Minimum wage about to take another step up

KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jul. 20--LAS CRUCES -- While minimum wage workers rejoice, consumers can expect to see the price of a meal, or other items, rise. That's because the minimum wage is about to increase twice in less than six months. Federal law dictates that the minimum wage nationwide must increase to $6.55 an hour on Thursday. But in New Mexico, the minimum already is set at $6.50 an hour, so the extra cost to business owners, who have not already increased their pay rates, is just a nickel. In January, though, state law calls for the minimum wage to be $7.50 an hour, the fourth increase in either the state or federal minimum wage in less than two years. Raymond Carrillo, 19, works in food preparation at Tegmeyer's Salad Works, 1300 El Paseo Road. He makes minimum wage and said he is happy to learn of the... [read full story]