VIDEO: Haaland’s Bold Economic Renewal Plan Could Be Boon for NM; NM Orgs, U.S. Senators Tom Udall, Martin Heinrich Sign On
One Pager | Resolution Text | Quotes in Support
Washington, D.C. – In coordination with the introduction of the THRIVE Agenda by Congresswoman Deb Haaland (N.M.-01) and U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and various organizations in New Mexico signed on to show their support. The resolution outlines a plan for economic renewal known as the Agenda to Transform, Heal, and Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy, or THRIVE Agenda.
The THRIVE Agenda offers the opportunity for green economic growth and job creation that will support our economy without compromising the environment. In March, the New Mexico legislature passed the Renewable Energy Transfer bill to expand green infrastructure and the renewable energy sector, which will be vital to New Mexico’s post-COVID economy. The legislation goes hand in hand with the THRIVE Agenda and suggests New Mexico is prepared to transition to a climate conscious economy.
VIDEO: Haaland, Markey, Schumer Outline Bold Economic Renewal Plan with THRIVE Resolution
“The promise of the American dream should be available and accessible to everyone, but right now, our country is facing crises that are fatefully intertwined: tens of millions of people are unemployed, the COVID-19 pandemic rages, racial and economic injustice are rampant , and the climate crisis is accelerating,” said Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. “I grew up in a culture that welcomes everyone, a culture in which we support each other in times of need so everyone thrives. We have an opportunity to not just recover from these interlocking crises, but to thrive by creating millions of good paying, union, clean, green jobs while building a more just, healthy, and stable economy that leaves no one behind.”
“Marginalized communities—communities of color, low-income communities and Native communities—often bear the worst consequences of environmental pollution that profits the rich and powerful,” said Senator Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “Native American Tribes are still waiting for restoration owed to them from many decades of environmental exploitation, while air, water and toxic pollution caused by big corporations disproportionately affects minority and low-income communities every day. Moving forward, we must chart a new path forward to achieve broader prosperity and environmental justice and prevent the worst effects of climate change by including and empowering those who are most affected. The THRIVE Agenda is designed to create a more just and sustainable future, and we must use this framework to work for an equitably-shared recovery from the intersecting crises we are facing.”
“The THRIVE Agenda provides a visionary framework for economic recovery and climate action, while simultaneously taking on the generational, systemic challenges of racial injustice and economic inequality,” said Senator Heinrich. “That’s why I am proud to support this vision for putting millions back to work building a more fair, resilient, and clean economy for all Americans.”
Eighty-nine members of Congress across both chambers have already endorsed the THRIVE resolution as original co-sponsors. THRIVE lays out the unifying principles necessary to build a society that enables dignified work; increased racial, economic, gender, and environmental justice; healthy communities; and a stable climate. The THRIVE agenda is built on eight pillars, which span from creating millions of good, safe jobs with access to unions to averting climate catastrophe while investing in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.
New Mexico organizations voiced enthusiastic support for the economic renewal plan laid out by the THRIVE resolution.
“We sincerely thank Congresswoman Deb Haaland for moving her colleagues to adopt the bold agenda outlined in the THRIVE Resolution. Her action forms the critical next step needed to eliminate the racial and economic inequities barriers that have far too long prevented people of color from achieving their personal and professional goals. Congresswoman Deb Haaland, we salute you,” said Pamelya Herndon, President/CEO, KWH Law Center for Social Justice and Change
“Congresswoman Haaland’s THRIVE Agenda aligns economic growth with true American values,” said Charna Lefton, Co-Coordinator of Indivisible 505. “It’s inspiring to see an elected leader who recognizes that our fiscal prosperity only expands with inclusion, justice, collaboration and a focus on our future.
“We in our communities in New Mexico have been struggling with the consequences of environmental and economic racism for many years. Therefore, the thrive resolution and what it covers are issues we totally support,” said Richard Moore, Co-Coordinator, Los Jardines Institute.
“350 New Mexico supports the THRIVE agenda because solving the climate crisis requires bold, rapid, emergency solutions that we can only accomplish with everyone’s help. That means simultaneously fixing the sources of systemic racism and economic oppression and environmental looting that have brought us to this point. Unless we do, the demagogues among us will keep tearing society apart, dooming us to a future that none of us will survive,” said Tom Solomon and Jim Mackenzie, co-coordinators, 350 New Mexico.
"New Mexico Thrives is supporting the THRIVE agenda because it prioritizes people and the planet," said Tsiporah Nephesh, Executive Director, New Mexico Thrives.