After failing in the Senate, mirror modernization resolution is introduced in the House

A constitutional amendment asking voters to approve an independent legislative salaries commission failed to pass the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday afternoon, stalling on a tie 5-5 vote. 

SJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Natalie Figueroa, Sen. Peter Wirth and Sen. Katy Duhigg, would have asked voters to approve a change to the state constitution that would remove the prohibition on legislative compensation and set up a nine-member citizens’ commission to set and limit salaries for lawmakers. New Mexico is the only state in the nation that does not pay its legislators a salary. 

The legislation is backed by a coalition of more than eighteen nonprofit organizations. “We are disappointed, but not deterred after this setback in the Senate Finance Committee,” said Common Cause New Mexico Executive Director, Molly Swank. “New Mexicans overwhelmingly want a legislature that looks more like our communities. It is a disservice to the people of New Mexico, and indeed to democracy itself, that a few senators in one committee have worked to torpedo legislation that would give voters a choice to reform their own government to better represent them.”

Proponents of the reform say that paying legislators a living wage would enable people from all walks of life the ability to serve in office. Polling done in 2024 by the Center for Civic Policy shows that 68 percent of registered voters in New Mexico support establishing the independent salaries commission. 

“Unfortunately, the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Muñoz, demonstrated with his vote against SJR 1 that he is out of touch with the financial hardships that many New Mexicans face,” Swank said. “Ignoring the lived experiences of fellow legislators, despite them being voiced by members of both parties, is exactly the problem we are seeking to solve with more reflective representation in the legislature.”

Common Cause New Mexico Policy Director Mason Graham expressed his gratitude to the Senate resolution sponsors, along with SFC members Sen. Jeff Steinborn and Sen. Linda Trujillo for sharing their personal stories about balancing legislative duties with other work and financial obligations. 

“We’re not done pushing for a modern legislature where our lawmakers can afford to serve their communities and earn a living, too,” Graham said.

Legislation was introduced in the House today that closely mirrors the failed Senate resolution. House Joint Resolution 18 is sponsored by Rep. Angelica Rubio and Rep. Joy Garratt. It would need to pass in the House and Senate before being included on the general election ballot for voters to approve. 

“The people of our state deserve a legislature that is truly a co-equal branch of government and equipped to tackle complex problems we face,” Swank added. “Common Cause and our coalition partners are continuing to push this critical reform forward in this session. In our democracy, we have multiple avenues to ensure the people’s voices are heard, and we won’t stop after one roadblock.”

You can learn more about the New Mexico Legislative Modernization Coalition at modernNM.org.