AFTNM News:

TAOS – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) visited Monday with Taos Municipal School educators, specifically discussing the Federal education budget under President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

The conversation focused on protecting Title II funding, STEM Education, Early Literacy needs, and providing quality public education for New Mexico’s rural students, districts, and communities while supporting the needs of public education professionals.

Following the visit, Heinrich, American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly and Taos Federation of United School Employees #1450 President Francis Hahn released the following statements:

“Every child in every school deserves an opportunity to benefit from a great public education. In New Mexico and across the nation, teachers are on the frontlines making an impact every day in the lives of our students,” Heinrich said. “I will continue to work to ensure that educators have the resources, training, and support they need to help students succeed.”

“We are thankful for Senator Heinrich’s continued commitment to New Mexico’s students and our public educators. From day one of his tenure in Congress, Senator Heinrich has worked to ensure New Mexico students are protected, and has prioritized the needs of public education professionals at all levels. Additionally, the Senator has ensured the voices of working professionals – especially union voices – have been heard and valued,” Ly said.

“Today’s visit by Senator Heinrich was important for the members of TFUSE Local #1450. The Senator led a robust conversation about the future of public education under the current administration, amid proposed budgetary cuts. His commitment to New Mexico is without question, and importantly, he genuinely listened to our concerns as education professionals serving in a rural community with needs that would be disproportionately impacted should such proposed cuts be enacted,” Hahn said.