Minimum wage bill advances despite opposition
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The proposal drew opposition from business organizations and workers rights groups alike on Monday, but for different reasons. Continue Reading
Lawmakers propose cutting state food benefit program
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Some lawmakers are proposing killing a $1.2 million annual state supplement to federally funded food stamp benefits. Continue Reading
Doña Ana County leads the way with affordable loan program
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Doña Ana County is offering this program to its employees at no cost or risk to taxpayers. Continue Reading
Small loan swindles grow
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This is the year to remove abusive debt shackles and clean up New Mexico’s storefront loan industry. Continue Reading
House committee advances bill to raise state’s minimum wage
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The legislation would increase the state minimum wage from $7.50 an hour to $10.10 over the next three years. Continue Reading
Bill to restrict food stamp purchases dies
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Five Democratic state senators banded together Tuesday to block the Republican bill. Continue Reading
Despite improvements, NM remains tough for kids
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For the second year in a row, New Mexico ranked 49th among states for child well-being in the annual Kids Count report. Continue Reading
Concerns about Albuquerque’s programs to help the homeless
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I have unanswered questions about giving day jobs to homeless people, and the city’s 311 information line for the homeless is a disgrace. Continue Reading
A circle of love for New Mexico children
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Each of us must speak up and demand a real investment in the future of the state. Continue Reading
A look at the economics of relative poverty in the movie ‘The Purge’
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“The Purge” is a fictitious and extreme portrayal of criminalization of poverty in America. We are obviously not that far gone, but criminalization of poverty is a harsh reality in America. Continue Reading
State loves loan sharks; public servants, not so much
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The New Mexico Employee Benefits Bureau could make affordable small loans available to almost 80,000 state and local government and higher education workers. Continue Reading
New Mexico doesn’t have to stay on this impoverished path
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The bottom line is that we’re stuck – and we’ve remained stuck through leadership from Democrats and leadership from Republicans and leadership from bipartisan coalitions. The roots of our problems are deeper than any ideology can solve. Continue Reading
Are we circling the drain?
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While promising fair distribution of material and social wealth, capitalism delivers quite the opposite. Continue Reading
Gliding into dreamtime
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We must ask how much destructive inhumanity any social contract can withstand before erupting into rebellion. Continue Reading
New Mexico doesn’t have to stay at 49th for child well-being
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The good news is that we can break down the barriers that keep families in poverty and rob children of their potential. Continue Reading