N.M. Among States with Highest Income Inequality

Gap between New Mexico's richest and poorest is 6th largest in nation

ALBUQUERQUE- New Mexico

New Mexico ranks sixth among the states - but it's not for a good measure. A national study shows that income inequality grew significantly between the richest and poorest, and even the richest and middle-income families, from the late1990s to the mid-2000s. The study, "Pulling Apart," is from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute.

The richest New Mexicans have average incomes eight times as large as the poorest. Since the late 1990s, the average income of the richest New Mexico families increased from $91,571 to $118,608, while incomes for the poorest families stagnated.

Nationally, the wealthiest Americans saw their incomes rise by about 9 percent during this time period, while the lowest wage-earners actually saw their income decrease by 2.5 percent. Although the income inequality gap varies by state, no state showed a decrease. The report blames economic trends and government policies for the widening gap.

"Unfortunately, as the economy slows we can expect that low- and moderate-income families will be hit hard," said Gerry Bradley, Research Director for New Mexico Voices for Children, a statewide child advocacy organization. "Policies that the state put in place in 2007 - raising the minimum wage, creating the state Working Families Tax Credit, and increasing unemployment benefits - were good policies and will help some, but it's like a garden hose compared to the tidal wave-impact of the economy," he added.

The full report, press release, and state fact sheets are available at: http://www.cbpp.org/4-9-08sfp.htm .

The Fiscal Policy Project is a program of New Mexico Voices for Children and is made possible by grants from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Public Welfare Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the McCune Charitable Foundation.
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