill. The problem is there will be a heating bill next month,next year and Aunt Suzie might not write you a check next year. It is a one time gift.


Arnold-Jones: Our state budget must have some baselines just like a household or business budget. At your home

you set aside money to pay your rent, your utility bills, and for money for food and gas. These are the basics.

Government cannot exist as a democracy if we forget or ignore the basics. I am running for governor to emphasizeand implement better ways to control spending and to improve the wellbeing of all New Mexicans. We must budget

recurring expenses. Not using one time dollars but recurring dollars. It is a fundamental. We must use quality

improvement methodologies to improve worker productivity and processes. We must transform our education

system into one that works for the 21st century by eliminating burdensome regulations, expanding the use of


12/117

technology and distance learning to meet the academic needs of our students and to match curriculum to match the

world that they will live in. We must foster a regulatory environment that attracts capital and commerce so the

investment and transformation we make in education for our children is paid off by jobs in our private sector. And

last we must transform economic development efforts to engage and expand small businesses throughout the state of

New Mexico. And while we are making these transformative changes we must also provide for individuals in need

of developmental disability waivers, we must preserve public and school employee pensions funds, we must providefor public safety, and we must provide for infrastructure that serves a majority of New Mexicans. We are all in this

together. Everything has to be on the table. And anyone who tells you that something is sacred isnt telling you the

truth. This is a huge problem. What we need is every New Mexican to be at the table to help us solve this budget

shortfall. I will continue my quest for open government because the people have a right to know. And yes I will becarrying my webcam to the special legislative session. And you know I am interested in what the citizens have to

say because you are closest to where the problems are. Please look at my website, janiceforgovernor. I am interested

and anxious to hear the specifics because its much easier to deal with real things than to macromanage it. Thank

you so much for listening today and I appreciate your attendance. And by the way I will take questions for anybody

who would like to ask questions. Steve so nice to see you thanks, and we do have a press packet. Ok good.


13/117

Intro:

[Rio Grande Foundation Q&A, 13.11, 12/09/09]

Arnold-Jones: That was a mouthful. I want to begin by applauding the Rio Grande Foundation for creating anopportunity for candidates to present ourselves to the public and the media and what I believe is a historic moment.

Most often the voting public is not exposed to the broader candidates until just before the primary election. This

event will allow you to become better acquainted with those of us present this evening. To allow you a choice in

whose campaign you might want to support over the next weeks and months. We are also at a historic moment inour nation and in our state for it has never been that we have been in such a state of despair and depression in so

many of our trusted institutions. Here in New Mexico, where we are so often at the top of the () the ethical lapses,

crime and corruption, pay-to-play, and closed door, back room politics that continue unfettered. Over the last seven

years New Mexico government has become bloated, budgets have been broken, the constitution is being trampled,

education has failed, over regulation is the norm, cronyism is high, all economic classes are worse off, businesses

are failing, the economy stinks and private capital wont come here without huge infusions of corporate welfare

which only adds to the burden of tax payers. There is however a glimmer of hope, and you are it. As our republic

has done since its early days, the people are rising up. We can find opportunity when everyday citizens are payingattention, and you are. And they are now demanding something more than a sound byte to cure these problems. I

have been meeting with concerned citizens around the state: tea party groups, 9/12 coalition, republican party

meetings, and my own Saturday morning coffees. And their voices are all saying the same thing. Stop the insanity,stop it now. Restore government to its basics, end the ethical lapses, crime, corruption, cronyism, pay-to-play, and

theft from tax payers. Foster an environment of trust and embolden a framework of private enterprise to take hold

and grow jobs for the benefit of our citizens. I am running for governor to do just that, because I am the right

woman, with the right background, at the right time. As governor I will focus on diversifying our states economy.

New Mexico is languishing in the state of potential. It is caused by regulatory and tax uncertainty and a clear

message that government makes it difficult to do business in New Mexico. It is time to move from a state of

potential to a state to a state of excellence and a state of prosperity. You begin that change with a commitment to

private enterprise and entrepreneurial (). As governor I will bring ethical leadership to address our history ofcorruption and I will treat my service to you as a public trust. As governor I will not tolerate the shake down of

business, as a right to do business.


Arnold-Jones: Ethics must be matched with education. Almost 62% of our budget goes to education. With barely

50% of our students graduating and only 46% graduating from UNM in 6 years, I would say that education has

clearly been an investment with the poorest return. No more. If our educational institutions cannot deliver results we

must look elsewhere.


