New Mexico In Depth--“There is a real inconsistency in promoting the (Council on Racial Justice) on the one hand and trying to have the lawsuit dismissed on the other,” said James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children. “The lawsuit is about racial equity.”
Carlsbad Current Argus--“Moving forward with oil and gas lease sales in the middle of this pandemic--when the oil market is crashing, and communities are focused on the health and safety of their loved ones — is misguided, dangerous, and just flat wrong,” Jimenez said.
Rio Rancho Observer--Like all great social upheaval, change will not occur until it is demanded. Those in power must see that fundamental reform is the only way they can keep their power and that, if they resist, they will be replaced. That means getting angry and channeling the anger constructively. It means taking to the streets and protesting peacefully. And most of all, it means voting. Voting for candidates who are committed to dismantling structural racism in all our institutions.
Fact Sheet (seventh in the series) Poverty, the lack of affordable housing, and other aspects of housing insecurity were already problematic in New Mexico before the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn. If these additional challenges push families into crowded housing or homelessness, the risk of contagion will increase. Federal stimulus has helped, but much more is needed. (State-level data on housing challenges and poverty)
Associated Press--“Big power shifts like this don’t happen very often, and when they do, they can result in significant changes in the priorities of a legislative body,” said James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, an advocacy group for improving childhood well-being.
Fact Sheet (sixth in the series) New Mexico's schools, colleges, and universities have been under-resourced for more than a decade. While the state did increase funding for the past two years, the pandemic and recession will make it difficult to keep our education budgets whole. Federal funding will help, but more will be needed. (State-level data on K-12 funding levels and child care enrollment)
Fact Sheet (fifth in the series) The safety measures put in place across the nation to slow the spread of COVID-19 have led to massive worker layoffs. This has, in turn, overwhelmed the ability of most states to keep up with unemployment insurance claims. This fact sheet looks at how the stimulus passed by Congress will help New Mexico's laid-off workers. (State-level data on unemployment)
Fact Sheet (fourth in the series) Tribes, states, and local governments are facing enormous costs in their attempt to contain, treat, and respond to this unprecedented public health emergency. Simultaneously, tax revenues are falling with the plummeting economic activity. Federal legislation was passed to help address the immense revenue needs for New Mexico and all the other states, but more will be needed in the future.
During this public health emergency, New Mexico needs to do all it can to shore up essential services, take care of frontline workers, and extend a hand to New Mexicans who are sick, unable to work, or struggling to provide for their families. But falling tax revenue has put at risk New Mexico’s ability to protect our communities. While the path forward won’t be easy, lawmakers can steer us toward an equitable recovery by putting families first.
Fact Sheet (third in the series) Small businesses are the backbone of New Mexico's economy. While some of the federal aid packages passed by Congress aim to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic, few New Mexico businesses are likely to benefit. (State-level data on small business demographics)