PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release January 4, 2006

For More Information Contact:
Gerry Bradley, Economist & Research Director, New Mexico Voices for Children
W) (505) 244-9505x23 or C) (505) 264-0074

Cheryl Gooding, Communications Director, New Mexico Voices for Children
W) (505) 244-9505x33 or C) (505) 401-8709

NEW STUDY SHOWS
JOB GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN STATES
THAT HAVE RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE

Albuquerque - The New Mexicans For A Fair Wage Coalition released a new study, authored by New Mexico Voices for Children, that shows steady job growth and reduced poverty in states that have increased minimum wages above the federal level. Based on the experience of fourteen states, and the District of Colombia, an increase in New Mexico's wage to $7.50 would help low wage workers without slowing job growth.

The study's author, Economist and Research Director Gerry Bradley of New Mexico Voices for Children, says: "Santa Fe is our own economic success story that testifies to the economic benefits of increasing the minimum wage in New Mexico. Job growth has accelerated in the hospitality and food service sectors in Santa Fe. When we look to other states, we see clear trends of poverty reduction and sustained job growth."

Raising the minimum wage in New Mexico is essential because a large percentage of our workforce, more than twice the national average, earn the current minimum wage of $5.15. The minimum wage has lost nearly 20% of its value since it was last increased in 1997: that's $1,913 in lost wages per year for every full-time worker.

New Mexicans For A Fair Wage, a statewide coalition of over 40 organizations, including faith and business leaders, supports an increase to $7.50, indexed to inflation. The coalition also supports the existing right of cities and towns to set a local minimum wage higher than the state's, and opposes preemption of local wage levels by the state.

###