Two education bills pass through first committee
The Senate Education Committee advanced a bill Friday morning that would require new university regents to complete training within months of their appointment.
Senate Bill 19, presented by cosponsor Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces), was given a do-pass by the Senate Education Committee on an 8-0 vote. The bill would require new university and special school regents and members of governing boards of community colleges complete 10 hours of training within six months of being appointed.
'Our university regents have very important jobs. They hire university presidents, they set tuition, they set priorities, they decide on infrastructure, they really chart the direction and run a university and sadly, we have no qualifications for regents who are selected,' Steinborn said to the committee. 'I think we owe it to our universities and our kids and taxpayers that we have the best regents we can get and that they're trained.'
Steinborn added that the bill is modeled after Senate Bill 137, presented and signed into law during the 2024 Legislative Session, which requires school board members to complete 10 hours of mandatory training during their first year of serving on the board.
Cedric Page, professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos and regent for the New Mexico Military Institute, spoke in favor of the bill, saying the training will ensure regents 'really understand the leadership responsibilities' involved in the position.
The bill will be heard next by the Senate Rules Committee.
Senate Bill 13, the State-Tribal Education Compact Schools Act, was also passed through the Senate Education Committee Friday morning by a vote of 9-0. Speakers from Taos, Acoma, Isleta, Ohkay Owingeh, San Felipe, Zuni, Jemez and Santa Ana pueblos spoke on its behalf, as did representatives from the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, Transform Education NM and NM Native Vote.
The proposal would make it possible for Native tribes and nations to enter into compacts with the Public Education Department to establish cultural schools where young students start their educational careers fully immersed in their Native language. Bill sponsor Sen. Benny Shendo (D-Jemez Pueblo) previously told Source NM that the goal of the bill is to help preserve Native languages in New Mexico.
'Language is not only a tool for communication, it is the foundation of identity, culture and self determination. Senate bill (13) takes a significant step towards addressing these systemic inequities by creating these compact schools, which will provide tribes with greater autonomy to design and implement educational models that our students called for,' Loretta Trujillo, executive director of Transform Education NM, said during the meeting.
State lawmaker proposes bill to create cultural schools to preserve Native languages
Committee member Sen. Anthony Thornton (R-Albuquerque), however, voiced concern over the possible 'vulcanization' of the state's school system.
'If I were to replace all the language in this (bill) with African-American students, then we were to create our separate schools and then some German-Americans decided they wanted the same thing and they had the same sort of thing. My concern here, and I know this is sort of way off the, pardon my pun, off the reservation, but the question I'm having is understanding the needs. My concern is that this separates the schoolchildren or the children in your community possibly from the rest of society. And then how does that, how do they overcome that going forward?' Thornton asked.
Bill sponsor Sen. Benny Shendo (D-Jemez Pueblo) used himself as an example, as someone who grew up only speaking Jemez.
'I was born and raised in Jemez, didn't speak a word of English and here I am with you today,' Shendo said.
SB 13 will be heard next by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom tops Kamala Harris in 2028 presidential poll of California Democrats
WASHINGTON ― In a battle between two Californians considering Democratic runs for president in 2028, Gov. Gavin Newsom holds a slight edge over former Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted by Politico and The Citrin Center public opinion firm, found Newsom is the top choice of 25% of California's Democratic voters in the 2028 Democratic primary, leading all prospective candidates including Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee, who is supported by 19% of the state's Democrats. The two high-profile Californians are followed in the poll by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (13%), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (10%), Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (4%) and New Jersey U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (4%). U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear each has support from 3% of the state's Democratic voters, the poll found. More: California redistricting vote begins with overwhelming support, Newsom pollster says 75916845007 The Democratic breakdown was taken from a subset of 1,445 registered California voters polled between July 28 and Aug. 12. Although early in the 2028 presidential election cycle, the poll offers a glimpse into the thinking of Democrats in a state that is the party's power center and home to the largest number of Democratic voters. For both Newsom and Harris, winning their home state would be critical to secure the Democratic nomination in 2028 if they decide to run. More: Kamala Harris says she won't run for California governor Newsom, who has acknowledged he might run for president in 2028, has become one of the party's most forceful and visible critics of President Donald Trump. He recently launched a redistricting campaign in California with national implications to redraw the state's congressional maps to counter Republican redistricting efforts in Texas. Harris, the former Democratic nominee who lost to Trump in the 2024 election, on July 30 announced she would be passing on a 2026 run for governor to replace Newsom, whose term is set to end. Harris's decision opened the door for a possible presidential bid in 2028, though several other Democratic contenders have started to make moves toward their own runs. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Newsom tops Harris in 2028 presidential poll of California Democrats
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
It's fiscal 2026. Do you know where your tax dollars are? Probably not.
