N.M. shed jobs while most states grew

As the nation continues its slow economic recovery, new numbers show New Mexico is one of only six states to lose jobs from 2011 to 2012.

In fact only one state is worse off, according to statistics released Thursday by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, the state's labor department.

New Mexico, Mississippi, Alaska, New Hampshire, Rhode island, West Virginia and the District of Columbia all showed job losses over the last year.

West Virginia was the worst off, but New Mexico was second to last.

While states like oil-booming North Dakota--the No. 1 state for job growth--gained more than 18,000 jobs last year, New Mexico lost 4,800.

So, what happened here?

The state blames a big cut in federal jobs including Los Alamos National Laboratory shedding more than 500 employees last year.

The state says a total of 1,200 jobs were lost at the federal level.

"Obviously with the presence of Sandia National Laobratories, Los Alamos National Laboratories and the Air Force bases that we do have here, it does put an overemphasis on the jobs that government does provide in our state," said Secretary Celina Bussey of the state labor agency.

The state says New Mexico did show job gains in leisure, hospitality, health services and education.  But those gains weren't enough to make up for the number of jobs lost.

Another problem that surfaced: New Mexico appears to be having a tougher time adding jobs compared to nearby states.

Texas, Colorado, Arizona and all other states across the West all showed job growth.

Also on Thursday Gov. Susana Martinez hosted a jobs summit with political and business leaders in support of her legislative agenda, which includes a proposal to cut corporate taxes in hopes of making the state more competitive.