Santa Fe, NM — Feb 13th on the House floor, House Democrats advanced HJR 5, a constitutional amendment that would allow legislators to receive a taxpayer-funded salary of up to $70,000 per year. House Republicans unanimously voted against the measure.
New Mexico families are living the consequences of failed leadership every day. Our state ranks at or near the bottom in education and child well-being. We are at or near the top in violent crime. Families wait months to see a doctor. Parents worry about whether their children are safe. Working families struggle to afford housing and groceries. While New Mexicans deal with these realities, House Democrats chose to prioritize a pay raise for themselves.
Republicans offered a commonsense reform to protect taxpayers.
Representative Jonathan Henry(R-Artesia) introduced an amendment to prevent legislators from collecting per diem on top of a new salary when legislative work is conducted close to home. During the interim, many legislative committees meet in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe, allowing lawmakers, particularly from urban areas, to work near their districts while still collecting taxpayer-funded per diem.
The amendment was designed to stop double-dipping.
House Democrats voted it down.
By rejecting this reform, Democrats made clear they want both a new salary and continued per diem payments at taxpayer expense.
"Families are struggling with rising costs, crime, and limited access to health care," Rep. Jonathan Henry said. "Instead of fixing those problems, Democrats chose to put more money in their pockets."
HJR 5 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
House Republicans urge New Mexicans to remember this vote.
