NAME: Jay Groseclose
POLITICAL PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: professional engineer
TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Santa Fe
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: I have prepared or participated in agency budget requests; reviewed proposed national and state legislation; preparation of legislation proposed by the State; reviewed management or operating plans for federal and state projects for conflicts or omissions; consulted on environmental impacts; water quality standards prepared…
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, New Mexico State University; Graduate Studies, Civil Engineering and Water Resources, University of Kansas
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: jaygroseclose.com
1. New Mexico relies heavily on the petroleum and natural gas industries to generate revenue to fund state programs, as evidenced by the recent oil boom and bust cycles. What steps should the Legislative Assembly take to diversify the state’s economy and revenue base?
Eliminate the destructive gross revenue tax system and replace it with a more favorable tax system based on collecting tax at the point of consumption. Other options can create a fairer business climate. The gross receipts tax system must follow the path of the dinosaur. Develop destination tourism.
2. During the last ordinary legislative session, efforts were made unsuccessfully to facilitate the retention of certain defendants behind bars until trial. Should New Mexico law be changed to make it easier to hold individuals charged with violent offenses such as murder and first-degree child abuse behind bars until trial?
New Mexico must consider judicial restraints or liability for violations committed as a result of weak judicial release practices. Mandatory sentencing requirements should be enacted/required and judicial discretion limited. Offenders should be imprisoned pending trial for serious serious crimes with meaningful sentencing enhancements for the use of firearms in the commission of a crime.
3. What steps should the Legislature take to address crime and public safety as New Mexico faces one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation?
As noted above, mandatory sentencing requirements should be enacted for murder, torture, kidnapping and other major crimes, including the use of firearms in the commission of a crime. crime. Judicial discretion in sentencing and parole should be limited for certain crimes.
4. Given the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, do you support or oppose codifying abortion protections into state law? And do you support or oppose the adoption of abortion restrictions in New Mexico?
No, a decision of this magnitude must be taken by the people, not by the people’s elected representatives. The people should retain authority to govern themselves and maintain limited government to enact the will of the people as provided for in the Constitution. Biology unquestionably shows that late abortions are a violation of the right to life and liberty.
5. New Mexico has already implemented several gun control laws in recent years. Would you support or oppose legislation prohibiting or restricting the sale of AR-15 type semi-automatic weapons, such as increasing the age limit for the purchase of such weapons? And what about legislation that criminalizes failing to safely secure firearms around children?
Drugs and alcohol have a far greater impact overlooked by lawmakers. Only 3% of mental health services are provided by the state, resulting in lost opportunities for early intervention in life-threatening circumstances. Many people cannot afford private services. The focus on AR-15s hurts more victims of drug or alcohol addiction. …
6. New Mexico’s state agency responsible for keeping children safe has recently come under scrutiny over transparency issues and its handling of high-profile child abuse cases. What changes would you support to improve the operations of the Child, Youth and Family Service?
I am a professional by trade and will not respond without a thorough background investigation and professional advice. New Mexico is ranked 50th in the nation when it comes to child well-being. It is the Governor’s fault and the Legislature has not acted or begun the work necessary to remedy this horrendous neglect.
7. What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its gross receipts tax code?
Eliminate it. This is a patently unfair system that does not favor business and the economic security and stability of this state. This system needs to be replaced as other states have done. Since most businesses operate on loans, the borrowed money is used to pay gross receipts.
8. New Mexico is currently the only state that does not pay its legislators a salary, although legislators receive per diems and are eligible for a statutory pension. Do you support or oppose a salaried legislature and, if so, how much should legislators be paid?
No. I approve of the voluntary nature of our Legislature as opposed to professional politicians. The alternative is term limits.
9. What more, if anything, should the legislature do to respond to a court ruling that found that New Mexico does not provide sufficient education for all students, especially Native Americans and those who do not speak English as a first language?
The education of Native Americans was originally a fiduciary responsibility of the federal government. New Mexico should urge reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. New Mexico should approve the Native CLASS Act to provide educational opportunities for Native American children. Non-English speaking children should be educated in English, as most advanced countries do, to provide unlimited opportunities.
10. In recent years, New Mexico has steadily increased spending on early childhood programs, such as home visiting, preschool, and child care assistance, and created a new fund Early Childhood Trust. Do you support or oppose the constitutional amendment proposed in the November ballot that would take more money out of the state’s permanent school fund to increase funding for early childhood services and K-education? 12?
To oppose. Continue to build the fund for the future when natural resource extractions run out to prevent the state from raising taxes unnecessarily. Future costs have not been taken into account by the current administration. Lower state and state government taxes reduce the need for two full-time earners to support a family. …
11. In order to address climate change and air quality issues, do you support or oppose legislation that limits greenhouse gas emissions and requires the state to achieve net zero emissions of here 2050?
No. We need to invest in carbon capture technology as a much more reliable and responsible solution rather than relying on highly polluting Chinese mining and manufacturing, and Chinese sweatshops, child labor and slave labor.
12. Do you think any changes should be made to the emergency powers held by a governor during a pandemic or other time of crisis. If so, do you think these powers should be expanded or reduced and in what specific ways?
Yes. Emergency powers were added to deal with issues such as 9/11. Emergency powers should be limited to constitutional requirements that the legislature appropriates and the administration spends. The usurped dictatorial and draconian powers, as wielded by the governor, are wrong. As specified in the Emergency Powers Act, the legislature must be convened and remain in session for the duration of the emergency. …
13. Would you support a merit-based evaluation system to determine how the state spends its capital expenditure funding?
For state projects such as highways and major infrastructure such as processing plants and pipelines, merit should play a role. Local projects such as centers for the elderly should be based on local priorities.
14. Do you believe former President Donald Trump’s claim that he was the rightful winner of the 2020 presidential election? (Yes or No answer only, please)
The respondent did not limit their answer to yes or no as requested.
15. What changes, if any, would you support to New Mexico’s election laws?
Require voter ID, limit mail-in voting, provide permanent active remote monitoring recordings of ballot boxes, or better yet, remove ballet ballot boxes. Make voting day a holiday. Eliminate extended voting days. Clarify that all forms of voting end on election day. Return to paper ballots and manual counts; remove gear.
Personal history
1. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been subject to any state or federal tax liens?
No.
2. Have you ever been involved in personal or commercial bankruptcy proceedings?
I was co-accused in my wife’s Chapter 13 bankruptcy under New Mexico Community Property Law. All debts were paid in full on time and the bankruptcy was canceled by the competent court.
3. Have you ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of a DUI, misdemeanor, or felony in New Mexico or any other state? If yes, explain.
No.