The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to release fiscal year 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment error rate data by June 30. As reporters prepare to cover the release, New Mexico Voices for Children is urging caution against a common misconception: SNAP payment error rates do not measure fraud.
New Mexico improved slightly in child well-being, moving from the 50th to 49th ranking nationally in the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation that examines how children and families are faring nationwide. While the improvement reflects progress in some areas, the data show New Mexico continues to face significant challenges in education and family stability, underscoring the need for continued investments in children and families.
A new study from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University shows that the number of uninsured children in New Mexico has increased in recent years. As families across the state continue to grapple with rising costs and coverage disruptions, advocates warn that the trend could only get worse under proposed federal policy changes.
The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) recently published a powerful new report examining whether targeted tax breaks actually deliver economic growth for New Mexico. The report found the special exemptions for targeted industries are a drain to state revenues and do little to help grow New Mexico’s economy. In many cases, these targeted tax breaks weaken New Mexico’s economy by diverting resources away from proven investments, which help New Mexicans thrive.
In the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers, advocates, and community members secured crucial funding to fight food insecurity and improve housing affordability in New Mexico. While federal cuts have threatened the support programs our families and children rely on, our state legislature passed family-focused investments that will keep food on the table for households across the state.
Expanding access to health care for New Mexicans is multifaceted and complex. This legislative session, New Mexico made major investments to help keep health care accessible and affordable, protect families from harmful federal policy changes, and make our state a more attractive place for health care providers to practice.
NM KIDS COUNT Data Book Critical investments in a family- and child-focused policy agenda have improved the lives of families and children in New Mexico, but federal changes threaten this progress. This annual report provides data on numerous child well-being indicators related to economic security, education, health, and family and community, and includes policy solutions. (State-, county-, tribal- and school district-level data on child well-being.)
The 2026 Legislative Session was a historic session for our state, our children and families, and for immigrant communities in New Mexico. Together, with immigrant leaders and community members, lawmakers codified into law a bold policy agenda focused on civil immigration detention, immigrant integration and the protection of sensitive information.
In New Mexico, we prioritize the health and well-being of our families and children, but we can’t support them without enough state revenue for the programs and services they need to thrive. During the 2026 regular session, state legislators and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham passed legislation to protect revenue that would have been lost if the state did not take action.
Report The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) threatens access to affordable health care by imposing burdensome work requirements, raising out-of-pocket costs, and stripping health insurance from New Mexicans with “lawfully-present” immigration status–many of whom are survivors of violence and trauma.