Mayor Tim Keller was on the Bob Clark on show on Thursday July 1. He told Clark’s listeners the city council approved the construction of a police station at 4th and Central. Mayor Keller failed to tell the radio listeners that it’s a lease of a mere 1,100 square feet of the historic Rosenwald Building the city bought for $1.7 million and Keller turned around and sold it for $360,000 to donors of his charitable foundation, a $50,000 donation, and donations to his reelection measured finance committee totaling $15,000.

Below is a guest column regarding the sale published by the Albuquerque Journal on July 5:

Headline: Sale of historic building was dereliction of duty

Subtitle: Mayor’s donor now has title to Rosenwald, which is on the National Historic Register

“On June 7, it was reported the City Council voted to approve the sale of the historic Rosenwald Building for $360,000 in a “private bid” to build condos. In 2009, the city had purchased the historic 42,000-square-foot building for $1.7 million. The city sold the Rosenwald Building to someone who made a $50,000 donation to Mayor Keller’s charitable foundation and $15,000 in donations to his measured finance committee. The sale also includes a 14-year lease by the city of 1,100 square feet for an APD police substation.

Simply put, the sale of the Rosenwald building should never have happened and was a dereliction of duty by Mayor Tim Keller and the City Council. The sale of a building on the National Register of Historic Places by the city is what you get with Keller, who is more interested in helping his reelection donors with no concern for the city’s history. The City Council failed miserably and was derelict in its oversight function to protect the city’s history.”

The link to the Albuquerque Journal guest column is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2406488/sale-of-historic-building-was-a-dereliction-of-duty.html

The link to a related blog article is here:

Historic Rosenwald Building Purchased By City For $1.7 Million Sold By City For $350,000 In “Private Bid”; City Leases Space For APD Substation; Following The Money Leads To Mayor Tim Keller; Council Derelict In Selling Historic Building

KRQE-TV investigative reporter Larry Barker has gotten himself in one fine mess that just may cost him his job. On Wednesday, June 30, Barker, along with a news cameraman, went to the Albuquerque Convention Center where the New Mexico Cannabis Legalization Conference was being held and where Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham was expected to attend and speak. Barker did not go to the convention center to attend the conference but rather to try to get an unscheduled interview and an exclusive with the Governor on an unrelated matter.

VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT

Once at the convention center, Barker proceeded to confront Governor press secretary Nora Meyers Sackett demanding an interview with the Governor. Things escalated to the point that Barker verbally and physically accosted Meyers Sackett to the point that he backed her into a wall.

Barker got inches away from Sackett’s face and began to jab and point his finger at her. Sacket Myers was wearing a light blue face mask and the full expression on her face at the time was obstructed. Barker on the other hand had no face mask. A KRQE-TV camera man with a shoulder news camera stood behind Barker and filmed the entire incident. Ostensibly, the camera man did not try to intervene and stop the confrontation.

Standing by within just a few feet was an unidentified man wearing a suit and tie with his hands crossed to below his waist in front him, also wearing a facemask, who ostensibly did absolutely nothing. A cell phone photo of the incident was taken by a third party posted on social media and all hell broke loose.

KRQE-TV APOLOGIZES

After the incident and after the photo was posted on social media, other news outlets contacted KRQE executives for comment. On Friday,July 2, Vice President and General Manager Bill Anderson, after reviewing video of the interaction, issued and apology for Barker’s conduct and said:

“I want to be very clear that regardless of the story he was pursuing, Larry’s conduct was completely inappropriate and inexcusable … we deeply regret what happened. … KRQE and its corporate parent have well-defined policies related to employee conduct: We expect employees to demonstrate high standards of business conduct in their relationships, to be exemplary citizens in the communities in which they live and work, and to treat everyone with respect. Larry violated these policies, and we are addressing his actions directly with him.”

SACKETT RESPONDS

Nora Meyers Sackett called the incident upsetting and unprofessional and commented on the incident on Twitter:

“The press and I don’t have to be best buddies all the time but I always respect them and their work, and them as people. [Wednesday] was a real low point in that relationship when I was physically accosted and practically assaulted by a KRQE reporter while doing my job at a public event.”

https://www.abqjournal.com/2405885/krqe-apologizes-for-barkers-inexcusable-behavior.html

REACTION BY RIO GRANDE CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

The Rio Grande chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) condemned the incident. The SPJ Board of Directors posted in part on its website the following statement:

It’s one thing to read a description: “Pushing, shoving and a finger in the face.”

