skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, November 25, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump team barred from agencies amid legal standoff; Health experts speak out against RFK Jr. leading Health and Human Services; ACLU: Mass deportations would be setback for AR economy; Researchers study CT's offshore wind possibilities.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President-elect Trump's new pick for Attorney General vows retribution at Justice Department, the Trump transition is refusing to allow FBI Cabinet nominee background checks, and Republicans begin the process to defund Planned Parenthood.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The health of rural Americans is getting renewed attention from the CDC, updated data could help protect folks from flash floods like those devastated in Appalachia, and Native American Tribes want to play a key role in the nation's energy future.

NM Aims to Promote Justice with Tax Rebates for Immigrant Workers

play audio
Play

Monday, July 10, 2023   

Tax rebates can boost economic growth, and the rebates available in New Mexico this summer are designed to reverse discriminatory exclusions of immigrant essential workers.

During this year's legislative session, lawmakers used a massive budget windfall from the lucrative oil and gas industry to approve some $667 million in tax rebates.

Immigrants make up a disproportionate number of the state's oil and gas workers.

Marian Méndez-Cera, policy and political coordinator for the El Centro Family Health Clinic, said at the same time, the pandemic caused Hispanic and Latino families widespread financial insecurity and high levels of debt.

"Story after story of New Mexican families that struggle to keep their families afloat," Méndez-Cera observed. "Which is with covering basic needs, like shelter, paying for food. It's just things that we need on the daily basis."

Méndez-Cera said El Centro is part of the Economic Relief Working Group formed in 2020 to make sure policymakers understand how much immigrants contribute economically. New Mexico is one of four states allowing residents to use their Individual Tax Identification Number, rather than a Social Security number, to claim tax credits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Amber Wallin, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, pointed out about 17% of children in the state, or 80,000, live with an immigrant parent. She said the rebates are critical for immigrant workers, who represent one in eight workers and pay $400 million in state and local taxes annually.

"What it means is that folks are better able to afford food for their families," Wallin contended. "It can be a rental payment or a house payment for one month for their families. It can mean a major car repair that they've been putting off."

Statewide, about 48% of the New Mexico population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

Méndez-Cera added immigrant workers and families historically have been excluded from economic relief, tax credits and rebates.

"It is a source of pride that New Mexico is leading the way in a fair tax code," Méndez-Cera asserted. "It is a source of pride that we are rebuilding our economy with such an inclusive mindset."

Disclosure: New Mexico Voices for Children/Kids Count contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Early Childhood Education, Human Rights/Racial Justice, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
According to the CDC, peaks of respiratory disease usually happen from about December to February.(Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

With flu and COVID-19 cases increasing during the holiday season, a Georgia doctor said now is the time to take steps to protect yourself and your …


Social Issues

play sound

Massachusetts lawmakers are hoping a new teacher certification process will draw more diverse candidates to the classroom. The state recently passed …

Environment

play sound

By Liz Carey for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection for the Daily Yonder-Public News Service Collaborat…


play sound

Maine's College of the Atlantic has once again topped the Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges. The Bar Harbor-based school has been …

New research says enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities is down 10% over the past 10 years. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Maryland News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News S…

Environment

play sound

A Pennsylvania group warned progress on environmental protections could be at risk under a second term for President-elect Donald Trump. The state's …

Environment

play sound

By Allison Frost for Oregon Public Broadcasting.Broadcast version by Isobel Charlé for Oregon News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021