New Mexico is the only state in the country that does not pay its lawmakers. For years, legislators have proposed resolutions to change that, but every session it dies. This year isn’t looking too different yet.
So, why are so many lawmakers voting against paying themselves? Casas spoke to Senator Bill Soules from Las Cruces, District 37. He said it’s an issue on the inside:
“If we were to pay legislators and open up opportunities for other people, it changes the power dynamics. There are some who do not want to see this go forward,” Soules said.
This year’s resolution passed the Senate Rules Committee in a 7-2 vote with substitutions, but has yet to see the Senate Finance Committee.
The resolution still does not have a hearing date for the SFC and the days of the session are numbered.
Mia Casas is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Journalism and Theatre at the University of New Mexico. She became a student reporter at KUNM News in 2023 after she was awarded a New Mexico Local News Internship.
