I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
HB 150, the House version of the Hispanic Education Act passed the Senate Wednesday by a vote of 25-13. But because of an amendment by Sen. Linda Lopez, the bill must go back to the House before it can go to the governor. The amendment was nearly identical to the one she added to the Senate’s version, SB 132.
Controversy over the Act, which creates an office within the Public Education Department to focus specifically on Hispanic students in order to close the achievement gap, revolved primarily over the bill’s focus soley on Hispanic students.
Sen. Tim Jennings spoke out against the bill, saying he thought senators should be color blind and focus on all children in need of educational help.
Sen. Dianna Duran told Senators she had received comments stating her no vote on SB 132 was “anti-Hispanic” and wanted to assure them that she simply agreed with Jennings, that focus should be on all students.
With his voice breaking, Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez defended Sen. Duran and everyone who voted against the bill as having their own beliefs and applauding them for standing up for those beliefs.
Sanchez strongly supported the Hispanic Education Act and stated, “this is a start to getting Hispanic students where they need to be,” adding “I’m glad the Governor has finally conceded to this, and it’s a small concession. There needs to be a lot more.”
The act is expected to be signed by the Governor when it reaches his desk.
