Healthy & Safe Communities Blog
Support children’s health through the Public Health and Climate Resiliency Act
Carlsbad Current-Argus--Children are especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, which include extreme heat, poor air quality, drought, flooding, and wildfires. However, this legislative session, lawmakers have the opportunity to protect New Mexicans from these threats to public health by passing the Public Health and Climate Resiliency Act.
23 Roundhouse resolutions for 2023
It's a New Year's resolution bonanza! We've got 23 resolutions for 2023 that we urge lawmakers to consider to improve child well-being in New Mexico.
The Department of the Interior needs to finalize new federal leasing rules
Without important reforms written into rule, DOI’s lease sales could increase the already alarming number of orphaned wells – wells that have been abandoned by oil and gas companies – that pollute New Mexico. That’s because the current bonding amounts are inadequate.
Inflation Reduction Act raises more revenue for NM schools
There is plenty to celebrate in the landmark Investment Reduction Act. New Mexicans will benefit with lower energy costs, good-paying jobs, more energy-efficient homes and businesses, cleaner air, funding for wildfire prevention and drought preparedness, and much more.
Arts can help youth in the juvenile system
For years, probation has been used to try and keep youth from further involvement in the criminal justice system. But, as recent studies have shown, probation is neither effective at keeping our communities safer nor of rehabilitating the youth it is supposed to serve. Probation, in fact, can actually lead to youth being further ensnared in the system.
New Mexico can move forward on education with heart
Santa Fe New Mexican--New Mexico voters can also take action by voting Yes on Constitutional Amendment 1 on the ballot in November. Constitutional Amendment 1 would draw down a small portion of the $26 billion permanent school fund to support high-quality early childhood care and education services - such as home visiting and pre-kindergarten - and services for at-risk students.
To protect the health of our children, we must cut methane now
The natural beauty found throughout the Land of Enchantment has so much to offer our children while they grow and develop. Our youngest New Mexicans should also have equitable access to clean air and a healthy environment while they do so.
Federal leasing program isn’t working for New Mexico
When the government leases lands at far below market rates and forces taxpayers to cover the cost of cleanup, we’re all missing out on money that is rightfully ours. This is revenue that should be used to pay for books for our schools and teacher salaries, not padding industry profits.
New Mexico’s postpartum Medicaid expansion supports parents and newborns
On top of the extraordinary mental and physical changes one faces after having a baby, one thing that shouldn’t have to change is one’s health care coverage. Fortunately, new mothers who qualify now have a full year of postpartum Medicaid coverage in New Mexico so they can focus on what really matters: taking care of their babies and their own health concerns.
The truth behind high gas prices GIF-splained
We’ve all been paying more to fill up our gas tanks and heat our homes. This gif-splainer breaks down why New Mexicans are feeling the pain at the gas pump while oil executives are making record profits.