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House District 50: Matthew McQueen Candidate Q&A
House District 50: Matthew McQueen
Political Party: Democratic
Family: Married; 2 children
Education: BA, Williams College; JD, University of Michigan Law School; MS, University of Michigan School of Natural Resources; MBA, University of New Mexico
Occupation: Attorney
City of Residence: Galisteo
Relevant Experience
I've been an attorney for over 30 years, advising individuals and small businesses, and specialize in land conservation. I've represented House District 50 for the past 10 years, and in the Legislature I chair the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the interim Water & Natural Resources Committee.
Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
Yes. I dropped the ball on bookkeeping and ended up with a $172 business lien. (It was quickly paid.)
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.
No
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?
New Mexico has continued growth opportunities in film production, outdoor recreation, and renewable energy development. Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs, as well our universities, provide tech opportunities. New Mexico is also a wonderful place to live that can attract people who are able to work remotely.
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?
I have previously and will continue to support paid family medical leave. Note that under the proposed bill, while all employees are covered, "most" employers (those will less than five employees) don't have to pay in.
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?
Education will always be the top priority for the New Mexico Legislature. We have made significant improvements, but there is more work to be done. Money alone won't improve our outcomes, be we have a moral and legal obligation to provide sufficient funding for all of our public schools.
What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its gross receipts tax code?
If we want to lower out tax rate, we need to simplify our tax code. There are too many exemptions and carve outs, leading to the "Swiss cheese" effect.
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?
I always encourage every eligible citizen to vote, and our elections are the best run in the nation. We should keep them that way. Any eligible citizen can already vote in our primaries, either by being registered with a "major" party or showing up on election day and registering.
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?
The royalty rate, which hasn't been updated since the 1970s, is below neighboring states' and fair market rates. This is the rate that oil companies pay us for minerals WE OWN—not a tax, fee, or regulation. Oil companies should not continue to be subsidized, which shortchanges educational funding.
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'm open to using treated brackish or produced water in industrial processes, provided that proper safeguards are in place that such water does not contaminate drinking water, is not used in agriculture, and is not discharged (intentionally or accidentally) into streams and rivers. Those safeguards are not yet in place.
What steps should the Legislature take to address crime and improve public safety?
The Legislature has consistently worked to improve public safety, including tougher laws, longer sentences, and more funding for police. Getting "tough on crime", however, will never solve our crime problem alone. We need addiction treatment, diversion programs, and better education and economic development.
Would you support or oppose a ban on automatic weapons?
We already have a ban on automatic weapons, which I strongly support. We should also restrict—with a higher level of licensing, enhanced background checks, and required financial responsibility—semiautomatic assault rifles, which are weapons of war that do not belong on our streets.
What steps do you believe should be taken to improve New Mexico's economic competitiveness?
Improving our education system and developing our economy go hand-in-hand. A better education system will produce workforce-ready graduates and attract businesses. Attracting businesses will give our young people better opportunities right here at home.
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?
Absolutely. Not paying legislators restricts legislative service to those who can afford it—essentially a privilege of wealthy—and excludes lower-income individuals, often younger people. It skews the Legislature and is fundamentally undemocratic.
Anything else you would like to add?
It's remarkable to me that in all of these questions you haven't asked about women's reproductive freedom. I will continue to trust women to make decisions that are right for them and oppose efforts that target and harass women who exercise their rights.
