Associated Press--The advocacy group New Mexico Voices for Children is pushing for lawmakers to increase by nearly four-fold an existing state $175 child tax credit, saying that would help to offset the loss of the extra federal benefits and address the continued financial fallout from the pandemic for low-income families.
Santa Fe New Mexican--On a positive note, more young New Mexicans are enrolled in prekindergarten programs than at any time in the past decade, the 2022 data shows. Wallin attributed this change to recent investments in New Mexico’s early education system: It’s “one of our strong suits.”
NM KIDS COUNT Data Book Given the pandemic, child well-being could have taken a great tumble. But, thanks to smart investments at both the state and federal levels, data from 2021 reflect no significant declines – and even some slight improvement. This annual report provides data on numerous child well-being indicators related to economic security, education, health, and family and community, and includes policy solutions. (State-, county-, tribal- and school district-level data on child well-being.)
Indicators in which New Mexico saw some improvement in recent years included young children not enrolled in preschool, high school students not graduating on time, babies born at a low birthweight, and teen birth rates. Big challenges remain for New Mexico children, including poverty and food insecurity.
Education Week--“It stands to be a real generational change, a generational shift, in the trajectory of our state. And it’s a game changer in terms of the long-term vision for making our state’s population and economy stronger.”
Updated Fact Sheet New Mexico's new state-level CTC is a great start at helping children thrive. Lawmakers should use the legislative session to make a few improvements. (State-level data on how increasing this tax credit would benefit families)
It's a New Year's resolution bonanza! We've got 23 resolutions for 2023 that we urge lawmakers to consider to improve child well-being in New Mexico.
Santa Fe New Mexican--Because of our over-reliance on a boom-to-bust industry, New Mexico has a structural deficit -- a difference between reliable, recurring revenue and necessary, recurring spending that persists over time.
Without important reforms written into rule, DOI’s lease sales could increase the already alarming number of orphaned wells – wells that have been abandoned by oil and gas companies – that pollute New Mexico. That’s because the current bonding amounts are inadequate.
Albuquerque Journal--This isn’t a partisan issue – these programs are proven to provide big benefits for kids, families and the economy alike,” said Amber Wallin, executive director, New Mexico Voices for Children, an advocacy group.