Once again, some in Santa Fe need a math lesson.
New Mexico’s classrooms are at risk of losing $125 million in funding—not because of budget cuts, but because lawmakers are determined to push an expensive agenda at the expense of students. House Bill 32 proposes spending that money on electric school buses, a costly and unnecessary move that diverts resources from where they are truly needed: the classroom.
The reality is simple—if electric school buses were truly the superior choice, this bill wouldn’t be necessary. School districts would be making the switch voluntarily, driven by cost savings and efficiency. Instead, the state is trying to force this transition with taxpayer money, leaving schools with fewer resources for teachers, supplies, and infrastructure.
The financial burden is staggering. According to the bill’s fiscal impact report, electric school buses cost nearly three times as much as traditional diesel models. That means for every electric bus purchased, we could have bought three diesel buses, transported more students, and put the leftover money toward improving education. Instead, the state wants to overpay for an inferior product that may not even last as long.
This isn’t just theoretical—New Mexico has already made an expensive mistake by buying an "electric" fire truck that turned out to be a hybrid with a diesel engine as a backup. Despite its high cost, it doesn’t save money, and it’s less effective than its traditional counterparts. If we repeat this mistake with school buses, we’ll end up with the same problem: vehicles that cost too much, don’t perform as needed, and leave taxpayers footing the bill.
Proponents of HB 32 argue that electric buses are better for the environment. But even if we accept that argument, shouldn’t we prioritize practical solutions that don’t drain education funding? Schools across the state are struggling with teacher shortages, outdated textbooks, and crumbling infrastructure. Yet instead of addressing these pressing concerns, the state is prioritizing expensive, unproven technology that districts would never choose on their own.
Ultimately, HB 32 is a bad deal for students, teachers, and taxpayers. Overpaying for an inferior product is a terrible lesson to teach our children, and it’s an even worse way to run a state budget. New Mexico’s students deserve better.
Lawmakers should reject this bill and put that $125 million back where it belongs—in the classroom.
Rebecca Dow is the current representative for New Mexico’s House District 38, proudly serving Doña Ana, Sierra, and Socorro counties. A passionate advocate for education and strong New Mexico families, she has dedicated her career to expanding access to quality early childhood programs and championing policies that empower parents and communities to thrive."
