Closing the Gap on Dental Care in New Mexico
"This is really a game changer for our state, being a state that's very large, with a big rural population, tribal population,” Vigil stresses. “This is a really innovative and critical step that our state is taking to address those access needs."
Child Advocates: Underfunding of U.S. Census Likely to Hurt NM
“The census – which is required by the U.S. Constitution – is foundational to our democracy,” said James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children. “It’s used to determine voting districts for elections ranging from school boards to the U.S. House of Representatives. And, of course, it determines how much federal funding New Mexico will receive for everything from education to health care to highway maintenance. So we need to ensure that everyone is counted.”
School funding in New Mexico lower than a decade ago
New Mexico is one of many states that have failed to increase per-student funding compared to a decade ago, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). There are 26 states that have made larger investments in K-12 students since 2008, per-student funding in New Mexico remained at nine percent less in 2016 than in 2008, after considering inflation.
Eye on New Mexico: Improving the lives of children
Hosts Chris Ramirez and Nathan O'Neal discussed what's in store for New Mexico's children. From the 2020 census to the bills working through the Roundhouse right now, there are many impacts on the future generations. Featured on the show are James Jimenez and Amber Wallin with New Mexico Voices for Children.
Report: NM Should Boost Working Families & Build a Stronger Economy by Expanding its Earned Income Tax Credit
Policymakers in Santa Fe should expand New Mexico’s Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), a state version of the successful federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that helps working families earning low wages meet basic needs. State EITCs – which are on the books in 29 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico – build on the success of the federal credit by reducing hardship for working families and children, and boosting the nation’s future economic prospects.
Early education is key to breaking cycle of poverty
Despite rapid economic growth in 2018, a report from New Mexico Voices for Children found that the number of New Mexico children living in poverty is actually increasing — nearly 1 in 3 kids is being raised at or below the poverty line. Thankfully, there are solutions capable of breaking this cycle and setting New Mexico on a path toward giving every child an equal opportunity to succeed.