Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Reporter's notebook - Jan. 28

State employees may get pay raise

Some of the fruits of a promising fiscal year for New Mexico are likely to make their way local through state employees and infrastructure, among other avenues.

Word from Santa Fe is that roads, courts and state employees are on track to get some more money out of the new year's regular legislative session, according to State Rep. Randy Crowder, R-Clovis.

The house appropriations committee will vote Tuesday on a proposed budget that includes a 2 percent cost-of-living pay raise for all state employees, with an additional 2.5 percent for teachers, correction officers, nurses and caregivers.

District judges and the district attorney would also get a total cost-of-living adjustment of 4.5 percent, while public defenders are budgeted for a bump of 6.5 percent, Crowder said Saturday.

"It's been a long drought and we had a good year so state employees will receive a little bit," he said. "It will be good for our economy to get some more dollars out here."

In addition to some $860 million in a House transportation bill, the appropriation budget also adds $80 million to the cause for roads, he said.

All of that budgeted money still needs to be voted on next week by the House, followed by the Senate and then to the Gov. Martinez before it's for real.

"I'm encouraged that there may be a few of our beat up roads around the state that will get a little more attention," Crowder said.

— Compiled by Staff Writer David Grieder