It is actions like those displayed by Barker that give our community a bad name and jeopardize our reputation. We are ashamed that a long-time New Mexico journalist would resort to such means as physical confrontation, no matter the situation at hand.

The link to the statement by Society of Professional Journalists is here:

https://spjriogrande.org/

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

“Ambush is the act or instance of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise. Journalism is the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news. Ambush Journalism is commonly seen in American public affairs and tabloid programs. Ambush Journalism has been around for as long [time] … and will continue to be around in the future.

The question however is if Ambush Journalism is ethical or not. This is a very hard question to answer! First who decides what is ethical? That judgement is left in the hands of both journalist and the public. Some journalists use this technique to obtain the latest and hottest news [and] the outcome can sometimes be damaging or viewed as unethical. Other journalists refuse to use this technique because they feel that it violates the basic journalistic standards of balance and fairness.”

The link to the source quote is here:

https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/44182.html

There are many words that can be used to describe Larry Barker’s actions and his treatment of Governor Press Secretary Nora Meyers Sackett. Those words include inappropriate, unacceptable, unprofessional, terrible, bullying, intimidation, outrageous, verbal assault. Call it what it is: Ambush Journalism and “unethical conduct” which is what Larry Barker has gotten away with for decades.

What Larry Barker did to Governor Press Secretary Nora Meyers Sackett is referred to by public officials and elected officials as an “ambush” to get unrehearsed reactions to questions for a negative news story the reporter intends to write to place the official in a bad light. Frankly, blindsiding of public and elected officials by the news media is done all the time, and is to be expected and will continue, but that does not make it right. Larry Barker over decades as an investigative reporter has perfected it and has taken it to a new level of disrespect, something he is known for by his reputation.

It was good to see that Nora Meyers Sackett had a facemask on to protect her from Barker’s spittle. Any public or elected official who has been on the receiving end of Larry’s self-righteousness such as this knows he has bad breath.

All too often reporters like Barker demand respect but do not return it. It is conduct like this that results in absolute hostility by public officials towards the media. It is truly amazing that Barker has gotten away with this for decades no doubt because he edits it out in his stories. When a reporter becomes the news, it’s time for them to go and if they can simply retire.

If KRQE-TV executives such as Vice President and General Manager Bill Anderson intend to take any disciplinary action against Larry Barker, they need to include the cameraman for standing by and not doing anything to stop Barker’s outrageous conduct.

Effective June 30 and July 1, two major changes in New Mexico law are now reality:

1. The legalization and retail sales of recreational cannabis.
2. Expanded liquor license availability.

LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNIBUS

On June 29, 2021, the New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act became law in New Mexico. It makes New Mexico the 18th state to legalize recreational marijuana. Personal possession and use are now legal throughout the state.

PERSONAL USE

The state law allows people 21 years or older to buy, possess and use marijuana outside the home of up to 2 ounces of marijuana. People will be able to buy no more than 2 ounces of cannabis or 800 milligrams of edible cannabis. There are also limits on extracts. If a person is found with more than 2 but less than 8 ounces of cannabis, 16 grams of cannabis extract, and more than 800 milligrams of edible cannabis in public, you can be charge with a misdemeanor under the new law.

Additionally, a person can legally possess more than 2 ounces inside their home with the caveat that it “must not be visible from a public place.” I guess that means do not leave your stash on top of the coffee table in front of the living room window. As for smoking a joint, you are not allowed to smoke in public places under the new law.

At your home, you can now grow cannabis under the new law but with a few limitations. A person can grow up to 12 plants within their home without a permit. (The second bathroom with the sun lamps is a go.) However, you cannot sell your home-grown stuff or operate like a business as a dealer anymore. Growing more plants or selling cannabis products without a license is a fourth-degree felony with a basic sentence of 18 months upon conviction.

Adults under the age of 21 are not allowed to possess cannabis. If you are under 21 and still in school do not take it to your middle school or high school. Doing so could lead to a mandatory four-hour educational program or 4 hours of community service.

The new law prohibits law enforcement from stopping or detaining a person solely because of the smell of cannabis. However, the law does not apply to people when an officer suspects someone might be using a vehicle under the influence and operating a vehicle.

