Dear Editor,

Members of the Senate Education Committee considered three bills Feb. 7 that could have impact on colleges of education and educator preparatory programs in the areas of reading and math, and a piece of legislation which increases the cap on return-to-work earnings.

First, the easy bill – Senate Bill 133 raises the earnings cap for educators returning to work from $15,000 to $25,000 for those who are returning to work without suspending their ERB benefits.

We support that this legislation may decrease the number of vacancies, however we should continue to monitor the impacts SB 133 may have on the pension fund, as this policy may have a negative impact of up to $1.2...

Dear Editor,

The House Education Committee began to hear bills during the morning of Feb. 3 after spending the prior week in orientation sessions and hearing presentations on the various budgetary proposals impacting public education in New Mexico’s schools.

The members of the Committee heard two main bills of importance to our members, House Bill 63 and House Bill 156.

House Bill 63 is the product of a task force which was established to review the Student Equalization Guarantee and make recommendations to the Legislature on how the SEG can better serve our schools’ needs.

The bill better classifies and funds English Language learners who have become proficient, modernizes...

Dear Editor,

The recently installed Republican GOP U.S. "president" has long been fascinated with American control of Greenland and taking control of the Panama Canal, spanning from his interest in buying the country in 2019, to his recent refusal to rule out taking both targets of acquisition by military force. Now that America is no longer a trusted partner with our historical allies, the 574 "federally recognized" native tribes should take notice.

If military force is a side option, economic force is applied first. The yearly monetary scraps that are doled out to Treaty tribes gets smaller and the conditions get stricter. The Rule of Strength is now the Institution and any opposition...

Dear Editor,

In the face of uncertainty after the recent election, we want you, our partners and our community, to know: we stand with you. Together we have made monumental progress in our state – expanding healthcare access, protecting affordable housing, ensuring our community has food to eat, and defending our children’s right to a quality education. We will protect these gains, whether in the courtroom, at the legislature, or within our local institutions, and we will continue to work with you to build the future we know is possible.

Our strength as New Mexicans comes from embracing our diversity, and our shared fundamental belief that everyone deserves a dignified life. New...