In twenty years of service in the Legislature, Senator Joe Carraro has stood up for the people of New Mexico fighting to lower taxes and decrease government spending. He has practiced a philosophy of governing that states, “We cannot expect government to do everything for everybody and elected officials have the responsibility to make tough decisions in that regard. But we also shouldn’t forget that included in the role of government is to help those who are desperate and cannot help themselves.”

Joe has championed issues that sometime don’t get the attention they deserve, such as providing assistance to those with developmental disabilities and autism. Other healthcare issues on which he has taken the lead include providing mammogram services to low-income women, and proposing a breast cancer study to determine its causes. Joe’s twenty years as a Senator has also been dedicated to the funding of the UNM Cancer Center for building and equipment, and the Health Sciences Center to provide excellent healthcare to all New Mexicans. On education, Joe has proposed legislation that would require children in public schools to read by the fourth grade, helped pass legislation increasing teachers’ salaries, and fought for “open enrollment” for public school students whereby they can attend the school of their choice and merit pay for teachers.

On crime, Joe has led the battle against sex offenders with bills to expedite registration and allow for civil commitment of convicted pedophiles who would continue to prey on children upon release. His DWI legislation would lengthen incarceration time for multiple offenders, provide impediments to driving the wrong way on freeways and provide additional penalties for DWI child endangerment. Joe has also promoted increasing the number of state police officers and proposed legislation that increased penalties for those fleeing from law enforcement. As Chairman of the Investments and Pensions Oversight Committee, Joe passed landmark legislation defining Investment Law in New Mexico, including setting standards for investments of State Funds, and clarifying Permanent Fund investment criteria.

Senator Carraro is widely known for legislation that he has vigorously opposed. These include:

1. leading the questioning of the use of highway transportation funds to fund the Rail Runner;
2. using desperately needed state funds for schools and health care to fund the Spaceport;
3. socialized healthcare disguised as reform;
4. depleting our Permanent Fund to pay for expanding government; and
5. burdening our small businesses with unneeded regulation and schemes, such as Save Smart New Mexico, which allows an out-of- state company to reap profits while determining who does business with our state government.

Joe was past President of the Executive Management Association of New Mexico and founder of Project Share, a homeless feeding project. He was presented by President Ronald Reagan with the “National Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award” for outstanding accomplishments; the “White Hat Award” from the Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and their Families for work assisting people with developmental disabilities; the “Quality Hero Award” by Quality New Mexico for providing a quest for excellence in New Mexico; “Small Businessman of the Year” awarded by the Chamber of Commerce for success in business and contribution to the community; the “Business Star” awarded by the Association of Commerce and Industry for continued support of issues concerning the business community; a “Bronzed Dedication” at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center established for providing funding for the building of the Cancer Center; and the Legislature of Louisiana Resolution commending his work during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.