The state of New Mexico returned $132 million to 239,000 households this year via the state’s new Child Tax Credit (CTC). The state CTC is the latest in a series of tax credits that New Mexico has enacted, increased or expanded to help New Mexicans who earn the lowest incomes. That’s one of the data points in a new report, “How Tax Credits Impact Child Poverty and Well-being,” which is the second in the “From Poverty to Prosperity” series.

New Mexico’s child poverty rate is either the highest in the nation or better than the national average – depending on which poverty measurement is used. Both poverty rates come from the U.S. Census Bureau, but take very different factors into account. In order for state lawmakers to make informed decisions about public policies affecting children, they must understand the factors that influence these poverty measurements.