Commentary: the Democratic Party of New Mexico reamed Governor Martinez and Republicans in the state for hurting students attending universities and public schools with failed economic policies.
According to recent reports, New Mexico State University will be cutting 126 positions and academic and extracurricular programs. Additionally, New Mexico ranks 43rd in teacher salaries. This dismal news comes after UNM reported eliminating 257 jobs and CNM cut 100 jobs earlier this year due to budget cuts. All of this, while New Mexico ranks 50th in education in the 2016 Kids Count Report.
“Our teachers and universities need adequate funding to ensure students in New Mexico can achieve long-term success, and the recent budget woes our state faces are a direct result of Republicans putting corporations ahead of teachers and students,” said Debra Haaland, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. “A competitive, properly resourced education system should be a priority, because it prepares students for future success, attracts business, and makes our state a place where families can flourish—Governor Martinez and Republicans have misplaced priorities, corporations should not be more important than our kids.”
New Mexico's economic outlook continues to look grim under the failed economic policies of Governor Martinez and Republicans in the state. According the Legislative Finance Committee year-to-date revenues were down 9.6 percent from the same period a year ago and New Mexico Voices for Children notes that within the next few years the estimated corporate income tax yield will fall by 60 percent due to Republican corporate-first policies
Though Governor Martinez and Republicans claim they are building a New Mexico that is good for business, but a CNBC business climate survey released this week noted that, “Workers have been fleeing the state in droves since the boom died and, because we consider net migration in our workforce category, New Mexico suffers badly.” The survey ranked New Mexico 39th among the 50 states.