Albuquerque city councilors have introduced a proposal to increase the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, a move aimed at tackling the affordability issues faced by residents. The council is expected to vote on this proposal on Monday, which, if passed, would see the wage increase take effect next January.

Addressing Local Economic Challenges

The proposed wage hike would raise Albuquerque’s current minimum wage from $12 to $15, aligning it more closely with neighboring Santa Fe, where the minimum wage stands at $15.40, and Las Cruces, where it is $13.01. Future adjustments to the wage would be linked to the consumer price index, ensuring that it keeps pace with economic changes.

Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn highlighted the financial struggles of Albuquerque’s workforce, noting, “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 further explained the broader economic implications, stating, “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 upcoming vote will determine whether Albuquerque joins other cities in the state in adopting a higher minimum wage, a decision that could have significant impacts on local businesses and the community at large.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.