A DOLLAR-AN-HOUR INCREASE IN ALBUQUERQUE'S MINIMUM WAGE IS SET TO KICK IN ON JANUARY FIRST. BUT NOT EVERYONE LIKES THE IDEA. CAROL WIGHT, THE C-E-O OF THE NEW MEXICO RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, SAYS HER GROUP WILL ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO PHASE IN THE INCREASE OVER TIME. SHE SAYS THE HIGHER WAGE WAS APPROVED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR AND BUSINESSES HAVEN'T PROVIDED FOR IT YET IN THEIR BUDGETS.

WIGHT SAYS THE ASSOCIATION COULD ALSO START A PETITION DRIVE TO PUT THE PHASE-IN BEFORE VOTERS. THE WAGE HIKE FROM 7-50 TO 8-50 AN HOUR WAS APPROVED BY ALBUQUERQUE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER.