Report Most of the concern over federal sequestration has centered on defense cuts. This report looks at the impact these cuts will have on New Mexico’s education, health care, and employment services. (State-level data on the impact of federal sequestration by budget area)
Policy Brief Similar to our recent report Indexing the State Minimum Wage to Inflation, this brief shows how the November ballot initiative to raise and index the minimum wage in Albuquerque would impact workers and the city’s economy. (Albuquerque-level data on employees impacted by a minimum wage increase)
Report While the income and unemployment gap between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites had been closing in the three years leading up to the stock market crash, those gains were all lost in the resulting recession. This report looks at why Hispanics were harder hit by the downturn. (State-level data on employment and earnings by race and ethnicity)
Report States with a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum are not experiencing any adverse economic effects. In fact, raising New Mexico’s minimum wage would give the economy a modest boost. Santa Fe, which has the highest minimum wage in the state, has the strongest economy in New Mexico. This report follows our Indexing the State Wage to Inflation report, which looks at how much value the wage has lost since it was last raised. (State-level data on inflation-adjusted minimum wage, as well as comparisons to other states on indicators such as employment growth, income levels, etc.)
Brief and Report This special KIDS COUNT brief and report look at the unique challenges immigrant children face as well as the strengths their families bring to this country. Includes stories by immigrants about their experiences. Two community briefs offer shorter, more ‘user-friendly’ versions - one in Spanish. (State-level data on nativity and immigration status of the population, as well as various indicators of child well-being.)
Policy Brief Implementing a photo ID requirement for voters could cost New Mexico $3.5 million over three years. Because investigations by the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office have found very little in the way of voter fraud, such legislation is more likely an attempt at voter suppression. (State-level data on the cost of implementing voter ID requirements.)
Policy Brief New Mexico’s minimum wage, $7.50 an hour, has already lost value in the few years since it was raised. A full-time minimum wage employee has lost on average $1,000 a year due to inflation. (State-level data on inflation-adjusted minimum wage, characteristics of workers who would benefit from an increase.)
NM KIDS COUNT Data Book The continuing Great Recession has thrown more of New Mexico’s children and families into poverty. This annual report looks at the well-being of the state’s children on indicators such as poverty, education, health, and more. (State-, county- and school district-level data on various indicators of child well-being.)
Report New Mexico’s home visiting/parent coaching programs dramatically improve outcomes for the children and families they serve. Unfortunately, only a tiny percentage of families can take advantage of these important programs and the areas of the state with the greatest needs often have the fewest programs. (County-level data on child-raising vulnerability factors and population by race and ethnicity.)
Report The recession and budget cuts to higher education have made college much less affordable in New Mexico. Moreover, tuition hikes have squeezed the state’s lottery scholarship fund, which is in jeopardy of being depleted. (State-level data on higher education revenue and cost.)