On Monday, the New Mexico House Commerce and Economic Development Committee voted 6-4 to table H.B. 28, a bill by Rep. Miguel Garcia (D-Albuquerque) to increase the minimum wage by tying it to the Consumer Price Index, an inflation calculator.
Two Democrats joined all the Republicans on the panel in tabling the bill.
The move likely spells doom for another bill by Rep.Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), H.B. 25, which would dive up the minimum wage to $15.50 by January 1, 2025.
Garcia described his bill as “dead.”
Following the meeting, Chandler told the Santa Fe New Mexican, “I still think we need to increase the minimum wage and apply the [consumer price index],” claiming she feels “pretty good” about her bill’s chances of passage.
Chandler’s bill reads, “On January 1, 2026 and on January 1 of each successive year, the minimum wage rate provided by Paragraph (4) of Subsection A and Paragraph (5) of Subsection C of this section shall be adjusted by multiplying the minimum wage as of January 1, 2025 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the consumer price index ending in September of the previous year and the denominator of which is the consumer price index ending September 2024; provided that the minimum wage rate shall not be adjusted downward as a result of a decrease in the consumer price index. By November 1, 2025 and by November 1 of each successive year, the workforce solutions department shall post on its website and otherwise notify employers of the minimum wage for the next year.”
Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe) said, “Minimum wage shouldn’t be determined by a legislative body.”
Now, as the committee moves to consider Chandler’s bill, hesitancy by a majority of the panel’s members could mean it will meet a similar fate.
Economics 101 – Continual raising of the minimum wage is like being on a treadmill! Prices ALWAYS go up, negating the rise in a minimum wage. Experience, education, hard work is how one EARNS higher wages.
Having a minimum wage is good, keeping unscrupulous people honest, But, the formula has to reflect both the economy and working conditions as well as location. Going to take bi partisan common sense at the local level not a “one size fits all” legislation.
I actually agree with a Democrat, that the minimum wage should not be regulated.
Brenda is absolutely right about the negative impact of raising the minimum wage. As a retired owner/manager of restaurants and lounges, I can attest that every time the minimum wage was raised, I had no choice but to raise my menu/drink prices and in some cases, reduce the hours that some of my employees would work.
The current minimum wage law is already tied to increase each year according to CPI. This new bill is pointless.
It’s being done to kill businesses and make everyone dependent on the government.
Raising the minimum wage is not a cure to raise peoples stature. What it actually does is lower the middle class stature. I heard a working man say that if he works another 20 years he will eventually get to minimum wage. He apparently has been at his job 22 years already!!
Why are we not collectively pushing education instead of constantly hammering at the minimum wage? The majority of minimum wage jobs have historically been held by kids wanting to get job experience, SAH moms looking for something to do while the kids or at school or by retirees. But now, you have people using minimum wage jobs as careers. That’s your right…but it’s not the employer’s job to them provide you with what you feel is a “living wage.” If they are forced to, then cost of goods and services will go up and we will be again having this conversation.
If you want to earn more than minimum wage, develop more than minimum wage skills, decide to work more than one job or start your own business. There is a percentage of the population who wanted the “free” college and training bills to pass. They did, and now our taxes fund them. Okay, then. Start using your free college and get yourself some wage earning skills.