Min wage hike petition, 3.46 MB, 02:31

the minimum wage in albuquerque has done its job--- pushing the city council to once again consider the issue. but it's likely voters will make the decision come november. the last time the minimum wage was on the ballot was 2006. maria guererro has the story. albuquerque's minimum wage is already 25-cents higher than the national minimum wage. if local petitioners have their way, it would up even higher. should minimum wage go up? it's an easy question for many albuquerque residents to answer.. and one they could be asked in the voting booth. "Jimmy Rodriguez, Albuquerque: People can't survive or make ends meet with just the crappy pay that they're getting" "Patricia Dean, Albuquerque: The cost of housing and living has also gone up so I believe it will be more fair for minimum wage to go up so everyone can afford their homes" albuquerque's minimum wage is $7.50. some hope it increases, a dollar, to 8-50 an hour. but mayor richard berry is against the hike. he says people are in favor of an increase because they think it'll create jobs. "Mayor Richard Berry: I think the best way that we can create jobs for people is to allow businesses, small businesses, to flourish and those create jobs. To raise minimum wage and then have the very real situation where jobs are lost, that doesn't do anybody any good." BUT A petition of more than 12-thousand certified signatures means.. the city council will consider approving the hike. "Ken Sanchez, Councilor; Business owners are saying we can't afford to do it at this time. We have a firm at our office and businesses are struggling but again if people are making more money they're going to put more money back in the economy" AN EXTRA DOLLAR WOULD go a long way..for those who have to stretch a dollar everyday. "Wiyona Morgan, Unemployed: I've been going out everyday trying to look for a job and it's really hard and especially starting at $7.50 it'd be really hard. If it went up to $8.50 it'd be really great at least try to live on that" if the city council votes yes.. minimum wage will go up to 8-50 an hour in 2013. if the council votes no or wants to change the proposal.. it would then go to a spial election that could be included in the general election ballot.. on november 6th. the city council could dece what to do.. at its september fifth meeting. a-p-s released the results of a new test every high schooler