Legislative Advocacy

The opening day for New Mexico's 2007 legislative session is January 16th.

Legislation may be introduced until the cutoff date of February 15, 2007.  The session officially ends at noon on March 17, 2007.  Legislation not acted upon by the governor is pocket vetoed as of April 6, 2007.

To learn more, visit the New Mexico Legislature's website.

Center's 2007
Legislative Priorities   
 

Primary Objectives

1. Establish meaningful performance measures for Human Services Department (HSD)
   caseworkers.
2. Repeal the exclusion of farm and ranch workers from the NM Workers’ Compensation Act.
3. Pass an appropriation for the Civil Legal Services Commission.
4. Establish an independent commission to oversee the Public Defender Department.  To learn more about this Bill, download the Fact Sheet.
    

Secondary Objectives

1. Support expansion of Medicaid eligibility to cover adults with children up to 100% of the  Federal Poverty Level without reduction in the benefits and enrollment of the existing Medicaid program.
2. Ensure that the NM Works/TANF amendments retain all language that the Center negotiated to be included.
3. Increase or at least maintain current funding for the TANF Wage Subsidy Program.
4. Support HSD’s budget request, at a minimum, for General Assistance and additionally,
   support a supplemental appropriation for the current fiscal year.
5. Raise the minimum monthly Food Stamp benefit for the elderly to $20.

6. Require state agencies that operate prison or detention facilities to assist residents to apply for public benefits prior to discharge.

7. Restore eligibility for childcare assistance to working families whose income is less than
   200% of the federal poverty level.

8. Increase funding to the Housing Trust Fund.

9. Increase or at least maintain current funding for programs assisting homeless people.

10. Support the Urban Indian Healthcare bill.

 Other issues to watch: