NM Governor to OK some public employee pay raises

Gov. Susana Martinez will approve proposed 3 percent pay raises for state workers and public school employees.

Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell said Friday the governor won’t use her line-item veto powers to cut state budget provisions for the salary increases for classified public employees, teachers and other public school workers.

However, other parts of the budget are still under review for possible vetoes. The budget includes money for 8 percent pay raises for judges, 1.5 percent salary increases for faculty and staff at colleges and universities, and 3 percent raises for government workers in appointed jobs.

The governor has until Wednesday to act on bills passed by the Legislature, including a $6 billion budget to finance education and government next year. Martinez is concerned about the budget’s total spending increase.