Healthy & Safe Communities Publications
Top 10 signs New Mexico’s oil and gas industry won’t save our state budget
Fact Sheet New Mexico's oil and gas industry is hurting -- and it's not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overproduction and changes in the marketplace have set the industry on a financial decline that began a decade ago. (State-level data on changes to oil and gas production)
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)
The impact of COVID-19 on children’s well-being in New Mexico
Fact Sheet COVID-19 and the resulting recession have caused great hardship for many New Mexico children and their families. This fact sheet looks at some of the areas where children have been impacted, including their economic and food security, and education. (State-level data on various indicators of child well-being)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: The HEROES Act
Fact Sheet (ninth in the series) The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recession are wreaking havoc on New Mexico and have led to high unemployment. Federal funding is needed to help the state and local governments to ensure that health care, education, first responders, and other services continue uninterrupted. The HEROES Act could be that tool -- if it is passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by the president. (State-level data on unemployment)
2020 Special Session Budget Summary
Fact Sheet The New Mexico Legislature was called into a special session on June 18 in order to address revenue shortfalls in the state budget due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn, and the global drop in oil prices. Although Congress had passed legislation to help the states, New Mexico still had to trim the budget lawmakers had passed in January 2020 by $580 million. This fact sheet shows what got cut and by how much.
Taxing groceries would make New Mexico’s food insecurity problem worse
Fact Sheet Despite the state having high rates of food insecurity, some lawmakers still talk about bringing back the tax on groceries. This may become an especially easy target as lawmakers look to replace state revenue that has been wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economy downturn, and drop in oil prices. Here's why they shouldn't. (State-level data on child food insecurity, SNAP usage, and more.)
How the Federal COVID-19 Response Impacts New Mexico: Health Care
Fact Sheet (eighth in the series) Health care should be universally available in a global pandemic. While the U.S. still seems to be years away from joining the rest of the wealthy nations in guaranteeing this basic right, Congress did approve some financial assistance to states for their Medicaid programs. (State-level data on rates of uninsurance and Medicaid enrollment)
New Mexico’s 2020 KIDS COUNT profile
State Data Sheet New Mexico ranks 50th in the nation in child well-being for the fourth time since 2013. This state profile shows how our children are faring on the 16 indicators of child well-being used in the national KIDS COUNT rankings. (State-level data on the 16 indicators of child well-being.)
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)
Ensuring New Mexico’s Kids Have Enough to Eat
Fact Sheet New Mexico children face major challenges when it comes to having enough food to eat, but there are common-sense policy solutions that we can take to end food insecurity and improve children's health, well-being, and opportunities to reach their full potential. (State-level data on childhood food insecurity)