from the New Mexico News Connection - A statewide news service for New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. - The 2012 legislative session could mean quality-of-life improvements for low-income New Mexicans, according to the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico. It is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and promotes state public policies and action for social and economic justice.
Regarding the forthcoming session, Ruth Hoffman, director of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry for New Mexico, says her organization will be focused primarily on holding the economic line for the state's lowest-income residents.
"We're looking at making sure that no further cuts are made to programs that impact people living in poverty in New Mexico, hoping to restore some of those cuts that were made in the last years."
The Lutheran Advocacy Ministry has developed an ambitious agenda for the legislative session. It includes a campaign called "Invest In Kids Now," to focus on getting a constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall to increase funding for early-childhood programs in New Mexico.
Hoffman says tax issues will also be a focus of the Lutheran Ministry. The group wants to be certain that whatever tax bills are passed, there is still enough revenue to meet the state's basic needs. She says one particular tax proposal that the ministry has supported for years is state Senator Peter Wirth's Combined Reporting bill - although so far, without success. Wirth is a Democrat from Santa Fe.
"This would require out-of-state corporations to pay corporation income tax here in New Mexico, just like in-state corporations do."
On the hunger front, Hoffman wants to see funding restored for food banks. Her organization also hopes to maintain the elementary school breakfast program.
In terms of housing and homelessness issues, Hoffman says ELCA wants lawmakers to continue funding for shelters, and more.
"We're also supporting an increase in funding for our State Housing Trust Fund."
The State Housing Trust Fund is a grant fund for bricks-and-mortar projects that serve low-income people.
Also on this year's advocacy agenda are health care and immigration issues, including reinstating driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants
Beth Blakeman reporting, nmnc@newsservice.org.
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