THERE’S A LOT OF MONEY RESTING ON ONE QUESTION. IT’S THE QUESTION ABOUT CITIZENSHIP THAT COULD END UP ON THE 2020 CENSUS. THAT’S ACCORDING TO NEW MEXICO ATTORNEY GENERAL HECTOR BALDERAS. HIS OFFICE HAS JOINED A GROUP OF STATES OPPOSING THE PLAN TO PUT THE QUESTION BEFORE RESIDENTS. A-G SPOKESMAN JAMES HALLINAN SAYS THE FEAR IS THAT IT WILL LEAD TO AN UNDER-COUNT OF PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO.
HE SAYS STUDIES SHOW NEW MEXICO IS THE STATE EXPECTED TO BE MOST UNDER COUNTED IN THE UPCOMING CENSUS. HALLINAN SAYS AN INACCURATE COUNT OF RESIDENTS IN NEW MEXICO COULD PUT FEDERAL FUNDING AT RISK.
THREE YEARS AGO THE STATE GOT 6-BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL DOLLARS BASED ON THE CENSUS. THE AMOUNT INCLUDED 2-POINT-5 BILLION IN MEDICAID FUNDS.
