Alex McCausland

May 11 2018

NM Voices for Children host data workshop on child well-being

Alex McCausland2024-04-04T15:55:52-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage|

Gallup Sun--“The Kids Count data is a resource to tell you how your kids are doing,” Jordan said. He said data filters, like looking at statistics by school districts, are easily plugged into data searches to fit various statistical needs. The goal is to get the most accurate data possible, he said. Participants included families—many with children—community organizers, and professionals in the health care industry. Supper was served while discussions took place.

May 11 2018

NM Child Advocates: “Fix the Cliff” with $20 Million in Federal Funds

Alex McCausland2024-04-04T15:56:30-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, News Coverage|

Public News Service--"Childcare is very expensive; it is more expensive than tuition at UNM,” says Kayne. “These are generally young parents who are starting out, and they simply don't have the kind of income that allows them to either have high-quality childcare, or have one parent stay home and take care of kids."

May 11 2018

The devastating math of the child care cliff effect

Alex McCausland2018-06-26T12:21:51-06:00Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Education Blog|

Imagine having to turn down a raise in pay because it will actually make you less financially secure. Sounds crazy, but that's what many working parents have to do--and just when they're making headway in the quest to provide their family with economic stability. It's all due to the "cliff effect" and, in New Mexico, the cliff effect for child care assistance can throw families who get even a small raise right back into poverty.

May 09 2018

Report: State Should Use Extra Federal Funds to Improve Child Care Assistance

Alex McCausland2022-04-05T16:27:38-06:00Press Releases|

“Many families that are faced with the cliff effect have to make terrible choices,” said Armelle Casau, PhD, who co-authored the report. “Some turn down a pay increase, while others have to rely on a lower-cost—which usually means lower-quality—child care situation. Work supports should be designed so that they help parents succeed.”

Apr 30 2018

Moving the Needle on Child Well-Being

Alex McCausland2018-11-28T16:01:53-07:00Economic Security Publications, Education Publications, Health Publications, Kids Count Publications, Local Data, Publications|

Report New Mexico has a long and proud history of cutting-edge innovation in many fields, so making progress on child well-being is within our reach if we fully commit to it. This report lays out the ways in which we can move the needle on child well-being by enacting smart public policies. (A special KIDS COUNT report; state-level data on indicators of child well-being)

Apr 25 2018

Improving the best anti-poverty measure in New Mexico

Alex McCausland2021-08-25T16:12:00-06:00Economic Security Publications, Local Data, Publications, Tax and Budget Publications|

Fact Sheet New Mexico's Working Families Tax Credit works with the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which has been hailed as one of the best anti-poverty, pro-job creation measures Congress has ever enacted. This fact sheet explains why this tax credit works so well and how New Mexico policymakers could make it even more effective. And it could all be paid for by ending an ineffective tax credit. (State-level data on the Working Families Tax Credit)

Apr 25 2018

A Hurtful Hand: Political wrangling over benefits programs increases pressure on low-income New Mexicans

Alex McCausland2024-04-04T15:57:38-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, Health News Coverage, News Coverage|

Santa Fe Reporter--“It would be one thing if the economy was booming and there were job opportunities,” says James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, “[But] I think it’s bad policy to try and link poverty reduction strategies with ensuring that people have enough to eat.”

Apr 19 2018

Preserving this conservation fund will keep public spaces safe, available for kids

Alex McCausland2024-04-04T15:58:14-06:00Blog Posts, Health Blog, Health News Coverage, News Coverage|

NMPolitics.net--Much of New Mexico’s array of scenic beauty has been enhanced and protected by a relatively little-known federal program called the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Unfortunately, at the end of the federal fiscal year, the sun will set on one of our country’s greatest conservation programs if Congress fails to reauthorize it. The loss of the LWCF would not bode well for America.

Apr 17 2018

Celebrate democracy: It’s Tax Day!

Alex McCausland2023-02-15T11:41:29-07:00Blog Posts, Tax and Budget Blog|

Call me crazy but I really enjoy Tax Day because I am truly proud to pay taxes. If voting during Election Day is a self-expression of our values, then filing our tax returns on Tax Day is the method through which we celebrate those values. Taxes provide the resources to make shared investments in the things we all care about like a cleaner environment, public health, and quality schools.

Apr 12 2018

State revenue soars, led by surging oil production

Alex McCausland2024-04-04T15:58:54-06:00News Coverage|

Albuquerque Journal--“New Mexico has become too reliant on the oil and gas industry to fund these services, which has created boom-or-bust cycles for our economy and, therefore, for all New Mexicans,” he added. “Right now we’re in a boom time, but we mustn’t forget that the bust times may be right around the corner.”

About Alex McCausland