New Mexico Governor Approves Hefty Pay Raises for Top Staff

Raises for over 20 staffers far exceed 1% increases for most state workers.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a simple government office desk bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the political decisions being made.As the governor's term nears its end, the timing of hefty staff pay raises raises questions about priorities and equity for all state workers.Santa Fe Today

As her tenure nears an end, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has approved sizable salary increases for more than 20 top staffers in her office, with raises ranging from less than 1% to over 16% in at least one case. This comes as most state workers will only receive a 1% pay increase this year.

Why it matters

The governor's decision to grant these large pay raises to her inner circle has drawn criticism from some state employees and union leaders, who argue that most rank-and-file workers cannot easily obtain merit-based salary hikes and are facing rising costs of living.

The details

The pay raises, approved last month, come as Lujan Grisham prepares to leave office at the end of the year. Her spokesman said the increases are intended to reward staffers' commitment and help retain experienced employees who must take on greater workloads as others depart for new jobs ahead of the next governor's administration. However, the raises far exceed the 1% increases most state workers will receive in July.

  • The pay raises were approved last month.
  • Most state workers will receive 1% salary increases in July.

The players

Michelle Lujan Grisham

The current Democratic governor of New Mexico, who is leaving office at the end of this year.

Diego Arencon

The governor's Deputy Chief of Staff, who saw his salary increase from $208,000 to around $225,000 per year.

Caroline Buerkle

The governor's Director of Cabinet Affairs, who also saw her salary increase from $208,000 to around $225,000 per year.

Rebecca Roose

The governor's senior infrastructure advisor, whose pay rate increased by more than 15% from $171,600 to $198,199 per year.

Megan Green

The president of the Communications Workers of America Local 7076 union, who expressed frustration about the pay raises.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have to go every year and beg for a raise that almost never meets the increase in the cost of living.”

— Megan Green, President of the Communications Workers of America Local 7076 union

“Salary increases help to retain experienced employees who must assume an even greater workload as other staffers leave.”

— Michael Coleman, Governor's spokesman

What’s next

The timing of the latest pay raises stems from the fact the governor and her chief of staff meet to evaluate the performance and compensation of Governor's Office staffers after the legislative session and bill signing period conclude.

The takeaway

The governor's decision to grant these large pay raises to her inner circle has drawn criticism from some state employees and union leaders, who argue that most rank-and-file workers cannot easily obtain merit-based salary hikes and are facing rising costs of living.