This
is not one of my most eloquent posts, but I must spew forth before I lose my
inspiration.
Recently
the Santa Fe New Mexican posted New
Mexico Governor Susana Martinez’ proposed budget for the huge shortfall our
state will be experiencing in the coming year.
Her failure to attract businesses offering alternative energy jobs, in
favor of keeping incentives for her political cronies’ polluting and
inefficient industries, is greatly responsible for this mess. The article
mentions these; “new solvency measures would shrink overall compensation to
state employees and public school teachers by decreasing government pension
contributions to the state's two main retirement funds by 3.5 percent of
salaries. Government employees would contribute more to maintain the same
benefits, with less take-home pay as a result”(Lee, Morgan with Associated
Press). All of this in an effort to
prevent tax increases. I am always
baffled at the oxymoronic (not sure if it’s a word, but I like it) attempts at
pretending not to increase taxes. Who
does she, or her supporters, think pays her salary or the salary of her
Secretary of Education, Hannah Skandera?
Martinez goes on to say, “This sends a message that it's up to
state government to tighten its own belt — not our hard working families."
What? Exactly to whom are you sending this
message?
No Gov. Martinez, this sends the message that
you don't give a damn that New Mexico’s teachers have not received a raise in
over a decade and every year our paychecks are smaller and smaller meaning we
are paying YOU so WE can KEEP our jobs where we are being asked to do more
and more without any support or compensation. I wonder how many of your
republican cronies would ever be willing to do that? You are a crook and a bully
and no journalism agency or news station is willing to do the research to alert
the rest of the poor struggling WORKING
families in NM. I find it interesting that you didn't include teachers as part
of the “Hard Working Families,” in your state. A single working teacher does
not make enough for housing or food, but just enough not to benefit from any
assistance programs.
I am not going to go on about the decrease in
my paycheck every year due to insurance companies and retirement budget
regulations taking advantage of the one dollar raise increase (Not a
hyperbole!) I receive. These agencies
must sit in a room and wait to hear of the hint of a raise for teachers, then
scurry to increase required contributions.
If I continue on this strand I will wallow in despair. I will let your comments speak for me or to
me.
