Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks at a press conference following the adjournment of the Legislative session on Thursday afternoon. She praised lawmakers for working together to help deliver some of her education proposals. (Photo by Megan Taros for Source NM)
Education proved to be a flashpoint for debate in the 2024 30-day New Mexico Legislative session.
Conflicts about priorities, local control, funding and multilingual education marked debate as lawmakers delivered on a patchwork of education proposals through the $10.2 billion budget.
The state’s final education budget remained mostly the same throughout the process.
It includes:
- $49 million for literacy, career technical education and community school programs
- $14 million in early literacy support
- $55 million for culturally relevant and bilingual materials
- $62.7 million for 2% salary increases, bringing all school personnel up to $15 per hour
- $43 million to expand early childhood care
- $750,000 to support adult literacy programs
- $2 million for attendance programs