© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Martinez Weighs Pay Hike For Some State Positions

Office of the Governor

Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is looking at the possibility of providing pay increases for certain public safety positions in state government agencies that have high vacancy rates.

Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell says positions being considered for possible pay increases include child-protection caseworkers, police officers, corrections officers and juvenile justice workers.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Democratic Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela of Santa Fe wrote Martinez on Friday.

Varela asked Martinez to fill vacancies in the Protective Services and Juvenile Justice Services divisions of the state Children, Youth and Families Department.

Varela said high vacancy rates in positions protecting at-risk children contribute to staff burnout that creates still more vacancies.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.