RETAIL SALES OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS

While the Cannabis Regulation Act is now in effect, retail sale of cannabis has yet to begin. The law provides that sales will start no later than April 1, 2022.

When it comes to the recreational cannabis industry, it will be heavily regulated by the state. The state will regulate all sellers and there will be no limits on the number of licenses issued. This is a dramatic departure from the limited number of licenses available in liquor licenses which have a cap based upon population. There will be a cap on the number of plants sellers can grow. Households would be permitted to grow up to 12 mature plants for personal use. Under the state law, cannabis establishments can also offer on-site consumption in certain circumstances.

The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division is in charge of making statewide rules and regulations for the new industry. On Tuesday, May 26, it was reported that the first proposed rules dealing primarily with marijuana producer license and plant fees were released. The link to the proposed regulations is here:
ccd.rld.state.nm.us

The state will issue licenses for “cannabis consumption areas” but until then cannabis use is restricted to private property. Anyone who breaks this law is subject to a $50 civil penalty.

The first proposed state regulations deal with marijuana producer license and plant fees. The drafted sets the cost of both producer and retailer licenses at $2,500 annually. Licenses for cannabis consumption areas, or designated places where adults can smoke, eat or drink cannabis products, would cost $2,500 annually under the draft rule. The state regulations must be adopted in order to meet the specific deadlines for implementing the law. The deadlines for the regulations under the state law are as follows:

No later than September 1: Start accepting and processing license applications from producers.

No later than Jan. 1, 2022: Start issuing licenses and server permits; begin training and education programs.

No later than April 1, 2022: Begin retail sales of recreational cannabis.

Links to news sources are here:

https://www.krqe.com/news/marijuana/recreational-marijuana-becomes-legal-in-new-mexico-on-june-29/

https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/new-mexicos-recreational-marijuana-law-takes-effect-tuesday/6155704/

https://www.abqjournal.com/2404689/cannabis-legalization-arrives-in-new-mexico.html

A link to a related blog article is here:

https://www.petedinelli.com/2021/04/01/recreational-cannabis-and-expungement-o

ABQ CITY COUNCIL ENACTS LIMITED ZONING RESTRICTIONS

A major highlight of the enacted legislation is that local jurisdictions, city and counties, cannot opt out of commercial sales, but can establish restrictions on operating hours and locations. The legislation gives local governments, city and county governments, limited authority to determine where cannabis dispensaries can be located.

The state’s counties do not have the authority to be able to prohibit cannabis sales nor prohibit the licensing of stores. In other words, local zoning law and regulations will able to be used to control the number of stores in an area where they the stores could be located. This is identical to zoning restrictions placed on retail stores that sell pornography.

On June 17, 2021, the Albuquerque City Council held a special council meeting to offer amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) that establishes the rules to regulate the recreational cannabis industry. The council approved amendments to the IDO to govern how newly legalized recreational cannabis market can operate in the city. Those zoning restrictions regulations include setting a distance of 600 feet between marijuana retailers unless the operator succeeds with a conditional use application that requires a public hearing before a city hearing officer and subject to appeal.

One major proposal Mayor Keller wanted was to strictly prohibit retail sales of recreational sale of cannabis from main street corridors such as Central Avenue. The council voted eight to one against the amendment.

The council also vote “NO” to implement a proposed rule from Mayor Tim Keller’s administration to keep cannabis retailers from opening new shops within 1,000 feet of each other or “adult entertainment” or “adult retail” operations. The council also voted NO on a ban on cannabis shops within 300 feet of religious institutions which was sponsored by City Council President Cynthia Borrego.

The council enacted separate standards for cannabis “microbusiness” licensees, giving them more latitude when it comes to locations.

A link to a related blog article is here: Links to news sources are here:

https://www.petedinelli.com/2021/06/24/city-council-enacts-zoning-restrictions-on-recreational-marijuana-sales-rejects-mayor-kellers-restrictive-zoning-changes-council-temporarily-bans-cannabis-shops-from-operating-in-old-town/

LIQUOR LICENSE REFORM

On July 1, House Bill 255, enacted in March by the New Mexico legislature, became effective. The sweeping and dramatic changes to the liquor laws was a bipartisan effort, highly contested by many in the liquor industry. It passed passed on a 41-27 vote in the New Mexico House and 29-11 in the New Mexico Senate.

