SANTA FE (AP) – Advocates are pushing New Mexico lawmakers to address the state’s dismal ranking when it comes to child wellbeing and the number of kids who live in poverty.
New Mexico Voices for Children released the annual Kids Count Data Book on Tuesday as the Legislature geared up for a 30-day session focused on the budget, education and public safety.
According to the report, the number of children living in poverty decreased slightly to 30 percent from 2013 to 2014. However, New Mexico still has the highest child poverty rate in the nation.
The report also found that the rates are highest among Hispanic and Native American youth.
And since the start of the 2008 recession, the number of children living in poverty in the state has increased 29 percent.The 2015 New Mexico KIDS COUNT Data Book is available online here »
