Once again, New Mexico has earned the title of the worst state to raise a family, according to WalletHub’s annual ranking. This is a ranking that is has been consistent every year, in recent memory. New Mexico is ranked 50th out of all states, and the breakdown of the data shows just how tough things are here for families. Our state ranks nearly last in key areas like Education, Health & Safety, and Socioeconomics. New Mexico is at the bottom for Median Family Income, tied for last in violent crime rates per capita, and near the lowest for other critical categories like child care costs, the percentage of families living in poverty, and the separation/divorce rate. These issues paint a troubling picture of life in our state. Check out the

Last night’s 2025 Pre-Legislative BASH (Business and Social Hour) was a massive success! The evening’s special guest, Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer, delivered an inspiring message about unity and driving positive change in our state. He offered attendees insight into the challenges legislators face and the best ways to get their attention. Senator Sharer encouraged attendees to engage directly with the legislative process, such as attending sessions at the Capitol, meeting with legislators, and testifying in committee hearings. He concluded his comments by saying that New Mexicans do have the power to influence meaningful change. Emails, calls, and in-person efforts can truly impact how legislators vote. After his comments, he stuck around to answer questions and chat with attendees. NMBC also shared updates on key bills and initiatives likely to

For the fifth year in a row, New Mexico legislators are bringing back the Paid Family Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), hoping this is the year it finally passes. At NMBC, we’re hoping for the opposite! Here’s the deal: PFMLA would allow employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for themselves, a sick family member, or other personal needs. Sounds nice on the surface, right? But let’s break down the reality: Employees would have part of their paycheck deducted to fund this program. Employers would also have to contribute, creating more financial stress and other burdens. If an employee takes the leave, the employer would have to figure out how to cover their absence for up to 12 weeks—often with no guarantee the replacement won’t take

In 2024, polls consistently showed that New Mexicans are highly concerned about public safety and the rising crime rates across the state. As we go into the 2025 Legislative Session, both parties seem to have different takes on how to solve this issue. In a conference this past Friday, the majority party shared that they plan to focus on behavioral health initiatives to prevent crime and want to create more CYFD offices to prevent child abuse within the organization. While both are good initiatives that can lead to positive outcomes in our state, they still don’t fully address the top concern that New Mexicans have, which again, is public safety. Read more about their priorities HERE. Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, the minority party introduced their 4-step plan for the session.