New Mexico House speaker sets priorities

The top Democrat in the New Mexico House of Representatives is highlighting commitments to public education funding, health care services and environmental protection. House Speaker Brian Egolf released a video on YouTube on Tuesday that acknowledges recent tough economic times in New Mexico and says Democrats are committed to putting more money toward early childhood education and making sure residents have clean air and clean water. The video segment preceded the governor's midday State of the State address that marks the beginning of the 2018 legislative session. Republican and Democratic lawmakers are largely in agreement on the need to increase public school funding as the state emerges from a budget crisis linked to volatility in the oil and natural gas sector. GOP Gov. Susana Martinez is proposing a roughly $70 million increase to public education funding that emphasizes financial incentives for teacher excellence.