Heinrich Joined By Las Cruces Community In Calling for National Minimum Wage Increase

Press Release

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) visited the Mountain View Market in Las Cruces today to talk about the importance of raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 for all workers.

"A higher minimum wage puts more money in the pockets of people who are likely to spend locally, helps businesses reduce worker turnover, and increases productivity," said Sen. Heinrich. "And when workers succeed, New Mexico families succeed. Raising the minimum wage is not only a critical component to the economic stability of working parents, but also contributes enormously to improving the wellbeing of New Mexico children."

During his visit to the Mountain View Market, which employs workers who earn above the federal minimum wage, Senator Heinrich heard from local business owners, workers, and representatives from Comunidades en Acción y de Fé (CAFé), a local multi-faith, multi-cultural organization dedicated to raising the minimum wage in Las Cruces.

Senator Heinrich is a cosponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 over three years and index future increases to inflation. Raising the federal minimum wage would help lift families out of poverty, reduce reliance on safety net programs, and give more than 27 million working Americans a raise.

In September, with broad community support, Las Cruces City Council voted to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 by 2017 with living adjustments every year after that.

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