Think New Mexico is a results-oriented think tank serving the citizens of New Mexico. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially working low and middle-income families. We fulfill this mission by educating the public, the media, and policymakers about some of the most serious problems facing New Mexico and by developing effective, comprehensive, sustainable solutions to those problems.

Our approach is to perform and publish sound, nonpartisan, independent research. Unlike many think tanks, Think New Mexico does not subscribe to any particular ideology. Instead, because New Mexico is at or near the bottom of so many national rankings, our focus is on promoting workable solutions. We use advocacy and, as a last resort, legal action, in accordance with federal tax law.

Consistent with our nonpartisan approach, Think New Mexico's board is composed of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. They are statesmen and stateswomen, who have no agenda other than to see New Mexico succeed. They are also the brain trust of this think tank.

Think New Mexico began its operations on January 1, 1999. It is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to maintain its independence, Think New Mexico does not accept government money. However, contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations are welcomed, encouraged and tax-deductible.

Results

As an independent, statewide, results-oriented think tank, Think New Mexico measures its success based on changes in law or policy that it is able to help achieve, such as:

• making full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico
• repealing the state's regressive tax on food
• creating a Strategic River Reserve to protect and restore New Mexico's rivers
• establishing New Mexico's first state-supported Individual Development Accounts to alleviate New Mexico's persistent poverty
• reforming the state lottery to reduce its excessive operating costs and redirect the savings to full-tuition college scholarships