The Second Session of the 57th Legislature

January 2-16, 2026: Legislation may be prefiled
January 20: Opening day (noon)
February 4: Deadline for introduction
February 19: Session ends (noon)
March 11: Legislation not acted upon by governor is pocket vetoed
May 20: Effective date of legislation not a general appropriation bill or a bill carrying an emergency clause or other specified date

BlueSky Profile

Senate Passes Minimum Wage Constitutional Amendment

Senate News & Op-Eds

Contact: Erika Martinez

(505)986-4263

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2014

Senate Passes Minimum Wage Constitutional Amendment

Santa Fe, NM – In a 24-17 vote, Senate Joint Resolution 13 (SJR 13), which proposes a constitutional amendment to raise the minimum wage in New Mexico, has passed the Senate. The resolution will now be making its way to the House Floor.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Richard C. Martinez (D-5- Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval & Santa Fe) says he couldn’t be happier that his fellow senators recognized the importance this resolution carries.

“Raising minimum wage is the right thing to do and passing this resolution is a great thing for the people of New Mexico who will be positively affected,” said Sen. Martinez. “It’s about helping the working families of New Mexico.”

The resolution would raise minimum wage at a level tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) dating back to 2009. If passed, the measure would be put on the ballot for voters to decide at the next general election in November. If adjusted today using the annual CPI back to 2009, the minimum wage would be adjusted from the current statewide $7.50 to an estimated $8.20 or $8.30.

Concerns on the floor were expressed as opponents of the resolution stated they were in fear that small business owners would be negatively affected because a hike would mean forces funds cuts to employee benefits and hours. But, at a press conference earlier this week, Santa Fe small business owner Julia Castro, who pays her staff more than minimum wage, said doing so has not hurt her business, but in fact has improved it. “It (higher pay) improves their quality of life and morale of my staff…and also prevents high turnover,” Castro said. Albuquerque restaurant server Israel Chavez also spoke at the press conference, saying he benefitted when Albuquerque residents voted to raise the minimum wage. However, he said he knows people in other parts of the state who are still working at the entry-level wage and have been denied salary increases while raising families.

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