Arnold-Jones: New Mexico has tremendous opportunity. It is rich in intellectual capital and natural resources. As

your governor I will lead New Mexico to become the largest exporter of energy in the nation. To do so will require a

commitment to the necessary infrastructure for energy transmission, internet and telephone connectivity, a renewed

commitment to resource application, including the latest advances in mining and agriculture. We can diversify oureconomy and enable every New Mexican to take control of their lives without waiting for the government. As your

governor, the government will be open and transparently accountable to you. Now as you know, there are somerevenue enhancement periods going on, you like that term. I want you to know that I called Secretary Homenz

earlier this week and requested that he webcast the remainder of those activities and I hope you saw that yesterday

he put that in place. As governor I will bring to New Mexico a new and smarter economy while respecting our

traditions. We will connect New Mexicos vast natural resources and transform our state into one that excels, not

one that fails. New Mexicans are ready to embrace the future. But now we need leadership that provides practicalsolutions instead of rhetoric. Please connect with us. Thank You.

Question: What role should the energy industry play in New Mexicos economy? Would you encourage or

discourage it?


14/117


Arnold-Jones: Wow, I love that question. You know, this state is unlike any other state and energy should be our

largest export. Now energy comes in a many different forms. That is coal, oil and gas, you are all well aware of that.

But we also have the opportunity to bring in wind, solar, geothermal, as well as nuclear. There is no state betterpoised to be an exporter of energy than this state. We do have a problem however, you have to have the transmission

to get the power to market and it has to be able to go to any energy grid. In my opinion energy is what is going to

diversify our economy, and we are going to have to make some choices to get there. So you do have a choice, do

you want to diversify your economy? Here is a ready made avenue to get there, and it is energy. So the simpleanswer is energy should play a huge role in our state.

Question: Are you for limited government? If you are, how would you dismantle the many government agencies?

[Rio Grande Foundation, 34.21, 12/09/09]

Arnold-Jones: I would hope, and I must say, ditto. I just have to say that. You know, our government, since I have

served, and I came in with this governor. And in that period of time our government has grown by 45%. And so Ihave to ask you: Have the services improved 45%. NO. Thats the problem right there. And so the question then

becomes, as governor, how do you wittle it down, so where do you start? And actually, the answers are relatively

simple, as governor the first you have to recognize is that a budget is the ceiling, that is the maximum. Its not asuggestion, its the maximum. And if you think you are getting to that point, then you cut back, thats the first thing

and having watched this, and I will remind you that for 2009 we are overspent by 325 million dollars. The books are

not closed. Any of you who have a business like that and you are 90 days out and you havent closed your books,

you are in trouble. SO where do we start? The easy ones to pick off are the exempt employees. We have gone from,

I believe a reasonable rational number of about 170 and the last count was almost 800. And you need to look at, you

know because they come in different categories so its hard to tell where they are. (they wont tell you) Thats exactly

right they wont tell you. The next place that I would look right off the bat is paid administrative leave. We have 86

employees that I am aware of on paid administrative leave. One has been on paid administrative leave for over 5years. One of the newer ones went on leave June 24th of this year, still on paid administrative leave. I hope you are

saying, where are the managers? Because I am, where is the system? No employee should be treated like that, and

no taxpayer should be treated like that. Then you should ask the question of, is the individual competent? I think

competence is a really important question, because we have people, and especially in the industry that Im in, they

dont know what they are doing, so why are they there. Are they providing services that are mission related? Thenext thing that you need to look at when you are carving out the budget is ok, can we hit the boards and

commissions. I believe that any board and commission that is an observe and report board or commission its fair

game. Boards or commissions that are providing direct services you might want to look at. Making broad sweeping

cuts may do more damage than you think. Its important that we take the time to do the carve outs to make a smart,

efficient, smaller government.

Question: With the science in question: Do you believe that global warming is real? Specifically in two policy areas,think about the Western Climate Initiative and the Environmental Improvement Board, a committee that is meeting

and suggesting more drastic cuts than cap and trade and how Washington would have it. So with that it is Janices

turn


Arnold-Jones: Ok so, rephrase the way you want that yes or no?

Moderator: I was just elaborating. What do you think about the Western Climate Initiative and the Environmental

Improvement Board?

