What Hunger Initiatives Were Addressed at the Roundhouse in 2018?

What anti-hunger, anti-poverty and human needs legislation was discussed during the recently concluded session of the New Mexico State Legislature? What legislation needs follow up? Find out at the bimonthly meeting of the Interfaith Hunger Coalition on Tuesday, March 20, at 12:00 Noon at First Presbyterian Church, Martin Luther King Blvd. and I-25, (map) in Albuquerque. Everyone is welcome.

One of the issues addresed in the House Health and Human Services Committee was House Memorial 90, a proposal to create a Hunger Council. The Interfaith Hunger Coalition worked with Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes and Rep. Joanne Ferrary on this proposal. The committee voted to accept the proposal and asked for a formal plan that could be reviewed before the next 60-day session.

There were other memorials and other pieces of actual legislation on hunger and human needs that came before the legislature. A panel of policy analysts from three IHC partner organizations will provide updates on SNAP, nutrition,, the budget, taxes and other issues that were addressed during and outside the recently concluded Legislative Session.

Sovereign Hager: Supervising attorney at the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. Her work focuses on improving access to food and cash assistance, Medicaid and childcare assitance for New Mexico families. Two other attorneys work on her benefits team at the NMCLP.   (Photo: New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty)

Ruth Hoffman: Director of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico. Coordinates advocacy efforts in Santa Fe for Lutherans and members of other denominations and other faith communities on issues related to human needs in New Mexico. "Addressing social issues involves three areas of activity:  service, study and advocacy," says Ruth. "Direct service and study are very important but their companion, advocacy is also very important because advocacy helps to address the causes of social injustice through changes in public policy."

Bill Jordan: Senior Policy Advisor & Government Relations Officer at New Mexico Voices for Children. He leads NMVC's legislative advocacy efforts in Santa Fe and Washington, D.C., working primarily with lawmakers on issues such as raising the minimum wage, creating a state-level earned income tax credit, expanding access to health care, passing the child helmet safety law, and other issues. Bill is relied upon by many legislators for data and information relating to the legislation they are voting on or writing. (Photo: NMVC)