The Economy

New Mexico’s unemployment is higher than the average. New Mexico has the highest child poverty rate in the United States. We have one of the highest rate of food insecurity and hunger in our nation. New Mexicans lack health care insurance and quality child care. Too many New Mexicans live in crowded or substandard housing and/or homelessness. New Mexico has one of the highest pregnancy rates, poor educational achievement and high school drop-out rates. Lastly, New Mexico has one of the highest substance abuse and crime rates. Our state is poverty stricken. Poverty breeds resentment, alienation and hopelessness. New Mexicans deserve better…it is time for action…now.

A strong economy is our best social program. We must address our higher than average unemployment rates. We must legislate an increase in the minimum wage. We must encourage the “Entrepreneurial Spirit” with incentives for small business. We must implement checks and balances with international and domestic corporations. We must reexamine our positions with NAFTA and WTO. We must encourage collective bargaining between labor unions and corporate giants. It is time for the middle class movement. No more tax breaks for the wealthy. New benefits for the wealthy means new burdens for the rest of us. The middle class and labor unions have made America economically strong. We cannot allow the middle class to become an “endangered species.” New Mexicans must work together to create a larger middle class. It’s a win-win situation for all New Mexicans.

We must strengthen economic opportunity for all New Mexicans by creating, bringing and keeping jobs in New Mexico.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Eli Chavez, Nancy A. Lesicka, Treasurer.