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Friday, Oct 11th

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Letters to the Editor

Crisis response jeopardized

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Dear Editor,

Did you know that vacancy rates in 911 dispatch centers and police agencies are, on average, more than 20%, and 10% of those employed have not yet been certified (required training), threatening local 24/7 emergency response?  These conditions increase response times, and public safety staff may arrive...

Letter to the Editor: HB 41 would improve air quality

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Dear Editor,

Since progress on the federal level has been lagging, it has led more states to try and do their part to reduce both air pollution and cut carbon emissions.  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has made improving New Mexico’s air quality an increasingly high priority and is positioning New Mexico to become a leader in clean energy.

This year, the governor might have the chance to sign a bill into a law which will both improve New Mexico’s air quality and reduce the effects of climate change.  This Clean Transportation Fuels Standard (HB 41) incentivizes companies to produce cleaner transportation fuels, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve New Mexico’s...

HB 199 passes unanimously

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Dear Editor,

Great news to start your weekend – House Bill 199 passed unanimously this morning in the House Education Committee!

HB 199 does three things:

Raise EA/IA minimum salaries to $30,000 annually Place a $15/hour wage into law for non-full time/hourly staff (previously this has only been in the budget, not in law).Ensure all full-time school employees would receive $30,000 annually.
Our union has been working diligently to support higher minimum salaries for educators across the spectrum in the Legislature, and this is only of many wage-related bills we have worked to have introduced in the last three years.
Here are a few more bills coming up early next week:
Jan. 29...

The 2024 legislative session has started!

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Dear Editor,

On Jan. 16, the 30-day Legislative began in Santa Fe and the clock is already ticking down until Feb. 15 when the session will adjourn.

The first week of the session is fairly slow with committees organizing and legislation receiving committee assignments. In fact, many legislators will travel back to their districts on the first weekend to inform their constituents about important bills and issues that may be addressed.

Like we’ve done in the past, AFT NM will send out updates several times a week to keep you informed during the session. Members across the state regularly report back that periodic updates help them to feel like they are part of the action in the...

An open letter to the New Mexico Secretary of Education

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Dear Arsenio Romero Ph.D., NM Secretary of Education,

I am writing to you on behalf of hundreds of New Mexico teachers and school personnel. In a recent  letter to District Leaders, you wrote that “It is time for accountability: for the Public Education  Department, for the school districts (including their boards and schools), charter schools, teachers'  unions and families.” Like you, we are very concerned about the persistently low academic achievement  of New Mexico’s students.

We wanted to share with you a list of the Top 8 Ways that the Public Education Department can  help ensure student success. This list has been compiled as a result of input from teachers and...

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