Arnold-Jones: Ok. There was a period in our countrys history where we had something called acid rain. There was

good science, we found some very directive strategies to change what we were doing and it changed the way that we

did things and it changed the results. And we have done away with acid rain and I am glad of that. There are other

things that we are doing that defy any kind of logic. Now I must confess that I actually live and hang out with the


15/117

water guy. And he kept telling me about the fact that we are in global warming and there is no water. And I said how

come you keep pumping and he says, because I have more water. And so that led to the next question of, is this

related to something that we are doing, is it related to sunspots? And you know what there is a tremendous

correlation. So as we go forward, you know I think that we are all supposed to be stewards of our land, we are

supposed to do that. But it needs to be rational, and it needs to be founded in some degree of certainty. Can we

certainly discern and find a remediation for acid rain? We absolutely can. Do I believe that plants need you tobreathe because you produce CO2, yes I do. And so there is a balance. You know there is a balance. And I guess I

would sum up, that there is a lot of hysteria going on but I actually believe in our creator, and I believe that we have

a great deal of hubris to think that we ourselves are going to stop nature today, this year with anyway that we spend

our money.

Question: As a small business owner I am overtaxed. Please tell us what is your plan for taxes in New Mexico?


Arnold-Jones: I believe that taxes as a policy should be low, broad, fair, equitable, easy to administer, and easy to

understand. In the amount of time that I have served in our legislature, we have all but obliterated our tax code. Are

there plenty of opportunities to make taxes lower, absolutely, but what you are missing are the hidden taxes ofcomplying. And one of the really remarkable things about our system of government and taxation, not just in New

Mexico but across the country: we have over a 93% percent tax compliance rate. Thats why our government works,

because you pay your taxes. If you are a physician, and because we have created a loophole or a problem in whatthey now column M. If you are a independent physician and you are actually dealing with HMOs it now costs some

physicians as much as $6,000 a month to file their column M taxes. Thats crazy, thats just down right crazy. Thats

what we have done. That is not low, broad, fair, equitable, easy to administer, or easy to understand. There is a

problem and you should be able to easily comply. So that is the first thing that we need to look at. The next thing

and when we are looking at taxation, when you go on line, you should just alone be able to complete your taxes. It

should be that simple. Since this administration has been here we have taken a gross receipts tax system and literally

turned it into swiss cheese. We used to have a very balanced tax system that included, income tax, gross receipts tax,

some people call that a sales tax but its not its a gross receipts tax and the point (..)its different, property tax, and inour state the property tax has been remarkably low, I know any of you who have experienced tax lightning are going

to argue with that but they are low, and corporate taxes. And the way that we have our tax system setup, we used to

have this kind of like four legged stool and we would whether almost any storm. The great divider believe it or not

was when we took the tax off of food. And I will tell you that that sounded mean but it was the lowest, broadest,

fairest tax. When we took the tax off of food we destabilized the cities, the counties. Can we take it back, No. I thinkour only direction forward is actually to switch to a sales tax type of taxation. But this particular administration has

created a vertical tax system, that is, fewer people are paying more taxes. We are better served when we all have a

stake in government at a very low rate.

Question: Next question is for Janice: do you think that subsidizing the rail is a good use of money?


Arnold-Jones: Oh, well Id say since I was on the floor the year that this passed and we said, is there a plan? there

was no plan, I said do we have a cost-benefit analysis no cost-benefit analysis. But we went forth and we built a

rail runner, and from that day until today we would have been able to provide each one of you sufficient taxi cabrides to and from Santa Fe and it still would not have cost what it cost us to build the Rail Runner. What you are not

seeing is the cost of the contract, the contract requires about 2 million dollars per year, and dont hold me to this onebut it is a safety upgrade that is required by the contract. And there is an additional clause in the contract that says if

we have not enough safety requirements that BANFF can come back and hold the legislature responsible for more

money. And thats over and above operations. Now for those of you who live in Bernalillo County we just assessed

ourselves a tax to pay for the Rail Runner, we are not going to generate enough income to even cover the operation.

So, before we did that and before our economy went in the toilet here is what it would cost to cover operations foryou to get on the Rail Runner. $14.71 cents anytime you step foot on the Rail Runner, that cost has now escalated

and if you include the maintenance cost in addition to operation youre looking at about $85 a person. Now you can

argue that we subsidize our roads, everybody drives on our roads, but you know, its not quite the same. Everybody

who drives pays into the roads in one way or another, be it a gas tax, there are a number of other taxes and


16/117

everybody participates. So, the question now becomes, can we afford the Rail Runner, can we afford the rail road?

And Im looking at the budget and its really difficult but let me tell you how hard it is going to be. Because I was

just up in Santa Fe and there were good Republicans who reminded me to be a brave Republican and dont forget

that we subsidize roads. But we dont have the money and thats the bottom line, we dont have the money. So as

governor I will look at any other way to make this pay, and thats probably a longer haul but I dont think the

numbers are gonna be there because they werent there to begin with.

Question: Americans for Tax Reform have a pledge, would you take a binding pledge to not raise taxes?


