SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday issued the following statement after her proposal to ensure tuition-free higher education in New Mexico, the Opportunity Scholarship, was approved on a bipartisan vote by the House Education Committee:

“I’m glad to see the House Education Committee recognize the importance of expanding access to higher education for New Mexicans and vote to support the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. We are on our way. I was gratified to see an overwhelming show of support for the legislation in the hearing – it’s clear that educators, families and students across the state want tuition-free college, and I’m confident we are going to deliver.”

Sponsored by Rep. Tomás Salazar, House Bill 14 next moves to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. A Senate version of the bill introduced by Sen. Bill O’Neill, Senate Bill 323, is expected to be heard by the Senate Education Committee this week.

Supporters of the Opportunity Scholarship include the Council of University Presidents, the New Mexico Association of Community Colleges, and the New Mexico Independent Community Colleges.