Economic Security Blog – New Mexico Voices for Children

Nov 03 2018

The next governor should improve our tax system and increase wages

Web Admin 2018-11-05T16:30:08+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Economic Security News Coverage, News Coverage, Tax and Budget Blog, Tax and Budget News Coverage|

First, we recommend that the new governor work to make our tax system fairer and more stable. Thanks to 15 years of failed trickle-down tax cuts, New Mexico is now much too dependent on revenue from oil and natural gas extraction to fund our state services like education and public safety. But the amount of revenue we collect from oil production is based on prices that are set at the global level, so we’re stuck in a boom-or-bust cycle.

Oct 19 2018

To make all kids count, we must count all kids

Web Admin 2018-11-14T13:48:59+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Education Blog, Kids Count Blog, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage, Racial and Ethnic Equity Blog|

This is a perilous moment for New Mexico’s children. There’s no getting around it. Yet the future is not predetermined for kids in New Mexico. This state’s leaders can be inspired by this moment to do better by its children. They can choose to collaborate inclusively and act boldly and swiftly. That’s what it will take — both to position the state well for the 2020 census and to give children a better chance to thrive.

Aug 29 2018

Fighting the Current: Why New Mexicans need a Higher Minimum Wage

Web Admin 2018-11-14T13:50:57+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Health Blog, Racial and Ethnic Equity Blog|

A minimum wage increase is long overdue – it hasn’t been raised in almost a decade. As prices increase, purchasing power erodes, and families find themselves sinking deeper into dire straits. Our $7.50 minimum wage is now worth just $6.30.

May 11 2018

The devastating math of the child care cliff effect

Armelle Casau 2018-06-26T12:21:51+00:00 Blog 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.

Feb 06 2018

It’s time for us to invest in what works

Bill Jordan 2018-06-14T18:06:37+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Tax and Budget Blog|

Bill Jordan spoke at the Second Annual People's Rally. His comments are posted here. "Our years of austerity just so that the rich and well-connected can get tax cuts ― those days are over! It’s time for us to invest in what works. It’s time to invest in New Mexico."

Jan 13 2018

Prosperity is not possible without investment

James Jimenez 2018-05-02T16:28:28+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Economic Security News Coverage, News Coverage, Tax and Budget Blog, Tax and Budget News Coverage|

We all want a prosperous state, but prosperity requires investments. You can’t grow a garden without good soil, sunlight, water, and some hard work. Same with a state—you can’t have prosperity without resources, infrastructure, and a skilled workforce. But instead of following an investment strategy to prosperity, New Mexico has tried to cut its way to prosperity.

Oct 10 2017

Democracy and lots of money are at stake for New Mexico in the upcoming census

Amber Wallin 2018-04-03T12:39:04+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Human Rights/Civic Participation Blog, Kids Count Blog, Tax and Budget Blog|

When it comes to the census, it pays to be counted. The next big census is less than three years away, and a lot is at stake for New Mexico. Besides being used to determine voting districts, data from the 2020 census will translate to almost $3,000 coming into the state per person, per year for the next decade.

Sep 07 2016

Show me the fat! (in the state budget)

Bill Jordan 2018-06-14T19:48:04+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Health Blog, Tax and Budget Blog|

State government has a very important job to do. It ensures that all children receive an education that will prepare them to be productive adults. It works to keep our streets safe and our infrastructure in good repair. It must respond to public health threats and keep an eye to future needs. When state government does its job well, it enables and strengthens the state’s economic growth and helps its people thrive.

Aug 30 2016

How tax cuts for the powerful are behind the backlogs

James Jimenez 2018-06-14T19:52:24+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Tax and Budget Blog|

It seems that every week there is a new story in the newspaper showing the consequences of choosing tax cuts for the powerful over public investment. One of the most egregious, which has a huge impact on public safety, is the backlog of thousands of rape kits with DNA evidence that have not been processed.

Jun 22 2016

New Mexico doesn’t have to stay at 49th for child well-being, but moving up will take effort

Amber Wallin 2018-06-14T20:25:31+00:00 Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Kids Count Blog|

Every child deserves access to the opportunities that will help them succeed. But in New Mexico--which ranks next-to-last in the nation for child well-being--too many families lack the resources we all depend upon to raise strong, healthy children. While our high rate of child poverty may seem like an insurmountable problem, it is one we can effectively address. It will take a coordinated effort and--yes--an investment of public resources, but the end result would benefit the state as a whole.