Racial & Ethnic Equity Publications
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.
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Small Business Provisions
Fact Sheet (third in the series) Small businesses are the backbone of New Mexico's economy. While some of the federal aid packages passed by Congress aim to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic, few New Mexico businesses are likely to benefit. (State-level data on small business demographics)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Food Assistance
Fact Sheet (second in the series) With food insecurity already a big problem before the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic slump has only made it worse. Some of the federal aid packages passed by Congress allow states to expand their SNAP programs, which will help. This fact sheet looks at what this means for New Mexico. (State-level data on food insecurity)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Stimulus Checks
Fact Sheet (first in the series) Stimulus checks – also called rebates – were in one of the aid packages passed by Congress to help Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn. This fact sheet looks at who gets them, how much they will receive, who is left out, and what is left to be done. (State-level data on factors of economic well-being)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Introduction
Fact Sheet (series introduction) Congress has passed several aid packages to help Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn. This series looks at what's in the aid packages, how they will impact you, your family, community and state, who was left out of the stimulus, and what should come next.
Essential but Excluded
Report Despite the fact that immigrants work, pay taxes, and are a vital part of our economy, many were left out of the relief packages Congress passed to help blunt the coming recession and assist displaced workers and small business owners. Not only is that harmful to many New Mexico children and families, it also will impede our ability to rebuild our economy. (State- and some county-level data on selected demographics, and state-level data on immigrant tax contributions)
It’s Time to Repeal the Capital Gains Deduction
Policy Brief New Mexico is one of just nine states to effectively tax capital gains less than the wages and salaries earned by hard-working New Mexicans. Beginning in 2003, those with capital gains income – who are overwhelmingly the wealthiest in New Mexico – were allowed to deduct 50 percent of their capital gains from their state income taxes. In 2019, legislators reduced the amount to 40 percent.