New Mexico voters approve $68,000 cap on legislative pay starting in 2029

New Mexico voters approved a historic change to state government Tuesday evening when Constitutional Amendment 4 cleared the ballot with sufficient support. The measure allows state legislators to receive an annual salary for the first time in the state's history. Under the new rules, that pay will begin in 2029 and cannot exceed the median household income for New Mexico.

The median household income in the state is currently approximately $68,000. Before this amendment, lawmakers received no salary. They were paid only a per diem and reimbursement for mileage while in session. They also earned pension benefits after five or ten years of service, depending on their age when they began serving.

Angie Poss, a spokeswoman for the campaign supporting the amendment, said the result was stronger than many observers predicted. She noted that the margin of victory reflected the work of the campaign team. A political action committee supporting the measure raised slightly more than $3 million. Opponents raised about $650,000.

Supporters argued that the salary cap will make the legislature more accessible to residents who currently work outside the government sector. Poss stated that working parents, young parents, and small business owners should be able to serve in the Roundhouse. The chamber meets for 30 or 60 days in alternating years and holds committee meetings in between sessions.

Three other constitutional amendments also passed on Tuesday. Amendment 1 requires the governor to provide a written veto message for any bill vetoed in whole or in part. It also specifies that bills the governor does not act upon will automatically become law. Amendment 2 removes the requirement that school elections be held separately from partisan elections.

Amendment 3 creates nominating committees to provide lists of nominees for the governor to appoint nonstudent members to boards of regents for state universities. Student members will be appointed from a list provided by an elected student governing body. The amendment also bars nonstudent regents from changing their political party registration within 12 months before appointment.

Voters also approved three general obligation bond questions. Bond Question 1 allocates $21.6 million for senior center facilities. Bond Question 2 provides $19.3 million for schools and libraries. Bond Question 3 directs $352.2 million to capital improvements for higher education, special, and tribal schools. The largest single project under that bond is a $116 million facility for the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, which will replace the nearly 60-year-old Fitz Hall.