Santa Fe's Minimum Wage To Increase In March – The Associated Press
Santa Fe's minimum wage is set to go up by 18 cents an hour starting March 1.
The annual adjustment is based on the latest Consumer Price Index for the western region. It will raise the local wage floor to $10.84, which keeps it among the highest in the nation.
The federal mandatory minimum remains at $7.25. The state minimum wage is $7.50.
Santa Fe adopted its minimum wage ordinance in 2003 and amended it four years later to provide annual adjustments tied to increases in the Consumer Price Index.
Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales says paying workers a living wage amounts to a moral issue and the city must not let workers fall through the cracks as the costs of things like groceries go up.
New Mexico Court Rejects Petition Over Judicial Appointment – The Associated Press
The state Supreme Court has rejected a petition that sought to block Gov. Susana Martinez's recent appointment of a judge in eastern New Mexico's 10th Judicial District.
Martinez appointed Albert Mitchell last week, which prompted opponents to file the petition.
Only two attorneys applied for the position: Mitchell and Donald Schutte. The Judicial Nominating Commission forwarded both names to the governor.
Martinez's office said the decision presented an unusual choice between two candidates who had lost judicial elections in their district.
After hearing arguments Friday, Chief Justice Barbara Vigil announced the unanimous decision.
She said the state constitution doesn't prohibit a nominating commission from considering — or the governor from appointing — an otherwise qualified applicant for a judicial vacancy based on the applicant's non-retention to the office in the preceding election.
Groups Sue Over Mexican Wolf-reintroduction Program Changes – The Associated Press
Conservationists sued the federal government Friday over changes to a reintroduction program for the endangered Mexican gray wolf.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced the first major changes to the program since 1998. Under them, wolves will be able to roam a greater expanse of Arizona and New Mexico and will be released from captivity at more sites.
The Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife say limiting wolves that are reintroduced into the wild to 325 doesn't allow for recovery of the species. They also say wolves would be deprived of prime habitat north of Interstate 40 and would be at a greater risk of being killed.
Fish and Wildlife declined comment Friday. Officials have said a separate wolf-recovery plan will include a higher target population.