To effectively address New Mexico’s interlocking problems, this free-tuition idea can avoid regrettable results if we learn from the Yazzie-Martinez litigation and the Lottery Scholarship outcome data.
Despite a fairly strong economy nationally, ten states – including New Mexico – have seen an increase in the share of children living in areas of concentrated poverty, according to a new report. The report also shows that children of color are more likely to live in high-poverty, low-opportunity neighborhoods than are white children.
The decision in the Yazzie/Martinez education lawsuit was a watershed moment for the state of New Mexico, allowing us to finally address the chronic under-funding of our public schools and to tailor them to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of our children. And while the Legislature did provide more money for the system, they failed to meet the judge's order.
This revision is not acceptable, it targets immigrant families who are already residing legally in the United States, and it does not reflect America’s historical tradition of welcoming those seeking to make a better life. But there is still time stop this rule from being implemented.
“When immigrant workers are short changed, their families’ long term economic security suffers. While New Mexico boasts some of the strongest anti-wage theft laws in the country, without an adequate budget to enforce them the state will continue to let employers off the hook,” said Marcela Díaz, Executive Director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a statewide immigrant and worker’s rights organization.
This Labor Day, we're celebrating the expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit during the 2019 legislative session. The 70% increase in the credit will benefit more than 200,000 New Mexico families.
Policy brief Establishing New Mexico’s new Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is a singular opportunity to provide the strong building blocks to success that can help ensure all New Mexico children can grow into their best possible selves. This policy brief includes recommendations for guiding principles and organizational and programmatic policies.
Half of all workers in New Mexico cannot earn paid sick leave and have to either go to work when they or a family member is sick or stay home and lose pay. This is the highest rate in the nation, according to a report released today by the child advocacy organization, New Mexico Voices for Children.
Report New Mexicans are working hard every day to provide a brighter future for their families and our state. When they or their child gets sick, they should be able to take care of themselves or their family with the assurance that they won’t lose wages or risk their livelihood to do so.
Fact sheet In 2019 the state Legislature passed a bill allowing dental therapists to practice in New Mexico. We are the 8th state to allow dental therapists to practice. What does this mean for you? Find out in this English/Spanish fact sheet.