Commentary: American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:
“The Governor’s call for five percent cuts across state department budgets is an irresponsible action from a Governor who has failed to fulfill her promise to improve New Mexico’s economy when she took office over six years ago.
“Balancing the budget on the backs of our children is not only immoral, but it is a short-sighted stop-gap to a longer term problem in New Mexico – specifically this Governor’s inability to meaningfully create jobs and diversify our economy.
“Cutting budgets and blaming decreased oil and gas revenues is the easy answer, but other natural resource-reliant states like North Dakota have also suffered decreased revenue without making cuts to education. Budgets are moral documents, and Governor Martinez’s compass is pointing in the wrong direction.
“Our students, schools, and communities in both urban and rural locations rely on educational services like after school programs, wrap-around support, early intervention reading programs, and maintenance of safe staffing levels, among many other critical educational services.
“Which of these critical educational programs are you planning to cut, Governor Martinez?” said Ly.