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House District 19: Leanna Derrick Candidate Q&A
House District 19: Leanna Derrick
Political Party: Republican
Age: 56
Family: 2 children
Education: Master in Education and Chaplain
Occupation: Gas and Oil worker
City of Residence: Albuquerque
Relevant Experience
As an independent researcher on New Mexico politics, I make every effort to attend committee meetings during the legislative session, read bills, and testify as needed at committee hearings I am concerned with the growing progressive supermajority and the protentional effect this will have on the welfare of all citizens.
Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
No
Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain.
In 1991, I was charged with a DWI in Washington state. I am grateful for 20 years of recovery, continuous sobriety, and life a drug free lifestyle. I know the challenges of overcoming addiction and would push for more options for people who want to recover from addictions.
Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
No
New Mexico is highly reliant on the oil and natural gas industries to generate revenue to fund state programs, as evidenced by recent oil boom and bust cycles. What steps should the state take to diversify its economy and revenue base?
I am a proud worker in the gas and oil industry and am grateful for the income it provides for my family. My district has hundreds of small businesses but also a number of vacant buildings. I support small business development and the hard working, entrepreneurial mom and pop enterprises.
Would you support or oppose a paid family and medical leave program that would require most employees and employers to pay into a state-run fund?
The threat of more taxation is a hardship for small businesses and will further depress the struggling businesses owners in International District. While it sounds good, the reality is the Paid Leave taxation will deter new business startups or create bankruptcy worries for the multiple businesses in my district.
What more, if anything, should the Legislature do to address a court ruling that found New Mexico is failing to provide a sufficient education to all students?
As a retired Special Education Teacher, I saw first-hand that I was required to teach grade level instruction to high school students who had not mastered 3rd grade reading and math. This resulted in frustration and apathy for the student because they could not read at their current grade level.
What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its gross receipts tax code?
Our Legislators must pass new legislation to remove the tax from our state law and follow the successful examples of other states that do not have GRT. This tax inhibits potential economic growth and prosperity while deterring the entrepreneurial spirit that lead to start-ups, sole proprietorships, and LLCs.
What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its election laws and primary system? Do you support or oppose opening the state's primary elections to voters who aren't affiliated with either major political party?
The Secretary of State’s voter rolls are evidence of the a growing number of unaffiliated voters who must be given fair consideration and be allowed to participate in the process of the primary election. Further consideration must be given to shorten and limit the number of days of Early Voting.
The State Land Office isn't leasing any new land until the Legislature raises oil and gas royalty rates. Would you support or oppose raising oil and gas royalty rates?
I opposed raising oil and gas royalty rates because it would hurt the transportation industry in New Mexico. As a member of the Navajo Nation, I have seen first-hand how legislation killed the jobs and economically hurt the families with ties to the San Juan Generation Station and Chaco Canyon.
Do you support or oppose the state treating brackish and produced water? The New Mexico Environment Department has proposed reuse for certain projects not related to drinking water, like generating green hydrogen or running hemp farms using produced water.
I support fair prices for water treatment and regular testing for small rural community water supply to ensure the citizen’s right to clean water. I strongly support fair water regulation for surface water that irrigate the farming and agriculture communities along the Rio Grande and other natural water supply.
What steps should the Legislature take to address crime and improve public safety?
As resident of the ‘war zone’ of inner-city ABQ, I know our police fight the reality of human and drug trafficking. We must crack down on the small tent cities that leave human waste and debris left from the illegal encampments leaving streets dangerously unsafe for our children walk to school.
Would you support or oppose a ban on automatic weapons?
Due to the open border and mass invasion of illegal aliens, I support our U.S. Constitution’s 2nd amendment and will defend the right of every legalized U.S. citizen to bear a legally registered firearm to protect the property, home, and lives of their family from the threat of home invasion.
What steps do you believe should be taken to improve New Mexico's economic competitiveness?
New Mexico must have a competitive and skilled workforce. To compete for industry, we must move from 50th in state education and improve the math literacy of our children in public school. Nearly two generations of high school graduates are unable to compete for jobs in the tech industry.
New Mexico is the only state that does not pay its legislators a salary, though lawmakers do receive per diem payments and can qualify for a legislative pension. Should lawmakers be paid a salary?
If elected, I do not expect my neighbors in my district to pay me. I would no longer be a public servant but a paid state worker with an employer. I do support fair per diem and payments that adjust to the economy to fairly compensate the service industry workers.
Anything else you would like to add?
I am deeply concerned with the growing progressive Democratic supermajority of 66% within both our state senate and house. Unlike our U.S. congress, our state constitution has no supermajority rules to prevent a majority from eroding the fundamental rights of a minority leading to corrupt compromises within the majority party.
