Legislative Affairs Update: February 2, 2010

The latest news from the 2010 Legislative Session in Santa Fe.

February 3, 2010

The House and Senate Education committees spent time Monday hearing a few bills that are starting to make their way through the process.  The Senate Education Committee spent a few hours discussing the Hispanic Education Act that is sponsored by Sen. Bernadette Sanchez.  Albuquerque Public Schools strongly supports this bill and advocated to the committee to pass it.  If you would like to read the details of the bill visit:  http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/_session.aspx?Chamber=S&LegType=B&LegNo=132&year=10

The House Education Committee passed the Interstate Military Compact Act.  This bill, that APS supports as well, would make the transition for military families easier as they enter school districts.  The district has worked closely with Kirtland Air Force Base personnel on the bill, and we feel strongly that this will benefit military students.  You can read the details of the bill here:  http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/_session.aspx?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=  24&year=10 

On Tuesday, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee had a short hearing on House Bill 2, which is the General Appropriation Act.  This bill contains the funding for House Bill 3, the Education Appropriation Act.  The committee only made one change to the budget and at this point strongly supports education by not making any additional cuts.  There is no mandatory salary increase provision in the bill, which we oppose.  In addition there is sufficient funding to bring down the increased cost of medical insurance for employees.  The bill now heads to the Senate where it may face an uphill battle.

We will keep you posted as often as possible as the Legislature will most likely work continuously over the next 16 days.