State of New Mexico Archives: on Jobs


Heather Wilson: Sequestration would cut 20,000 jobs at N.M. national labs

Wilson said a Heinrich vote last year is endangering 20,000 New Mexico jobs at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. She was referring to last year's deficit-reduction stop-gap agreement--agreed to by both parties--that there will be automatic across-the-board spending cuts, including cuts at the national laboratories. Heinrich didn't dispute the number, but said he is fighting to stop the automatic "sequestration" cuts and fighting to keep those jobs from being eliminated.
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican FactCheck on 2012 N.M. Senate debate Oct 11, 2012

Jay Block: Passed the first-ever county level Right to Work ordinance

Jay was the first Republican to win his district's seat on the Sandoval County Commission. On the Commission, Jay focused on economic development, illegal dumping, ethics, passed a 2nd Amendment sanctuary county resolution, sponsored and passed the first-ever Right to Work ordinance at the county level, and focused on public safety. He is the first Commissioner in the history of the county to receive union endorsements from both the Firefighters and Sheriff's Deputies.
Source: 2021 N.M. Governor campaign website BlockForNewMexico.com Jun 10, 2021

Jay Block: Has opposed raising minimum wage, paid sick leave

Block has opposed common sense reforms that would benefit workers, including opposing measures such as raising the minimum wage and providing paid sick leave.
Source: N.M.Democrats press release on 2022 New Mexico Governor race Apr 17, 2021

Joe Cervantes: Support raising state minimum wage to $9/hour

SB 386: Raise minimum wage to $9/hour, with training wage of $8/hour.

Analysis by N.M. Political Report: Back in 2013, Martinez vetoed a bill to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour. At the time, Martinez said she would have accepted a smaller minimum wage increase. In 2014, Martinez said she would have supported an increase to $8.00 per hour. The Legislature was unable to pass a minimum wage increase that year.

Veto Message: These minimum wages would have a disproportionate impact on our rural small businesses, without any corresponding protections for business owners. Our small businesses are the backbone of our state's economy, and those businesses, especially those in rural areas, cannot sustain the changes this bill puts forth.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 24-6-12 on Mar/1/17; State Sen. Joe Cervantes voted YES; Passed House 41-27-2 on Mar/16/17; Vetoed on Apr/6/17.

Source: N.M. Political Report on New Mexico voting record SB 386 Mar 1, 2017

Rebecca Dow: Oppose raising state minimum wage to $9/hour

SB 386: Raise minimum wage to $9/hour, with training wage of $8/hour.

Analysis by NM Political Report: It isn't the first time Martinez vetoed a minimum wage bill. In 2013, Martinez vetoed a bill to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour. At the time, Martinez said she would have accepted a smaller minimum wage increase. In 2014, Martinez said she would have supported an increase to $8.00 per hour. The Legislature was unable to pass a minimum wage increase that year.

Veto Message:These minimum wages would have a disproportionate impact on our rural small businesses, without any corresponding protections for business owners. Our small businesses are the backbone of our state's economy, and those businesses, especially those in rural areas, cannot sustain the changes this bill puts forth.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 24-6-12 on Mar/1/17; Passed House 41-27-2, Roll Call #505 on Mar/16/17; State Rep. Dow voted NO; Vetoed on Apr/6/17.

Source: N.M. Political Report on New Mexico voting record SB 386 Mar 16, 2017

Susana Martinez: Protect government jobs at our labs and military bases

While New Mexico has seen some job gains in certain private sector industries, there is no question that the number of government jobs is on the decline. Last year, New Mexico lost more than 4,800 government jobs, including 400 federal jobs in a single month. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Washington, DC is going to solve the budget mess anytime soon.

I am committed to working with our delegation to protect our labs and military bases and fighting to avoid further cuts. Our labs and bases are not only important to New Mexico, but they are critical to the security of America.

However, we'd be foolish to leave our state's economy at the mercy of the next fiscal cliff in Washington. The opportunity to forge a new path and shape our own destiny is before us. It's an opportunity defined not by decisions made in Washington, but by the hard work and ingenuity of New Mexicans. That means diversifying our economy and growing the private sector.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to N.M. Legislature Jan 15, 2013

Susana Martinez: Vetoed raising state minimum wage to $9/hour

SB 386: Raise minimum wage to $9/hour, with training wage of $8/hour.

Analysis by N.M. Political Report: Back in 2013, Martinez vetoed a bill to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour. At the time, Martinez said she would have accepted a smaller minimum wage increase. In 2014, Martinez said she would have supported an increase to $8.00 per hour. The Legislature was unable to pass a minimum wage increase that year.

Veto Message: These minimum wages would have a disproportionate impact on our rural small businesses, without any corresponding protections for business owners. Our small businesses are the backbone of our state's economy, and those businesses, especially those in rural areas, cannot sustain the changes this bill puts forth.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 24-6-12, Roll Call #296 on Mar/1/17; Passed House 41-27-2, Roll Call #505 on Mar/16/17; Vetoed by Gov. Martinez on Apr/6/17

Source: N.M. Political Report on New Mexico voting record SB 386 Apr 6, 2017

Yvette Herrell: Oppose raising state minimum wage to $9/hour

SB 386: Raise minimum wage to $9/hour, with training wage of $8/hour.

Analysis by N.M. Political Report: Back in 2013, Martinez vetoed a bill to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour. At the time, Martinez said she would have accepted a smaller minimum wage increase. In 2014, Martinez said she would have supported an increase to $8.00 per hour. The Legislature was unable to pass a minimum wage increase that year.

Veto Message: These minimum wages would have a disproportionate impact on our rural small businesses, without any corresponding protections for business owners. Our small businesses are the backbone of our state's economy, and those businesses, especially those in rural areas, cannot sustain the changes this bill puts forth.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 24-6-12 on Mar/1/17; Passed House 41-27-2, Roll Call #505 on Mar/16/17; State Rep. Yvette Herrell voted NO; Vetoed on Apr/6/17.

Source: N.M. Political Report on New Mexico voting record SB 386 Mar 16, 2017

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