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.”
Carlsbad Current-Argus--“When industry wastes gas extracted on public lands they deprive New Mexico of huge amounts of royalties and put our kids health at risk,” said Bill Jordan, policy director for New Mexico Voices for Children. “At a time when the state is struggling we can't afford to be losing tens of millions of dollars that could be put towards education."
The Chronicle of Social Change--“That we rank so low in child well-being is really a symptom of a larger problem. When children aren’t doing well it means their families and communities aren’t doing well either. Many of these policy recommendations would improve the state’s economy and the quality of life for all residents.”
KRWG--“When industry wastes gas extracted on public lands they deprive New Mexico of huge amounts of royalties and put our kids' health at risk,” commented Bill Jordan, Policy Director for New Mexico Voices for Children. “At a time when the state is struggling we can't afford to be losing tens of millions of dollars that could be put towards education."
Santa Fe New Mexican--For Amber Wallin, deputy director of Voices for Children, facing such trials “sets [children] up for a lot of challenges in school and later on in life,” and makes investment in early childhood education all the more important. “Too many of our kids are … hungry,” Wallin said. “They face a risk of child abuse and other risks. The more opportunities we can give them in those early years, the more chance they have to succeed, not just in those early years, but also later in life.”
Las Vegas Optic--Invited speakers are expected to enlighten and inform the summit goers. Those speakers include NM Voices for Children, SWOP, Prosperity Works, and officials from San Miguel and Mora counties, as well as from the municipalities of Santa Rosa, Pecos and Las Vegas.
NM Political Report--Amber Wallin, the Deputy Director of New Mexico Voices for Children, pointed to the recent tax cut that became law as a driving force for the desire to cut federal spending from social welfare programs. “We just had a $1.4 trillion tax cut that mainly goes to wealthy individuals, the most well-connected, the biggest corporations,” she said. “But at the same time we’re cutting crucial benefits for the kids and families who need them the most. It’s just unacceptable.”
New Mexico In Depth--She said since NM Voices started pushing for the constitutional amendment, state funding for early childhood initiatives has expanded by 60 percent, “so there has been some significant improvement. It’s just taking a very long time. And you know, babies can’t wait to grow up.”
Public News Service--"When you look at the list of the different traumas and which states are doing well and which states are not, you see a strong correlation with childhood poverty," Wallin says. "Childhood poverty is one of the adverse childhood experiences. But we also know it is related to a lot of other issues that many children and families face."
New Mexico In Depth--“Children are resilient, and with strong support systems and attentive families, they can often overcome the challenges of having one adverse childhood experience,” said Amber Wallin, deputy director of New Mexico Voices for Children, a child advocacy organization. “But it’s the cumulative effects of several ACEs that are most concerning, and that’s where New Mexico fares poorly.”