New Rich States, Poor States report highlights New Mexico’s economic policy foibles

Every year for the past 16 the “Rich States, Poor States” report has carefully examined s slew of economic data from all 50 states. This is a meaty report with lots of interesting data and even more can be found here.

A particularly notable chart (2nd below) from the report shows just how badly New Mexico lags its more free market oriented neighbors: Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas. New Mexico (ranked 42nd overall) sticks out like a sore thumb.

New Mexico’s economic performance (as seen below) is propped up by the incredible growth of oil and gas in recent years.