Arnold-Jones: No. And the reason I do not sign pledges is I am responsible and beholden currently to the people

who elect me not the for Americans Tax Reform. It is really a interesting question because if you are not certain we

are lobbied very heavily to do so. Have I raised taxes, I have not. Have I slipped once or twice and raised fees where

it was necessary, yes. And so when you take a pledge like that, it puts you in a box that prevents you from serving

your constituents. And I hope that you will think about that because my only obligation is to you.

Question: Janice how will you make government more accountable and transparent?


Arnold-Jones: Wow, well I must say it was fun. And I must tell you taking the webcam to the legislature was really

a remarkable experience. And indeed the speaker was a little mad at me. And its ok. You know, that added, that

sunlight is the best disinfectant is absolutely true. And so there are things that we do in state government that you are

not even aware of. And do you need to go and watch all the time, no, but I think what people are saying is that you

need to have access. If you are interested you should be able to easily get the information. So, we need websites that

accurately portray the activities of agencies, they do not. And you know none of that is difficult, I would like for you

to be able go on in real time and be able see where your budget is going, where we stand. We have tried several

times to pass a bill to that effect, we dont have that it but I believe that we can do it. You should be able, fromwhere you live, to engage in any public hearing. The technology is there, its not even expensive. What remains is,

its really nice to open up the legislative process but a lot of policy is made at the agency level. One of the things

that has really distressed me about the way that our agencies respond, especially, the Department of the

Environment. Anybody here ever gone to an NMDE hearing? Well here is how it typically works, the hours are

really inconvenient, the room is really small, and often times there is no room for the regular citizens. Please dontthink that that is an accident because its not. Time to change that. If our city council and our board of education can

open up their processes, why not state government? But here is the real big albatross in the room. Currently, our

legislature is pretty well dominated by the democratic party. The decisions are made in the caucus, and I respect the

caucus atmosphere. But you need to know all of those decisions are made in secret. And so if you happen to watch a

webcast of the floor of the House of Representatives which is just happening every once in awhile and you notice

that there are people like me arguing our hearts to empty chairs, it is because the decision was already made. I hope

that bothers you. More cameras, more access, weve got the tools.

Question: How will you protect New Mexicans when the U.S. currency collapses?

[Rio Grande Foundation Q&A, 1.01.34, 12/09/09]

Arnold-Jones: Im a soccer coach, I believe in ice. If I have ice I dont need. And thats how I view the currentcondition of our currency. So here is the way that I view this. We should make sure that we have sustainable

agriculture in the state of New Mexico. We have to take care of us first. We should make sure that, I dont know

who said it, buy gold, but you know what we should do that. We should also be sure that we protect our permanent

fund, it is probably one of the most remarkable things that has been done in this state and treat it for what it is, it is a

remarkable asset. That being said, this state is better poised than any other state to meet this challenge. This state hasrare metals that can be mined, that are needed by China, by India. We should be exporting. The uranium that is in

our state is the second to the highest grade in all of the world and it is sitting in our ground. We actually have a

buffer if we will look at what we can do, we are not helpless by an stretch of the imagination. But we do need to

look at participating not just within our own little shelf. We actually can go to the aid of these other nation who quite


17/117

frankly hold the paper on our nation. I think in that part we can create a balance. And there is one other thing that I

will tell you as I think about the ICE side, the very conservative side. I am truly worried when we sell water rights to

foreign countries. And I think that we should not do that. Sustain us first.

Question: Explain your position on educational funding, charter schools, and other alternative arrangements.


Arnold-Jones: Cool. I will try not to get too upset here. Let me start just start with the beginning, our schools are

failing. They are failing so badly that just two weeks ago our children ranked dead last in math, science, andengineering. We no longer have Mississippi to claim. And you have to ask yourself how is it that a small state like

this with two national laboratories, intel, and white sands and our kids are at the very bottom in the nation in math,

science, and engineering. We are withholding knowledge, it is criminal and I am tired of it. Our kids deserve so

much better. Now we have thrown a lot of money at education without any results. It is time to step out of that

environment. If that means that we go to an education system where the colleges of education dont kick in until you

had a content mastery degree in something to be a teacher, than so be it. But make no mistake there is no silver

bullet here, that is one way to approach it. Right now, online classes are available, our children should have access

to them. MIT has had math courses online since 1993 believe it or not. And every class that they have had since1993 is available, today, right now. For free as long as you dont want credit, its there. I promise you, if we keep

withholding knowledge from our children they are going to go around. Thats the good news. Now as far as our

charter schools go, and I am going to throw in vouchers is that ok. I will tell you though a lot of people ask me aboutvouchers. And I really do believe competition is a good thing but I have news for you: we dont have enough private

schools of any sort. Private or parochial, to be competitive. Our charter schools have been set up almost to fail. And

I tell you that because when we set up the charter schools it was really to provide a choice. And some of our charter

schools are doing a terrific job. But we have now saddled them with financial arrangements with the state where

they have to be in a state owned building. That almost dooms them to failure. The only way youre going take this

back is you have to expect that our children can do it. And you must open every door possible. And that even means

bringing in our subject matter experts. I have a whole plan its called project 2012, its on my website, I hope you

will go read it. There is no silver bullet but I will tell you what we are doing today cannot stand.

