Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the U.S. Department of Education is releasing $19.12 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"In these difficult economic times, we must do whatever we can to prevent cuts to school budgets. This funding will allow New Mexico to give school districts the support they badly need," Bingaman said.

"This announcement means that New Mexico's Education Department will be well-funded to fill educational funding gaps," said Udall. "This Recovery funding will be distributed with flexibility to help improve schools, infrastructure, public safety and much more."

Funds are part of the ARRA’s State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF), which is intended to boost a state’s education budgets, and can be used for education, school modernization, public safety, or other government services.

The funding awarded today is in addition to $213 million that was released last month.  New Mexico is slated to receive an additional $105 million in the fall.