HOUSE BILL 266

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Don Tripp

AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION; REQUIRING THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN PROMOTING THE VALUE OF EDUCATION; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE THE VALUE OF EDUCATION.--The public education department shall conduct a campaign promoting and increasing awareness of the value of education. In conducting the campaign, the department shall ensure that the campaign:

          A. promotes the value of education among populations and in areas of New Mexico where evidence indicates that the value of education is disparaged or may not be understood;

          B. demonstrates that not only can education provide better job opportunities and financial success, but that it also expands a person's interests, provides wisdom and enjoyment of life, increases self-esteem and prepares a person to actively participate in a democratic society;

          C. provides evidence that education can help people discover their ethnic and cultural identities and thus make them more confident of themselves in a diverse society;

          D. creates awareness that education is a good way to avoid falling victim to drugs, violence, prison, unemployment and premature parenthood and instead provides people with dignity, success, achievement and higher expectations of themselves; and

          E. reflects a commitment to equal access to education and respect for minority cultures and values.

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2009 to conduct a campaign promoting and increasing awareness of the value of education. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2009 shall revert to the general fund.

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