Healthy & Safe Communities Blog
Support New Mexico’s Kids, Not Billionaires
By Paige Knight May 16, 2025 New Mexico’s kids - not billionaires - should be the beneficiaries of the natural resources that belong to us all. Yet, under Congressional Republicans' current budget proposal, oil companies stand to add to [...]
New Mexico Voices for Children Releases 2024 New Mexico KIDS COUNT Data Book
January 21, 2025 As child advocates, we strive for long-term, sustainable change and rely on data to understand which policies will most effectively meet the needs of our families. To support Legislators as they evaluate legislation, New Mexico Voices [...]
As They Say in Hollywood, ‘That’s a Wrap’
Another legislative session is behind us and while this was budget-only, 30-day session, there is still plenty to celebrate for families and children. Read about the highlights here.
Move toward a healthier New Mexico
Santa Fe New Mexican--Nothing is more foundational to one’s well-being than one’s health. Lawmakers can help people be and stay healthy by making strong investments in programs that address health threats and inequities.
Our State Must Continue Its Historic Investments In Families And Kids
Rio Rancho Observer--New Mexico’s children deserve every opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. With the critical funding our Legislature appropriated, these programs will reduce childhood poverty and improve educational outcomes for children. They will also expand economic opportunities for families across New Mexico. And we know that kids do better when families have the resources they need.
Study shows $1 billion potential bill for oil and gas clean up without BLM rule change
KRWG--For far too long, antiquated policies under the current leasing system have left our families on the hook to pay to clean up messes left behind by bankrupt oil and gas companies – messes involving orphaned wells with decaying and leaking infrastructure that can pollute our air and water. This has robbed our communities of tax dollars that could have been put to use improving our children’s classrooms, and our hospitals and roadways.
Why the State’s ranking shouldn’t get you down
Las Cruces Sun-News--The fact is, New Mexico has made some extraordinary headway in improving opportunities for kids in recent years. Some of it’s made nationwide headlines. Our investments in child care assistance, voter-approved expansion of early childhood services, and child-focused tax policy improvements all received national accolades.
Our Bonding Boondoggle GIF-splained
Most of us were taught at a fairly young age the importance of cleaning up the messes we make. But unfortunately, many American industries are not held to the same standards we set for our children. Chief among these is the oil and gas industry. This GIF-splainer looks at why that is and what it costs us.
Albuquerque City Council Can Improve Housing Outcomes by Creating a Rental Database
Albuquerque Journal--By creating a rental database, Albuquerque would be able to gather data about the city’s residential rental market, improve communications between the city and landlords, and protect the health and well-being of rental occupants.
Opportunity Enterprise Review Board should focus on environment, community, economic diversity
Santa Fe New Mexican--Through the Opportunity Enterprise Fund, there is now $70 million available “to increase economic activity in the state by providing financing for new or existing commercial facilities to attract businesses to New Mexico communities and allow existing businesses to expand their operations.”