Members of the U.S. House of Representatives interrupted their summer recess for a special one-day session on Aug. 10 to pass a $26 billion funding package that will save thousands of educators' jobs and help states maintain vital public services. The 247-161 vote in the House, along with last week's vote in the Senate, is "the ultimate indication of who's for kids and who isn't," says AFT president Randi Weingarten.

As an AFT member and through involvement in your local union, you have an advantage. You have the power to bargain; the power to negotiate; and the power to change things, win improvements, and achieve goals that matter to you and to the people you serve.

Your advantage also comes with the purchasing power of more than 1.4 million members nationwide. Together, we can access a wide array of high-quality programs and services. We want to know what you think about your member benefits. Please take the survey now by clicking here.

A scientific poll of 400 registered voters randomly selected from across New Mexico reveals what voters want their state lawmakers to do to balance the budget deficit:

 

• 88% say do not cut education.
• 70-49% say do raise new revenues.
• 43% say they're less likely to vote for lawmakers who cut education.

State lawmakers and the governor have made huge cuts to public education. Those cuts have consequences. Education cuts mean program cuts for kids, overcrowded classrooms, pay cuts, job layoffs, and furloughs, and more. Now lawmakers and governor say they will cut more. School employees, parents, and voters are fighting back on education cuts. We've had enough. Register for GET ACTIVE now. We will send you updates on our campaign, what we are doing to fight back, and how you can help.   CLICK HERE NOW TO REGISTER FOR GET ACTIVE!

By joining AFT New Mexico, you are joining a force of over 8,000 other school professionals who together, have the power to bargain for better wages and working conditions in your school district. Read more on how to join.

Click here to view an Excel document worksheet containing your state senator & Representative's email addresses for the Special Session.

New Mexicans have been consistent in their views of favoring adequate education funding over spending on tax breaks and abatements. According to voters, cutting education is not ok. Polling results are clear. When New Mexicans are given the choice to fund education and prevent cuts versus keeping tax breaks on the books -  voters overwhelmingly prefer funding education.  Read more.

Now is the time to invest not disinvest in public education and public services. That's not happening in New Mexico. New Mexico lawmakers have cut education funding 10.8%, cut the student unit value $30.00, cut public employees' pay 1.5% for two years and are threatening more cuts in the name of the "economic recession. Who are they kidding? State lawmakers are spending $1 billion a year in massive tax breaks for corporations, tax cuts for the wealthy, and other outright tax giveaways that are taking money away from education and families at a time when we need that revenue the most. 

Adding insult to injury, state lawmakers are not spending President Obama's education stimulus money to backfill education cuts and they keep refusing to repeal massive tax breaks that are hurting education and other public services. 

Our kids and our families come first! Join our campaign to FIGHT BACK!