Posted on 12/02/2004 7:38:28 AM PST by BenLurkin
Pacific Research Institute ranks the 50 States.
1. Kan. 11. Ariz. 21. Mont. 31. Wash. 41. Mass.
2. Colo. 12. Nev. 22. Fla. 32. W. Va. 42. N.J.
3. Va. 13. S.C. 23. Ark. 33. Alaska 43. Ohio
4. Idaho 14. Ind. 24. N.C. 34. Mich. 44. Minn.
5. Utah 15. S.D. 25. Ala 35. Hawaii 45. Penn.
6. Okla. 16. Iowa 26. Tenn 36. Vt. 46. Ill.
7. N.H. 17. Texas 27. Md. 37. N.M. 47. R.I.
8. Del. 18. N.D. 28. Miss. 38. Wisc. 48. Conn.
9. Wy. 19. Ga. 29. Ore. 39. Ky. 49. Calif.
10. Mo. 20. Neb. 30. Maine 40. La. 50. N.Y.
The Index uses five categories -- fiscal, regulatory, judicial, government size and welfare -- to measure and compare economic freedom in the 50 states. Among the variables are tax rates, state spending, occupation licensing, environmental regulations, income redistribution, right-to-work laws, minimum wage and tort law. Co-author Lawrence McQuillian writes that Kansas won the top spot "largely due to its respect for property rights: It engages in less income redistribution and attracts less tort litigation than most states."
Along with the Heritage Foundation, we publish a world-wide index that over the years has underscored the essential link between economic freedom and prosperity. And sure enough, the Pacific Research Institute study finds that a 10% improvement in a state's economic freedom score yields, on average, about a half-percent increase in annual per-capita income. If all states were as free as Kansas, the annual income of the average American worker would increase 4.42%, or $1,161. Over a 40-year period, that would add $87,541 to a lifetime income.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
My mistake. The source is actualy WSJ on line.
Being from NJ, I quite naturally started at 50 and worked my way back to find my state's rank rank.
The Old Dominion, Virginia, and my home state coming in 3rd...woohoo!
Blue states are last on the list - ha ha
Anyone notice that virtually the entire top 30 are Red States, while all of the Blue states are in the lower part?
Being from Ohio, I did the same thing. Sadly we are #43 thanks Bob Taft and your band of merry RINO's
Did the same for Wisconsin.
Land of presidents. Good for them.
Yup!
Colorado #2.... Woohoo
Being from Mass. I did the same thing.
Take a look at the column on the right and follow down top to bottom...Their squeezing so hard that the states have turned blue.
Massachusetts at 41?! Wait a minute. State Sen. Moore wants to pay for Healthcare for the unisured with another .50 cigarette tax. We can become 50!
Being from Kansas, I'm glad we can finally be known for something other than the Wizard of Oz.
My parents always say that our state is a well-kept secret. Apparently, they weren't kidding.
Congrats.
(ps What's the warmest part of your state?)
Colorado Springs gets warm in the summer, 85-95 degrees. The warmest area would be in the south with Democrat Pueblo and southeast, with Lamar and La junta. All three get toasty in the summer. High 90`s to 100+ are normal summer temps.
Idaho screwed up again, couldn't muster any higher than #4.
I couldn't agree more. That's why I wouldn't dream of gloating about this anywhere except Free Republic. At least if a torrent of Freepers migrate to our beloved Sunflower State, there's no harm done, right? ;)
No worries.
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