In January, the state’s minimum wage will rise to $6.50 per hour. A year after that, it will be $7.50.
During a brief appearance in Santa Fe between presidential campaign trips, Gov. Bill Richardson signed a bill today that raises the minimum wage. Senate Bill 324, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City, 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.
The bill was a compromise between the House and Senate that followed two years of hard-fought battles over differences in the details of raising the minimum wage.
During a news conference on Saturday, following the conclusion of the regular session, Richardson called the wage increase the “crown jewel” of the session.
In January, the state’s minimum wage will rise to $6.50 per hour. A year after that, it will be $7.50. 
The bill was a compromise between the House and Senate that followed two years of hard-fought battles over differences in the details of raising the minimum wage.