Childcare

When you offer extended time off for new mother’s, employers will avoid hiring women of child bearing age. One way to offset this is to provide free childcare and one state is attempting this, the least likely state of New Mexico. New Mexico's economy is driven by oil and gas production, federal government spending, and tourism, but it also struggles with a high poverty rate and is considered one of the least economically diverse states. New Mexico ranks among the lowest states for per capita income and has a high poverty rate. The state ranks 50th in education and has the highest native American population at 12%. The estimated cost of this benefit is $600 million which is 6% of the budget. Other states will be watching to see what the actual expense will be.