A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW VOTERS TO DECIDE OF THE STATE'S MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE INCREASED FAILS PASSAGE IN THE STATE HOUSE. THE VOTE ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CAME UP SHORT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 33-TO-29. IT NEEDED SUPPORT FROM 36 HOUSE MEMBERS. IT WOULD HAVE ADJUSTED THE WAGE FOR INFLATION SINCE 2009, INCREASING IT TO 8-40 AN HOUR IN JULY 2015.
THE MEASURE WAS A TOP PRIORITY FOR DEMOCRATS, WHO SAID IT WOULD HAVE RAISED THE WAGES FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW MEXICO WORKERS. OPPONENTS COUNTERED THAT THE HIGHER WAGE COULD HAVE FORCED BUSINESSES TO REDUCE THEIR WORKFORCE. THEY SAID IT COULD ALSO HAVE LED TO HIGHER PRICES ON GOODS AND SERVICES.
NEW MEXICO'S MINIMUM WAGE HAS BEEN 7-50 AN HOUR SINCE 2009.
