By Cedar Attanasio Associated Press / Report For America
With less than a week remaining in the New Mexico legislative session, state senators are hashing out a proposal that could change the way education is funded for decades by increasing withdrawals from a unique $20 billion public endowment.
The initiative advanced Tuesday toward a Senate floor vote that would tap the trust fund to increase spending on preschool and K-12 education by about $250 million a year. Legislative approval would send the proposed constitutional amendment to a statewide vote.
The Land Grant Permanent Fund currently pays out 5% of its average five-year balance, mostly to K-12 schools. Oil income and investment gains doubled the value of the fund over the past 11 years.
Monumental day : Indian Country reacts to Deb Haaland vote
FELICIA FONSECA, Associated Press
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Now Playing: The Senate has confirmed New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary, making her the first Native American to lead a Cabinet department and the first to lead the federal agency that wields influence over the nation s tribes. (March 15) Video: Associated Press
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) Citizens of tribes across the U.S. cried and clapped in celebration Monday as Deb Haaland became the first Native American confirmed as secretary of a Cabinet agency.
The U.S. Senate voted 51-40 in favor of the Democrat s nomination to lead the Interior Department, which has broad oversight of tribal affairs and energy development.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Citizens of tribes across the U.S. cried and clapped in celebration Monday as Deb Haaland became the first Native American confirmed as secretary of a Cabinet
By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says nearly three-quarters of $1 billion could be lost over the next four years if New Mexico sees even a 10% reduction of oil and gas production due to President Joe Biden s actions to curb leasing on public lands.
The first-term Democratic governor said Monday in a letter to the president that financial losses of that magnitude would have real effects on the state s ability to achieve goals like universal access to early childhood education.
The governor is asking that New Mexico be granted energy transition credit for actions the state already is taking to address pollution and move toward more renewable energy.