New Mexico poorest state in the nation

It's a list no one wants to top, but New Mexico is. New Census numbers show the state is officially the poorest state in the country, with one out of every four families living in poverty. "I don't think this is a surprise to people in New Mexico. I think the problems are problems they live with every day," said Gerry Bradley of New Mexico voices for children. According to the US Census, in 2011 22 percent of our families were living in poverty compared to the national level which was 15 percent. Gerry Bradley researched the state's poverty numbers and offered one big reason why New Mexico is performing so poorly. "Everything that happens in the area of poverty it's going to ultimately be traced back to the labor market. If we're losing jobs, we're not going to be improving in our poverty standings," said Bradley. Bradley said before 2008, that 50th ranking was actually around 45th to or 44th. He also said the state's education budgets are being cut and public sector jobs are suffering. Bradley said the only way to fix the low rankings is to get the government to step in. So Action Seven News asked Gov. Susana Martinez to weigh in on the rankings and she sent in this response. "Reforming our education system to make it more accountable and responsive to struggling students must be the cornerstone of reducing poverty over time. And particularly given the stagnant national economy we currently have, New Mexico must be a state that is willing to reform our tax code and compete for jobs."
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New Mexico poorest state in the nation