From the Roundhouse to the Schoolhouse

Pre-Filed Public School Bills 

Only days before the session begins, legislators have pre-filed a number of bills. Among the bills we will be tracking this session, two very progressive House bills float to the top. The first bill, HB 39, sponsored by Rep. Yanira Gurrola is aimed at providing sufficient funding for public schools to comply with the Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit and deliver the necessary resources and opportunities that At-Risk, ESL, Native American and Special Education students deserve. 

Rep. Debra Sarinana is fighting for clean air and to reduce students health risks. HB 75 will provide school districts funding to replace school buses with electric or zero emission alternative fuel school buses.

For more information and a list of all pre-filed public school bills see the table below: 

Week 2: Jan 22^nd to Jan 26^th

With chronic absenteeism at 39 percent statewide, student math scores in decline, graduation rates staying stubbornly static, relentless academic opportunity gaps remaining among student groups, an educator shortage crisis with no end in sight and a whopping $3.5 billion of new money stashed in the state coffer, both the Senate Education and House Education heard and debated a number of bills seeking to deliver the anticipated promise of an adequate public education for all students.

With the current down-hearted reality of our public education system as a backdrop, we bring you the following update for week two of the 30-day session. For the sake of brevity, not all education bills will be reviewed with the understanding, however, that all bills are important, at least to someone.

MONDAY

The House Education and Senate Education Committees met for a joint meeting to review the 3 different proposed K-12 budgets for FY25. One from each of the following entities: Executive, Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC), and the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC). 

It’s no surprise that the breadth and depth of what is in the budget framework for public school support is substantial and indicative of what lawmakers view as a priority. It is a strong bellwether of what will most likely get legislated or not in the next 24 days. Below is just a snapshot. For a full description of the proposed budgets please click HERE

Proposed SEG for FY25 ($ in billions)

• LESC → $4,312b
• LFC → $4,229b
• Executive → $4,181b

Snapshot Analysis: The LESC proposed SEG comes in the highest. Most of the $100m or more difference is due to pay raises.

Proposed Salary Increase FY25

• LESC → 6%
• LFC → 4%
• Executive → 3%

Snapshot Analysis: Given the high and low, it seems that a 4% pay raise is the compromise. Indeed, if so, there is a caveat. It’s not a straight 4%, it’s a 2% average and 2% cost of living adjustment. There is still plenty of time to call legislators and tell them to give educators a 6% pay raise.

Increase Minimum Salary ($30,000) for all full-time school employees.

• LESC → $24.8m
• LFC → No proposal
• Executive → No proposal

Snapshot Analysis: LESC endorsed HB 199, the bill that legislates the $30k minimum. The bill enjoys bi-partisan support but it’s not part of the LFC nor the Executive budget, complicating the legislative process. Stay tuned for more updates.  

Proposed Insurance FY25(in millions)

• LESC → $25.6m
• LFC → $41m
• Executive → $25.6m

Snapshot Analysis: All three proposals are set to cover increases in healthcare costs softening the blow to educators take home pay. A 80/20 healthcare bill is in the works and soon to be filed.

WEDNESDAY

After a lengthy discussion, House Bill 39, Yazzie Lawsuit Educational Funding, sponsored by Representative Gurrola and Representative Caballero, passed along party lines in the House Education Committee. With an appropriation of $27.5 million to Higher Education, Tribal Colleges and the Public Education Department, this legislation aims at improving educational outcomes for ESL, At-Risk, Special Ed and Native American students by ensuring that public postsecondary educational institutions develop and support educator workforce and school leadership development. The bill seeks to increase the number of bilingual teachers and resources for educators in bilingual multicultural education programs among other initiatives.

Most objections were grounded on certain financial deficiencies and not the intent of the policy. Representative Spence Ezzell expressed her concerns by stating “This is a very valiant effort...we do need those bilingual teachers in our classrooms, but I don’t want to start a program like this and have the rope jerked from under us.” In her steps, Representative Chatfield added, “I support what this bill brings forth, but it appropriates money that is not recurring.”

The bill is headed to the House Appropriation Finance Committee where most likely it will face a considerable uphill battle considering it’s not part of the LFC nor the Executive’s proposed budgets.

In the Senate Education Committee, lawmakers voted in favor of a bill to hire a wine professional at New Mexico State University while rolling over a bill that would develop and hire faculty for the school of public health. They did, however, vote in favor of SB 41, Mental Health Initiatives, sponsored by Senator Hemphill. The bill appropriates $12.4 million from the general fund to the Higher Education Department for the purpose of supporting various mental health initiatives at higher education institutions.

The committee also voted in favor of SB 55, Anti-Hazing Act, sponsored by Senator Pope. The bill requires both public and private postsecondary schools to create a Code of Conduct and Hazing Prevention Committee and training and education on the topic.

FRIDAY

HB 199, Educational Assistant Salary, sponsored by Representatives Herrera, Romero, Lara, Baca and Gurrola increases the minimum annual salary for all full-time public-school employees to $30 thousand. An overdue and much welcomed change to recruit and retain quality educators that are undoubtedly the backbone of our schools, members of the HEC voted unanimously to pass this bill. NEA-NM stood and spoke in support of this legislation. We believe that all educators from the bus stop to the cafeteria and to the classroom and beyond educate our students and deserve a competitive and living wage. HB 199 is now headed to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. Make sure to call your legislators and tell them to support this bill.

HEC also heard two bills relating to funding the Indian Education Act, HB 134, Tribal Education Trust Fund and HB 135, Indian Education Fund Distributions, both sponsored by Representative Lente. Despite enjoying full support from both sides of the aisle and being endorsed by the LESC, the first bill was rolled due to a pending amendment. The second bill received a unanimous vote in favor.

On the Senate side and topping the list of what can be considered the most controversial bill heard in the SEC today, SJR 9, State School Board, CA sponsored by Senator Neville received a Do Pass. NEA-NM firmly supports this legislation. We believe that an elected School Board with 5 appointees from the Governor will be better suited to move research based, educator supported policy forward. It would also avoid rushed, under-vetted policy and regulation, the current teacher shortage being a prime example.

Week 1: Jan 16th to Jan 19th

NEA-NM members walked the halls of the Roundhouse on Thursday -- meeting with legislators and advocating for our students and public schools. For some, it was their first-time attending NEA-NM’s Lobby Day and the ensuing engagement with legislators was quite the experience. Members reported that a great majority of lawmakers support both our legislative and policy priorities.

Democrats and Republicans agree: we need to reduce class size loads and invest more in our schools. They are also strongly against the Public Education Department’s proposed rule of requiring a minimum of 180 days and eliminating the 4-day school week. 

As of Friday, legislators have filed a total of 315 bills; of those, 24 are public school bills. Both legislative Senate and House chambers are still in the process of referring these bills, so debate and committee votes are pending.

The House Education Committee (HEC) is set to have their first organizational meeting on Monday, January 21, following a joint meeting with the Senate Education Committee (SEC). You can watch the HEC and SEC meetings online. They are usually set for every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, starting at 8:00am. Visit https://www.nmlegis.gov/ and click on the Webcast tab.

Thank you for your support this 30-day New Mexico Legislative Session!