Governor Richardson Announces "Year of the Child Legislative" Agenda in Farmington

Governor Richardson Announces "Year of the Child Legislative" Agenda in Farmington

Governor Bill Richardson today visited the Farmington Boys and Girls Club and spoke about his "Year of the Child" legislative agenda designed to give children constructive after school activities, as well as to protect children from the dangers of methamphetamine, sex offenders and child abuse.

"We need to focus on education and prevention," Governor Richardson said. "That's exactly what's happening here at the Boys & Girls Club, with the focus on fighting obesity, keeping kids busy after school and strengthening families."

Governor Richardson's Keeping Kids Safe agenda announced today also includes:

œ Providing After School and Summer Programs Governor Richardson's budget will include $1.2 million for after school and summer literacy programs. These programs give children constructive activities that will help keep them out of trouble when they're not in school.

œ Raising Teacher Pay Governor Richardson is seeking a $109 million salary package that includes 6 percent pay raises for all New Mexico teachers. All other school district personnel would get 4 percent raises. The investment is designed to help schools continue to recruit and retain high-quality teachers in the classroom.

œ Keeping Kids Healthy Governor Richardson wants to remove all junk food vending out of elementary schools. His plan also calls to enact sensible rules to eliminate all carbonated drinks from middle schools and mandate that middle and high school vending machines only carry healthy snacks. To track the progress of this initiative the state will compile a "Healthy Kids Report Card." This will be shared with the public every year and will include information on school vending choices and lists of New Mexico's 10 healthiest and unhealthiest schools. The Governor also plans to get every kid in every elementary
school access to physical education and a healthy breakfast. His proposed budget will include $7.8 million to hire 200 new physical education teachers for elementary schools. In addition, $4.2 million will be allocated to meet the goal of a healthy breakfast for every elementary school student.

œ Protecting Children and Families from Meth This include increasing the penalty for the sale of meth, or possession of meth with the intent to sell, to The same criminal level as heroin and cocaine, fixing the glitch in drug free school zone laws which
excludes meth for an enhanced sentence, and creating a state wide registry of "meth affected properties" so that home buyers are not unknowingly endangering their families by residing in contaminated homes that were previously used as meth labs.

œ Tougher Penalties for Sex Offenders This includes creating a special designation for the most heinous sex crimes against children, life in prison without the possibility of parole, even for a first time offender, in special circumstances.

œ Working to Prevent Child Abuse by expanding the Home Visiting Program administered through the Children, Youth, and Families Department. The Governor's proposal will increase funding to the program by $500,000 allowing it to expand to four additional counties in the Four Corners area and eastern New Mexico. This program gives new parents access to professionals who can provide advice and counseling on prenatal care for the mother, how to care for newborns, and post-natal healthcare for mothers and infants. Home visitors are also able to detect any developmental problems or issues with family violence early on so the family can get appropriate services right away.

œ Keeping Kids Out of Gangs Governor Richardson will introduce two bills during the next legislative session in January designed to reduce the ability of gangs to function. They were introduced in this year's session but ran out of time. The first will enhance the sentences of anyone convicted of crimes committed to further gang activity, such as murder, burglary, or assault, and the second will toughen penalties for recruiting minors into gangs.

"This is just the beginning," said Governor Richardson. "Only by working together to punish criminals, support families, and give our children reasonable options for after school activities can we truly keep our keep our kids safe and continue to build the New Mexico of the future."

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press/2005/nov/111705_2.pdf