En Lace Newsletter Feb. 07 Issue Two

April 2007

Vol. 100

Issue Two

NEWSLETTER Greetings to the ENLACE familia! THE FINAL STRETCH: The state legislative session has now come to a close; final deal making, arguing and voting has all taken place and bills have either passed or died in committee rooms. Here’s an update on what happened with the issues the ENLACE team asked be the central topics of 2007 legislative session. ENLACE LEGISLATIVE NEWS! Since the last legislative newsletter our bills ‘ENLACE at Certain Schools’, Senate Bill 77, Senate Bill 500, and House Bill 325 have been heard in both the Senate and House Education Committees. Senate Bill 77 and Senate Bill 500 were heard on Monday February 5 where both bills do passed with no votes in the negative! Many ENLACE staff members and parents were present to testify in support of this bill. This was a great victory for us and we thank Senator Cynthia Nava and Senator Bernadette Sanchez for their work for ENLACE. House Bill 325 was heard in the House Education Committee on February 16, where it do passed with a vote of 12 in the affirmative and zero in the negative. The above bills all passed because of such a strong ENLACE voice and because of great support across the board including many professionals such as Beth Evert, Beverly McClure and Joe Guien of the State School Board Association.

Another wonderful victory for ENLACE was the placement of ENLACE in House Bill 2 entitled ‘General Appropriations Act of 2007’ under the recurring funding through the Public Education Department. UPDATES: Counselors – A memorial was not introduced this session. We have begun discussion with students from New Mexico State University who will work on creating the legislation for the counselor to student ratio. Instead of a memorial we hope to have enough information by the 2008 legislative session to introduce a bill. Lottery Scholarship – Lottery reform Bill, Senate Bill 364, passed! This bill promises to get dollars to the lottery scholarship. It was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle and Senator Tim Jennings, passed the Senate 39-1 and the House 65-0. The bill was signed by Governor Richardson on March 29. Both Erwin Rivera and I were invited to the bill signing and were there representing ENLACE. FYRA Grant (Family Youth Resource Act) – Presently we do not have any information pertaining to this bill. We will keep you updated. Bilingual Education – ENLACE supports and endorses House Bill 67 entitled NM Highlands Medical – Health interpreters sponsored by Representative Rick Miera. This bill will increase the number of trained and certified Spanish-English interpreters who can work with health providers throughout New Mexico. Curriculum – The AVID legislation is to be carried on behalf of Governor Richardson by Representative Rick Miera and is House Bill 68.

Senate Bill 943 ‘Dual High School & PostSecondary Credits’ sponsored by Senator Cynthia Nava was passed and signed by Governor Richardson on April 3. This bill specifies the requirements and conditions for high school students to enroll in college level courses and simultaneously earn credit toward high school graduation and a postsecondary degree. Senate Bill 561 ‘ High School Redesign’ sponsored by Cynthia Nava also passed and was signed by the Governor on April 3.

The following is not one of our priorities, however it impacts our ENLACE families and we feel a responsibility to share this information with you. On January 29, the House Judiciary Committee heard House Joint Memorial 13 entitled ‘Oppose Creation of National ID Card’ sponsored by Representative Ken Martinez (D – Grants) and Senator Michael Sanchez. This memorial opposes the REAL ID Act which requires additional qualifications for Driver’s Licenses, one of which would be US citizenship.

WRAP – UP: Early into the legislative session we have seen small victories! - Lottery Scholarship fund increase was passed by the Senate Education Committee. -

Many Senators and Representatives have agreed to co-sponsor the bills that keep

funds coming for services to New students -

ENLACE Mexico’s

We’ve worked together as one voice and ENLACE is being recognized as a positive force in the education of our New Mexico youth.

Look for the upcoming newsletters. It’s because of all of your individual efforts that we have had and will continue to have success in the legislature. Mil Gracias. Diana Montoya-Boyer, [email protected]