NM Voices in the News
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State must be able to fund future
Santa Fe New Mexican--Because of our over-reliance on a boom-to-bust industry, New Mexico has a structural deficit -- a difference between reliable, recurring revenue and necessary, recurring spending that persists over time.
Sen. Martin Heinrich, others call on Rep. Yvette Herrell to back education plan
Albuquerque Journal--This isn’t a partisan issue – these programs are proven to provide big benefits for kids, families and the economy alike,” said Amber Wallin, executive director, New Mexico Voices for Children, an advocacy group.
New Mexico may use budget windfall for more taxpayer rebates
Santa Fe New Mexican--“A lot of New Mexico families are struggling and feeling the impact of inflation when it comes to day-to-day goods,” she said. “Rebates can help so many families in the state, including low-income families and families with children in the home.”
New Mexico voted a child care guarantee into its constitution
CNN--Child advocates some 12 years ago sparked the movement to get a permanent funding source for child care enshrined in the state’s constitution. It was a long-game strategy for a coalition of non-profit, grassroots groups, including New Mexico Voices For Children.
Lawmakers, advocates discuss task force’s recommendations for paid family leave fund
Santa Fe New Mexican--Advocates for such a bill counter it will protect workers, increase morale and cut down on the number of workers who leave the workforce on disability because they cannot otherwise deal with serious health issues. Jacob Vigil, senior research and policy analyst for the nonprofit advocacy group New Mexico Voices for Children, said paid leave offers workers stability and leads to “more loyalty to employers.”
Lawmakers Can Put Children at the Heart of Policy Decisions
Tumbleweeds Magazine--There is still much the state can do to ensure that all children have the opportunities they need to thrive. Lawmakers should continue their work to bring more equity to our tax code by increasing the state’s new child tax credit, while also supporting public and environmental health programs, and continuing to increase investments in education from cradle to career.
Voters signal support for more than investments in early childhood
Las Cruces Sun-News--The recent election tells us a great deal about how committed New Mexicans are to our children and their families. New Mexico voters have spoken loud and clear — and they want the highest quality early care and education programs fully supported and available to all.
In N.M. child-care funding win, providers nationwide see road map
Washington Post--Child-care advocates in New Mexico have tried for more than a decade to secure this money. The fight began in 2011, when a group called New Mexico Voices for Children proposed tapping into the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund to pay for early child care and education programs. ​​
New Mexico is the First State to Guarantee a Right to Early Childhood Education
Early Learning Nation--“If we want to continue this incredible progress,” said Amber Wallin, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, the money is the way to do it. “It means we can continue things just like that.” Lujan Grisham herself has said she wants to use money from the fund to make universal, free child care permanent.
Amendment to tap the Land Grant Permanent Fund passes by wide margin
NM Political Report--“In a very concrete way by improving teacher salaries and resources for all the wrap-around services, this amendment will help support and it’s a really important step forward in a bigger sense because New Mexico voters are showing up for teachers and communities,” Wallin told NM Political Report.