Constitutional Amendment 4: Legislative Compensation Tied to Median Household Income

The law today

Article 4, Section 10 of the New Mexico Constitution entitles each legislator to per diem (at the IRS rate for Santa Fe) for each day of session and for required interim committee meetings, plus mileage, and says legislators receive "no other compensation, perquisite or allowance." New Mexico legislators therefore receive no salary.[1][5][6]

Official fiscal estimate

Legislative Finance Committee fiscal impact report (Feb. 16, 2026): based on 112 legislators and a median household income of about $67,800, the cost to the general fund could be approximately $7.6 million a year if voters approve; the report shows $3.8 million in FY29 (last half of the fiscal year, when the Fifty-Ninth Legislature is seated) as a recurring cost to the Legislative Council Service, excluding employer payroll taxes and benefits. Putting the question to voters costs the Secretary of State about $35,000 (nonrecurring). The report also notes the Public Employees Retirement Association would have to modify its systems and that retirement contribution and benefit calculations could come to be based on salaries.[5]

Arguments made for

• Voter guide argument for: "Legislative compensation could result in legislators spending more time on legislative work and less time on outside employment."[1]
• Voter guide argument for: "Legislative compensation would diversify the pool of potential legislators."[1]

Arguments made against

• Voter guide argument against: "Legislative salaries could provide legislators with incumbency advantages not available to other candidates."[1]
• Voter guide argument against: "The amendment would provide for a legislative salary that is disproportionate when compared to other states."[1]

On record in support

• Vote for Change, the Albuquerque-based committee backing the amendment[7][8]
• Democratic Party of New Mexico (executive committee voted to support it; chair Sara Attleson)[7][8]
• Resolution sponsors Reps. Parajon, Rubio and Abeyta and Sens. Nava and Charley (House Joint Resolution 5)[5]
• The Semilla Project, Somos Un Pueblo Unido and NEA-New Mexico (organized events and canvass training in support, per The New Mexican)[7]

On record in opposition

• Republican Party of New Mexico (recommends voters oppose it)[8]
• Our Values PAC (conservative-leaning committee running opposing ads)[7][8]
• House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena)[7]
• Sen. Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas), who voted against the resolution[8]