Rep. Dow

Rep. Lente

The big education issue looming in the wake of the session is whether the big boost in public education funding the last two years will move the needle in the state's perennially poor education rankings. That improvement is largely dependent on the standing of "at risk" students, especially in Indian Country and other poor, rural areas with high minority populations.

GOP State Rep. Rebecca Dow, an education professional, does not believe that new funding is specific enough to satisfy the district court order that found the state in violation of the constitution for not providing at risk students adequate education.

We are appropriating money right and left. The problem is, I don't think it's strategic enough or targeted enough to make a difference.

She's not alone. Two House Dem up and comers--Native American State Rep. Derrick Lente and House Education Committee Chairman Andres Romero--are also expressing concern that appropriators are excluding the input of educators in crafting the education budget and that could mean wasted efforts as increased spending fails to register where it's most needed.

This is not going away. There will be an April hearing regarding the state's progress--or lack thereof--in meeting the requirements of of the Yazzie/Martinez court ruling. The plaintiffs in the case will tell the court the state is still not doing enough.

A BRIDGE TOO FAR?

Rep. Torres Small

You wonder how much state Dems are willing to look the other way as southern Congresswoman Rep. Xochitl Torres Small seems prepared to do anything to win re-election, including now opening the door to storing high level nuclear waste in SE NM.

That's a position vehemently opposed by the Governor and the rest of the Dems in the state's DC delegation but "Xoch's" thirst for power is taking her into very high risk territory:

(Torres Small) wants to ensure a “sound and robust” scientific review is done before federal regulators decide whether to sign off on plans for a multibillion-dollar temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. . . (She) acknowledged that the growing stockpile of used fuel at commercial reactors around the U.S. is a national problem and that elected leaders need to ensure New Mexico does not pay an unfair price as part of the solution. “My concern is making sure that we’re looking at the science and that we are doing our best to evaluate based on that. . .not based on fear or bias, but based on how do we solve a challenge that is a national challenge."

While elected leaders in Eddy and Lea counties support the project, it has garnered fierce opposition from nuclear watchdog groups, Gov. Lujan Grisham and other members of the state’s congressional delegation. They are concerned about the state becoming a permanent dump since the federal government is far from having any long-term plan for dealing with the tons of spent fuel building up at nuclear power plants. . . 

A permanent nuke dumping ground to get a permanent seat in the US House? That doesn't sound like a good trade for a state that prides itself on protecting the environment. What say the large enviro community in NM and the nation? Still looking the other way?  

MAILBAG

Paul Kinzelman of Peralta writes:

Joe, I ust wanted to give you a heads-up that I'm planning to run against GOP State Rep. Alonzo Baldonado, primarily because the Dems didn't have anybody else willing to run against him so I volunteered to be the sacrificial lamb :-)

And there he goes . . . Honest Paul

Reader Lawrence Trujillo writes:

Joe, I disagree with your blog analysis where you stated that the Red Flag Bill “sent a clear signal that the state values human life” when it is clear there are many legislators in favor of late term abortion. This blanket statement is just not true for New Mexico.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2020