Taylor Velazquez

1 week ago | kunm.org | Taylor Velazquez

New Mexico is one of two states in the nation that charges a gross receipts tax on medical services. But Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has vetoed a bill that would have changed that. This comes as the state experiences a chronic shortage of health care professionals, some of whom criticize the cost of practicing medicine here. House Bill 14 proposed to eliminate the gross receipts tax on medical services. Currently, many providers are on the hook to pay the full 8%, where Hawaii caps its tax at 4.7%.

2 weeks ago | kunm.org | Taylor Velazquez

As new numbers indicate that New Mexico fourth and eighth graders have the lowest reading scores in the nation, state education agencies announced they will host the second annual free Summer Reading Program beginning in June to try and curb summer reading loss. The Public Education Department recently released its NM Vistas Report Card that shows only 39% of students are proficient in reading.

4 weeks ago | kunm.org | Taylor Velazquez

Nava is one of six female legislators across the country nominated for the Gabby Giffords Rising Star Award, making her the first woman in New Mexico to be up for the honor. Nava won her Senate seat last November, against Republican Audrey Trujillo, making her one of the first former DACA recipients to win elected office. She’s one of the youngest lawmakers in the Roundhouse and said people have questioned her experience, but that has been a driving force in her political career.

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Taylor Velazquez

Albuquerque Public Schools is changing how it allocates federal funds designed to help ensure an equitable education for students living in poverty. It means some schools in APS will see less funding from the state. APS gets $31 million annually in operational at-risk funds from the state. The way these funds are allocated will change in the next school year to a four-tiered system that considers enrollment, poverty, and English language learners.

1 month ago | kunm.org | Taylor Velazquez

Albuquerque Public Schools is changing how it allocates federal funds designed to help ensure an equitable education for students living in poverty. It means some schools in APS will see less funding from the state. APS gets $31 million annually in operational at-risk funds from the state. The way these funds are allocated will change in the next school year to a four-tiered system that considers enrollment, poverty, and English language learners.