Federal Minimum Wage Increase: By executive order, the president raised the minimum wage for employees of federal contractors from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. This will affect nearly 200,000 American workers on January 1, 2015. Read more HERE.

Bureau of Land Management Permit Fees: The U.S. Senate approved a bill that would increase permit fees for oil and natural gas wells by about $3,000. The stated benefit was to decrease the processing time for permits. That’s a hefty tab to get the government functioning appropriately. Read more HERE.

Get Involved: The news continues to present examples that show who we elect matters. YOUR VOTE makes a difference and the NMBC wants to help you learn about candidates and the issues. A great opportunity to get to know some candidates will be held next week in Albuquerque:

Don’t miss the last Job Interview BASH (Business and Social Hour) of the year that will help you, the Boss (New Mexican voter) choose the right applicant for the job! Join us next Tuesday, October 14 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Albuquerque Country Club. Applicants will be interviewed one on one at this NMBC exclusive event.

Confirmed interviews will be with candidates: Attorney General: Hector Balderas and Susan Riedel; Secretary of State: Dianna J. Duran and Maggie Toulouse Oliver; State Auditor: Robert Aragon and Tim Keller; State Treasurer: Tim Eichenberg.

RSVP for this event today – space is limited!

Thank you to our BASH Sponsors: New Mexico American Fire and Sprinkler Association New Mexico Restaurant Association

The New Mexico Business Coalition works to improve the business environment for the state – join us today and help support our efforts!