Santa Fe, NM — Today, the Senate Education Committee was presented with Senate Bill 286, the "Education Freedom Account Act." This proposal, sponsored by all sixteen Republican Senators, would have granted underprivileged students the opportunity to attend an educational institution that would best suit their needs. (Eligibility would have been available to students in households with incomes at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Rates or roughly $60,000 annually for a family of four.)
Unfortunately, the Democrat committee members unanimously voted to table this measure.
Primary sponsor and former school board member, Senator Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) has issued the following statement:
"I am disappointed with today's outcome regarding SB 286." The Senator further explained, "Opportunities such as these have the capability to dramatically change people's lives; our students should never be denied educational opportunities based on their families' income level or the zip code they happen to live in. We have an educational crisis in New Mexico and innovative ideas such as this one are continually met with fierce opposition from legislators on the other side of the aisle. Until that changes, I am fearful our continued lack of educational success in the state will never improve."
