State Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela, D-Santa Fe.
SFR: You've been in the Legislature how long now?
LV:
Going on 20 years.
What still makes you relevant?
I think if you have a sense of participation with the public, especially in your district, and what their needs are, you can respond to them. People are pretty sensitive to that.
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This session [Jan. 17-March 17] is going to be a little bit different for you because you're running for state treasurer. Nonetheless, what are some of the important issues we can expect to see taken up?
Being a 30-day session, pretty much the constitution defines what we can do outside of what the governor brings up. But we need to be working on education reform, health care-we need to expand the coverage. We're a poor state. The other concern I have is job creation and sustainable jobs for people. We need to take a look at what we're going to do with the minimum wage. That's going to be a key issue. We need to look at the minimum wage statewide and bring it up in the session. Then, of course, we will continue to allow local governing bodies to look at livable wages in their own communities. Because the cost of living in Santa Fe is different than in rural areas.
I know you were concerned with the report by the Legislative Finance Committee, which suggested Anglos disproportionately hold top state jobs. It's a controversial report, almost inflammatory-
I don't know if I would consider it inflammatory. But when I look at the [other] study that was done five years ago…Not only Hispanics, or Native Americans, or African-Americans, but women! Where are we in terms of job and salary structure? Five years later, have we progressed in terms of the career ladder? It was disappointing to find we haven't moved upwards in that area. Not to blame anyone or anything, but why are these things happening? Is it a lack of opportunity, a lack of education? We need to figure out a more equitable way of promoting people. This is a problem that goes beyond New Mexico.
Was the situation with your son a difficult one? [In 2003, Varela's son James was fired from his job at the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department following an investigation into pornographic e-mails being distributed on state computers.]
It was difficult because it was very personal. I felt I needed to be careful and not angrily respond to it. I understand the political process. I attempted to work out my concern over my family situation in a private manner. And I think it's worked out to the extent I could see. But it's very emotional. The public servant needs to be aware that when you're a public figure you're under scrutiny and you're responsible to the public. I know I can't respond for family members to the extent that I should, but as a parent I have a responsibility to respond for my family.
Tell us once and for all the history of the nickname 'Lucky.'
When I was in school, there was a teacher from Chicago, James Santoro. When we were getting to know each other, he said, 'Luciano?' And I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'There's a fellow by the name of Lucky Luciano in Chicago. Do you know about him?' And I said, 'I've heard about him.' And he said, 'If you were to put Lucky in there, it's something that people remember.' So it started in public schools. I carried it through college and the military. And when I go around the state and talk to people, they say: 'Lucky! Yes, we remember that name!'
It would be safe to say you're known for your glasses too. Any particular inspiration for that?
My glasses are necessary as a result of my eyesight. I did very intense work in my career as an accountant and it put quite a bit of strain on my eyes. It's not an attraction but rather something that's necessary, and you try to blend that into your features, and you try to create some kind of a perception for people.
You realize it fits your nickname?
[Laughing] It does?
Looking back on 20 years of being in the Legislature, what's the wildest thing you remember happening? Did you ever see two legislators fight with each other physically?
It's common. I remember even before I came into the Legislature, there was confrontation with the legislators. Then it was more open. You weren't being watched or reported to the extent that they do [now]. So, there were fisticuffs. It gets very emotional.
So you never fought?
No, not physically. We've had verbal exchanges.
Do you ever feel like smacking a legislator?
No, not really. Not really my counterparts. I've had the opportunity of working with both the majority or the minority. I found out early if you don't collaborate, it's difficult. But that's the art of getting things done.
