federal stimulus

New Mexico may be running out of money to pay unemployment benefits, but 25 states are in worse shape, the Washington Post reports. Those state have already run out of unemployment money and have borrowed $24 billion from the federal government to cover the gaps. New Mexico’s fund is shrinking because of a 75 percent [...]

States, including New Mexico, are competing for $4 billion in federal funding for innovative education programs, reports the New York Times. As the story says: “The $4 billion is the most money Washington has ever given to overhaul schools. It is to be awarded in two rounds, in April and September, to about a dozen [...]

An early, controlled release of state prisoners has been mentioned as a consequence of deep spending cuts ordered by the New Mexico Legislature to the state’s $5 billion budget. Whether that actually occurs is unclear. My bet is that it won’t for several reasons. But one state, Illinois, appears ready to carry through on an [...]

New Hampshire’s bid to become the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana fell two votes short Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

The special session ended Friday, or so we were led to believe. But Kate Nash of the Santa Fe New Mexican is dead on with her story today that suggests that maybe the session has gone into overtime, what with all the bickering between Gov. Bill Richardson and state lawmakers. Personally, I think it’s a [...]

Businesses with federal stimulus contracts have created few jobs in states with the worst unemployment rates, according to data released Thursday by the federal government, reports the New York Times.