Thank you to the employers, restaurant owners, nonprofits, industry groups, and community organizations that stepped into the Albuquerque minimum wage discussion over the past week. The environment was loud, emotional, and at times raucous — but through it all, the business community stayed grounded in facts, operations, and economic reality.
What Was at Stake
The original proposal called for a $15 minimum wage beginning in January 2027, followed by automatic annual increases tied to both inflation and HUD Fair Market Rent. That structure would have created a dangerous cycle:
- Higher wages driving higher operating costs
- Higher costs driving higher rents and prices
- Higher rents triggering even larger wage increases
For small businesses already facing inflation, insurance spikes, labor shortages, crime, and rising operational costs, this would not have been sustainable.
What Changed — Because You Spoke Up
After a week of intense public engagement, testimony, and consistent messaging from the business community, the final structure looks very different:
- $1 increase in January 2027
- Another $1 increase in January 2028
- Another $1 increase in January 2029
- CPI‑only adjustments beginning in 2030
- Complete removal of the HUD housing component
The server wage also shifted multiple times before landing on a phased‑in structure:
- 55.5% in January 2027
- 52% in January 2028
- 50% in January 2029
Is every concern solved? No. But this outcome is substantially better than where the conversation began.
A Reminder of What Last Night Showed
Business leaders want Albuquerque to be a place where employers, employees, and customers all thrive. Small business owners have absorbed significant cost increases in recent years, and many government officials still underestimate how difficult it is to operate in New Mexico — especially compared to neighboring states like Texas and Arizona.
The people creating jobs, investing capital, signing paychecks, and taking risks every day deserve a seat at the table. And this week, you claimed that seat.
Your Voice Mattered
Your presence, your testimony, and your willingness to engage shaped the final outcome.
Your leadership brought practical business experience into the conversation.
Your advocacy ensured that policymakers heard the realities facing employers.
Strong economies are built by confident businesses willing to invest in the future.
Thank you for standing up for Albuquerque’s business community.