Craig Brandt, a New Mexico state senator, said that Senate Democrats rejected Senate Bill 286, which aimed to provide funding to help lower-income students access better educational opportunities. He made the statement in a press release on February 24.
"I am disappointed with today's outcome regarding SB 286," said Brandt. "We have an educational crisis in New Mexico and innovative ideas such as this one are continually met with fierce opposition. I am fearful our continued lack of educational success in the state will never improve."
According to the New Mexico Legislature, Senate Bill 286, known as the "Education Freedom Account Act," was sponsored by all 16 Republican senators. The bill proposed creating Education Freedom Accounts for students from households earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level (about $60,000 annually for a family of four). These accounts would have allowed eligible students to use state-allocated funds for tuition or other educational expenses. However, the Senate Education Committee, led by Democrats, voted to table the bill, preventing it from advancing in the legislative process.
As of 2024, New Mexico ranks 50th in education for the eighth consecutive year. The report notes that 79% of the state's fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and 87% of eighth graders are not proficient in math, both figures worse than the national averages. Despite these challenges, New Mexico saw a slight improvement in high school graduation rates, with 23% of students not graduating on time, according to New Mexico Education reports.
According to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, as of 2023, New Mexico had the second-highest poverty rate in the nation at 17.2%, surpassing the national average of 11.5%. Children were disproportionately affected, with 24.9% of New Mexico's children living in poverty compared to 15.8% nationwide. Additionally, more than 30% of households in the state were considered low-income, earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
Brandt was elected in 2012 and has sponsored 16 laws, including a PE credit law that restores local control. As Senate Minority Whip since 2020, he advocates for education reform, improvements to DUI laws and limited government.