The new law is the most dramatic change in liquor licensing law in 50 years. Among the major highlights of the law include:

HOME DELIVERY

The changes to the liquor control act allow for home delivery of alcoholic beverages by restaurants and grocery stores once delivery permits are issued later this year. Those permits will be issued sometime in August or September. The home delivery of alcoholic drinks will have restrictions. Restaurants will be limited to delivering alcohol with $10 of food. Large stores in some communities will only be allowed to deliver beer and wine, not spirits. Delivery to certain locations such as college dorms will be banned. There will also be requirements to check identification where deliveries are made to the door to keep drinks from going to underage buyers. The NM Alcoholic Beverage Control Division is accepting written public comment on proposed regulations to govern home delivery of drinks.

Delivery permits will not be issued until

NO MINITURES ALLOWED

Changes to the liquor control act prohibits the sale of hard liquor miniatures at liquor stores. Convenience stores and liquor stores can no longer sell individual 3-ounce miniatures for off-site consumption. However, miniatures can still be sold on golf courses, at hotel minibars or other locations where customers can legally drink them. Proposed rules under consideration include an exception for the sale of a “party package” of miniature’s bundled together by the manufacturer and intended for sale as one unit, similar to six packs of beer.

SUNDAY SALES ALLOWED

For many decades, New Mexico prohibited Sunday alcohol sales entirely. New Mexico then banned on-premise alcohol sales before 11 a.m. and package sales by a store before noon on Sunday. Now alcohol service can generally begin at 7 a.m., as with any other day of the week.

CHEAPER LIQUOR LICENSES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE

The changes to the liquor control act create a tier system for cheaper licenses to be issued intended to allow more restaurants to serve spirits and cocktails, not just beer and wine.

Under the new law, new liquor license options will be available to all restaurants. Up until now, restaurants were limited to just beer and wine sales unless they owned a more expensive “dispensers license” allowing the sale of all liquor. Dispenser licenses are capped in number based on population. Dispensers’ licenses are sold or subleased and cost as low as $350,000 and many times as high as $1 million placing them out of the reach of small, local business owners.

The NM Alcoholic Beverage Control Division is accepting applications for a $10,000 license designed for restaurants, allowing the sale of liquor and cocktails. Another license will be made available if the restaurant decides to sell locally distilled liquor, such as gin and vodka, rather than national brands, and that license will be less than $10,000. Restaurants seeking a Class B license, which expands existing beer and wine licenses to include spirits, must to wait until their applications are approved.

It was the owners of the highly expensive “dispensers licenses” that opposed vigorously the new licenses. They argued the new licenses would reduce significantly the value of their licenses that they have paid hundreds of thousands for destroying their investment. For decades, the New Mexico liquor lobby has been one of the most powerful lobbies in the state, and the passage of the new laws ends it dominate influence over the legislature.

Changes to the liquor control act also contain new reciprocity rules for local breweries and wineries. In addition to selling local beer they will be able to serve locally distilled spirits, if they choose. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division said they won’t begin accepting applications for that until after a public hearing on agency rulemaking is held on July 26 to address some aspects of the law.

Links to news sources are here:

https://www.krqe.com/news/politics-government/nm-liquor-law-reform-bill-goes-into-effect-thursday/

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/major-overhaul-of-liquor-laws-takes-effect-in-new-mexico/article_d32d3c72-d501-11eb-b4fe-cf40041277a4.html

https://www.abqjournal.com/2405332/new-law-to-reshape-nm-liquor-sales.html

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The legalization of recreational cannabis as well as the sweeping changes to the New Mexico Liquor Control Act have been years, some would say decades, in the making.

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES

For a number of years, bills to legalize recreational cannabis went absolutely nowhere, especially in the NM Senate. This was in in large part to 4 conservative Democrats forming a coalition with Republican Senators to oppose all the legislation. The 4 conservative incumbent Democrats were ousted by progressive challengers in 2020 and 3 progressive Democrats went on to win election to the Senate. Long time serving Democrats Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, Clemente Sanchez of Grants and Senator Gabe Ramos of Silver City were all defeated in the June primary. With the sure passage of time, many long serving conservative legislators in the house are no longer serving either because of retiring or being ousted by Democrats. It was not until they were gone was the draconian 1960′ state law outlawing abortions was repealed.

