Educators march against budget cuts

New Mexico educators will go on a massive march to the state capitol Friday afternoon, spreading the message that they're against cuts in education.

Hundreds, if not thousands, are expected to trample on the streets of Santa Fe.

The group plans to march to the capitol, hold a demonstration outside the roundhouse and meet with some lawmakers inside the rotunda.

The rally comes at a crucial time for educations because next week's special session could result in reduction of funding for schools.

The special session will focus on this fiscal year's state budget which is estimated to be $600 million to $650 million in the hole.

Some lawmakers said the state has no choice but to cut education since it makes up 60 percent of the state budget.

Educations maintain that cuts would be devastating to the children of New Mexico. They said that lawmakers have other options like rolling back tax cuts for wealthy New Mexicans or increasing taxes on out of state corportations.

"Districts have already cut down to the bare bone minimum all across the state, they're turning off lights in the hallways, they're pinching pennies everywhere they can," Taos President of the Federation of United Schools Jeff Carr said.

State legislators and Gov. Bill Richardson hope to have decisions on the budget made before the special session begins on Oct. 17.