KOAT TV--The 2023 Kids County Data Book shows New Mexico ranks last in the nation for child well-being. New Mexico was ranked on 16 different indicators for the well-being of children. The report shows New Mexico ranks 49th in economic well-being, with 24% of children living in poverty.
Carlsbad Current Argus--Releases of excess natural gas through venting or burning it through flaring also wasted a resource Kayne said could mean more revenue to the public. “That fact that we just allow it to be vented into the atmosphere is concerning to say the least,” she said. “It’s a natural resource and it could mean more revenue.”
Santa Fe New Mexican--Lab officials said the initiative will be one piece of the solution to closing the gap between the number of existing and needed child care slots in New Mexico, a void that currently includes more than 20,000 slots, according to a 2023 report by New Mexico Voices for Children.
Santa Fe New Mexican--“It’s hard to overstate the impacts of ensuring that all families can afford great child care and great early childhood experiences for their kids,” Wallin said. “We know that … access to great early care programs can lead to increased graduation rates, decreased criminal justice incidences, strengthened economic security for families for multiple generations. Those are all things that we can expect to see long term,” she added.
NM Political Report--“Research shows what types of public policy is most impactful for reducing child poverty. Earned income tax credits and child tax credits are some of the most effective ways to reduce child poverty. It was one of the most critical bills under consideration at the legislature,” Wallin said.
Chalkbeat--Emily Wildau, a research and policy analyst at the nonprofit New Mexico Voices for Children, says that after chronic absenteeism shot up in the state during the pandemic, many students would benefit from more consistent tutoring that’s part of their school day.
Rio Rancho Observer--New Mexico now leads the nation for something good: our expansion of child care assistance. The federal funding that paid for that expansion ends soon, and our state lawmakers need to replace it in order to ensure that our parents can work and their children are well cared for.
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.”
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.”
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.