Question: What will you do to prevent crime in the government?


Arnold-Jones: Its going to be tough to add to what Doug said but I think I can help just a little. You know the

shake downs actually do happen and has been surprising to me to talk to state employees and I have seen it myself.

And I said why are you doing you do that? And the response very typically is well how do I make my money if I

dont. And there is a real problem there. If we are hiring state employees, there needs to be that in agreement just

like with your employees that your salary is sufficient so shaking down somebody else is absolutely, positively,

inappropriate. And Im not sure that that is a shared understanding and so I would go back to ethics training because

I think we have to start there. But I want to mention something that doesnt come to the floor often enough. We haveactually set our state up to do this: they are called Quasi-governmental entities. The regional housing authority, the

mortgage finance authority, the New Mexico finance authority, the spaceport authority,.. Oh RETA I forgot that, the

renewable energy transmission authority. The reason I mention these entities, and they are really a burr under my

saddle, is that they are by definition Quasi-governmental so they have all the benefits of being a government butnone of the oversight. In many cases these entities have bonding authority, some of them have taxing authority, and

some of them have the right to execute eminent domain. And you have no right to redress, zero, zip, nada. There are27 of these entities in this state. I hope and I will just end this because Doug said this very well. Quazi-

governmental entities, they are a nice convenience but at what price?

Question: What issues do the two of you debating disagree on and why?


Arnold-Jones: You know what it is a frightening thing but I have a tremendous respect for this young man. Things

that we disagree on, actually the pledge part was new, but in his defense he will tell you he hasnt been in the arena


18/117

where you can see the other side. Im sure if we really dug down I may not like the way he dances and we may

disagree there

Doug: where you in favor of vouchers?

Arnold-Jones: I am in favor of vouchers

Question: Should we eliminate, cap, or continue subsidies to the film industry?


Arnold-Jones: I may come at this with a little more anger. Because I was on the floor when we passed the 15%

credit against expenses. Now let me back up and tell you that I have part ownership of an audio/video production

company in California and that operated for 20 years. It was very interesting to watch the industry. And I what I

learned about were the bottom dwellers. These were the guys who wanted all the free stuff and didnt pay their bills.

Well did we invite them to New Mexico, yes we did. So, and there are good things, and please dont, I like the

industry. I love the creative side of it. But I was the only one on the floor when we were passing this 15% credit

against expenses that voted no and boy did I feel like I was sticking out like a sore thumb. Well isnt cool to haveall the movie stars around, well ya it is cool. Well that 15% credit against expenses is now a 25% credit against

expenses. Let me rephrase that to you. How many of you own businesses in here? Just raise your hand. Ok here is

how a credit against an expense works: You turn in your expenses and we give you 25% back right now, today.Thats what we are doing. That is not a rebate, that is not a credit, it is a credit against expense and I actually think it

may be unconstitutional. What we have returned so far in this industry is over 86 million dollars. So, is an industry

going to stay in a state that is offering 25 cents for every dollar that you spend? And I am just going to ask you to

think about how stable is this industry? That is not the only thing that we have done in this particular industry. We

have interest free loans. So far, and some of those loans are simply interest free and all they have to do is pay them

back on time, and there is nothing on the back end. That is we dont get a cut of the profits. We also have loans

where we get a cut of the profits on the back end. Here are the two problems that we have: this comes from state

dollars that are normally invested on your behalf in safe investments and they yield on a regular basis between 6.5and 8 percent. Well you are out that money, and so far the only return that we have gotten on any of the movies is

right around $345,000. And Im not done, because the state also said that if a film industry wanted to come in and

use a location it was free. And we purchased tons of equipment and placed it at all of our universities and that is

free. We have driven media businesses out of business already in this state. And the bottom line is, well I am

grateful they are here, but I want businesses that can sustain themselves overtime by themself.

Question: Where do you stand on the immigration? Do you support immigration reform?


