Scene of the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee Friday at the Roundhouse. Courtesy/NMDT
NM Dream Team News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The House Commerce & Economic Development Committee passed SB 137 Friday with a unanimous vote.
The proposal looks to remove professional and occupational licensing barriers in our state and extend access to ALL New Mexicans, regardless of immigration status.
The bill, which passed the Senate floor with a unanimous vote last week, now moves to the House floor and is expected to be heard soon. If passed, SB 137 will move to the Governor’s desk for final approval.
“Another historic victory for our New Mexican communities. It’s great to see so many of our state legislators push aside party lines for this long overdue bill that looks to make New Mexico’s workforce a more inclusive one. One where we all can contribute back to the same communities that invested so much in us. Our immigrant communities have fought every step of the way to make professional licensing for all a reality,” said New Mexico Dream Team Campaign Manager Felipe Rodriguez.
Albuquerque Educator and New Mexico Dream Team School Sponsor Ingrid Ordonez added, “It’s important to recognize that this fight has been led by those directly affected. SB 137 has the power to transform the lives of so many immigrant educators and young professionals like myself, who only seek to give back to the communities we call home. It has been an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to expose immigrant students to the legislative process through this important and historic bill.”
About the New Mexico Dream Team:
The New Mexico Dream Team is a statewide network committed to create power for multigenerational, undocumented, and mixed status families through trainings and leadership development. The organization works to engage the community and allies in becoming leaders using an intersectional, gender, and racial justice lens—to develop and implement an organizing and advocacy infrastructure for policy change fighting to dismantle systemic oppression.
