SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson is using $2 million in federal economic stimulus money to help protect New Mexico teachers and school employees from health insurance premium increases.
The governor announced Monday that he's also providing $500,000 in federal aid for professional development of educational assistants in Albuquerque Public Schools.
Richardson said the $2 million will offset insurance premium increases for about 33,000 school workers and save them an average of 2 percent in the current school year. Employees are not eligible for the assistance if 80 percent of their premiums are paid by their employer.
The money is from a $58 million pool of economic stimulus aid provided to the governor, which can be used at his discretion.
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