Early childhood educators urge New Mexico Senate to keep wage increase in budget

Advocates asked New Mexico Senate lawmakers to preserve a $60 million allocation in HB2 to raise wages for early childhood educators, citing costly turnover and disruption for families. The governor's proposal for universal childcare remains unresolved as budget negotiations continue.

Childcare workers and advocacy groups gathered outside the Roundhouse on Feb. 5, 2026, to press the New Mexico Senate to keep wage increases for early childhood educators in the state budget. They urged lawmakers to preserve a $60 million allocation in HB2 for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department to fund wage increases for educators with more qualifications. Speakers said turnover in the field is costly for programs and disruptive for families. The issue is tied to broader budget talks about Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's vision for universal childcare. Key details: - Advocates urged members of the Senate Finance Committee in a letter to support a $60 million allotment in HB2 for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. - The funding pays for a program to increase wages for educators with additional qualifications. - Alei Maxson, director of La Luz Family, said turnover is costly for recruitment, training and the families programs serve. - Magnolia Chavez, who runs a home-licensed care center in Albuquerque, said child care providers have long been poorly paid and that educator instability affects families. - The $11 billion budget bill that advanced out of the House does not fully fund the governor's plan for free universal childcare and includes copays for higher-earning families, which the governor opposes; negotiations remain ongoing. Summary: Advocates say keeping the $60 million wage allotment is intended to reduce staff turnover and support stable care for families. The House version of the budget does not fully implement the governor's universal childcare proposal, and lawmakers continue negotiations over funding and program details.