The 2025 legislative session is here and we are excited for the opportunity to move forward priorities developed in partnership with families, community leaders, and advocates statewide. Bold action is needed to improve healthcare and public education, and create a fair economy for all New Mexicans. Below are our key priorities–let’s get ready to advocate together by calling and emailing legislators!
| Workers’ Rights Create a statewide paid family and medical leave program: With the New Mexico Paid Family Medical Leave Coalition, we are backing legislation to create a paid family and medical leave program so all hardworking New Mexicans can take up to 12 weeks per year to bond with a new child, address or recover from a serious health problem, address long-term or chronic medical needs of their family members, or deal with domestic or sexual violence, while maintaining their benefits and full/partial wages. Support fair wages for care workers: We are advocating for data collection on care workers’ wages and working conditions to support fair and competitive compensation for this essential labor. Ensure New Mexicans are paid for their work: We are supporting the Department of Workforce Solutions’ (DWS) budget request to increase staffing levels to resolve wage theft claims more efficiently and effectively. Housing Strengthen rights for manufactured homeowners and preserve affordable housing: We are advocating for amendments to the NM Mobile Home Park Act to strengthen residents’ rights and give them the opportunity to jointly purchase the park they live in. Healthcare Expand healthcare coverage through Medicaid Forward: With the New Mexico Together for Healthcare Coalition, we are co-leading advocacy efforts to open up Medicaid for all New Mexican residents to purchase coverage on a sliding scale, regardless of their income level. Keep healthcare coverage affordable: We are continuing to monitor and protect the Healthcare Affordability Fund to ensure it is being properly used to help over 60,000 New Mexicans and 6,000 small businesses access affordable, discounted coverage on the Exchange. Require healthcare merger transparency: We support legislation that requires public input on healthcare mergers to ensure they serve the best interests of our communities. The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance will also have a role in reviewing mergers, ensuring that proposed deals are fully transparent and accountable to the public. Food & Income Support Improve food security: We are advocating to establish a community-based Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach program utilizing federal funds to ensure New Mexicans in every community have access to the program and fix barriers so more eligible families can receive much needed food assistance. Increase access to cash & benefits: We are supporting the Health Care Authority’s (HCA) budget request to increase staffing levels to efficiently and effectively provide cash and healthcare benefits for our families. Education Protect tribal regalia in schools:We are supporting efforts to amend the Crown Act to strengthen protections for Native students who choose to wear tribal regalia during public school events, creating greater recognition and protection of Indigenous cultures and values. Secure tribal funding: We are endorsing legislation to streamline funding for tribal education programs and ensure sufficient funding for building, renovating, and staffing tribal libraries and education resource centers. Fund faculty of color-led programs: We are pushing for funding to support Native, bilingual, and multicultural higher education programs to train a diverse workforce and develop culturally relevant curriculum and health services. Civil Legal Services Increase access to justice for all: We are advocating for increased and recurring funding for civil legal services, ensuring that New Mexicans who cannot afford an attorney have access to legal support for housing, immigration status, family safety, employment rights, health, debt relief, and more. |
We know that lasting change happens with our community leading the way, and we are excited to support by providing policy and legal expertise, and advocacy. From identifying the biggest challenges facing New Mexicans, to creating and enacting legislation, we need your support. Stay tuned for ways to take action and follow us on social media!