RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE AND SPEND MORE MONEY ON EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. THOSE ARE TWO RECOMMENDED POLICIES FROM A NEW MEXICO CHILD ADVOCACY GROUP TO HELP KIDS AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES. NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN OUTLINED ITS POLICY AGENDA MONDAY AFTER A NATIONAL SURVEY THIS YEAR RANKED NEW MEXICO THE WORST STATE IN THE NATION FOR CHILD WELL BEING.
THE GROUP SAYS A 10-DOLLAR-10 CENT MINIMUM WAGE WOULD HELP A 5TH OF NEW MEXICO'S KIDS IN LOW INCOME FAMILIES. BUT THE GROUP'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VERONICA GARCIA, SAYS THEY'RE NOT SPECIFYING THE WAGE TO RAISED TO THAT LEVEL … ONLY THAT THE MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE INCREASED. GOVERNOR MARTINEZ THIS YEAR VETOED A BILL TO RAISE THE WAGE FROM 7-50 TO 8-50 AN HOUR.
