SANTA FE– The New Mexico State Treasurer's Office is proud to announce the upcoming State Treasurer's Baby Bond Symposium, a two-day event focused on discussing and developing Baby Bond legislation in the 2025 legislative session. The legislation for Baby Bonds intends to create a government-funded trust account that will provide a pledge startup of capital to children born in New Mexico after July 1, 2025, which will accrue interest and be available for government-approved expenses after the recipients turn 18 years of age.
The symposium will take place on Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th at the Bank of America Theatre at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is open to the public upon RSVP.
Treasurer Laura M. Montoya and Nichelle Gilbert, Executive Director for Partnership for Community Action (PCA), will be moderating the panels throughout the first day which include: "What is a Baby Bond?," "Baby Bonds in Practice," and "Baby I Got Your Money!" The Friday morning session is titled, "Baby Steps to the Roundhouse."
Special guests include Dr. Darrick Hamilton, architect of Baby Bonds and Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy at The New School, who has committed his life's work to addressing systemic inequalities contributed by poverty and the wealth divide, Javier Martínez, Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, and Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell. Connecticut is the first and only state to have passed Baby Bond legislation.
"We are excited to host this Baby Bond symposium to discuss an innovative approach that promotes equity and bridge the wealth divide," said Treasurer Montoya. "Through a life-changing investment like Baby Bonds, we can ensure every New Mexican has the opportunity to build wealth and achieve financial independence while building a vibrant economy and workforce in our state."
Other panelists that will provide their expertise include David Radcliffe, The New School's Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy Director of State and Local Initiatives, Uriah King, For the Long Term Public Policy and Government Affairs Director, Amit Khanduri, the Georgia Resilience and Opportunity (GRO) Fund Director of Programs and Baby Bonds, and Dr. Reilly White, PhD, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning and an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of New Mexico.
"Baby Bonds have the potential to strengthen New Mexico's economy by providing children with the financial foundation to pursue education, start businesses, and build wealth," stated Dr. Reilly White. "This initiative not only invests in individual futures but also fuels long-term economic growth and presents a transformative opportunity to break the cycle of generational poverty."
The Baby Bond Symposium presents a vital opportunity for community engagement and collaboration on the development of legislation that will directly impact future generations' financial well-being in New Mexico while strengthening our workforce and economy. New Mexico legislators, organizations, businesses, bankers, community leaders, and members of the general public who are interested in learning more about Baby Bonds or partnering with the New Mexico State Treasurer's Office to help develop and pass Baby Bond legislation in New Mexico are invited to attend the symposium.
For more information about the symposium or the development of Baby Bond legislation, contact Christina Perea
