New Mexico Conference of Churches Legislative Priorities - 2010
Proposed NMCC Legislative Priorities for the 2010 State Legislature
Health Care:
1. Support independent Health Care Authority.
2. Fully fund and expand entollment in Medicaid.
Immigration Reform: Support just and humane policies on the state and national level.
Economic Justice:
1. Housing Trust Fund and support for real estate transfer tax on local level.
2. Hunger - Support increased funding for programs to provide food for nutition assistance programs, inclding food banks, Food for Kids, Senior Food Stasmp Supplement.
3. Tax Reform - Support Corporate Income Tax and Combined Reporting.
Watch for legislation providing relief for mortgage foreclosures. Track proposed tax on alcohol in New Mexico designed to generate revenue for alcohol and drug tratment.
The Environment
1. Oppose new uranium mining.
2. Support bi-partisan Memorial calling for federal funding for worker's compensations.
Watch for legislation regarding NGO's - ACLU will introduce "Spying on Freedom" bill.
Memorial on Declaration Against Torture: This is a project of the National Religious Coalition Against Torture. The NMCC has agreed to promote this and has received a grant for the first phase. The memorial would be the second phase. We will submit a grant proposal to fund the memorial project. (see below.)
TORTURE IS A MORAL ISSUE
At the November 11, 2008 quarterly board meeting, the NMCC Board of Directors adopted the following Resolution on Immigration and a Call for Action as adopted by the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches USA and Church World Service.
Declaration of Principles
for a Presidential Executive Order
On Prisoner Treatment, Tortue and Cruelty
Although we come from a variety of back grounds and walks of life, we agree that the use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment against prisoners is immoral, unwise and un-America.
In our effort to secure ourselves, we have resorted to tactics which do not work, which endanger US personnel abroad, which discourage political, military and intelligence cooperation from our allies and which ultimately do not enhance our security.
Our President must lead us by core principles. We must be better than our enemies and our treatment of prisoners captured in the battle against terrorism must reflect our character and values as Americans.
Therefore, we believe the President of the United States should issue an Executive Order that provides as follows:
The "Golden Rule." We will not authorize or use any methods of interrogation that we would not find acceptable if used against Americans, be they civilians or soldiers.
One national standard. We will have one national standard for all US personnel and agencies for the interrogation and treatment of prisoners. Currently, the best expression of that standard is the US Army Field Manual, which will be used until any other interrogation technique has been approved based on the Golden Rule principle.
The rule of law. We will acknoeledge all prisoners to our ourts or the International Red Cross. We will under no circumstances hold persons in secret prisons or engage in disappearances. In all cases, prisoners will have the opportunity to prove their innocence in ways that fully conform to American principles of fairness.
Duty to protect. We acknowledge our historical commitment to end the use of tortue and cruelty in the world. The US will not transfer any person to countries that use torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Checks and balances. Congress and the courts play an invaluable role in protecting the values and institutions of our nation and and must have and will have access to the information they need to be fully informed about our detention and interrogation policies.
Clarity and accountability. All US personnel-whether soldiers or intelligence staff - deserve the certainty that they are implementing policy that complies fully with the law. Henceforth all US officials whd authorize, implement or fail in their duty to prevent the use of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners will be held accountable, regardless of rank or position.
This initiative is coordinated by the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Evangelicals for Human Rights and the Center for Victims of Torture.
IMMIGRATION ISSUES: The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Conference of Churches approved the following statement on Immigration at the meeting.
