Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Democrat Robert Frost faces Republican Clint Harden Jr. in the State Senate, District 7 race
Name: Robert Frost
Occupation: Rancher/farmer, small business owner (Caprock Creek Ranch Adventures)
Party: Democrat
Age: 62
Hometown: San Jon
Wife: Jane
Children: two daughters, three granddaughters
Hobbies: Community involvement, ranch work and spending time with family
Political history: Former president of New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, in his second term on San Jon school board, former director of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, former member of New Mexico Activities Association
Jail overcrowding has been draining county budgets for years. What, if anything, can the state Legislature do to help counties out? And do you support more state funding to help out counties?
Presently there are several plans to bring together the county and state’s jail funding issue. I think that the counties and state must communicate more effectively as to what responsibilities each one has. Laws that are already on the books need to be followed and enforced. Prisoner sentencing should be done in the most timely manner possible. This will eliminate part of the problem of who is responsible for the cost of a prisoner.
The counties and state must work together to get the most benefit from their dollars. I am not current on all plans. I am willing to discuss and research the issue in detail.
What is the best way to continue promoting agriculture in this part of the state?
Agriculturists are the greatest stewards in the world. If they don’t take care of the land and water, then it won’t be productive for them. A good stewardship campaign message could go a long way in promoting agriculture. Also, many farmers and ranchers are entrepreneurs — they have diversified their operations to supplement income. Promoting new products and the producer can be targeted to a specific part of the district. Excitement about new products and businesses can be good for agriculture as well as the community around it.
What is the biggest issue for this district in the near future, and how will you try to handle this issue?
The one issue I see common across this large district is education. We must continually strive to educate our youth and work force. Our schools must be held to higher standards of educational excellence. A well-educated population brings economic development, which in turn will create jobs with benefits, a larger tax base and in general economic growth.
Of course this growth will also be dependent on a good supply of water. Conservation and education about water will ensure a longer supply.
It has been said that senators from rural areas have a difficult task in obtaining funds for their parts of the state. What, if anything, will you do to increase funding for municipalities in eastern and northeastern New Mexico?
First, I must sit down with each municipality and work with them to generate short- and long-term goals. We must prioritize projects to meet the needs of their long range plan. State funding sources will need to be supplemented by matching and full-funded grants. I believe that when representing the district I must research all avenues, state and private funding, to get the most possible for each community that I can.
Why are you better suited for the position than your opponent?
I believe my experience in the school of hard knocks helps me to better understand the struggles, needs and concerns of the citizens of Northeastern New Mexico. I have strived to preserve a way of life for my family and me. Finding that the best way to control your future is to get in the middle of it. As my children were going through school, I took an active part in the system as a school-board member. As the cattle industry struggled through difficult times, I became active in the New Mexico Cattle Growers, serving as president and spending many days in Santa Fe working for the industry. I served as a superintendent at the New Mexico State Fair for many years and I am presently serving by appointment on the New Mexico State Fair Commission. I’m once again serving on the San Jon School Board, playing an active role in my grandchildren’s education. I believe that our representatives in Santa Fe need to understand the people of the district — and I do. I am ready to stand firm through the tough issues with no prior agenda.
Name: Sen. Clint Harden (District 7)
Occupation: Business administrator, owner of Twin Cronies in Clovis
Party: Republican
Age: 57
Hometown: Clovis
Wife: Kathy
Children: three children and four grandchildren
Hobbies: Equestrian sports, hunting, hanging out with grandchildren
Political history: State senator since 2002; served as state cabinet secretary; and worked for the Department of Labor (1995-2002).
Jail overcrowding has been draining county budgets for years. What, if anything, can the state Legislature do to help counties out? And do you support more state funding to help out counties?
