By Diane Denish
The start of a legislative session always sparkles with energy. The capitol bustles with people and action. Legislators who’ve developed close bonds over the years get reacquainted. There are hugs and flowers and proud family members who’ve come to the Roundhouse to see their loved ones take to the House and Senate floors.
This year’s opening day carried a poignancy as we in the Senate bade farewell to our late Senate president pro-tem, Ben Altamirano. A diplomat and a gentleman, he set an example for how lawmakers can do the difficult work of the people with dignity and calm.
That example is one we’re hoping will blossom in both chambers this year. The fact is, we’ll need all the diplomacy and gentlemanly behavior we can get.
The issues before us aren’t easy – universal health coverage, ethics reform, domestic partnerships, teacher raises and requests to fund programs and construction projects in every corner of the state. All in just 30 days.
Legislators dug right in. In the Senate, which I preside over, we debated and voted on a bill the second day – a speed I’ve never seen. The bill fixes a problem with our minimum-wage law that costs cities and municipalities significant overtime pay for public safety workers.
The workload was considerably brightened by two announcements this week: Schott Solar of
Experts agree that a college degree will be a necessity in that future, which draws nearer every day. Standing on an assembly line and learning a job by doing it over and over won’t cut it. We’ll need workers with nimble, creative minds whose only experience with repetition will be a constant state of change.
The state needs to expand Pre-K
Which brings me to your average 4-year-old.
You build a house by starting with a foundation. You build a workforce by starting with children. The speed with which the brain grows and changes, starting at birth, is remarkable – or can be, if that child’s curiosity and attention are engaged. If not, that child’s chances of becoming a successful adult are stunted.
We started a voluntary, pre-kindergarten program in 2005 that was designed to help children in under-served areas get a jump start on their education. Two and a half years later, the program is growing and we’re reaping rewards.
A recent study by the National Institute for Early Education Research at
Another study by the Early Intervention Research Institute at
That’s the value of keeping a child in school long enough to turn him or her into a productive New Mexican. Not only that, but a well-educated person is more likely to take care of himself or herself without taxpayer services, build a stable social network and be a productive New Mexico worker.
One of the major bills I’m pushing in this session is an expansion in Pre-K, which currently gets $14 million. We want to reach more children early in their lives – while still focusing on improvements to subsequent grades.
Come see for yourselves
Looking ahead to the coming week, Tuesday is Pre-K Day at the Roundhouse. Consider this your invitation to join 100 of the cutest 4-year-olds you’ve ever seen as teachers, advocates, cabinet secretaries and I talk about the economic importance of investing in Pre-K (and maybe do a little lobbying with our legislators).
I always like to remind New Mexicans that the Roundhouse has another nickname: “The People’s Building.” It belongs to you. We work best when we hear from our fellow citizens and can better understand their needs and desires. So consider a trip to
I’ll be honest: It can be frantic and frustrating at times, but when you see democracy in action, you can’t help but feel proud.
Denish is the state’s lieutenant governor. She will be writing a weekly column throughout the 30-day legislative session that is underway. You can reach her office at (505) 476-2250.