Government entities across New Mexico are reporting $5.7 billion in future water and wastewater infrastructure needs, but the state’s piecemeal approach to funding water projects leads to idle dollars and unnecessary delays.

The Legislature has appropriated more than three-quarters of a billion dollars over the past three years for in crime prevention approaches, but the impact has been limited.

More than 124 thousand New Mexico public school students missed more than 10 percent of school in 2023, putting those students at risk for struggling academically and eventually dropping out.

Despite the health and quality of life benefits of community recreational facilities, capital funding for these projects often comes second to other public safety and basic needs. However, a new grant program shows promise for more efficiently and effectively funding local recreation and quality of life projects.

Four years after the pandemic spurred a surge in online higher education, online course-taking remains a substantial part of New Mexico higher education. In academic year 2022-23, 45 percent of New Mexico college credit hours were taken online, a 34 percent increase in online course-taking since academic year 2019-20.

New Mexico needs about 40 thousand more residents between ages 20 and 54 working or looking for work to meet the national average for labor force participation.

New Mexico is seeing unprecedented investments in public and private construction at the same time as construction costs are skyrocketing. Absent significant drops in material prices or construction demand, or rapid increases in the labor force, construction costs will likely remain elevated.

New Mexico’s high school graduation rate has improved in the last 10 years, but New Mexico still is among the lowest-ranking rates. However, only about 2,000 more students would have to graduate to match the national average.