NM educators concerned over budget woes

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Education could be on the chopping block to fix the budget problems. So for the second time in two weeks, passionate teachers and parents stormed the state capitol in protest.

Instead of educations cuts, they said they want lawmakers to increase taxes for certain groups.

The Teacher's Federation led the protest Saturday. They said lawmakers have it all wrong when it comes to fixing the budget.

"We're way below normal salaries across the nation and these again are teachers who give so much of their lives to do everything they can for kids," Los Lunas teacher Molliann Robison said.

After marching to the state capitol, the group rallied inside a conference room on the Senate floor.

Education makes of 60 percent of the state budget. Proposed cuts range from three to 10 percent of the state's education budget.

Educators are telling legislators to take money from wealthy New Mexicans, instead of taking money from the state's children.

"We need to do it by educating our population, by supporting education in our school. We do not need to do it by leaving tax cuts for people making over $300,000 a year. We do not need to be giving tax breaks for Wal-Mart and other big box stores," Legislative Chair of the NM PTA Carmen Lopez said.

Lopez referenced a bill that passed in 2003, which gave large corporations tax breaks and gave income tax cuts for wealthy residents.

Educators are now asking lawmakers to repeal that bill.

While Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., said he's against major cuts to education. He also said he doesn't favor increasing taxes for any groups.

Lt. Gov. Dianne Denish said in a statement that she is "fundamentally opposed to any cuts that will affect New Mexico's classrooms."