For decades, the New Mexico liquor lobby has been one of the most powerful lobbies in the state. The passage of the liquor control reform laws ends the dominate influence, some would say a strangle hold, over the New Mexico legislature.

LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL CANNIBUS

Advocates of recreational legalization argue it will generate at least 13,000 jobs and millions of dollars for the economy. Rodriguez, also told lawmakers that legalizing recreational marijuana will generate up to $800 million a year, a $200 million increase from the last years estimate of $600 million. Rodriguez had this to say:

“It’s going to change New Mexico and ways we can’t imagine. … I think we will be a powerhouse, not only within the state, but we have the potential of being a powerhouse not only in this country, but you’d be surprised, we have the ability to also compete internationally.”

https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/recreational-marijuana-could-generate-up-to-800-million-a-year-according-to-new-estimates/5921047/?utm_medium=onsite&utm_campaign=thumbnails&utm_source=zetaglobal

LIQUOR LICENSE REFORM

There is little doubt that the changes to the liquor laws will promote the creation of new businesses by lowering the cost of starting a restaurant serving more than just beer and wine . Further, there are a few counties in New Mexico, that do not have a single establishment with a dispenser license. The price of the new licenses should encourage in more ways than one economic development

CONCLUSION

Change is never easy, especially for the hard core conservative moralists. Whether you like it or not the State Of New Mexico is at the cusp of a totally new day. Within in a few short months, and if your over 21, you will be able to make a home deliver order of beer and pizza from the Santa Fe Susana Martinez Pizzeria and while you wait for your pizza, light up a joint of “New Mexico Gold” or “Johnson and White’s Good Shit” all in the comfort of your home.

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
— Matthew 19:13-14

On June 21, the annual “Kids Count” data book prepared by the Annie E. Casey Foundation was release containing the data from 2019 the most recent statistics available. The Casey foundation is a nonprofit based in Maryland focusing on improving the well-being and future of American children and their families. State rankings by the nonprofit are based on 16 indicators that measure and track the well-being of children and their families in the domains of economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.

The links to the Kids Count Data Book is here:

https://datacenter.kidscount.org/

https://datacenter.kidscount.org/publications

EDITOR’S NOTE: Because the statistics released are for 2019, they do not reflect changes that may be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK ON 2019 STATISTICS

New Mexico’s national child well-being ranking went from 50th to 49th displacing Mississippi, and following Louisiana. New Mexico overall was worse than the U.S. average in most of the categories measured .

Following are New Mexico’s statistics gleaned from the 2021 Kid Count Data Book:

NEW MEXICO RANKING OVERALL: 49th

ECONOMIC WELL BEING FOR CHILDREN New Mexico Ranking: 48TH

25% of New Mexico Children are living in poverty
116,000 children live in poverty

32% of New Mexico children’s have parents that lack secure employment
115,000 children’s parents lack secure employment

11% of New Mexico’s teens are not school and are not working
12,000 teens are not school and are not working

EDUCATION:

New Mexico Ranking: 50th

76% of New Mexico’s fourth graders are not proficient in reading
79% of New Mexico’s eighth graders are not proficient in reading
25% of New Mexico’s high school students do not graduate on time

HEALTH

New Mexico Ranking: 37th

9.3% low birth weights for children born in New Mexico
2,124 total children born in New Mexico with low birth weights

6% of New Mexico children are without health insurance
29,000 total New Mexico children without health insurance

36 is New Mexico’s child and teen death rates per 100,000

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

New Mexico Ranking: 48%

44% of New Mexico children live in single parent families or 195,000 children living in single parent families

14% of New Mexico children live in families where the household head lacks a high school education or 69,000 children.

24 is New Mexico’s teen birth rate per 1,000 with 1,659 births

2019 COMPARED TO 2018 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK

Comparing the 2019 data to the 2018 data, New Mexico’s numbers improved for children in Economic Well-Being” with New Mexico having fewer children living in poverty, fewer children whose parents lack secure employment and fewer teens neither in school nor working.

In the category of Education there were more 8th graders proficient in math and more high school students graduating on time in 2019 than in 2018.

In the category of Family and Community, in 2019 there were fewer children living in families where the head of household lacked a high school diploma, fewer children living in high poverty areas, and a lower teen birth rate per 1,000 births than in 2018.

