Nation's only unsalaried legislature asks voters to reconsider volunteer status as women urge change

Members of the nation’s only unsalaried legislature are asking voters to reconsider their volunteer status that has endured since statehood in New Mexico. The state Senate on Tuesday night narrowly endorsed a constitutional amendment that would do away with the state’s prohibition on legislative pay. That allows voters to decide in November whether to tie legislative salaries to the median income levels for New Mexico. After stalling for years, the initiative was promoted successfully this year by a group of young female legislators who have talked about the challenges of balancing work, family and legislative duties.