A new computer system is skewing the data on unemployment claims in New Mexico.
The state's "fully integrated tax and claims system" launched Jan. 6. But because the switchover was done Jan. 1 to Jan. 6, those collecting unemployment were unable to re-certify or file new claims for unemployment from New Mexico during that time.
Because of the shutdown, the number of claims being reported to the federal government is way down.
The Santa Fe New Mexican it says the data is showing a 75 percent decrease in claims for the week ending Jan. 5.
A spokesman for the Department of Workforce Solutions says the new interface is working properly. But there's still a backlog of calls because of the uncertainty from the fiscal cliff negotiations on extended unemployment payments.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.