We recently released the Progressive Voters Guide. A lot goes into creating it, from research to writing to thinking carefully about who to recommend and why.
As progressives, we’re committed to fighting for policies that impact the daily lives of our fellow citizens. We believe that every New Mexican deserves to live comfortably, own a home, have access to quality education and healthcare, and seek economic opportunity. Our values are rooted in the importance of family, community, and economic justice – values that resonate deeply with hardworking New Mexicans.
We’ve been doing this work because we believe it matters. We believe it’s critical for everyone around us, whether we agree or disagree, to have access to information so when we cast our vote, whether in person or absentee, we can all feel good about knowing exactly who we are voting for.
It’s no surprise that the candidates that we recommended in the Progressive Voters Guide are aligned with our values. Despite the hate the word “progressive” itself receives, we know, and you all know, that progressive values ARE New Mexico values.
Don’t believe me? Read on for some of the key policies that progressives have advanced over the last several years and what we hope to achieve next.
An economy by and for the people
The push for Paid Family Medical Leave is not just a moral imperative; it’s an economic one. By providing workers with the ability to care for their loved ones without fear of losing their job or income, we’re investing in the well-being of our families and our economy. It’s a value that resonates deeply with New Mexicans, who understand the importance of family and community.
Fair wages are another key issue. We believe that hard work deserves a living wage, one that allows individuals to support themselves and their families without struggling to make ends meet. But it’s not just about wages; it’s also about affordability. Progressives are taking on price gouging by greedy corporations and billionaires, ensuring that everyday goods like groceries and fuel are accessible to all. By holding corporations accountable for their pricing practices, we’re putting money back into the pockets of hardworking New Mexicans.
Addressing the root causes of public safety and crime – going back to Gov Martinez’s destruction of mental/behavioral health in 2013/14, we’ve had to repair so much that was, and still is, broken. It’s time for an honest conversation that starts with the truth, which is that we keep expecting police, prosecutors, and prison to solve every social problem, from kids skipping school to mental illness to homelessness to gun violence.
We already know from decades of experience that longer sentences and harsher punishment don’t solve the root causes of crime. They just push people further into desperation and make the revolving door spin faster. If they worked, New Mexico would have nearly no DUIs as we have some of the harshest laws on DUIs in the country. Yet we still have one of the highest DUI rates in the US.
While Republicans play the blame game on who is responsible for crime, progressives are taking a serious approach to public safety by focusing on policies that support neighborhood-level violence prevention programs, increasing mental/behavioral health access, and investing in affordable housing.
By investing in community-based programs and social services, we’re creating safer, more just communities for all. This is a real approach, one that addresses the root causes while allocating law enforcement and court resources to the most serious cases.
Increasing access to critical health and education support
Progressives have led the charge to increase access to health care and reproductive health, including getting rid of archaic laws like New Mexico’s 1969’s abortion ban, expanding Medicaid coverage, and passing paid sick leave. We’ve passed legislation that protects individuals seeking abortion and gender affirming care and the amazing providers who treat those individuals. Progressives have led the charge on expanding early childhood education making childcare affordable and reinforcing public schools through increased educator pay and support so that every kid in NM has the chance to succeed. We put our money where our mouth is when it comes to solving poverty.
Protecting our environment and traditions
NM’s amazing, beautiful landscape is a deeply held part of our heritage. It not only provides recreation opportunities but also powers our economy. For example, hunting and fishing alone support nearly 8,000 jobs and more than $51 million in state and local taxes.In all, New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy directly supports $1.2 billion income and 33,500 jobs. Holding corporate polluters accountable; protecting our land, air, and water; and moving to a just transition are not just the right things to do, they are good for all of us.
All of these policies – paid family medical leave, fair wages, stopping price gouging, investing in renewable energy and a just transition, and addressing public safety through root cause solutions – are not just progressive values; they’re New Mexican values. They reflect our state’s commitment to family, community, and economic justice. As progressives continue to lead the way in New Mexico, we’re proud to be fighting for a future that truly represents who we are as a people.
So let’s keep moving forward, New Mexico. Let’s show the country what it means to be a progressive state, where everyone has access to opportunity, dignity, and justice. We are the Land of Enchantment, and together, we can make our state an even better place for all.