The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council called for more transparency in how state leaders and administrators track the outcomes of state-funded programs in a new report Wednesday. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) State spending in Rhode Island has surged. Public tracking of how state agencies and programs are using that money has not. And the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) is sounding the alarm as part of a new analysis of the state's fiscal 2026 budget published on Wednesday. The 49-page report by the business-backed research group reprises warnings of years past regarding unsustainable spending. This year's report features a sterner admonishment than usual over lack of transparency in how state administrators craft the budget, or monitor the results from multibillion-dollar spending. 'Despite a statutory requirement for agencies to include performance measures in their budget requests, the actual utilization of these measures in state budgeting decisions is unclear,' the report states. 'While [the Office of Management and Budget]'s Performance Management Unit is tasked with maintaining and updating these measures, much of their work is internally facing and public reporting on program effectiveness has been minimal. This limited public data makes it challenging for the public to evaluate how effectively tax dollars are being utilized for programs administered by state departments and agencies.' Derek Gomes, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Administration, which includes the state office, said in an emailed response that the budget office has worked to bolster agency performance reporting, which now includes 244 separate measures aligned with Gov. Dan McKee's long-term, RI 2030 state plan. Annual reports are published online, alongside quarterly updates, Gomes said. 'The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is committed to providing timely and accurate information about its roles in terms of developing the Governor's annual budget proposal and collecting performance metrics from state agencies,' Gomes said. 'OMB regularly posts information on state websites to include up-to-date agency budget instructions, quarterly budget reports, and agency performance data.' McKee's office did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment Wednesday. McKee let the spending plan take effect July 1 without his signature, an unprecedented move meant to symbolize his concerns with increased state taxes and fees. Legislative leaders continued to defend state spending in a joint statement Wednesday. 'We have a responsibility as elected leaders to invest in health care, education and housing for Rhode Islanders, especially as Republicans in Congress cut federal support for Medicaid and other programs to states,' House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson said. They are still reviewing RIPEC's comments about public transparency, Larry Berman, a spokesperson for Shekarchi's office, said via email. The $14.3 billion fiscal 2026 budget features a record $5.81 billion in state general revenue, up 3.8% over the fiscal 2025 budget even though the total bottom line is less. The state share of spending is 13.8% higher than fiscal 2019, even when accounting for inflation, according to RIPEC's analysis. Meanwhile, the fiscal 2026 budget imposed new or higher taxes and fees on gasoline, property sales, high-value second homes, and health insurance, cementing the need for more open information sharing on how the extra funds are being spent, said Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of RIPEC. 'The tax burden has been going up, and people are paying for these things,' DiBiase said in an interview Wednesday. 'It's time to reflect on what we are getting for that money.' As a former state administration director under then-Gov. Gina Raimondo, DiBiase is more familiar than most with the behind-the-scenes components of the state budget process. Each year, state agencies submit an initial funding request to state budget-crunchers. The memos span hundreds of pages, with details on how agencies spent the last year's money, and justification on requests for more. The submissions are reviewed internally and used to shape the governor's initial spending plan, typically released at the beginning of the calendar year. Lawmakers then update and revise the governor's proposal to finalize a spending plan ahead of the July 1 start date. Agency budget submissions are available by request, but not otherwise released publicly. And follow-up reporting is also kept behind closed doors. 'That's a choice,' DiBiase said. 'Politically, it's more difficult to expose some of these things and talk about things that are working and not working.' But difficult choices must be made, especially as state revenue growth slows and federal budget cuts curtail aid to key programs like Medicaid and food assistance. The tax burden has been going up, and people are paying for these things. It's time to reflect on what we are getting for that money. – Michael DiBiase, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council Rhode Island House fiscal advisory staff projected a $304.3 million deficit for the next fiscal year, swelling to $462.1 million. The forecast does not include any impact from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is expected to bring major changes to federal health and social services aid, as well as tax changes, over the next