Position on Minimum Wage:
The following Minimum Wage Position Document was developed by the AHCC Board of Directors 3-22-06

“The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce is organized to promote economic development, to enhance economic opportunities and to provide business and workforce education with an emphasis on the Hispanic and small business community in Albuquerque and New Mexico.”

We represent members that are primarily small businesses.  Over seventy-five percent of our members have less than 25 employees.  An increase in any cost to these businesses, including the minimum wage, will adversely affect their future viability.

In November of 2005, a local minimum wage ordinance was defeated.

In January of this year we supported a phased-in statewide increase that preempted local minimum wage ordinances given the fact that federal legislation was not likely to occur in the foreseeable future.

We oppose a local minimum wage ordinance because among other things, it will place small businesses at a disadvantage.

In the event that a local minimum wage is considered, it should contain the following provisions:

• Phased-in wage increase over three years beginning 1/1/07 not to exceed $6.50 at the end of three years.
• No indexing
• No change for tipped employees as long as wage and tips equals or exceeds minimum wage.
• Exempt agriculture, manufacturing, and food processing firms.
• Exempt employees under age 19
• Local minimum wage is preempted if the state or federal government passes a minimum wage law.