Why do you want to serve on the Public Regulation Commission?

Jerome Block Jr.: The PRC is a diverse agency which touches the lives of all citizens on a daily basis. I want to work to ensure the citizens of District 3 are represented by a person who understands their concerns. I know the district and know the issues that face people every day, paying their electric, gas and telephone bills, in obtaining affordable insurance and adequate coverage for their health, home and autos. I also want to ensure that transportation companies are operating in a safe manner. I will also work to promote proper funding for local fire districts.

Rick Lass: I want to serve on the PRC to represent everyday New Mexicans — families, working people and business owners. I have advocated to raise the minimum wage and repeal the food tax; promoted Santa Fe's Buy Local program, and worked to enact public campaign financing. I want to continue my commitment to New Mexicans by keeping utility and insurance rates affordable and make New Mexico a leader in clean renewable-energy production.



What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the PRC, and how do you intend to deal with it?

Block Jr.: Because of today's sagging economy, I believe that the critical issue facing the PRC is the way they deal with utility regulation. ... I believe that a healthy utility is necessary for the well-being of society, but the utility has to maintain accountability. ... I plan to study and familiarize myself with all rate cases and base my decisions on the record in a fair and unbiased manner. Renewable energy should be a priority with the PRC. In 2002, the PRC passed a Renewable Portfolio Standard Rule, mandating renewable-energy usage for investor-owned utilities, beginning with 5 percent in 2006 and 10 percent by 2011. The Legislature, since then, has mandated annual increases to 20 percent by 2020. Rural electric cooperatives are also required to start providing 5 percent renewable energy by 2015 and 10 percent by 2020. I will work with the other commissioners and staff to ensure that those amounts are adhered to. ...

Lass: Whether the issue is title insurance or transportation, utilities or telecommunications service, the PRC has to make sure we all get quality service at fair rates. Nationally, we have seen a major financial meltdown due, at least in part, to a lack of diligent regulation. As an independent commissioner, I will oversee our state's providers and take preventive measures to avoid these same types of crises here in New Mexico.



Public Service Company of New Mexico is seeking another rate hike on top of the one that the current PRC recently approved. What would you need to know before voting on this issue?

Block Jr.: As in all cases in utility regulation, the PRC has 30 days to determine if a public hearing is necessary on a rate application. If they find it necessary, a hearing is docketed and scheduled. ... A decision must be based on evidence presented on the record, including revenues and allowable historical expenses. The commissioners will receive the record and recommended decisions from all parties. The commissioners must then come to a fair decision based on the record.

Lass: The recent rate hike allows PNM to receive up to $1 billion over 10 years from New Mexico's working families. Before allowing further increases, I would ask PNM to tighten their budget in respect to executive salaries, advertising and lobbying expenses, and other unnecessary costs. In addition, I will ensure that "Sky Blue" customers who pay extra for renewable energy don't have to pay more due to higher costs of petroleum-based fuels.



What unique abilities or interests would you bring to the PRC, and how would you change the commission's makeup?

Block Jr.: Currently the PRC commissioners come from a diverse background, including an attorney, a contractor, a former county official and two former state officials. ... My education and professional background in finance will be invaluable in evaluating cases and making fair and equitable decisions for all citizens of New Mexico. I have worked in the private sector and have managed numerous employees and know the issues facing businesses of all sizes in our state. My main interests are the youth of our community, including coaching baseball and basketball. I am a board member of the Boys and Girls Club, because I believe the youth are our future leaders.

Lass: Since I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican, I will bring an independent perspective that the PRC has never had. My career as a public servant is quite distinct from my opponent's work history, and that of the others on the commission. My work in support of New Mexico families, local businesses and working people is proof that I will remain independent of the pressures brought by the major party structures and corporate lobbyists.



What recent PRC decision have you found yourself disagreeing with? How would you have handled it?

Block Jr.: Because I do not have access to the record in the most recent utility rate cases, I cannot comment on those decisions. I believe that the PRC was premature in requiring ... specific percentages of specific types of technology by 2011. There are some technologies which today are too expensive to implement by that time. ... I would have ensured that technologies were affordable before enacting such a rule.

Lass: The original AFOR (Alternative Form of Regulation) agreement was a compromise with Qwest, and promised important telecom infrastructure in rural areas of our state.

Unfortunately, it lacked proper enforcement clauses. AFOR 2 included better enforcement, but at the cost of several years — a cost that affects telecommuters, students and others who rely on phone and computer service every day. I will be a forward-looking commissioner who ensures diligent follow-through on PRC decisions.



Why do you think you are more qualified to serve on the PRC than your opponent?

Block Jr.: I have a sincere desire to serve on the PRC. I ran in a tough primary against five opponents. My opponent did not even realize that he had been "drafted" by a handful of Green insiders until after the fact. My educational training and real-life employment experiences are in financial fields, including working for a regulated industry, have prepared me to tackle the tough issues facing the PRC. My opponent's liberal arts education and self-proclaimed "volunteer" endeavors, although commendable, have not given him any experience to face those issues at the PRC. I have continually maintained that I would study all issues before the commission and make decisions, based on the official record, which are fair to the public interest. My opponent has continually made comments signaling how he would rule on issues before the PRC. He promises to be a panacea for things the commission does not even have jurisdiction over. I know the district and its citizens intimately and believe I can represent their interests. I believe that I have the temperament to work with the public and PRC commissioners and employees.

Lass: I have a record of working on economic and democratic reforms that help all New Mexicans. Jerome Block Jr. has refused to answer questionnaires and attend forums (as he ducked most of the forums during the primary season). I have support across party lines because I show up, state my positions and listen to the concerns of my constituents. That will remain my commitment as your commissioner.



There's been a lot of talk about title-insurance reform in New Mexico, but it hasn't happened. Why hasn't reform occurred, and how would you go about seeking reforms? Or do you not think reform is needed?

Block Jr.: The PRC commissioners asked the governor to place title insurance changes on the 2008 legislative session. Because of the full agenda, that did not happen. I understand the Insurance Division will be introducing title insurance legislation in the 2009 session. I will lobby for any changes that the PRC agrees to.

Lass: There was a good title-insurance reform bill introduced in the last legislative session, and I am confident that it will pass during the 2009 session. The key elements of any reform are (1) lowering the price of insurance or deregulating it altogether; (2) allowing lenders to pool their resources and purchase policies on behalf of home buyers; and (3) ending title insurers' immunity from negligent practices.



The PRC has faced controversy in recent years, given the cases of Shirley Baca, David King, Eric Serna and Joe Ruiz. What would you propose to help the PRC's image?

Block Jr.: As in other elected state constitutional offices, PRC commissioners are elected in their own right. There is nothing in statute that allows a commissioner or commissioners to oversee or sanction other commissioners. The PRC should be more vigilant to ensure that employees are fulfilling their duties in a legal and ethical manner.

Lass: The PRC's image can only improve if the PRC's performance improves. As an independent commissioner, I pledge to remain above reproach. I will base hiring decisions on the merits of the applicants, not cronyism and family connections. I will base all decisions in cases before the commission on the facts of the case and on what is best for everyday New Mexicans.



Have you ever been arrested on criminal charges? What happened in those cases?

Block Jr.: In my youth I was arrested for DWI, case was dismissed; riding with a DWI, pleaded guilty and performed community service. I have had a clean record for more than 10 years.

Lass: Yes, I was arrested in 1999 for simple battery. I participated in Municipal Court programs including anger management and grief counseling. I am grateful for these programs and sorry for my actions on that night.