Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham highlighted New Mexico’s progress during her State of the State address, showcasing ambitious initiatives such as a constitutional right to child care and free college. While some of her claims were accurate, others were more complicated. The state became the first to guarantee child care as a constitutional right, funded through a land grant. The governor also mentioned the high cost of child care, although data shows the average monthly cost is lower than the $3,000 figure cited. Additionally, the governor’s claim that New Mexico’s poverty rate dropped to 17th in the nation was found to be misleading. While officials pointed to a report based on the Supplemental Poverty Measure ranking the state 17th in child poverty, traditional measures still place New Mexico at the bottom for child poverty. The Supplemental Poverty Measure takes into account government assistance programs, highlighting efforts to reduce poverty in the state.
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