ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Criminal penalties are being proposed for violations of Albuquerque's minimum wage law. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Councilor Ken Sanchez wants to make those convicted of violating the law subject to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail. Sanchez says the city hasn't done enough to enforce the wage law approved overwhelmingly by voters last year, but Mayor Richard Berry says the city is enforcing it.
Berry says the city has taken one restaurant to court and ordered two other businesses to pay the higher wage. Berry notes that the criticism is being voiced three weeks before election day.
The new law boosted the minimum wage for most employees to $8.50 an hour from $7.50 an hour.
