Deb Haaland announces affordability policies as gubernatorial race heats up

If elected governor, Deb Haaland promiseds to raise the statewide minimum wage and child tax credits, ban rent fixing and invest in renewable energy.

Haaland announced those policies and others at a news conference at the Street Food Institute in Barelas on Wednesday.

“For too long, corporations and big companies have driven up costs, making record profits, while New Mexicans foot the bill, work long hours and still can't get by,” Haaland said at the news conference.

Since announcing her campaign a year ago, Haaland has billed herself as a people’s candidate, often referring to her experience as a working single mother both in speeches and social media posts.

Despite messaging about humble beginnings, Haaland has risen to high positions of power within the federal government. Under President Joe Biden, Haaland served as the Interior secretary, becoming the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.

Before that, Haaland served as a representative of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District between 2019 and 2021.

Haaland's competitor for the Democratic nomination is Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, whose staff did not comment on Haaland's policies when asked Wednesday.

During the news conference, Haaland garnered an endorsement from the Communications Workers of America, which represents public workers at the University of New Mexico, UNM Hospital, Albuquerque Community Safety and other public institutions.

“We need leaders who value each public servant and the work they do for our state,” said CWA president Megan Green. “And we know Deb is going to be that leader.”

Haaland's affordability platform, broken down

Haaland proposed raising the statewide minimum wage from $12 to $14.50, with incremental increases over time.

“We obviously can't raise it to what it should be, right?” Haaland said. “Because it would be very high.”

Another concrete change Haaland would enact if elected is a total ban on “rent fixing,” which is the practice of setting a person’s rent based on an algorithm that is fed on data from other states and cities. Renters' rights advocates have called these practices unfair and predatory.

Haaland also mentioned short-term rentals, but when pressed on her policies, she did not say whether she supported a ban, caps or other measures.

“That's a problem here in New Mexico and we're going to address it,” Haaland said.

Haaland said she plans to boost affordability by further investing in current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s universal childcare program. That program, Haaland said, would have changed her life if it had existed while raising her daughter.

In her speech, Haaland looked to the next generation of parents, workers and lawmakers.

Standing by Haaland’s side was 29-year-old state Rep. Cristina Parajón, D-Albuquerque, the state’s youngest female legislator.

Parajón said that Haaland’s policies would help young people and keep them in New Mexico.

Additionally, Haaland promised Parajón that she would work with the Legislature to support bills to incentivize affordable housing through tax credits, as well as support a bill to collect data on the state’s housing shortage.

Another financial pressure for New Mexicans, Haaland said, is utility prices.

When asked by reporters about the proposed sale of TXNM Energy Inc. to private equity firm Blackstone Inc., Haaland said that the deal was likely to go through before she took office. However, she promised to hold the company accountable if they hike rates.

Haaland also said she would use state funding to invest in renewable energy, like wind, solar and geothermal energy. Haaland said these investments are not only eco-friendly but also financially smart.

If developed in abundance, Haaland said, renewable energy could lower New Mexicans' electricity costs.

“New Mexico can be the energy capital of the country, all while creating high-paying jobs with benefits for New Mexicans,” Haaland said.

Gillian Barkhurst is the local government reporter for the Journal. She can be reached at gbarkhurst@abqjournal.com.