HOUSE MEMORIAL 113

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

James G. Townsend

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE LAND OFFICE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND FOR THE PROVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has the highest rate of child poverty in the United States, according to a study by New Mexico voices for children; and

     WHEREAS, brain and biological development during the first years of life is highly influenced by environment, and early childhood experiences may determine health, education, economic and social participation for the rest of a person's life; and

     WHEREAS, investing in young children is an essential component for the development of New Mexico, as early opportunities for learning increase the likelihood that a child will attend school and, as an adult, achieve higher income, maintain better health, experience less crime and have lower levels of welfare dependence than those who do not receive early development support; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government holds a vast amount of unleased federal subsurface mineral acreage beneath private land within New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, this unleased federal subsurface mineral acreage beneath private land within New Mexico could be transferred to the state of New Mexico and managed by the state land office to be held in trust for the purpose of raising revenue to specifically support and fund early childhood services; and

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill 182 was introduced in the 2017 legislative session to create funds to provide for early childhood services;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state land office be requested to study the feasibility of creating an early childhood fund; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state land office report its findings and recommendations to the legislative finance committee and appropriate interim committees by October 1, 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the commissioner of public lands, the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and the chair of the legislative finance committee.

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