Albuquerque Journal--The Healthy Workforce Ordinance that Albuquerque voters will soon decide will give our businesses an edge in attracting the best workers from cities and states that do not have similar provisions to help their workforce – and their communities – stay healthy. Albuquerque voters should pass it. Read more
Public News Service--Senate GOP leaders won't return to Washington, D. C., until Monday to renew debate on the replacement for Obamacare. That hasn't stopped opponents of the proposed bill from protesting, in New Mexico and cities across the country, this week. In Albuquerque on Thursday, Bill Jordan with New Mexico Voices for Children – the group's senior policy advisor and government relations officer – joined Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., at an outdoor news conference at the University of New Mexico.
Carlsbad Current-Argus--New Mexico ranks 49th overall in the country in child well-being, according to a 2017 KIDS Count data book, released this week. Despite the low ranking, the state did improve slightly within four areas — economic well-being, education, health and family and community. Eddy County, however, struggled to see change. According to the KIDS Count Data Center's latest numbers, a 65.6 per 1,000 teen birth rate (ages 16-19) was reported in the county in 2015 — up from 61.5 per 1,000 in 2014.
Santa Fe New Mexican--The Trump administration has dealt its largest blow yet to Obama-era oil and gas drilling regulations, announcing one rule requiring operators to curb methane pollution won’t take effect until at least 2019 and that another methane rule is being suspended indefinitely. The U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Land Management, published notice Wednesday that a methane rule for drilling on federal and tribal land will be put on hold until litigation challenging the regulation has been resolved in court.
Albuquerque Business First--Things are looking up for children living in the Land of Enchantment — slightly. The annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, which was released Tuesday morning by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, reported New Mexico ranked 49th out of the 50 states for child well-being. Despite continuing the low ranking — New Mexico was 49th last year as well — New Mexico KIDS COUNT Director Amber Wallin sees the necessary steps being taken to raise the state's reputation for child well-being.
Education Week--The percentage of children living in poverty has fallen slightly over the past six years, as has the percentage of children whose parents lack secure employment and those whose families face a high housing-cost burden, according to an analysis of national data compiled in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book. But the data book also finds places where child well-being is slipping, according to the foundation's measures: The percentage of 3- and 4-year-olds not in preschool has risen slightly, as has the percentage of 8th graders who are not proficient in math, based on scores of the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Santa Fe New Mexican--New Mexico children remain worse off educationally and economically than their peers in just about every other state, according to the latest Kids Count report, an annual data analysis expected Tuesday. But the new state-by-state report card also shows New Mexico is making progress on improving children’s health, with more young people covered by insurance than the national average.
KOAT TV--New Mexico Voices for Children reports our state ranks highest in the nation when it comes to childhood poverty. Our community is coming together to fight childhood hunger, especially during the summer. Today children in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties can get free breakfast or lunch as part of the summer lunch program.
Farmington Daily Times--School districts in San Juan County are increasing the number of sites offering free meals to feed local students this summer. The districts provide free meals to people 18 years old and younger during the summer as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program.
NM Political Report--Large cuts to safety-net programs will have a large impact on New Mexico, which is near the top of the nation in those on Medicaid and who receive food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Over the next ten years, the proposed Trump budget would cut Medicaid spending by $610 billion and SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, by $193 billion.