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Senate District 21: Nicole Tobiassen Candidate Q&A
Senate District 21: Nicole Tobiassen
Political Party: Republican
Age: 54
Family: Husband, Mark Tobiassen; 2 Children
Education: Honors AA, St Pete College and BA History, USF and Minor Anthropology/Archaeology, USF
Occupation: Business Coach
City of Residence: Albuquerque
Relevant Experience
I've built my business to make New Mexico a better place to live, find employment & own a business. Every day I challenge leaders to grow their skill sets, expand their vision of what is possible & take action towards strategic goals.
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.
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?
We are held back by regressive economic policy, poorly-performing schools, and high crime. Businesses will close and jobs will dry up until that changes. It's time our state incentivizes new and existing business, with strong tax incentive programs and educational programs to prepare a solid local workforce.
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 bill proposed last year, as written, is a non-starter. It’s essentially a mandatory tax that hurts working families in the long run. I opposed it and would oppose it in the future.
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?
We need greater local control of education free of stifling mandates from Santa Fe. Albuquerque public school district has become a centralized behemoth. It would be much more effective if we had multiple school districts for the various “zones” within Bernalillo, giving educators greater flexibility and control.
What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its gross receipts tax code?
Gross receipts tax severely holds New Mexico back, putting it at a strong disadvantage compared to other states, forcing businesses to collect taxes on behalf of the state. As a result it is cheaper to buy goods from outside New Mexico. This tax must be eliminated.
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 support closed primaries.
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?
Oppose. These regulations only serve the largest oil and gas companies, who stand aside while overregulation shuts down their smaller competitors. This industry was built on independent drillers, who are small businesses. We need diversification and competition, not de facto state-sponsored monopolies.
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.
Support. There should be more research and development for turning this water into a useful product in areas of the state that need more water.
What steps should the Legislature take to address crime and improve public safety?
It’s an embarrassment that the legislature hasn’t done anything about the fact that criminals in this state are released immediately after committing a violent crime. We need bail reform yesterday. I support restoring qualified immunity to our law enforcement–emphasis on the qualified. Police shouldn’t be afraid to enforce the law
Would you support or oppose a ban on automatic weapons?
No
What steps do you believe should be taken to improve New Mexico's economic competitiveness?
Reform or eliminate GRT. Stop the attacks on doctors who are having to flee our state so that medical care improves. Look at new educational models that incentivize and promote trade schools and greater flexibility in education.
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?
The New Mexico legislature has done such a poor job in recent years that I would support lawmakers not receiving a salary until our metrics improve and working families aren’t struggling to put food on the table.
Anything else you would like to add?
Our state is led by what I call “Champions of the Status Quo.” I've challenged the status quo my entire career, in order to make our state even better. I have a proven record of leading organizations towards exceptional outcomes and hope to do the same for New Mexico, with your vote.
