SANTA FE, N.M. — When New Mexico lawmakers meet Tuesday to begin hashing out the state budget, about half of the money will go to K-12 school programs.
Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and key legislative committees have agreed to increase spending on schools by around 12%, or around $3.8 billion.
A proposed teacher pay raise would range from 7% and 20% depending on a teacher’s current pay. Nationwide inflation was 7% last year, and wages are increasing in the private sector. Schools are struggling to fill positions for teachers, teaching assistants, food workers and maintenance workers.