Arnold-Jones: You know, I am actually a fan of immigration. You know it strengthens our country. I think where

we get into trouble is, when we are abusing the rules of any country. And that is, is how do you enter the country?And we have people who have stood in line for years and years, behaving legally, and now they feel that they are at

the back of the line. We have a very special issue with our border in Mexico. We have families that are across the

border. Surely we can find a way that we can create some type of traffic that will be within the law. And so reform I

hope so. I do hope so

Question: I am a 100% republican candidate supporter. How will you implement what you say you will do with thedemocratic legislature fighting you all the way?


Arnold-Jones: You know, I am there. I serve in the legislature. Please know that in house that I serve in there are 25republicans, and 45 democrats. You dont get things done unless you can work together. And it is not uncommon for

individuals like me to go to my colleagues and say you know we know that this is time, will you please carry my

bill. The one that I babied. And you do that because its right for the state. The colleagues that I serve with, I will tell

you, are really quite remarkable and there is only a handful that I really have any question with. And so it comes


19/117

down to leadership, it is the governors responsibility to set an agenda, but more importantly to set a vision. The one

thing that I have going for me is competence, and I really, really dig into the details. My colleagues in the legislature

trust that, that I will look, that I will be thoughtful. And I am open to hearing whether or not I have a hair brained

idea and if its hair brained why is it and how do we make it better. These are real human beings. And so one of the

things that I witnessed over the last seven years is legislation that my colleagues were asked to carry that were half

baked. The DWI laws that have gone through in the last seven years, have you counted them? Every year we haveupdated the DWI laws. It makes it almost impossible for our law enforcement to enforce laws that change that

rapidly. The reason that they did that is the executive wanted to get, in my opinion, another headline. And because

they were democrat they were not allowed to say no, even though they knew the legislation was flawed. I simply

approach it differently and I approach the legislature with tremendous respect. I know what it takes, but I also knowthat as governor I get to set the visions, and the response to that is that balance of tension that is necessary to

actually preserve a democratic republic, which is what we are.

Question: Do you know where Des Moines is? Do you have any plans to enhance economic development in rural

New Mexico?


Arnold-Jones: Do I get that question first? Thats great. Actually a couple things, let me go back to sustainability. I

think our rural communities are vital, and so when I talk about connectivity thats one of the things that I mean.

Every single community in the state of New Mexico needs to be connected. They should not have to drive over anhour or two hours for information. It should be available over the internet. Whats really interesting is we have more

fiber in the ground than any other state in the union and its not connected. But one of those things, when I look at

rural communities, the first thing I look at is their library. Because it becomes the focus for making sure that we

build a business case to give that connectivity. There are other issues and again let me remind you that we have

entire communities that do not have power. And they do not have running water. We had capital outlay that was

squandered, it was supposed to have built out that degree of infrastructure. But I dont think that there is anybody in

this room that thinks that we should have a community that is still hauling water that might be tainted in anyway.

But we didnt do it. Now there is another role for our rural communities and that is the sustainability of our state andI hope youll think about it. When we start driving communities, rural communities, out of where they live into the

cities, we start losing our food production, we start losing some of the very things that are important but we also

increase the opportunity to share things such like H1N1. I hope that when you look at our state that you will revere

the folks who are willing to live in rural communities because they are providing your food and it is really

important. Thank you.

Question: I want you to speak more on these three issues: I am a passionate Milton freedman capitalist. I want to

hear what you are going to do to our tax system? I am a passionate nuclear advocate. I want to hear what you are

going to do for our mining, agriculture and nuclear issues. What are you going to do about the corruption in this

state?


Arnold-Jones: Let me start with the tax. You know we have made swiss cheese out of our current tax policy. It

actually was quite an eloquent tax policy and there is almost nothing left of it. And so, the flat tax is something to

think about. My guess is, is before we ever get a flat tax is, you will see a shift to a sales tax. And is thateasier, noit isnt. A flat tax is by far the easiest type of tax to administer but there is less control over it. One of the problems

that we have in our state is we have small communities that if we didnt move the taxes through the stategovernment the communities themselves would starve to death. And so it isnt quite as easy as saying we will just to

do a flat tax no matter where we are because it really doesnt work that way. And I will tell you again that I support

those small communities but there are some real harsh realities. Its just like Mosquero, I think, actually they only

have one entire school district and there are only 39 kids in there right now, and so there are some real issues there.

