Daily Lobo 1/23/20

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Daily Lobo new mexico

The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895

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Thursday, Januar y 23, 2020 | Vo l u m e 1 2 4 | I s s u e 3 6

Gov talks pot, free college at state address By Lissa Knudsen & Justin Garcia Lissa Knudsen @Just516garc SANTA FE — Weed and school, that was New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s focus during her second State of the State address at the second onset of New Mexico’s 54th Legislature on Jan. 21. Speaking to a joint legislative session, Lujan Grisham outlined her legislative priorities — from the legalization of cannabis to teacher pay raises a hard stance on crime and making college free for New Mexico residents — promising a busy 30-day session in 2020. “As we open this 30-day session, I challenge you to think beyond the 30 days. Think beyond even this year,” Lujan Grisham said during the speech. “We stand together in the sunrise of a new decade. What we do here in this session, in this coming year, will set the course for what comes over the horizon in 2030 and beyond.” Opportunity scholarship: free college for New Mexico residents “(The Opportunity Scholarship) is a prudent, sustainable investment in the bridge we must build between our classrooms and our workforce. We have the power to

Justin Garcia / @Just516garc / Daily Lobo

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham giving her second State of the State Address to a joint session of the New Mexico Legislature. In addition to cannabis legalization and free college, Lujan Grisham took a hardline stance on crime and promised another pay raise for teachers.

make tuition-free higher education a reality, benefiting an astounding 55,000 New Mexico students this fall,” Lujan Grisham said. Lujan Grisham’s Sep. 2019 announcement that she would pursue the creation of an additional statesponsored scholarship has been met with praise from University student-leaders and skepticism from some lawmakers. As of the publication of this ar-

ticle, the proposed Opportunity Scholarship would allocate $35 million to 55,000 students across New Mexico. The scholarship would cover the remaining cost of attendance after other funds, such as the lottery scholarship and pell grants, were accessed. Lawmaker skepticism revolved around the proposal’s effectiveness and it’s method of funding. A Legislative Finance Committee

Lobos bounce back, still undefeated at home By Joe Rull

(LFC) report said the scholarship’s cost would be $49 million, a 40% increase from the governor’s proposal. The LFC report also said that the money could be better spent elsewhere. New Mexico has the third-highest rate of loan default, according to the U.S. Department of Education, only Nevada and Mississippi have higher rates. Nearly 50%of 2018 New Mexico college gradu-

By Alyssa Martinez

THE PIT — If ever the Lobos men’s basketball team needed a morale-boosting win, Tuesday night’s home tilt against San José State was it. After consecutive crushing, nationally-televised defeats at Colorado State (a 33-point loss) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (a 21-point loss) following star center Carlton Bragg’s removal and amidst a pending lawsuit against the University of New Mexico by suspended point guard JJ Caldwell, head coach Paul Weir’s team looked to be in a midseason tailspin. Add to the mix injuries sidelining lead guards JaQuan Lyle and Vance Jackson, and Tuesday night’s matchup against San José — who handed UNM their first conference loss of the season on New Year’s Day — could have spelled disaster for a Lobos team which hasn’t been able to get out of its own way of late. So how did they respond, down four starters and with their undefeated home record at stake? With an assertive 86-59 victory in what may very well have been the team’s best two-way performance all season. The game’s first four possessions

The 54th New Mexican legislature is underway in Santa Fe, and the University of New Mexico students will take the northern trek to the Roundhouse on Jan. 27 to discuss all things Lobo for the annual UNM Day. During UNM Day, representatives for the University will lobby, speak and table advocating for UNM related initiatives. UNM Day traditionally has had a focus on changes to the Lottery Scholarship — which funds around 60 to 75% of eligible students’ tuition. Unlike years past, students will not just be fighting for a portion of their tuition to be covered, but rather all of it. Rather, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposed “Opportunity Scholarship” would nearly make college free for eligible state residents, as previously reported by the Daily Lobo. Though the details are blurry, the qualifications for the Opportunity Scholarship would mirror that of the Lottery Scholarship. What is predicted to be different — aside from the funding itself — are the strings attached to the scholarship for New Mexican universities. A proposed Memorandum of Understanding would limit how

shed light on what was to come before a reported crowd of 10,016 at the Pit. UNM’s customary slow start was thrown by the wayside, with the Lobos scoring on their first two trips on the offensive end while forcing two turnovers in the opening moments. UNM’s alternating defensive looks swarmed Spartan ball handlers all night, giving up a season-best 27% (17-for-63) shooting while forcing 14 turnovers. SJSU’s Richard Washington, author of the Spartans’ late-game heroics in their Jan. 1 upset of UNM

in California, was held to just 3 points on the night, while just one Spartan reached double figures: Seneca Knight with 11 points. After a two-game skid wherein UNM was out-rebounded by a margin of 14 boards in each contest, the Lobos were able to pull even with SJSU in the rebounding column (37-36), a goal Weir made sure to emphasize going into Tuesday night’s matchup. “I told them if we get even on the glass (with) less than 12 turnovers,

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UNM Day at Roundhouse approaches @amart447

Sharon Chischilly / @Schischillyy / Daily Lobo

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NM LEGISLATURE:

@rulljoe

New Mexico Lobos trounced San Jose State on Tuesday at Dreamstyle Arena. Final score:86-59.

ates had an average student loan debt of $22,000, the second-lowest in the nation, according to a 2019 study by the Institute of College Access and Success. As of the publication of this article, no legislation for the Opportunity Scholarship had been proposed.

much money universities could raise tuition upon implementation of the scholarship, among other requirements. If passed, New Mexico would become the second state to have free higher education. For employed Lobos, HB 82 would affect pay by increasing the minimum wage rate annually proportionate to the cost of living starting in 2025 and would repeal Section 50-4-23 NMSA 1978, which allows reduced minimum wage for people with disabilities. An average one-bedroom apartment in the Albuquerque metro is about $711 a month, according to Best Places cost of living calculator. Another timely UNM related bill (SB 56) would provide funding for “mental and behavioral health services” for student-athletes. This comes in light of the death of UNM student and football player Nahje Flowers last fall for mental healthrelated causes. The Daily Lobo reached out to Associated Students of UNM Governmental Affairs Director Adrian Schmitt for comment on ASUNM’s plan for the event. However, Schmitt did not respond to the Daily Lobo’s request for comment. Alyssa Martinez is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @amart447

Garcia: Youth organization holds climate protest at Roundhouse

HIETT & MARTINEZ: ASUNM appoints vice chairs NISOLI: NM Mother of the Year recognized for giving back GUNN & POMPEO: Lobos drop two straight, continue inconsistent play

See photo story on the Daily Lobo website


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