HJR 5 would allow New Mexicans to decide if their legislators should be paid  

Common Cause New Mexico, the state’s leading pro-democracy advocates, have endorsed proposed legislation to modernize New Mexico’s Legislature.  

Introduced by Reps. Cristina Parajón and Angelica Rubio, HJR 5 along with its enabling legislation, HB 102, would ask voters to approve a change to the state constitution that would remove the prohibition on legislative compensation. New Mexico is the only state in the nation that does not pay its legislators a salary, and Common Cause has been leading the charge for years to compensate leaders for their work. 

Statement of Common Cause New Mexico’s Policy Director Mason Graham:  

“Lack of pay is a massive obstacle for everyday people who want to run for office to represent their communities.  

Currently, legislators must balance earning enough income to support themselves and their families with the demands of being a full-time legislator — or be independently wealthy enough to not have to work. Without the promise of financial security, representation from diverse backgrounds and experience becomes secondary, and we see less community representation in our government.  

Ultimately, this leads to less representative elections and an outsized influence of money in the Roundhouse. HJR 5 can change that and bring our state into the future, where regular folks can afford to hold office and the needs of New Mexicans come first.”