SANTA FE — New Mexico would establish a $15 hourly minimum wage for state workers and public school employees under a bill approved Friday in the state Senate.
The Senate voted 26-11 to approve the legislation, Senate Bill 7, which now advances to the House.
If ultimately signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the proposal would, starting in July, effect the pay levels of more than 1,600 workers who currently make less than $15 per hour, according to a fiscal analysis of the bill.
Backers of the measure said Friday that setting a $15 per hour minimum wage could help state government and schools recruit and retain new employees.
“Part of the problem is we’re not paying enough,” said Sen. Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez, D-Albuquerque, who also described the proposal as “the right thing to do.”
But eleven Republican senators voted against the measure, with some expressing concern it could exacerbate inflation issues and be more costly than projected.
Funding to cover the pay raises is included in a $8.5 billion budget bill approved last month in the House.
In addition, state workers and teachers would get average 7% salary increases under the budget plan, which would boost state spending to record-high levels amid a revenue windfall driven by oil production in southeast New Mexico.
Meanwhile, the compensation increases in the budget reflect an agreement the Lujan Grisham administration reached with several labor unions who represent state employees.
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