Members of AFT NM’s newest (and only) healthcare unit, the United Health Professionals of New Mexico, held their first lobby day Friday in conjunction with fellow healthcare workers from AFSCME District 1199NM and unveiled their effort to pass the NM Patient Safety Act, which would institute safe staffing rations in New Mexico hospitals. Courtesy/AFT NM
Scene from AFT NM’s United Health Professionals of New Mexico at their lobby day Friday outside the Roundhouse to pass the NM Patient Safety Act, which would institute safe staffing rations in New Mexico hospitals. Courtesy/AFT NM
AFT New Mexico News:
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) New Mexico weekly Legispative Recap includes House Bill 25 related to raising New Mexico’s minimum wage, House Bill 130 – the entitled K-12 Plus Program and Senate Bill 4 to provide free breakfast and lunch to students.
House Labor, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee:
House Bill 25, carried by Reps. Christine Chandler, Janelle Anyanonu, Yanira Gurrola and Patricia Roybal Caballero seeks to raise New Mexico’s minimum wage.
As currently amended, the bill would raise the minimum wage to $13.50 in 2024 and then $15.50/hour in 2025, while maintaining future adjustments based on the consumer price index.
AFT New Mexico was on hand during the committee hearing Thursday afternoon to express our support for the legislation. HB 25 passed out of committee with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans opposed with a vote of 5-3.
Friday, Jan. 27
House Education Committee
House Bill 130, entitled K-12 Plus Program, will have its first hearing. Sponsored by Reps. G. Andres Romero and Joy Garratt, the bill addresses the effort to expand school instructional hours to 1140 per year, inclusive of 60 hours of adult time to be used for collaboration, coaching, professional development, and other similar professional activities.
Below is an analysis by the Legislative Education Study Committee as the bill is being drafted:
House Bill 130 (HB130) requires all schools to provide 1,140 instructional hours per year, an increase from the current minimums of 990 hours for elementary school and 1,080 hours for secondary school. The bill defines instructional hours as an hour in a school or other location during which students receive direct instruction aligned with academic content and performance standards from a teacher or other qualified instructor.
Including:
- A school program;
- Enrichment programs that focus on problem-solving and cognitive skills development;
- Content that provides technical knowledge, skills, and competency-based applied learning;
- Research- or evidence-based social, emotional, or academic interventions; and
- Instruction that occurs at the same time breakfast is served or consumed in accordance with the breakfast after the bell program or federal requirements.
Up to 60 instructional hours per year may be used for professional work, which may be embedded during the course of a normal school day.
Professional work that may include:
- Home visiting or parent teacher conferences;
- Educator training or professional development; and
- Mentorship, coaching, and collaboration between school employees.
AFT New Mexico President Whitney Holland was in committee this morning to share her perspective on the legislation and to advocate for local control and flexibility if the legislature decides to extend instructional hours for the coming academic year. We will continue to monitor this, and other legislative efforts which seek to expand instructional and professional time in our schools. HB 130 passed unanimously out of the House Education Committee.
Monday, Jan. 30:
Senate Education Committee
Senate Bill 4, carried by Senators Michael Padilla and Leo Jaramillo, would institute the “Healthy Universal School Meals Act” which would provide free breakfast and lunch for all New Mexico students without regard to ability to pay.
AFT New Mexico spoke in favor of SB 4; however, a final vote was delayed to draft and incorporate a few amendments based on input and suggestions by the committee. Amendments to SB 4 are still being ironed out and it is once again on the agenda for Monday, Jan. 30.
Ending the week on a high note:
Members of AFT NM’s newest (and only) healthcare unit, the United Health Professionals of New Mexico, held their first lobby day in conjunction with fellow healthcare workers from AFSCME District 1199NM along with a press conference to unveil their effort to pass the NM Patient Safety Act, which would institute safe staffing rations in New Mexico hospitals.