For Immediate Release

Jobs continue to leave New Mexico

HOBBS, NM – The new jobless numbers for December released today serve as confirmation of what New Mexicans have been saying: ‘the jobs are just not here.’

According to numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment in New Mexico jumped to 8.3% for the month of December, growing 3.6% in the last year. While the state average stays below 10%, in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, unemployment is skyrocketing with Luna County at 17.8%, Grant County at 11.6%, and Catron County with 10.1% unemployment.

Congressman Harry Teague stated in a recent interview: “The bad economy has impacted some of rural America in a good way.” (“Teague visits Cibola County, again,” Cibola Beacon, 01/14/10)

“Congressman Teague is way off the mark. Families and small businesses all across Southern New Mexico continue to share stories about how they are struggling in this economy. They do not see the silver lining in job loss,” stated Alicia Collins, campaign spokeswoman.

Collins added, “The higher taxes, more spending policies coming from Teague and his liberal party leaders are failing miserably. It is time they stop trying to spend our way out of this recession and put forth real job creating solutions.”

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