Sen. Tom Udall

STATE News:

SANTE FE – More than one-third of New Mexico’s children live below the poverty line and U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., called on state lawmakers last week to address this problem during his address to a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature.

“Our state is dead last in overall child well-being and next to last in education, in children’s health and economic well-being. This troubles all of us. It has to change. The future of our state – and not just for our children, but for our economy – depends on changing it,” Udall said. “How do we fix it? It takes money, of course. It also takes commitment – and it takes leadership.  “Children have to come first – and New Mexico cannot stay locked in at dead last.”

Udall also endorsed the constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund to fully fund the most effective early child care and education programs. He urged lawmakers to pass the Joint Resolution to put the proposal on the statewide ballot.

“Let’s take it to the voters. Let them decide,” Udall said.