Gov. Martinez’s Stealthy Education Policy

The News Behind the News

Editor:

This summary was provided to me by an Education Policy Analyst who worked for NM Senator Sanchez in the latest legislative session.

After striking out language that the state had sufficient funding to support adult basic education programs (p. 202), Martinez then vetoed funding for library programs teaching adults to read (p. 92).

Vetoed programs providing arts education to New Mexico’s youth (p. 92).

Vetoed an important check on spending requiring that money allocated for prekindergarten and the prekindergarten-plus-three programs be used “only for direct instruction, transportation and approved administrative costs” (p. 162). Without this provision, there appears to be no check on how these state funds can be spent by the PED.

Eliminated legislatively mandated input from the state’s superintendents in how early reading funding could best benefit New Mexican students. (p. 162)

Vetoed provisions requiring the PED to spend money for the “reading coaches” Martinez called for in her State of the State address (p. 163). That money can now be used for other projects.

Vetoed funding for statewide athletic and extracurricular programs in public schools (p. 163)

SHE OPENED THE DOOR TO EXPORT EDUCATON $$$

Reference: http://www.progressnownm.org/blog/2012/03/veto-happy-governor-re-works-bi-partisan-budget-eliminates-funding-for-job-creation-reading-programs.html

—
Beth Enson
Development Director
Northern NM Midwifery Center
1331 Maestas Road
Taos, NM 87571
575-758-1216 Mondays and Fridays
575-776-3238 H
wildmushroomsoup@gmail.com