UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS HIGHER THIS JULY OVER 2009

A report from the accountability office with the New Mexico Legislature shows that six times as many New Mexicans filed for unemployment insurance in July compared to the peak period job losses during the Great Recession in 2009; The AP reports. The state of New Mexico is home to about 2.1 million people. The report shows that 197,000 people filed for unemployment claims last month in the state, which is up 32,800 from June of 2009. The main industry hit hardest in the state has been the hospitality industry which includes hotels and restaurants. Following closely is retail trade and health care industries. The Legislative Finance Committee warns that the state may be slower to rebound than other state economically, citing previous experience from the aftermath of the Great Recession.