Minimum wage headed to governor for signature

A compromise on raising the state’s minimum wage is now headed to the governor for signature.

On a vote of 22-20, the Senate concurred today with changes the House made several days ago.

“This is a great day for working New Mexico families,” Gov. Bill Richardson said. “Raising the minimum wage is the crown jewel of our legislative agenda. Combined, this wage increase and the $52 million in tax cuts that I signed into law today are a major victory for working New Mexicans.”

Senate Bill 324, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City, raises the minimum wage to $6.50 per hour in January 2008 and $7.50 per hour a year after that. It does not allow automatic cost-of-living increases and exempts agricultural workers. It prevents cities and counties that haven’t already raised their minimum wages above the state’s from doing so until 2010.

Update, 8:20 p.m.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish had this to say:

“In his Inaugural address, Governor Richardson put a verbal exclamation point on his insistence that the Legislature pass a bill to increase minimum wage this session, and I applaud Senate President Pro Tem Altamirano and House Speaker Lujan, along with legislators from both sides of the aisle, for doing just that,” she said. “I’m proud to be part of an administration that puts an emphasis on and is willing to invest in social capital – the people of New Mexico who deserve more equitable pay for a hard day’s work.”