State Rep. Rebecca Dow said the opportunity for students and parents to have a choice and control over their children's education is “unprecedented” in New Mexico, as the system ties dollars to facilities and unions typically “run” the show, opposing charter schools and public school choices. Dow was a guest on a recent episode of the Tipping Point New Mexico podcast.
"If you want to call something unprecedented in New Mexico, the opportunity for any student or parent to have a choice and be in charge of their kids' education is pretty unprecedented," said Dow on the Tipping Point New Mexico podcast. “That's because we tie dollars to facilities, and the union usually runs the show.”
“The unions and trial lawyers absolutely oppose it; they are tied to a facility and really institutionalized, running the show and not wanting to give up control,” said Dow. “Even when students are thriving in charter schools, they try to put moratoriums on them because charter schools aren't unionized. Even when a public school choice is available, they oppose it.”
This edition of the podcast features Representative Rebecca Dow discussing key legislation at the 2025 New Mexico legislative session, including paid family leave and education reforms. She addresses challenges related to school choice, transparency, and the influence of special interest groups.
Dow represents Grant, Hidalgo, and Sierra counties as a Republican politician. She previously served as a state representative before reclaiming her seat in House District 38 in 2024. She has a background in education, having founded AppleTree Educational Center in Sierra County, which provides early childhood education, PreK, a private K-12 school, service learning, college and career preparation, and family support. She has worked to ensure schools receive funding based on their specific needs and has introduced bills to improve the understanding of how school funding is used.
Tipping Point New Mexico is a podcast hosted by Paul Gessing and Wally Drangmeister of the Rio Grande Foundation, focusing on public policy issues in New Mexico. The podcast is a project of the Rio Grande Foundation.
This full episode is available on the Tipping Point New Mexico website and YouTube.
