LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- The most recent unemployment numbers for Las Cruces only go back to December, but in that month alone another 100 Las Crucens lost their jobs. In December 2009 the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Las Cruces was 8.5 percent. That's an increase from 7.9 percent in November and up from just over 5 percent in December 2008. Sen. Jeff Bingaman said New Mexicans may have to wait for relief just a little bit longer.

“I think we will pass a jobs bill here in the next month or two in Congress and hopefully that will help create jobs as well as through the rest of this year,” said Bingaman.

Bingaman said one way Congress plans to make job creation a reality is by giving employers additional incentives.