New Mexico 2nd-most impacted state by federal shutdown

As New Mexico’s Democrat-dominated Congressional delegation continues to vote to keep the federal government shutdown it is worth noting that the Land of Enchantment is among the most federally-reliant jurisdictions in the nation. In fact, according to a new Wallethub report the State is 2nd-most-impacted by federal government.

New Mexico’s federally-funded national labs obviously play a big role in the state’s economy, but the State is also the most dependent on food stamps (SNAP) due to its high poverty levels (despite massive oil and gas revenues).

The following is a write-up on New Mexico from Wallethub:

New Mexico is the third-most affected (behind Hawaii and DC) by the government shutdown, largely due to the fact that it receives more than $6,000 per capita in federal contracts, the payments for which could be put in jeopardy by the funding freeze.

Plus, more than a fifth of New Mexico’s population is enrolled in the SNAP program. That means an extended shutdown could lead to a big chunk of the state’s residents struggling to afford food if the government no longer has any funds available for benefits.

To top things off, New Mexico has the seventh-highest percentage of federal jobs and the fifth-most national parks per capita. This means that many workers are going without pay and the state’s natural spaces will be much less well-staffed.