Racial & Ethnic Equity Publications
2020 New Mexico KIDS COUNT Data Book
NM KIDS COUNT Data Book Child well-being in New Mexico was improving. But then the COVID-19 pandemic and recession struck. This annual report provides data on numerous child well-being indicators housed under four domains (economic security, education, health, and family and community). While we don't know the full extent of the harm COVID-19 has caused our kids, some pandemic-specific data from the fall of 2020 are included. (Data on the state, county, tribal area, and school district levels on child well-being)
Tobacco taxes support a healthy future for New Mexico
Fact Sheet Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. One evidence-based way to help youth and those earning low incomes to stop or reduce smoking is to increase tobacco taxes. It also raises some of the funding needed to cover the public health care costs. (State-level data on smoking, death rates, etc.)
Fueling an Equitable Recovery
Policy Brief Before COVID-19 hit, New Mexico was moving steadily forward on a path to more broadly shared prosperity. But our over-reliance on revenue from oil and gas extraction put a dent in our economy even before the pandemic and resulting recession. Legislators must enact policies that stabilize our revenue streams while improving racial equity via our tax code. Their best options for doing so are listed in this policy brief.
Tax Policy: A Powerful Tool to Advance Racial Equity in New Mexico
Report Systemic racism isn't accidental - it's the result of public policies that benefit one group while disadvantaging others. Our state and national tax systems have been built to benefit those at the top (who are mostly white) while disadvantaging people of color. This report looks at concrete ways New Mexico can make our tax system more equitable. (State-level data on disparities in income, wealth, home ownership, and tax incidence by race and ethnicity)
The Working Families Tax Credit will help New Mexico bounce back
Fact Sheet New Mexico's Working Families Tax Credit has long helped families who work hard but are struggling to make ends meet. Given the crises of the pandemic and its resulting recession, it's time to increase and improve this proven anti-poverty solution. (State-level data on the benefits of this tax credit)
Policy, Advocacy, and Child Well-being In New Mexico:
Presentation Created for the NM Public Health Association's annual conference, this presentation looks at the intersection of state tax and budget policies with social determinants of health. It gives examples of evidence-based policy solutions that promote racial justice and some tips on how to participate in policy and budget decisions that improve outcomes for kids. (State-level data on some impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Housing Assistance
Fact Sheet (seventh in the series) Poverty, the lack of affordable housing, and other aspects of housing insecurity were already problematic in New Mexico before the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn. If these additional challenges push families into crowded housing or homelessness, the risk of contagion will increase. Federal stimulus has helped, but much more is needed. (State-level data on housing challenges and poverty)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Education
Fact Sheet (sixth in the series) New Mexico's schools, colleges, and universities have been under-resourced for more than a decade. While the state did increase funding for the past two years, the pandemic and recession will make it difficult to keep our education budgets whole. Federal funding will help, but more will be needed. (State-level data on K-12 funding levels and child care enrollment)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Unemployment Insurance
Fact Sheet (fifth in the series) The safety measures put in place across the nation to slow the spread of COVID-19 have led to massive worker layoffs. This has, in turn, overwhelmed the ability of most states to keep up with unemployment insurance claims. This fact sheet looks at how the stimulus passed by Congress will help New Mexico's laid-off workers. (State-level data on unemployment)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Fiscal Relief for Tribes, States & Cities
Fact Sheet (fourth in the series) Tribes, states, and local governments are facing enormous costs in their attempt to contain, treat, and respond to this unprecedented public health emergency. Simultaneously, tax revenues are falling with the plummeting economic activity. Federal legislation was passed to help address the immense revenue needs for New Mexico and all the other states, but more will be needed in the future.