Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Salaries topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community Committee hears proposal for citizen commission to set legislative salaries
Summary
Members heard an explanation of SJR 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would appear on the 2028 ballot asking voters to create an independent citizen commission to establish and limit legislative salaries and to permit legislators to receive salaries.
At a meeting of the Community Committee, members heard a presentation on SJR 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would go to voters in 2028 asking them to create an independent citizen commission to set and limit legislative salaries and to allow legislators to receive salaries.
A staff member told the committee SJR 1 would place a constitutional amendment before voters in 2028 to create “an independent citizen commission that would establish and limit legislative salaries,” and to provide for the availability of legislative salaries where the state constitution currently restricts other compensation or allowances.
Dan Worth, a sponsor of the measure, said he had supported the bill previously and argued New Mexico should take the step to authorize salaries for legislators. He said local elected officials, such as city council members, are paid in the “mid-forties” and often receive PERA retirement and health insurance; he said a parallel approach for the Legislature could broaden who is able to serve. “I am happy to be a sponsor of this bill and have been so in the past,” Worth said.
Barbara Califf, speaking for the League of Women Voters of New Mexico, told the committee the league “is in full support of SJR 1 as amended in the Senate Rules Committee.” She urged committee members to vote yes, saying the league favors compensation that is “fair and reasonable” and high enough to attract and retain a diverse group of qualified legislators.
Committee members noted Senator Figueroa has led the measure in the Senate but was not present; no formal vote on the resolution was recorded during the discussion. The proposal, if adopted by the Legislature, would appear on the statewide ballot in 2028 for voter approval.
The discussion consisted of a brief staff overview, remarks from a sponsoring legislator and a support statement from the League of Women Voters; committee members did not take a formal action during the recorded segment.
