top of page
NEW MEXICO
accomplishments
2026
INCREASED
HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
Our Union won higher healthcare coverage for K12 educators and staff that will save New Mexico educators thousands in costs.
House Bill 47 increases the amount of healthcare coverage provided by the state for those making $50,000 and above working in K12 schools. This legislation follows 2023's successful efforts to increase healthcare coverage for those working in K12 schools making less than $50,000/year. Higher premium coverage will take effect July 2026.
HIGHER WAGES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WORKERS
Our Union secured a 1% raise for all educational employees and ensured funding to continue $15/hour minimum wage for hourly employees working in public education.
Through partnership and solidarity with other public sector unions in New Mexico, we successfully fought to restore the budgeted 1% raise after members of the Senate Finance Committee cut funding for this budget item.
.png)
MORE TRANSPARENT BOARDS OF
REGENTS
Our Union supported and passed a constitutional amendment to de-politicize selection of Boards
of Regents members and bring transparency to regent selection.
House Joint Resolution 1, if approved by New Mexico voters, will amend the New Mexico constitution to create nominating committees for Boards of Regents at our public institutions. Currently the governor has sole power to make these appointments. The constitutional
amendment will be on the November 2026 ballot.
STUDY TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE BENEFITS & ACCESS
Our Union advocated for and helped pass a detailed study to address healthcare benefits and access across higher education faculty and staff at New Mexico public institutions.
House Memorial 4 requests the Legislative Finance Committee to evaluate health insurance availability and affordability, to provide options for eligibility for medical, dental, and vision coverage, and to estimate the fiscal impacts of providing coverage under the various options. The study is due by October 2026.
IMPROVED
TEACHER RESIDENCY ACT
Our Union championed reforms to the Teacher Residency Act which will put more money into the pocket of aspiring teachers in New Mexico schools.
House Bill 30 adjusts the amount of compensation for teacher residents who are working alongside mentor teachers in our schools, providing a more livable wage. It also allows greater flexibility for residents to serve in a school of their choice after completion of their
residency, a win for rural educators and districts.
STUDIES FOR TECHNOLOGY & TEACHER WORKLOADS
Our Union supported legislation which seeks to support healthy student learning environments and sustainable workloads for teachers and educators.
House Memorial 2 seeks to study student screen time use in elementary classrooms,
specifically taking purposeful and equitable technology use. House Memorial 47 will study teacher workload and structure of the instructional day to promote high-quality instruction
and teacher effectiveness.
FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
Our Union fought for and won continued budgetary funding for important educational initiatives and programs including:
Universal free meals for students, school leader professional development,
National Board Certified Teacher candidate scholarships, instructional materials, teacher mentorship, CTE
programs, and community school programs, student attendance support interventions, support for
unhoused students, dual-credit programs for students, and teacher loan repayment programs.
bottom of page