After a career in education, I have firsthand knowledge of how impoverished students struggle to learn. Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs suggests learning cannot occur before other, more basic needs are met. When children experience poverty, their ability to learn is significantly and negatively impacted.

Most government spending on children since 1990 has gone to families with incomes above the poverty line, leaving

1 in 6 children in poverty. The expanded Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits in the American Rescue Plan are certainly welcome and long overdue.

It is in our society’s best interest to see our children thrive. We must keep the momentum of this very effective anti-poverty tool in our toolbox. This initiative must be made permanent for us to truly take advantage of the many benefits it offers, especially for those children trying to concentrate in school.

Darla J. Swanson RESULTS, Santa Fe vilifying Bob and Ellen Vladem for their $4 million gift for the construction of the museum, we should all be thanking them and celebrating their vision of making Santa Fe an even greater art mecca and wonderful place to live.

Dan and Ashlyn Perry co-chairpersons, Museum of New Mexico Centennial Campaign for the Construction of a Contemporary Art Museum Santa Fe