State of New Mexico secondary Archives: on Welfare & Poverty
Ben Ray Lujan:
End "lunch shaming" for students who can't afford lunch
New Mexico proudly ended the cruel practice of lunch shaming but students across the country are still forced to go hungry or are ostracized if they are unable to afford a school lunch. We are the richest nation in the world and must end this practice.
The data is clear: Children cannot learn when they are hungry and they cannot succeed when they are sick. This is why I've continued to champion the No Shame Act to end this senseless policy.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com
Jul 8, 2020
Gary Johnson:
Re-negotiate gambling compacts with Native Americans
Q: Do you support the current sovereign status which tribal governments in New Mexico have over their members and their lands?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support compacts made with Native American tribal governments, requiring revenue sharing
with the state of New Mexico?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support re-negotiating the gambling compacts between tribes and the state, concerning the amount of money tribes pay the state?
A: Yes.
Source: 1998 New Mexico National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Reducing poverty is the most important work of government
In the next 12 months your state government is going to deliver an additional $230 million in rent and utility assistance to the New Mexicans who need it most. In the first two years of this administration, New Mexico reduced food insecurity at the
second-best rate of any state in the country. It should inspire us to keep going. Reducing poverty and shielding more families from its effects is the most important work any government, any worker anywhere, can do.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 18, 2022
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Exempt foster families, grandparents from income tax
I'm introducing two new proposals to support families that foster children, and grandparents raising grandchildren. Too many of these families are struggling to afford basic, everyday needs. So today, I'm proposing to exempt them from personal income
tax--and double their stipend support up to $900 extra dollars per month per child. These families are the bedrock of our foster care system. I say, if you are stepping up for kids in need, we're going to make it easier for you to support them.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 21, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 06, 2026