By Rodd Cayton
The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners officially threw its support behind two pieces of state legislation that aim to open up primary elections and raise wages for workers involved in projects supported by economic development incentives. .
Commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday evening in favor of a resolution supporting House Bill 6, which would require companies that benefit from industrial revenue bonds issued by local governments to pay prevailing wages as determined by local collective bargaining agreements.
Board Chair Eric Olivas noted paying prevailing wages is already a condition for contractors working on public projects.
Olivas, who sponsored the resolution, said HB 6 doesn’t require companies to use union labor.
“It just says that if you can use public funds for construction, you need to make sure that people are paid a living wage,” he said. “Pretty simple concept.
Commissioner Barbara Baca said in her conversations about economic development, the idea of raising living standards comes up regularly.
“I think that that is what this is about,” she said. “I think that is what our legislators are trying to do with this. So I’m in support of this. It’s elevating our workers.”
Commissioner Walt Benson opposed supporting the House bill, saying it could hinder economic growth in New Mexico and that rising wages would lead to higher prices for consumers.
“When I vote on things, I try to ask myself, ‘will this create jobs, or will it have the opposite effect?,’” Benson said. “This will have the opposite effect, at least in terms of the IRB.”
Commissioner Frank Baca called well-paying jobs the foundation of economic development. He said one of his sons is an entrepreneur and has been able to hire and retain employees, even through the COVID-19 pandemic, by paying and treating them well.
Vice Chair Adriann Barboa attended part of the meeting remotely and did not vote on the resolution.
Commissioners also approved a resolution in support of Senate Bill 16, which would allow unaffiliated voters to cast primary ballots.
The measure would allow voters to select a major-party ballot and choose from among that party’s candidates.
Olivas also sponsored that resolution, citing an increasing number of voters who are choosing to remain independent or join minor parties.
“As of now, those voters are excluded from the primary process,” he said. “This legislation would ensure that more voters are engaged in the democratic process and have a greater influence on our elections while also lessening the hyper-partisan divide between voters in New Mexico.”
The resolution passed, 3-1, with Frank Baca opposing.
Baca said there are other ways to increase voter participation and noted New Mexico has same-day registration.