Human Rights and Civic Participation
Featured Content
Imagine not being counted
The recent decision to include a question on citizenship status in the 2020 decennial Census is certain to increase the number of people who won’t respond to the census. And that’s exactly the political motivation behind the decision to include a question that hasn’t been asked since 1950. This change will be particularly bad for New Mexico. (Blog post)
Citizen’s Guide to Legislative Advocacy in New Mexico
Learn the ins and outs of working with your legislators to promote an important policy or cause. (A Fiscal Policy Project publication; Updated March 2018)
NM KIDS are COUNTing on Us
For the third straight year, New Mexico ranks 49th in the nation for child well-being. It will take a comprehensive and focused set of strategies, and the political and public will to make them a reality, to improve child well-being in New Mexico. This policy agenda, based on the metrics used to measure child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, offers one such approach. (Policy agenda; updated June 2016)
Recent Publications
A Guide to New Mexico’s Tax System
The taxes we all pay are how we fund the state’s programs and public services that benefit us collectively. They are how we build our roads, bridges, waterlines, electrical grids, and how we educate our children, advance public health, and uphold our laws. These programs and services form the foundation of our economy, enhance our quality of life, and pay dividends far into the future.
A Guide to New Mexico’s State Budget
Our state budget is a reflection of what we value most and an illustration of the kind of communities we wish to create. How we spend and allocate funding – basically, how we make our values a reality – is decided by the lawmakers we elect to represent us in Santa Fe. They create the annual budget that the state uses to provide services that benefit us collectively, like education and health care.
Recent Blog Posts
Rule change is a moral outrage we must not tolerate for our nation’s children
This revision is not acceptable, it targets immigrant families who are already residing legally in the United States, and it does not reflect America’s historical tradition of welcoming those seeking to make a better life. But there is still time stop this rule from being implemented.
Advancing Equity in New Mexico: Immigration
Given New Mexico’s substantial immigrant population and that group’s important contributions to our state – which includes paying taxes – it is essential that we enact policies that promote opportunity for all families. During the 2019 New Mexico legislative session, lawmakers passed several bills that will have broad benefits to immigrants, their families, and the state as a whole.
Recent News Coverage
Progress report: Albuquerque neighborhood among many tricky for 2020 census in NM
“The big challenges in those areas are connecting to the folks who we know are likely to be undercounted,” said Amber Wallin, deputy director of New Mexico Voices for Children. “So people who may be poor or housing-insecure can be a real challenge in those areas, especially in communities that are changing.”
Air Force facing lawsuit over Kirtland fuel cleanup
“Laws exist in the U.S. for people to take action when they feel that the government is failing to protect human health and resources,” says Douglas Meiklejohn, New Mexico Environmental Law Center Executive Director.
Resources
Vote! Your County Clerk’s office can tell you where to register and vote. The Secretary of State’s Office also has information on voter registration, voter rights, and elections in New Mexico. The League of Women Voters of Central NM also provides contact information for voter registration, political parties, and elected officials at the state and local levels.
Advocate for Issues You Care About Meet with, write or call your legislator or congress person about an issue that concerns you. They really do appreciate hearing from you. Not sure who represents you in Santa Fe and Washington? Find out here.
Know Your Rights Do you believe your constitutional rights have been violated? Contact the ACLU of New Mexico to see if you may have a legal case.