New Mexico State Senator George Munoz

Real Solutions for All New Mexicans

Real Solutions for All New Mexicans
Senator George Munoz
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Updates from George

SENATOR AND CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOWIE MORALES ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT OF GEORGE MUNOZ FOR NM LAND COMMISSIONER

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
press@MunozforNM.com

SENATOR AND CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOWIE MORALES ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT OF GEORGE MUNOZ FOR NM LAND COMMISSIONER

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Today, New Mexico State Senator and candidate for Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales issued the following statement in announcing his endorsement of Senator George Munoz for the state’s next Land Commissioner.

“As a 6th generation New Mexican with a long record of experience as a businessman, rancher and public servant, Senator Munoz is the one candidate that has the leadership and experience necessary to serve as New Mexico’s next Commissioner of Public Lands.

“I have worked with George for over a decade, and I know that nothing is more important to him than protecting our children and providing a brighter future for the next generation of New Mexicans. Whether safeguarding our public lands, ensuring the safety of our schools or providing adequate funding for our public education system, George is committed to our state and doing what is right on behalf of New Mexican families.

“In the Senate, he always stood with me as I challenged the disastrous education policies of Hannah Skandera and Governor Susana Martinez. At the height of their popularity, George Munoz never wavered, and remained strong in defending our classrooms in New Mexico.

“As we head into the Democratic Party Pre-Primary Convention this weekend, I strongly urge all delegates to support George. He’s the right candidate for the job.”

To learn more about George, visit https://munozfornm.com/ or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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George Munoz Statement on Partisan Federal Tax Reform Legislation

For immediate release:
November 29, 2017

Contact:
press@munozfornm.com

George Munoz Statement on Partisan Federal Tax Reform Legislation
NM Legislative Finance Committee letter reveals devastating impact of federal tax reform bill

Albuquerque, NM – Today George Munoz, New Mexico State Senator and candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands, issued the following statement in response to the partisan tax reform bill that threatens to cut $400 million in education funding for New Mexico’s public schools.

“I know how important it is to have a stable source of funding for our school system not only because I represent thousands of families, but also because I am the father of two boys and the husband of a public school teacher. It is clear that the partisan tax reform bill proposed by Republicans in the United States Congress ignores the interests of New Mexico’s children by putting our school funding in jeopardy.

“I am running for Commissioner of Public Lands because I believe that a permanent revenue stream for New Mexico’s schools is vital to the future of our children and our state.

“I urge both Senators Heinrich and Udall to vote against the tax reform bill that ignores our teachers and our students, and work together across the aisle – like we do in the New Mexico Senate – to come up with a solution that works for all New Mexicans.”

For more information, go to https://munozfornm.com.

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About

George and WifeI am the youngest son of Margaret (Landavazo) Muñoz and the late Edward Muñoz. I was born and raised along with my five siblings in Gallup. I attended Gallup Cathedral and graduated from Gallup High School. After attending college at the University of Arizona, I returned to my hometown to work with my father. He taught me the most important values are hard work, loyalty and pride in our community, lessons I have passed on to my family.

When my father Eddie Muñoz was Mayor of Gallup, he walked to Santa Fe to change the law that allowed for drive-up liquor windows and tougher DWI penalties. His actions and commitment to improving the lives of so many people in our community still has a major impact on me and guides my dedication to public service.

My wife Sharmyn and I have been blessed with two sons, Zane and Landon.

Gallup is my home. That’s why I’m honored to represent you and your family in the State Senate. We still have a lot of work to do in Santa Fe to create more jobs and improve the quality of life in New Mexico and our region.

George Muñoz

A Letter From The Candidate

George Munoz and SonI’m George Munoz and I’m running for New Mexico Land Commissioner. I’m a 6th Generation New Mexican – I have been a State Senator for the last 8 years. Serving New Mexico is in my blood – I have lots of elected officials in my family from Judges to my father that was Mayor of Gallup. I’m a General Contractor, I am in Real Estate, farming and ranching. My wife Sharmyn and I have been married for 23 years and we have two sons, Zane who is attending college and Landon who is a sophomore in the Gallup public school system.

As a State Senator, I see year after year funding for public education going up and down.  I’m tired of the funding roller coaster ride and that is the driving force of why I am running for Land Commissioner.

We depend on funds form the land office to fund much of our higher education through set asides and funding public education from royalties from public lands; mainly from extraction, mining, oil and gas, but also from the generation of renewables.  Coal is going away from the energy mix in 2032.  We have very little control over the price of oil and gas.  But we can stabilize our education funding with expansion of renewables. We have the land – we have the wind and we have the sun; what we don’t have is the political will (leadership) to make New Mexico the renewable capitol of our County.

Our current income from renewables, wind and solar, doubled from 2015 to 2016 – from $550 thousand to over $1 million.  But that is a fraction of the funds generated from extraction industry.  But with renewables we won’t be at the mercy of the Middle East – we can dramatically improve our air quality and stabilize our education funding source.

We have several problems – income to the state was $739 million in 2105 and dropped to $406 million in 2016 – that’s makes budgeting very difficult.  The Four-corners power plant exports about 85% of the energy generated and the plumb of pollution sits in New Mexico.  We get the pollution and the energy goes out of state. There needs to be a premium for energy generated here and shipped out of state.  We have thousands of acres of state land that is inaccessible to hunters and hikers – we need to make our lands accessible through swaps and trades.  We need a land Commissioner that will protect our water and ensure it is not allowed to be sent down stream to Texas.

I will establish an environmental advisory board related to how our office manages our public lands.  We own thousands of acres we need to maximize our income as well as the availability for the enjoyment of New Mexicans while ensuring our long-range goals.

Issues

As New Mexico Land Commissioner, George Muñoz’s Priorities include…

Jobs & Economic Development

Spearhead efforts to create thousands of good-paying jobs by making New Mexico the renewable-energy capital of the United States.

Education

Implement sound fiscal-management practices at the Land Grant Permanent Fund, so NM education leaders have the stable source of funding they need to build a stronger school system.

Lower Carbon Emissions

Partner with state energy producers to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while protecting and expanding New Mexico’s economy.

Water

Address New Mexico’s water shortage by establishing clear water policy that protects our aquifers, rivers, lakes and reservoirs and tackles the conflicts around water-rights issues.

Conservation

Implement a comprehensive effort to protect state lands while addressing the needs of New Mexico families and businesses, including … creating & preserving energy-sector jobs, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, increasing recreational access to state lands, educating our children and protecting our historic sites, parks and heritage locales.