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Proposed Minimum Wage Increase Heads To House

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A proposal to boost the minimum wage to an estimated $8.30 an hour next year is heading to the House for consideration.

The House Voters and Elections Committee approved the measure Tuesday on a party-line 6-4 vote.

The measure, which already has passed the Senate, is a top priority for many Democrats in the 30-day session that ends on Thursday.

New Mexico's minimum wage has been $7.50 an hour since 2009.

The proposed constitutional amendment would adjust the minimum wage for inflation since 2009 — setting it at about $8.30 next year.

The minimum wage would increase annually for inflation, but it couldn't go up more than 4 percent a year.

If approved by the Legislature, the proposal will be placed on the ballot for voters to decide.