Corruption, I have to just give credit where credit is due. If you have seen the () New Mexico proposal onprohibiting lobbyists or businesses from giving campaign contributions if they are going to have a contract with the

state. And its a great proposal. But I do want you to know that Representative Tom Taylor from Farmington

actually introduced that bill last year, I supported it then, I support it now. And I just wanted you to know where it

came from. But I want to talk about nuclear. Because what we are not talking about is something that is on the


20/117

Horizon. The Japanese already have it. It is called, the new term is a small modular nuclear facility, also known as a

right size reactor. These are hardened facilities, they take no water, you put them in the ground, they will produce

easily 25 Mw of power, the will last for 20 years then you change them out. It is time to start doing that. And the

real advantage to a right size reactor is our ability to decentralize our grid. Anytime you have large energy

production facilities, Im just thinking defensively here, it becomes a hard target. The more decentralized you are the

less chance of failure. Single points of failure is stupid. But we should also be doing more reprocessing, we aredoing enrichment in the southern part of the state at the Natural Enrichment Facility but the real value of nuclear is

reprocessing, and dont anybody say spent in here, it is used fuel. We need to reuse it. The technology is there, we

have to have the will to do it, but we in this state more than anybody else has the ability to do that. And while Im on

nuclear, we should be producing medical isotopes in this state. We should have three facilities up today, right now.Because we are losing 35% of our capacity for medical isotopes this year and thats Canada. We only produce 5% of

the medical isotopes used in this country. Now whos dependant, it aint oil, its medicine. Its us.

Question: New Mexico is a sovereign state, so how sovereign can we be right now? How much will the EPA affect

us in our policies?


Arnold-Jones: I think there is going to be a new day for governors. And so let me start with I believe in the

constitution. And the constitution says that those powers not specifically reserved for the federal government belong

to the state. That means that the governor must say no. You have to stand up and say no. There are governmentprograms that come to us at such great cost. And let me give you my favorite examples: Medicare and Medicaid and

the argument that I hear time and time again. oh we have to spend some more because for every dollar we spend we

get three dollars and who tells us how to deliver our services. Is it meeting the needs of our citizens? Now I will tell

you its a tough argument to say we should do away with that three dollars. I will give you that. But you need to

think about it. But lets look at education. Look at what has happened to our system of educating our children when

we started taking subsidies from the federal government. There are times you have got to before we do that. And

you know what, if your not sure, if you think were broke, you aint seen nothing until you look the federal

government. It is time to write our federal budget. We are in a deficit position that makes us vulnerable no matterwhat we do.

Questions: How much more transparency do you want and describe the limit?


Arnold-Jones: I think that really is an excellent question and so as a policy maker there are places that you do need

limits. And having been there with someone who wanted to bring a camera into the restroom, I place my limits....

You know there has to be individual privacy. Now that being said, if there are policy makers together, whether you

are at the implement school day or not. You know that still is open and if we are discussing it and you happen to be

sitting there That should be on the record, always on the record. There are a lot of places that we could do alot

better and things that you really dont see that I wish you could see. One of the things that happens right now and themoving of money in the state government kind of to hold off Peter and pay Paul over here. We do that all the time.

Personally I think that is a really lousy method. And the way that we start seeing it is all of a sudden payments start

not being made to providers in the farther reaches of the state. We had one set of DWI rehabilitation providers who

have not been paid for 11 months. Now if we had the degree of transparency where you could see the anticipatedpayments against revenue, then I think we could of said oh dear agency what are you doing over there and where is

the money going. The amount of money that is dumped into our universities that are completely unaccounted for isterribly troubling to me. And so I think you need, you know so I am trying to find the limit of transparency and I

guess Im going to say its the bathroom.


21/117

Part 2

[Gubernatorial Debate, Part 2 of 9, 8.46, 2/25/10]

Arnold-Jones: Kenny I apologize but I dont see the red card. And I may be. Oh you know what? Its the flowers.

Thank You Hi Janice Arnold-Jones, it is so nice to be back in Clovis and I have to tell you that this group alongwith the Nighhawk group, along center right groups, and tea party groups played a significant role in the last

legislative session. You called, you wrote, you killed house bill 123. Thank you so much. And what I know about

this group in particular, you research like crazy. You get the facts and your effective and we have needed this in our

state for so long and all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.

Part 3


So, Janice Arnold-Jones, running for governor, I am currently serving in the legislature. This is my fourth term and I

am privileged to sit next to Representative Crook in the tax committee. We are outvoted, outgunned and we fight

like crazy every single time we go in there. Even if it means simply asking so many questions that they simply cut usoff. Sometimes you fight everyway you can but I want you to know that you have one of the best fighters in the

legislature and she is sitting right here in this very row.

