Joy Garratt

Joy Garratt was born in Long Beach, California. She earned her B.S. in liberal studies with concentrations in history and communications from Excelsior College, University of the State of New York, and her M.A. in educational leadership from the University of New Mexico. She also received a post-BA teacher licensure from the University of New Mexico. Garratt has worked in public affairs and public relations and as an educator. She is affiliated with Ventana Ranch Neighborhood Association and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

The granddaughter of Mennonite homesteaders in Union County New Mexico, I have served in the New Mexico State Legislature since 2019 representing the NW quadrant of the City of Albuquerque. I taught K-12 students for more than 28 years, including stints overseas in South Korea, in California and Connecticut, before spending my final 12 years in Albuquerque Public Schools. Currently, I'm developing a small business communications and writing entrepreneurial consultancy.

As a champion for education and workforce development, I work on policies, legislation and funding for pre-K through post secondary education. Thus, I've sponsored bills to robustly fund pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, raise educator salaries, develop teacher residencies and the educator pipeline, and provide free Opportunity Scholarships for our adult students seeking high-demand career pathways.

Additionally, I champion infrastructure development with special attention to expanding major arterial roads in my district to support first responders and workforce commuters as well as economic development. I've sponsored and funded significant public safety and law enforcement initiatives to make our communities safer, ands health legislation such as requiring insurance companies to pay for biomarker testing that leads to better health outcomes for New Mexicans.

As I examine challenges facing our state, I am committed to working across the aisle with all my diverse my colleagues.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will always listen to my constituents and hear their concerns--I'm committed to working together with them and my fellow New Mexicans and legislators to effectively identify the issues that challenge us and come up with practical, common sense solutions. It is important to me that stakeholders representing different perspectives on any given issue sit down together to reach agreements that we can all live with.Education from cradle to career is my #1s priority. In particular, I believe that improving middle school education is vital in addressing much of the crime issues that have arisen in our neighborhoods. We need to engage our young people as adolescents with hands-on, relevant, activity inclusive educational opportunities that show them the kinds of constructive paths forward and give them a vision of their futures in terms of doable career pathways. Career and technical education, pre-apprenticeships, and always showing the practical applications in academic classes are a priority.I am committed to listening the to the voices of everyone involved in the criminal justice system--law enforcement, courts and corrections, prosecutors and public defenders, and those who personally went through the criminal justice system. Listening is the start, but implementing targeted legislation and fully funding these efforts is next. When we talk about the best placement for those who violate the law, we need to acknowledge that violent repeat offenders need to stay in jail. The kinds of alternative placements for those with mental and behavioral issue, addictions and other root causes of crime are much needed, but require more staffing, facilities and programs. These all need adequate funding.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education from cradle to career, public safety, health, economic development, broadband expansion and access, public private partnership frameworks, infrastructure (roads, bridges, airports, trains, EV charging stations), health initatives and data governance/integration/sharing. That about covers it!

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

"To Kill a Mockingbird"

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official must understand the purpose and contents of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America and the State Constitution.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

An elected official must be wiling to work with their diverse constituents and must work with all levels of government: neighborhood, local, county, state and federal. It is essential to create opportunities to meet with, listen to, dialog and discuss with, and give feedback to constituents.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy when I was 10 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Salad girl/line server at Sir George's Smorgasbord

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. Endless life lessons regardless of your religious beliefs.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Dreamers", sung by Jeon Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

There needs to be balance between the three branches of government: executive, judicial and legislative. I am working for the modernization of the NM State Legislature currently because legislators are unsalaried except for per diem and have no permanent staff or district offices. Thus, the Governor and the executive branch have greater powers and impact than intended by the Constitution.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Poverty with the acute childhood experiences (ACES) of New Mexican children putting us at #50 in childhood situations. Water availability in light of drought and climate change. Addressing the negative health impacts of oil and gas extraction even as we work to improve how they function and seek alternative energy development.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It's helpful for state legislators to have areas of expertise due to their education and job fields and experiences--they bring that expertise to the table.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Good legislation and policy benefits from cooperation and collaboration.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Shirley Chisholm

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have knocked on thousands of doors and the personal stories--ranging from beloved family members with Alzheimer's or dementia to family breakdown due to drug addiction or other poor choices--guide my legislative pathway.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

They approve the use of the Governor's emergency powers and can consider having a legislative process in place to approve or reject their extension.

What committees interest you?

House Education, Legislative Finance Committee, Legislative Education Study Committee, House Transportation, Science Technology & Telecommunications Committee, Economic and Rural Policy and Development, just about all of them!

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I am grateful that we webcast all committee meetings and floor sessions of the New Mexico State Legislature. Financial transactions must be totally transparent and there must be continued oversight to ensure government accountability.

Joy Garratt did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Joy Garratt did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Garratt issued the following statement regarding her bid for office:

We need fresh leadership that listens to constituents and their diverse opinions, suggestions and ideas. We need legislators who value good communication, who will seek and and research innovative ideas for jobs, and who value everyone from our youngest citizens to our oldest retirees and everyone in between. I am that fresh leadership!

[7]

—Joy Garratt, [1]