HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 13

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Patricio Ruiloba

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE HIGHER EDUCATION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS TO COOPERATE IN A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AT PUBLIC POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS WHO MENTOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

     WHEREAS, higher education costs continue to escalate, even though wages are stagnant and the economy is recovering at a glacial pace in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, society does its college students a grave disservice when students are required to carry crippling debt after finishing their education; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government has a program that allows for loan forgiveness for college graduates who work in public service; and

     WHEREAS, the state should investigate the efficacy of such a program at New Mexico's public post-secondary educational institutions; and

     WHEREAS, there are public services that students could provide during their college years that would lower their upon-graduation debt; and

     WHEREAS, one significant contribution that college students make is to provide tutoring and mentorship for kindergarten through eighth grades, particularly for students who struggle with core subjects;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the higher education and public education departments be requested to study the feasibility of implementing a student loan forgiveness program at public post-secondary educational institutions in which qualified college students tutor and mentor kindergarten through eighth grade students who need extra help to achieve academic success; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments report their findings and recommendations to the governor, the legislative education study committee and the legislative finance committee and that a copy be filed with the legislative council service library; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of higher education and public education and the directors of the legislative education study committee and the legislative finance committee.

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