Bryanna Vargas, sergeant at the Springer Correctional Center, speaks in support of 6% raises for state public safety employees to be included in the state budget during a news conference in the rotunda of the state Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican

By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Public safety workers are urging lawmakers to take up Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposal for bigger raises for corrections workers, police and firefighters, arguing the current pay rates put safety at risk by contributing to high vacancies.

“We show up every single day to protect the public,” said Bryanna Vargas, a sergeant at Springer Correctional Center, during a news conference at the state Capitol Tuesday afternoon. “… Today we’re asking the state to show up for us.”

Rebecca Gracia, who works for the Probation and Parole Division of the state Corrections Department, said her job responsibilities “have extended far beyond traditional supervision” as limited staff and resources and high caseloads have made it more difficult.

“Excessive workload contributes to burnout, high turnover and recruitment challenges, which is a cycle that further strains the system,” she said.

Higher pay, she said, “is not simply an employee benefit; it is a public safety investment.”

Although Lujan Grisham included a request for 6% raises for public safety workers in her budget request, the budget that passed the House last week included the same 1% raises for public safety workers as other public employees.

Adding 6% raises would cost $13.5 million total, according to Carter Bundy, the lobbyist for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 18. Bundy hopes the Senate Finance Committee, which will take up the budget next, goes with the governor’s proposal. 

The higher raises would cover district attorney’s investigators; New Mexico State Police; special agents with several departments including the Justice and Taxation and Revenue departments; conservation officers; livestock inspectors; park rangers; state firefighters; and both adult and juvenile probation, parole and corrections officers.

“It is critical to keep the workers working, to keep the facilities safe, to keep the citizens safe,” said Connie Derr, the executive director of AFSCME Council 18.

Several speakers Tuesday said higher pay would benefit not only the workers but every New Mexican.

“It’s not a reward; it’s a retention tool,” Vargas said. “It’s an investment in safety, experience and stability within these facilities.”

Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Albuquerque, the chair of the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, promised to back their efforts.

“I will pledge my continued support for making sure that we push for the 6%,” said Roybal Caballero, herself a onetime AFSCME member. “It’s the very least that we can do in supporting your efforts.”

Vargas said she and her co-workers are dealing with the same stress from rising prices as everyone else.

“All we’re asking is for a pay that reflects the reality of our jobs,” she said.