In 2019, there was no improvement over 2018 in the category of Health. However New Mexico’s national ranking in Health improved from 41st to 37th .

2019, 2018, 2016 KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK COMPARISONS

It was in 2018 that for the first time in five years, New Mexico had fallen to last among states in the categories of Economic, Educational and Medical well-being of its children.

According to the 2018 Kids Count Data Book, 30% of New Mexico’s children were living in poverty in 2016, compared to 19% nationwide that year. In 2019 things have improve slightly by 5% with 25% of New Mexico’s children living in poverty.

In Education the report the 2018 report said 75% of the state’s fourth-graders were not proficient in reading in 2017, compared to 65% nationally, and 80% of eighth-graders were not performing up to par in math in 2017, compared to 67% across the U.S. In 2019, New Mexico now has hit rock bottom ranking 50th in the country for Education.

The most troubling in the 2018 Kids Count Data Book was New Mexico’s steep drop in ranking for health care measures. In 2019, things have improved in the Health category with New Mexico ranking 37th .

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/report-new-mexico-ranks-last-in-child-well-being/article_0f6865fc-d34a-5050-9f74-21680e98a2a5.html

TAX CREDITS

The 2021 child tax credit was included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed into law in March. The expanded child tax credit will have a massive effect on New Mexico’s children and their families New Mexico.

Starting July 15, hundreds of dollars will be deposited into family bank accounts The amount of the credit was increased from $2,000 per child under 17 years old to $3,600 per year per child under 6 years old and $3,000 for a child age 6 through 17, according to the IRS. The child tax credit was also changed to include families with no tax liabilities. And families will be able to choose if they want to receive the credit in monthly installments of $300 or $250 per child, depending on their age, or in an annual lump sum payment.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2391998/tax-credit-will-show-up-on-july-15-ex-most-nm-families-will-start-recieving-benefits-this-summer.html

There is a big difference with the tax credits this year. Instead of a single lump sum payment at the end of the tax year, the amount has been broken down into monthly payments so that those paid can better budget their incomes.

New Mexico Voices for Children spokeswoman Sharon Kayne had this to say about the tax credits:

“About 95% of children in the state will benefit from the expanded tax credit … Child poverty really underlies a lot of the other indicators. So kids whose families earn a very low income are less likely to have the resources they need to do well in school, are more likely to lack health insurance, and more likely to have parents who lack a college degree or high school diploma. … [The monthly payments will allow money to be spent in a way that the family deems is best for them.] Most will spend it on food, clothing and other necessities but parents can also get their car fixed so they can get to work or look for a job, or afford better childcare.”

The link to quoted source material is here:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2401956/nm-shows-improvement-in-child-wellbeing.html

HUNGER AND POVERTY NOT THE ONLY CRISIS FOR NEW MEXICO’S KIDS

In New Mexico, 71.6% of the state’s public-school students come from low-income families, and 14.4% are English-language learners. Further, 14.8 percent of students have disabilities.

10.6% of New Mexico children are Native American and proficiency rates for Native American students in the past 3 years was at 17.6% or 82.4% were not proficient in reading and their math proficiency was at 10.4% or 89% are not proficient in math.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1200069/questions-surround-ruling-on-nm-education-funding.html

2019 YEAR NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE TACKLE THE PROBLEM

During the 2019 New Mexico Legislative session, the legislature approved an education budget of $3.2 Billion, 16% over last year’s budget, out of the total budget of $7 Billion. Included in the budget was a $500 million in additional funding for K-12 education and increases in teacher pay.

The massive infusion of funding to public education was the result of the District Court ruling that ruled the state of New Mexico is violating the constitutional rights of at-risk students by failing to provide them with a sufficient education. The District Court found that many New Mexico students are not receiving the basic education in reading, writing and math they should be receiving in our public-school system.

Early childhood programs were given a major increase in funding. Under the enacted 2019-2020 budget, every public-school district will be allocated significantly more funding. Teachers have not had any raises to speak of for the last 8 years. Teachers and school administrators will be given 6% pay raises with more money to hire teachers.

The new “Early Childhood Department” was created and started work in January 2020. The new department will focuses state resources on children from birth to 5 years of age. A major goal of the new department, coupled with other investments, will be more New Mexico children growing up to secure gainful employment as adults who don’t require government services.

