SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is looking at the possibility of providing pay increases for certain public safety positions in state government agencies that have high vacancy rates. Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell says positions being considered for possible pay increases include child-protection caseworkers, police officers, corrections officers and juvenile justice workers.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Democratic Rep. Luciano “Lucky'' Varela of Santa Fe wrote Martinez on Friday. Varela asked Martinez to fill vacancies in the Protective Services and Juvenile Justice Services divisions of the state Children, Youth and Families Department.
Varela said high vacancy rates in positions protecting atisk children contribute to staff burnout that creates still more vacancies.
