Crime
Public safety has always been and will always be my No. 1 concern. I've increased the current police force to 1,000, and I plan to increase it to 1,100 when I'm re-elected. Overall crime is currently down by 17 percent and, despite the recent tragedy (five people, including two police officers, were slain on Aug. 18), is continuing the downward trend.
Eminent domain
The city does not seize public property to aid local economic development. Our law strictly prohibits it. The only time the city seizes a property is when it is a blighted property (such as when it is used for manufacturing methamphetamines or cocaine or is a house of prostitution).
Minimum wage increase proposal
I support increasing the minimum wage, but support it at either a national or state level, not at the local level. By increasing the minimum wage in Albuquerque only, we create incentives for businesses to locate outside the city limits.
Public transportation
I have been a strong supporter of making Albuquerque a multi-modal city. The Rapid Ride has been a tremendous success. In my next term, I plan to expand Rapid Ride and break ground on a light-rail system.
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Alcohol sales at all-ages shows
I fully support all-age venues and having the city create activities for all ages. I do not support the sale of alcohol at these venues.
Environmental issues
Our air is cleaner today than it has been in decades. We have successfully implemented the most aggressive and effective water conservation program in the country, and with the San Juan Chama project, will protect our water for future generations. We continue to make progress as well to preserve open space, securing over 3,000 new acres while I've been Mayor, including the last private parcels of the Bosque, so that they will never be developed. I have also led a particularly ambitious restoration of the Bosque, featuring removal of invasive plants and plantings of native Cottonwoods and Willows.
Helping homeless and indigent in Albuquerque
In December 2003, I initiated a Behavioral Health and the Homeless Summit to forge better partnerships with the community toward solutions that could actually work for this most vulnerable of populations. Since then, I have begun to initiate the summit's two key findings: that we could help those with severe mental illness who live on the streets through an intensive wrap-around program called ACT (assertive community treatment) and a modality called Housing First, which actually plays off ACT in a way that makes it more successful, even for the very hardest to serve, who were often previously thought off-limits.
Improving city services
I've implemented many new city services while I've been in office and am always open to new ideas. Among the highlights, the city's 24-hour information line, Rapid Ride, People to People, where city directors are available at a community center to answer people's questions directly.
Improving Downtown
A healthy and vibrant Downtown is good for everyone. I'm working diligently to build a Downtown arena and bring more professional sports to the city. I also am working with my economic development team to bring more jobs to Downtown as well as more retail.
City taxes
I will not and have not raised city taxes without voter approval. I have no plans to increase our tax rate, but rather, increase our overall budget by expanding our economy.
