PED Continues to Move the Goal Posts at the 11th Hour

Albuquerque, November 11--The Republican Party of New Mexico condemns PED for suddenly placing a short time limit for public testimony tomorrow on its proposed social studies standards. This last-minute maneuver is a deliberate attempt to prevent a healthy discussion and to stifle opposition to the plan.

Late this afternoon, officials decided that tomorrow members of the public would be allowed to speak only 3 minutes at the critical social studies hearing.

That limited time is absurd, considering the complexity and importance of the issue. People will now be testifying on a 122-page document for 3 minutes. That's hardly enough time to make important points on the PED proposal.

First, PED wanted a two hour in-person public hearing. RPNM believed such a short time was unfair, given people from around the state would be commenting on such a complex and detailed plan.

While RPNM believed a daylong hearing was more appropriate, it asked PED for five hours.

Hours after that request, PED killed the in-person public comment period completely and decided the testimony would be heard via Zoom. The hearing is set for tomorrow from 1-5pm.

Now, in the eleventh hour, we learn PED is limiting testimony online to 3 minutes! With such a time constraint, New Mexicans will have to make one or possibly two quick points.

"This last-minute time restriction is stifling any meaningful input by New Mexicans on an important issue," said RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce. "People are being denied the right to be heard, and the PED's motives are clear. The Administration has tunnel vision and won't listen to opposition. Education leaders want to force these radical ideas to be taught in our classrooms. If time runs short, PED would even limit testimony to 1 minute!"

The proposed curricula changes have raised serious concerns across the state. It includes progressive and biased teachings, and there's great concern that Critical Race Theory will become a staple in public education classrooms.

CRT is of particular concern:
Government should not be indoctrinating students.
Government should not bring politics in the classroom.
CRT teaches K-12 students that our country is bad. That should not be in our classrooms.

Once again New Mexico's executive branch is deciding what's best for New Mexicans and their children without allowing a free and healthy discussion. This authoritarian attitude cannot be tolerated.
The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairman, former NM Congressman Steve Pearce, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662.