FEDERAL FUNDS AREN’T “FREE”: HOW FEDERAL SPENDING IN NEW MEXICO GROWS STATE GOVERNMENT

For decades, New Mexico’s elected officials have worked to “bring home the bacon” from Washington, DC. By and large, they have succeeded in this regard. According to recent data from Key Policy Data, New Mexico receives $1.69 from Uncle Sam for every dollar it sends to Washington. As seen in the chart below, only Kentucky and Mississippi exceeded New Mexico during FY 2013 when it comes to federal largesse.