New Mexico weighs $15/hour minimum for state workers
SANTA FE – Momentum appears to be building behind proposals to lift minimum pay in New Mexico state government to $15 an hour for at least 1,200 public workers who make less than that, amid a state budget surplus and national trends toward higher wages.
State Personnel Office Director Ricky Serna confirmed Friday that efforts are underway to increase bottom-tier salaries and boost overall state government payroll for rank-and-file employees at executive agencies. His agency oversees compensation guidelines for nearly 17,000 employees at executive agencies, with an $870 million annual payroll.
At a legislative hearing in late October, Serna outlined preliminary targets, including a $15-per-hour minimum and a 7% increase in annual payroll. Those estimates are for pay at executive agencies overseen by the governor and such other elected officials as the state attorney general, auditor and treasurer.
The $10.50 statewide minimum wage for all sectors of the economy steps up to $11.50 on Jan. 1, 2022.
Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/2444785/nm-weighs-15hour-min-for-state-workers-ex-all-sectors-going-to-1150-from-1050.html