[Gubernatorial Debate, Part 3 of 9, .35, 2/25/10]

Arnold-Jones: So just a little about myself. Im not quite from here. My dad was in the air force, he was killed ()

an airplane in 1963, my mom threw a dart at a map and we moved to the spot nearest the dart that had a military

base and a university. Thats how I got to Albuquerque My mom is a very gutsy woman she traced us all over

Germany, all over Europe when we were very little. My dad was out flying and so here we are. Went to the old

Albuquerque High School. Graduated from UNM. Married my husband who is from Santa Fe. I kept him around for

35 years. I refer to him fondly as my arm candy because he is. 23 years in the navy. Weve had a terrific time but wecould hardly wait to come home. In the middle of all of that. Do we have any military spouses out here? Any of

you? Ya. Well I will say youll appreciate this. In that entire time I have had a career. And it is always selling

yourself because you go into an employer and they are going I dont want to hire you, because youre gonna

leave. My job was to sell myself. So in the middle of all of that I opened two businesses, they have now since

closed. And now I manage the Albuquerque office of Parallax Incorporated. We do system tests and systemintegration for complex systems for Sandia National Labs. Its a lot of fun, love the work, and I have been doing that

for ten years. In the middle of all of that I ran for office, and it has been such a privilege and such a challenge to

serve in the legislature. So why am I now making a change from the House of Representatives that I love, to running

for governor. Ill tell you what, when you have a democratically controlled legislature that has been so for 80 years,

very difficult to make changes. And one of the really aggravating pieces, I have a piece of legislation that was

important, it was called inter-operability. And for those of yall, anybody know inter-operability? Its where the

police department could talk to the fire department... Important piece of legislation. My name isnt on it. My bill, myname isnt on it, thats how it is. Time to change that and you know what I dont care. But thats how hard it is to

make change in Santa Fe today. We need your eyes on the legislature, on the process, at the executive. Thats why I

took the webcam to the legislature. Its not that I didnt ask permission. I did ask permission. You think they were

gonna grant me permission the fourth time I asked, I dont think so. So I took the webcam and you all are watching,and its making a difference. So were there and heres what I want to do as your governor. I have a vision. We need

to revitalize our economy we have too many government sector jobs, not enough private sector jobs, its real simple.And if youre not sure the folks up in Santa Fe do not understand the math. A private sector job puts in three times

what any government sector job puts into our economy, dont forget that. In order to revitalize our economy we have

to deal with the ethics issue. Thank you. We also have to fix our educational system. We are now dead last in the

nation in math, science, and engineering. By the end of 2012 I cant wait, our kids have to be in the top of the nation

in math, science, and engineering. We deserve nothing less. And last energy. This is an energy rich state, we need toexport it. I have a vision. I know how the system works, but you know what, I need you. I am not afraid to have the

people participate. Thank you

Part 4


22/117

Question: What are you going to do to release the monies currently in the black hole of the Las Cruces-Santa Fe

corridor to get released out to Eastern NM? Second, will somebody promise to sell the Railrunner to a private

company and stop subsidizing it?

Part 5

[Gubernatorial Debate, Part 5 of 9, .37, 2/25/10]

Arnold-Jones: You know having worked with the budget you get to see where everything goes. So let me just

remind you, in our budget, inflated or not, the legislature only has discretion of over about 15% of it, thats longstory. So lets start with capital outlay, which is the infrastructure money. If youre not certain, there aint any, and

there wont be any for quite awhile. So when you have no money the first thing your government must do is set

some priorities. We have not had priorities in the eight years that I have served. Priorities like, water systems, you

have a tremendous need for a regionalized water system in this area. You are not alone. Electrical systems, we still

have entire communities have no electricity. Once you set the basic criteria then how you spend your budget it starts

to make sense. Right now we are throwing money into what we call economic development. And I dont want to

step on the toes of the economic developers. There are some very good projects. But when we talk about economic

development being, handing money to build money, and the money goes out of the state that is not economicdevelopment and thats a fact. So we have all of these options but when we look at our budget, how we will disperse

it across the state really depends on the priorities that we set. My priorities are basic infrastructure which includes

water, electricity, roads. Followed very quickly by individuals with dv waivers, because we are a compassionatecommunity. The Railrunner, boy I wish you all could read that contract, you would think they lost their minds. And

if youre not certain that we are on the hook for 2 million dollars per mile for safety upgrades every year you have to

wonder, what were we thinking? And I will tell you what, they sold it() look good, I hope we can sell it.

Question: I am a computer consultant here in Clovis. My question for you as candidates is what do you think the

proper role of state government should be?

Part 6


Arnold-Jones: That Santa Fe can make a better decision for you than you can for yourself. And pe

Documents

2012 Democratic Party Opposition Research File for Janice Arnold-Jones (NM-01)