Strengthing state policies for working families
Purpose
Making
the goal of economic self-sufficiency possible for working families by advocating for state policies that support work, such as adult basic education programs, living wages, refundable tax credits, and increased unemployment insurance (UI).
Description
The Working Poor Families Project is a national initiative focused on state workforce development policies. Because poverty is a multi-faceted issue - there is neither a single cause nor a single solution - it needs to be tackled from a variety of angles. One way to address poverty among working Americans is with so-called 'work supports,' which help stabilize low-wage workers while assisting their climb up the job ladder. Work supports include the federal earned income tax credit (EITC), which returns money to our lowest-paid workers, childcare assistance, health care coverage, funding for adult basic education and community college attendance, and increased UI benefits.
Publications
Our 2005 WPFP report, The Path to a High Road Economy: Investing in People, Creating Opportunity (PDF file), details how work supports would benefit New Mexico's working families.
History
The Working Poor Families Project was launched in 2002 and New Mexico Voices for Children became a grantee in 2005. Many of the policies advocated for in "The Path to a High Road Economy" were effectively addressed in the 2007 state legislative session. Among the wins for New Mexico families were:
- A statewide increase in the minimum wage.
- Creation of the Working Families Tax Credit, which returns money to low-income working families.
- An increase in UI benefits for unemployed workers and their children, as well as UI rate cuts for businesses.
- A new investment of nearly $50 million in the College Affordability Fund.
Funding Sources
Annie E. Casey Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Joyce Foundation through a contract with Brandon Roberts & Associates
Contacts
NMVC Policy Director Bill Jordan, 505-244-9505, ext. 11
NMVC Research Director Gerry Bradley, 505-244-9505, ext. 23
