Vote yes for Constitutional Amendment 1 to support our kids

As New Mexicans, we already know how beautiful and great the Land of Enchantment really is — from our rich history and cultural traditions to our people and communities. That greatness and potential is often overshadowed by newspaper headlines. New Mexico remains at the bottom of all of the lists indicating economic prosperity and wellbeing, especially for our youngest children. Meanwhile, the state sits on one of the richest permanent funds in the country. This November, voters have the opportunity to approve Constitutional Amendment 1, which would bring real, substantial change and level the playing field for hardworking New Mexico families, giving all of our kids — regardless of family income — a fair shot.

New Mexico’s Permanent School Fund is currently valued at $26 billion and continues to grow in spite of volatile economic conditions and fluctuation in the federal and global markets. If approved, the Vote YES For Kids! Constitutional Amendment 1 would allocate roughly $250 million from the fund every year to early childhood and public education to improve educational outcomes for our children where they need it most. This represents less than 1 percent of the total permanent fund, but would make an enormous difference as a long-term investment in our children.

Vote YES For Kids! will also create thousands of well-paying jobs for early childhood educators. After years of earning poverty wages, it’s time that the people caring for our children are paid what they deserve. The fund will continue growing and our children will get the education they need to provide even more for our state without raising taxes on anyone.

This money belongs to the hard-working people of New Mexico, and it is incumbent upon us to take a small amount of these profits and invest in our children and in a new and brighter future. More specifically, this funding will be an investment in the future of Taos. As a local elected official, but more importantly, as a partner of an educator and father of school-aged children, I am thrilled to throw my full support in Vote YES For Kids! and the future of our state. I hope you will join me in voting yes to approve Constitutional Amendment 1 on Nov. 8.

Darien Fernandez is a Town of Taos councilor.