A new study released by leading economists confirms that even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, states led by Republican governors have far more positive economic outlooks than those led by Democratic governors.
The ALEC “Rich States, Poor States” study takes a detailed look at 15 different policy variables, from state GDP and tax rates to regulatory climate, to determine states’ economic competitiveness. The results of the study were definitive – states led by governors who adhere to bedrock principles of fiscal responsibility have more positive economic outlooks.
Thus, unsurprisingly, 8 of the 10 states in position for the strongest economic future are led by Republican governors. Western states Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho, all led by Republican governors, hold the top three rankings respectively, while five other states led by Republican governors round out the top ten: Indiana, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arizona.
The news was far more grim for states led by Democratic governors, as the study concluded that 9 of the 10 states with the worst economic outlooks are states led by Democrats. Finishing dead last was New York, a distinction well-deserved for liberal Governor Andrew Cuomo. Under Cuomo, New York has ranked dead last in the Rich States, Poor States survey for the last seven years and his policies have led New York to have the highest unemployment rate ever recorded in state history and the nation’s highest tax burden. Governor Phil Murphy’s New Jersey did not fair much better; the Garden State ranked 48th in part due to the state’s worst in the nation business tax climate. Liberal havens of Illinois and California also ranked in the bottom ten. Rather than providing more economic opportunity for citizens of their states, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker chooses to spend his time pushing for tax hikes on residents, while he pulls toilets out of his own home to save himself money, and Governor Newsom looks to tax drinking water and cripple working class families.
“By advancing pro-growth policies, easing regulations on businesses, and providing competitive tax climates to allow businesses to thrive, Republican governors have set their states up for long-term economic success,” said RGA Communications Director Amelia Chassé Alcivar. “While liberal governors continue to drive residents and businesses away from their states with their heavy-handed tax-and-spend policies, Republican governors are fostering environments to provide increased opportunity and lead America’s economic recovery.”
