Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) backs the $15-per-hour minimum wage for school workers, according to KRQE.
Earlier this year, Gov. Lujan Grisham provided a budget proposal to the legislature that offered $15 as minimum wage for state workers, but not for school workers. But now, she backs the $15 minimum wage for school workers as well.
"I did get word five minutes before this hearing that the executive does support the $15 an hour minimum," state Education Secretary Kurt Steinhaus said.
Lujan Grisham said schools already have the ability to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and they just need to pass the proposal, KRQE said.
Many factors such as inflation, COVID, and rising wage prices are pushing all low-paying jobs to raise minimum pay. "It is within the reach of the school districts. And frankly, they just need to do it," Lujan Grisham said. Nora Sackett, the governor's spokesperson, confirmed that the governor fully supports the $15 minimum wage.
McDonald's and other low-paying jobs are advertising $14-an-hour minimum wages, while many school employees are working for less than that. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth also said he supports the $15 minimum wage for employees at public schools and in the state government.