2021-2021 BUDGET ENACTED

On March 19, 2021, the legislature enacted a 7.4 billion state. The 2021 New Mexico legislature increased state government spending by 4.8 percent, or $373 million.. Upwards of half of the $7.5 Billion dollar budget goes towards public education. $110-million will be spent to extend the school year by ten days with an additional $120-million for kindergarten to fifth-grade programs to add 25 extra school days to make up for lost learning time.

Part of the budget will be used to increase the governor’s Opportunity Scholarship, which helps provide funding for tuition at two-year universities, to $18-million. An additional $35-million will head towards addressing the needs of Native student’s education.

The 2021 New Mexico legislature also passed House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR 1) calling for a constitutional amendment to create a permanent fund for early childhood education programs passed the State Senate.

The bill is considered landmark legislation because it creates a permanent fund for early childhood education. The enactment of the Constitutional Amendment has the potential to transform and expand childhood education programs and provide additional support for K-12 across the state. The funding distribution is from New Mexico’s land grant permanent fund. For years, attempts have been made to dip into the state’s permanent fund which is currently valued at upwards $22 billion for early childhood programs. The Constitutional Amendment will be placed on the ballot as a Constitutional Amendment for the voters to decide its enactment.

As enacted HJR 1 would take an additional 1.25% from the Land Grant Permanent Fund and put it towards child education. The proposal would send an additional $127 million a year for early childhood education programs and an extra $85 million a year for Kindergarten to 12-grade schools. Roughly $33 million would also go to other beneficiaries of the Land Grant Permanent Fund, like the New Mexico Military Institute and the School for the Deaf, just to name a couple.

ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

APS has an approved 2020-2021 approved budget of $1.56 billion budget. The budget provided funding for 12,600 full-time jobs. Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) is New Mexico’s largest school district, serving more than a fourth of the state’s students and nearly 84,000 students.

https://www.aps.edu/finance/budget-strategic-planning/2019-2020-budget-2/albuquerque-public-schools-annual-budget-2020-web

The ethnicity of the APS 84,000 students is:

65.8% Hispanic
22.9% Caucasian/White
5.5% American Indian
3.2% African American
2.3% Asian American
0.2% are “other”

Of the 84,000 APS students 16.6% are classified as “English Learners”, 17.2% are classified as “Students with Disabilities”, and 5.9% are in gifted programs. There are 29 APS authorized charter schools with 7,100 students attending the charter schools.

APS is among the top 40 largest school districts in the nation and the largest in New Mexico. APS operates 142 schools consisting of 4 K-8 schools, 88 elementary schools (K through 8th grade), 27 middle schools (6-8 th grade), 21 high schools (9th to 12th grade) and 2 alternative schools.

APS serves many students in need with nearly two-thirds qualifying for the federal school meals program. The school district serves 29,000 breakfast per school day and 41,000 lunches per school day.

COMMENTARY ANALYSIS

The rankings and financial numbers are depressing and staggering:

New Mexico ranks 50th in education. Despite the millions being spent each year on the state’s public education system, 76% of all New Mexico’s fourth graders are not proficient in reading and 79% of all eighth graders and not proficient in reading. For our native American population it’s even worse with 82.4% were not proficient in reading and their 89% are not proficient in math.

25% of New Mexico’s children are living in poverty, with New Mexico ranking 48th in Economic Well Being.

Child and teen death rates have skyrocketed reflecting 36 deaths per 100,000 in 2019 as opposed to 28 in 2013.

The number of low birthweight babies has increased slightly from 8.9% in 2013 to 9.3% in 2019.

The the number of teens who still are not working and not in school has also increase slightly going from 10% in 2013 to 11% in 2019.

When it is all said and done, and the money spent and long gone, there is no guarantee that New Mexico rankings will get any better when it comes to children living in poverty.

Notwithstanding, Albuquerque and New Mexico, and all of its leaders, have a moral obligation to do something to address poverty, children living in poverty and to protect our most venerable population, its children.

One glimmer of hope the state has would be the passage of the Constitutional Amendment where 1.25% from the Land Grant Permanent Fund would be dedicated and towards child education. If passed by voters, the proposal would send an additional $127 million a year for early childhood education programs and an additional $85 million a year for kindergarten to 12-grade schools.