The measure will go before voters next year if the Senate agrees to the plan in the final two weeks of this year’s session that ends on March 18.
DEMOCRAT INTRODUCES BILL THAT WOULD MANDATE POLLING PLACES IN NEVADA JAILS
New Mexico residents may be able to vote on whether New Mexico should strip its status as the only state without a salaried Legislature.
Members of the Legislature now draw per diem payments during legislative sessions and for meetings in the interim, receive mileage reimbursements and can participate in a retirement plan, but they don’t get a year-round salary. Republican Rep. James Townsend of Artesia said lawmakers are "generously gifted with a retirement package."
The Journal said a legislator with 10 years of service could receive about $17,000 a year in retirement, according to an example calculated by the state’s pension system. Participation costs about $600 a year in member contributions.
The legislation debated Saturday wouldn’t set a particular salary, the Journal said, adding that a nine-member citizen commission would instead determine the salaries with the extra pay starting in mid-2026.