Student leaders decry partisan role in funds

Gov.: Proposed tax rises forced her hand

Student government leaders at six New Mexico universities say elected officials have put “politics in front of the success of New Mexico students” after Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed higher education spending amid a budget fight with lawmakers.

In a joint statement, the student government presidents urged Martinez and the Legislature to work together to allocate resources following the governor’s April 7 veto — one that eliminated $745 million in Legislature-approved fiscal year 2018 funding for public colleges and universities.

The Republican governor and Democrat-controlled Legislature have clashed over the budget, with Martinez also vetoing $350 million in proposed tax and fee increases. Those increases “forced” Martinez into the higher education veto, her spokesman said in a written statement, adding that funding “will be fully restored during the special session.”

But Martinez has not yet called a special session. Lawmakers, meanwhile, have challenged some of her vetoes at the New Mexico Supreme Court.

The students argue higher education is more important than ever and a path toward addressing New Mexico’s challenges.

“We are disappointed in those elected to serve us, as they have allowed such a critical issue to be caught in the middle of partisan political crossfire,” the statement reads in part. “If the Governor truly cared about higher education in this state, she would not leave our higher education institutions and the thousands of students they serve in the dark about their anticipated budgets for the next year. We find it disappointing that politics are being put in front of the success of New Mexico students.”

It was signed by Kyle Biederwolf, University of New Mexico; Matt Bose, New Mexico State University; Gabriel Montoya, New Mexico Tech; Julian Padilla, New Mexico Highlands University; Claudia Osuna Ochoa, Western New Mexico University; and Joshua Alvarez, Eastern New Mexico University.

The governor’s spokesman said in a written statement that Martinez “was forced into this position” because of lawmakers’ tax increase proposal, but that higher education funding would get restored during a special session.