As a state senator I have been working on the problem of jail overcrowding for the past two years. We should recognize that this problem was not born overnight; therefore, the solution is not a simple one and involves a mix of ideas that can be put in place over time. Fundamentally, we as a society want to keep our streets and neighborhoods free of crime, we want stiffer penalties for violations of law and with those penalties comes an increase in demand for larger facilities and bigger budgets to support incarceration. The issue of county budgets can be addressed in parts of a solution to the overall problem. For example, I introduced Senate Bill 90 during the 2004 session, which would have appropriated $2 million from the general fund to the Corrections Department to reimburse counties for the cost of housing and transporting paroled violators. This Senate bill was aimed at reducing the burden of incarcerating individuals who had received parole from state institutions, violated that parole and are being housed in a county correction facilities and awaiting transportation.
As I have already mentioned, this bill would have solved only one of the problems specific to county budgets. While this bill had some committee support, it was not passed out of committee. On a political front we need a unified approach from counties to all state elected representatives that this type of legislation is necessary. The legislative process requires majority support for positive outcome.
We should also recognize that another fundamental problem of overcrowding is as simple as the process associated with sentencing. Any time the Legislature passes a law requiring mandatory sentencing of less than a year, the time served is in the county facility rather than a state institution. I believe any of these laws should carry a monetary appropriation to the counties as part of the law.
What is the best way to continue promoting agriculture in this part of the state?
The best way to continue to promote agriculture in this part of the state is to again find the right mix of solutions. There are no single, silver-bullet type answers. First, a strategic alliance is necessary between chambers of commerce and economic development groups within counties to promote the strengths of the Agra community in our region. This region is the livestock capitol of the nation. In Clovis we have a nationally recognized cattle sale and the largest number of feedlots per mile within a 100-mile radius. We must collectively promote the sale of our products that are produced by our agricultural community, products such as cheese, milk and beef. We must continue to improve the roads that transport Agra commodities from the field and/or dairies to the various distribution sites and have more four-lane roads to move our products to market. Finally, we must protect the tax structure of our Agra community by continuing with gross receipts tax exemptions on agricultural products that include feed seed and fertilizer.
What is the biggest issue for this district in the near future, and how will you try to handle this issue?
The biggest challenge facing this district at this time is job creation and job retention. Our quality of life in District 7 is dependent upon the economic health of the district. The prescription for that economic health is job creation and retention. Success depends on solving problems that are similar in all rural counties: quality roads, water, health care, and the training and education of our workforce. During the eight years I served as Gov. Gary Johnson’s cabinet secretary of labor, I continually saw the importance of a well-trained and educated workforce as fundamental to economic growth.
Job creation is a private sector function and not the function of government. However, government can play a huge role by ensuring that regulations and laws are business-friendly. We need to ensure that the tax structure is fair and equitable to businesses and their employees. Government’s role is to ensure that community-based infrastructure is in place: roads, airports and community colleges. I can assist as I have done in the past. I will continue to support and promote the business-friendly legislation. I will support no tax increases and continue to support appropriations for the capital outlay process for improvements to our infrastructure and more funding for vocational and community colleges.
It has been said that senators from rural areas have a difficult task in obtaining funds for their parts of the state. What, if anything, will you do to increase funding for municipalities in eastern and northeastern New Mexico?
The most important tool a legislator who represents rural areas can use to help fund municipalities in eastern and northeastern New Mexico is to use experience and acquired skills to work within the appropriation process to maximize funding. The interpersonal relationships with other legislators are a significant asset for rural districts.
It is increasingly important that rural representatives stick together on issues relating to the smaller-populated districts with large geographic areas. By working together on issues such as water, both planning and conservation, rural representatives can compete for the limited resources available. Experience is important in order to understand the various mechanisms by which dollars flow into local governments. The budget process can be complicated and cumbersome.
My commitment to the constituents in District 7 is to remain vigilant and work diligently to obtain a more thorough knowledge of the budgetary process that will result in the kind of fiscal representation that you deserve.
Why are you better suited for the position than your opponent?
I am better suited because of my experience and my qualifications. They truly matter as a state senator. I am the only candidate who has worked for both the executive and the legislative branches of government. During my 10 years of public service experience, I have learned the process and have gotten to know the people who serve this state, both Republicans and Democrats. I have learned how the system works and therefore know how to make it work for you and your families.