New Mexico Energy Production Means Higher Salaries…Even for Bureaucrats!

May 14, 2019

The energy industry in New Mexico provides around 100,000 jobs and billions in tax revenue. And now it appears money from that revenues has another beneficiary: high-level government bureaucrats!

According to this investigative report, the highest paid government employees in Albuquerque are receiving big raises. The top-level officials, who already earn six-figure salaries, received raises anywhere from $12,000 to $19,000 a year.  Part of the reasoning behind the windfall salaries is that the City of Albuquerque has to compete with increased salaries being offered by the State of New Mexico.

At this point, it’s worth noting the average salary in New Mexico is $44,840 a year.

In the most recently passed budget, the State of New Mexico was able to spend more money on schools, roads and communities than ever before. This record windfall is also going to pad office budgets and salaries for elected officials.

Where did the State of New Mexico get all this record budget surplus from? You guessed it, the energy industry.

The energy industry not only brings light and heat to New Mexico, but the oil and natural gas exported from the state also go to deliver a better way of life to the rest of the United States and the entire world.  Yet it faces constant attack from the out-of-state eco-left and some of those very same elected officials who are doling out hefty raises.

Perhaps the next time a high-level bureaucrat receives their paycheck, instead of continuing to fight the very industry that provides the money, they might consider two simple words:

Thank. You.