five years. How Rhode Island will fare amid forthcoming federal budget cuts remains under review by RIPEC and separately by a set of governmental advisory groups mandated to study and prepare for possible funding changes, reporting back to the Rhode Island General Assembly by Oct. 31. Among the biggest sources of concern for state lawmakers and budget analysts is how changes to federal Medicaid eligibility and funding will affect Rhode Island. The $4.9 billion in Medicaid funding included in Rhode Island's fiscal 2026 budget (from both federal and state sources) is more than one-third of the bottom line. Medicaid funding has steadily risen over the last eight years even though Rhode Islanders participation in the government-subsidized health care program fell, according to RIPEC's report. The $1.82 billion in state revenue directed toward Medicaid in fiscal 2026 is more than twice the 3.8% annual growth in state revenue. The spending includes extra money to increase reimbursement rates for primary care providers, nursing home workers, and hospitals in an attempt to lessen the gap between Rhode Island's low rates and the higher rates in neighboring states. Yet DiBiase questioned if more money was actually solving the problem, noting that commercial insurers have also proposed double-digit rate increases for next year. 'It just doesn't seem like the system is finding any relief,' DiBiase said. 'We're not really seeing, for the most part, where this money is going.' RIPEC's budget analysis also pointed to funding for K-12 education, despite fewer students, and on state employees (largely due to new bargaining agreements that include salary hikes and other benefits) as areas in need of more public financial reporting and reined-in spending. The report largely centered on what's wrong with state spending, and how to improve it. But RIPEC also offered praise to a pair of provisions tucked into the fiscal 2026 spending plan that will already make small strides in improving financial reporting. First, a change in the state Office of Internal Audit — in name and function — that expands the administrative power to subpoena and investigate potential fraud in state assistance programs, and recover misappropriated money. The fiscal 2026 budget offers $1.2 million extra money for two additional staffers to carry out the work of the rechristened Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity. The current year's spending plan also provides a policy change to let the state Division of Taxation more effectively crack down on scofflaws with unpaid and overdue income and business taxes by putting levies on their assets. The access to out-of-state tax delinquents' bank accounts, coupled with the ability to put levies on their assets, is expected to bring in an extra $5.3 million in revenue this year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Newsom, Booker rally support for California redistricting on DNC call
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appeared alongside Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin and Texas state Rep. Nicole Collier (D) as they rallied their party behind California's redistricting measure. 'Yes, we'll fight fire with fire. Yes, we will push back. It's not about whether we play hardball anymore. It's about how we play hardball,' Newsom said on the call. Newsom and California Democrats released a new set of congressional lines last week that look to offset expected gains Texas Republicans will likely make with their new House map once passed. Democrats are seeking to put their House map on the ballot before voters this November, pressing voters to allow lawmakers to redraw the map in the middle of the decade and bypass the state's independent redistricting commission. Republicans have already challenging California Democrats' ability to put the measure before voters and other top GOP leaders like former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) have also signaled they're preparing to fight the map. The appearance of Booker and Newsom together is notable given both have been floated as 2028 White House hopefuls. The two painted a picture of democracy under threat and emphasized the stakes of the redistricting battle. 'The is all hands-on deck right now. People are going to ask, 'Where did you stand when Donald Trump was violating court orders?' 'Where did you stand when he was trashing the concept of due process in our country?'' Booker said. ''Where did you stand when he was sending out masked unidentified people in unmarked vehicles to sweep people off of our streets?'' 'I'll be damned if I'm going to continue to let Donald Trump, Republicans from Texas continue to disregard, demean and degrade other Americans, to deny them their rights without a fight,' he added later. During the call, state Rep. Nicole Collier (D) was asked to leave at one point while she was participating in the call from a bathroom in the Texas Capitol, saying 'They said it's a felony for me to do this. Apparently I can't be on the floor or in a bathroom.' It's unclear what wrongdoing Collier committed. The Hill has reached out to Collier's office, the Texas House Democratic Caucus and Texas House GOP caucus for comment. Democrats on the call slammed the move. 'Rep. Collier in the bathroom has more dignity than Donald Trump in the Oval Office,' Booker said. 'That is outrageous. What they're trying to do right there, is silence an American leader, silence a Black woman and that is outrageous,' he added.
