Paying Legislature isn’t a bad idea, but the ballot measure this fall is

As free market advocates who believe in paying people a competitive wage for their work, we’re not opposed to paying legislators. But, that doesn’t mean that any and all plans to pay legislators makes sense.

This November New Mexicans will go to the polls to vote on a number of issues including a statewide constitutional amendment (set in motion by HJR 5) that, if approved, would result in legislators receiving an annual salary tied to the median household income in New Mexico which is about $67,800 annually (adjusted annually for cost of living). As you can see in this chart from the National Conference of State Legislators, this would make New Mexico’s Legislature the best paid in the region by far.

But, the real problem isn’t the proposed salary, it’s the fact that it would come on top of BOTH the existing per diem payments of $202 per day PLUS mileage reimbursement AND a very generous pension program.

While RGF believes the Legislature is in need of an infusion of new thinking and talent, the idea that New Mexico taxpayers should pay per diem, a generous salary, and a pension is simply too much. We recommend voters turn down this measure and that the Legislature commissions a study to consider eliminating per diem and the pension system in favor of a reasonable salary that will maximize the number of people willing to run for the Legislature.

New Mexico suffers from voters choosing legislators (and other elected officials) that do not understand basic economics and how individual freedom contributes to a successful state. It is unclear whether adding a salary would improve New Mexico.