House District 24: David Daffron Candidate Q&A

House District 24: David Daffron

Political Party: Republican

Family: Wife Sandra; three adult children

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration from University of New Mexico. Master of Business Administration from University of Arizona. I was licensed as a CPA for 30+ years

Occupation: Consultant

City of Residence: Albuquerque

Campaign Website

Relevant Experience

I’ve worked in business as CFO, VP, operations manager, and Board member. My career gave me well-rounded management, leadership, and problem-solving skills. My wife Sandra and I went through public schools in Albuquerque, and lived in the district the last 35 years. Sandra taught math and science.

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.

Other than receiving a rare traffic ticket, 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?

First, support those who are already here; oil and gas, the national laboratories, ranching and farming, light manufacturing, the film industry. Second, target businesses leaving the west coast by repealing the recently passed far-left California based laws which those companies are fleeing.

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?

Any new tax makes our bad business climate worse. Businesses tailer their pay and benefit plans so as to compete for, and retain good employees. One-size-fits-all legislation targeted at one component of benefit plans is likely to reduce overall employee compensation. Oppose.

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?

Every neighboring state spends less per student than NM yet all have significantly better student outcomes. The legislature must commission a task force of professional educators to benchmark school districts in nearby states with similar socioeconomic issues and develop a reasonable fact-based program to address our dysfunctional system.

What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its gross receipts tax code?

Move to a sales tax model similar to the other 49 states. Stop taxing services. Stop pyramiding the tax multiple times. Slash the 120+ deductions and exclusions to broaden the base and reduce the rate.

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?

By and large NM election laws work as they should. I oppose gerrymandering districts so as to disenfranchise certain voters. Voters decline to state their actual party preference for many reasons. I’m not in favor of open primaries. Oppose.

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 state land office website shows new leases issued every month this year. The major basins overlap neighboring states so the legislature must exercise care to keep the state competitive while maximizing income. I support raising the maximum rate that may be charged on certain premium leases.

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.

As former CFO for a company that designed water projects, another that operated municipal wastewater treatment plants, and yet another that treated produced water, I know the issues well. The state government itself should not treat such water, but provide regulatory relief and reasonable incentives to qualified private parties.

What steps should the Legislature take to address crime and improve public safety?

The legislature has failed the citizens on this issue. Consequently, NM is the most crime- ridden and dangerous state in the nation. I will work to repeal every pro-criminal, anti-law enforcement law on the books and then pass reasonable common-sense legislation focused on the safety of law-abiding citizens.

Would you support or oppose a ban on automatic weapons?

Fully automatic firearms are already so tightly regulated as to be effectively banned. Instead of posturing and pretending to fight crime by banning semiautomatics (shotguns, pistols, sporting rifles) owned by hundreds of thousands of law-abiding citizens, I will focus on legislation to fight actual crime and actual criminals. Oppose.

What steps do you believe should be taken to improve New Mexico's economic competitiveness?

I support common sense actions that make NM a state people want to work, live, and invest. Fix the gross receipts tax. Review our regulatory framework to ensure we are not unnecessarily restrictive. Cap state spending and reduce taxes. Above all, address crime and the poor education system.

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?

Our legislature serves the state poorly. Despite a bonanza of tax revenue, they have not addressed basic quality of life issues in New Mexico. I do not believe a salary would necessarily attract better legislators, so, no, I do not support paying a salary.

Anything else you would like to add?

At a recent dinner with neighbors, we exchanged news regarding each other’s kids. Five live out of state, and the sixth is planning to move. They have great jobs, wonderful lives, and they’re not coming back. I will work to make NM a place our children want to live.