New Mexico Governor says she’ll sign teacher pay raise bill

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says she will sign a bill increasing the minimum salaries for teachers statewide.

Martinez’s proclamation comes the same year lawmakers approved an average raise of 2.5 percent for teachers.

Though school districts have their own union contracts and pay scales, state law sets three different minimum salaries for teachers based on experience and education.

Legislative aides analyzed Public Education Department data on salaries for more than 19,000 teachers and found the new minimum salaries will be higher than the average for each level.

Wednesday is the last day for Martinez to sign legislation passed during the 30-day session that ended last month.

Any bill Martinez does not sign by this week’s deadline automatically will be vetoed.