In the “Freedom in the 50 States 2023” report by the Cato Institute, New Mexico finds itself ranked 35th, indicating its position as one of the less free states in the country. The comprehensive evaluation conducted by the libertarian think tank scrutinized policies affecting economic and social freedoms across all 50 states.
While New Mexico secured favorable marks for personal freedom, its economic performance was subpar, reflected in its overall score of 0.04. The report noted that the state has historically possessed more personal freedom than economic freedom, with recent improvements in fiscal policy. Despite moving up to 39th place on fiscal policy, up from a prolonged stint at 48th, and achieving a 36th-place rank on regulatory policy, its 41st-best score on economic freedom weighed down its overall standing.
New Mexico faced criticism for government consumption (48th), government employment (48th), and labor market freedom (44th), among other categories. The report highlighted that the state’s overall tax burden, although below the national average, did not significantly contribute to government choice due to limited competing jurisdictions.
Despite its economic challenges, New Mexico garnered commendations for marriage freedom (No. 1), asset forfeiture (No. 1), and cannabis policies (No. 8). The state also boasted an above-average ranking for incarceration (13th), with low victimless crime arrests and favorable asset forfeiture laws.
However, areas for improvement were identified, with recommendations to enhance school choice and liberalize smoking laws to boost the personal freedom score. The report acknowledged New Mexico’s strong stance on religious freedom and equal rights but criticized weaknesses in tobacco and educational freedoms.
The Cato Institute’s report crowned New Hampshire as the freest state, followed by Florida, South Dakota, Nevada, and Arizona. Conversely, the least free states were identified as New York, Hawaii, California, New Jersey, and Oregon.
Read the report here.
You can bet Wuhan-Grisham will do her damndest to bring us in line w/ the likes of NY, NJ, HI, OR, ad nauseum
I live in Albuquerque and have to agree with you
MLG is disappointed that we’re not last.
MLG is the reason for where NM is. Her and the Mayor are worthless for this state. Time to turn it Red.
if you looked at the article, you can tell the cato institute is a liberal think tank because they said texas has no freedom at all and one of the things they consider freedom is lack of drug laws. they punished texas for enforcing drug laws and their high incarceration rate. I left new mexico after five decades because the cops wouldn’t arrest anybody. well, they would arrest if it made the 6 o’clock news. otherwise sweep it under the rug.
Consider tge source!
All you not registered voters and voters who do not vote in our state quit whinning about how are state is operating by our governor, republican and democrats and how we are rated in our state.
Freedom is not decided by our corporate government agencies. It’s by we the people excersing them. Any regulation, statues, bylaws, orders, emergency, martial law R all fraud treasonous to our republic.