New Mexico is leading the way in providing all students with tuition-free higher education, and the Opportunity Scholarship has already shown results. That's why the Senate Finance Committee should fully fund the Opportunity Scholarship and keep it free of any guardrail language regarding its administration.
Albuquerque Journal--Amber Wallin, the executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, a nonprofit group that’s advocated for the child tax credit and other policies, said more than 90% of state taxpayers would see a tax cut under the proposed personal income tax code changes. “All of these things improve fairness in the tax code and level the playing field,” Wallin said Monday.
Las Cruces Sun-News--Court fines and fees are an inefficient way to raise revenue for the state, as collection often costs more than what's brought it. But there are other ways in which this juice isn't worth the squeeze.
Carlsbad Current Argus--Guns are the leading cause of death for kids in New Mexico, with the largest share of gun deaths being suicides. Legislators have the opportunity to protect our children from gun violence with common-sense regulations during this legislative session.
Report New Mexico has expanded early childhood programs and the voters have mandated even more. This report looks at the still-unmet need as well as the science behind these programs. (State-level data on child well-being and unmet early childhood needs.)
New Mexico is at a critical juncture between the recent and significant investments made in early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs and the political will to make those programs universal and permanent. That is one of the conclusions in a new report, Early Childhood Care and Education in New Mexico: Using New Tools and Rising to the Challenge.
New Mexico In Depth--Just because a particular tax is regressive doesn’t mean it can’t be a part of a pro-poor agenda, according to Sharon Kayne, a spokesperson for New Mexico Voices for Children. The nonprofit has long supported increases in alcohol and tobacco taxes, she said, and voiced support for an alcohol tax increase during the Monday hearing.
Rio Rancho Observer--New Mexico now leads the nation for something good: our expansion of child care assistance. The federal funding that paid for that expansion ends soon, and our state lawmakers need to replace it in order to ensure that our parents can work and their children are well cared for.
Fact Sheet Most people agree that low-income households shouldn’t pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the rich. However, the truth is that those with low and middle incomes do pay a higher share of their income in taxes than the rich in New Mexico. This graphic explains why that is. (State-level data on effective tax rate by income level.)
Fact Sheet Profit-minded corporations will happily accept tax breaks, but tax rates aren't a big factor when they consider locating in a new state. Most of what they do consider - a well-educated and skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, good schools, etc., - are the very amenities states support with the tax revenue corporations try not to pay. This fact sheet makes the argument for increasing the taxes corporations pay on the profits earned here. (State-level data on decline of corporate income tax revenue as a share of all tax revenue)