NM Voices in the News
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Beyond the food tax: Legislators aim for an overhaul of the system
Media coverage of planned tax legislation has so far focused on one hot-button topic of the proposal—reinstating a state tax on food. Santa Fe Archbishop John C. Wester and advocacy groups like New Mexico Voices for Children have vocally opposed the idea. But the two state representatives behind the proposal have not actually filed any legislation on the matter for the session that begins in January. Legislators could begin introducing bills on Dec. 15.
Archbishop attacks effort to reinstate food tax
SANTA FE, N.M. — Archbishop of Santa Fe John C. Wester on Tuesday was joined by a number of advocates for children and families to denounce attempts by some state legislators to reinstate the food tax. “Our neighbors are hungry,” he told a group at the Catholic Center in Albuquerque. “At this time as we prepare for Christmas, countless nonprofits and civic organizations work to fill food baskets, but some legislators want to take food out of another basket, the grocery basket with their proposed food tax.”
Catholic Church, food pantries oppose grocery tax proposal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Roman Catholic Church is denouncing the possibility of a grocery tax proposal. Archbishop John Wester spoke out on why he thinks it's a bad idea. “New Mexico ranks second-highest in the nation for children living in hunger and the first highest for children living in poverty,” Wester said.
N.M. income equality among worst in U.S.
The gap between the rich and the poor continued to widen in New Mexico in 2015, with the top 5 percent of households earning an average of $254,096 and the bottom 20 percent making an average of $17,064, according to a new study. Income inequality is worse in New Mexico than in 38 other states, according to the report by the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C., which analyzed 2015 household income data.
Report: TANF Program Failing New Mexico’s Low-Income Families
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Low-income families in New Mexico aren't getting the job training or child-care assistance they need in order to become self-sufficient, according to a new report from the advocacy group New Mexico Voices for Children. The report, called "Turning Assistance Into Opportunity," shows that a family of three only receives an average of $409 a month from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, also known as TANF, which is not enough to survive.
Income gap widening in New Mexico
If you've suspected the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer, you might be on to something. New Mexico currently ranks 12th in the nation when it comes to income inequality. That number is according to a new report out by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
State representatives propose food tax on New Mexicans
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Soon, you could be paying more for groceries and lawmakers say it’s part of a plan to boost the state’s economy. It’s been about ten years since New Mexicans had to pay taxes on food. In a meeting Thursday, Representatives Bill McCamley and Jason Harper introduced a bill to bring back the food tax.
LCPS board calls for action on gun control, sanctuary status
The Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday passed two memorials calling for action on comprehensive background checks for those seeking to purchase a gun and asking for the creation of a task force to examine the impact of declaring Las Cruces a sanctuary city. Both measures passed unanimously, 5-0.
Land Commissioner to pitch expanding drilling to fund early childhood education to ALEC
New Mexico’s Commissioner of Public Lands is slated to speak Friday with a group of conservative-minded state lawmakers in Washington D.C. about his proposal to transfer federal mineral rights on private lands to the state. Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn is also planning to meet with members of Congress in order to urge them to approve the transfer, according to spokeswoman Emily Strickler
Obama finalizes rule to limit gas ‘flaring’ at drilling sites
WASHINGTON — With two months left in President Barack Obama’s term, his administration issued a rule Tuesday intended to clamp down on oil companies that burn off natural gas on public lands. The new rule seeks to reduce waste and harmful methane emissions as part of a strategy to address climate change.