Albuquerque city councilors are proposing to increase the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, aiming to address affordability challenges for residents. The proposal would raise Albuquerque’s minimum wage from $12 to $15 starting next January if passed. In Santa Fe, the minimum wage is currently $15.40, and in Las Cruces, it is $13.01. If the ordinance is approved, future adjustments to the minimum wage would be determined using a consumer price index average to decide whether it increases or remains the same. Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn emphasized the financial difficulties faced by workers in Albuquerque. “It’s just not affordable here in Albuquerque. Our average worker makes 20% lower than the national average, but our rents are 25% higher than the national average. So that’s quite a disparity,” Fiebelkorn said. She continued, “When you’re paying your workers a very, very small amount of money, like $12 an hour, the rest of us, taxpayers, are picking up the extra costs. We’re paying for the healthcare for folks that can’t afford it. We’re paying for meal programs because there are people working full-time jobs that can’t afford food for their families.” The City Council is expected to vote on the proposal on Monday.
Albuquerque city councilors are proposing to increase the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, aiming to address affordability challenges for residents.
The proposal would raise Albuquerque’s minimum wage from $12 to $15 starting next January if passed. In Santa Fe, the minimum wage is currently $15.40, and in Las Cruces, it is $13.01. If the ordinance is approved, future adjustments to the minimum wage would be determined using a consumer price index average to decide whether it increases or remains the same.
Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn emphasized the financial difficulties faced by workers in Albuquerque.
“It’s just not affordable here in Albuquerque. Our average worker makes 20% lower than the national average, but our rents are 25% higher than the national average. So that’s quite a disparity,” Fiebelkorn said.
She continued, “When you’re paying your workers a very, very small amount of money, like $12 an hour, the rest of us, taxpayers, are picking up the extra costs. We’re paying for the healthcare for folks that can’t afford it. We’re paying for meal programs because there are people working full-time jobs that can’t afford food for their families.”
The City Council is expected to vote on the proposal on Monday.
