Thanks to the SCSU Scholars blog for publicizing a study by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that offers really thorough analysis of state by state statistics to determine each state's overall economic outlook in comparison to the other states. Arthur Laffer's and Stephen Moore's study, Rich States Poor States, is a fact intensive analysis of a variety of indicators critical to determining economic stability.

This study, available online, delves into the fiscal and economic policies of the states. As noted in the executive summary of the study, taxpayers and legislators should utilize this resource in evaluating their current policies and planning strategies to respond to the growing economic concerns in the U.S.

As a Minnesotan, the fact that Minnesota ranks below all five of its neighboring states is of great concern. South Dakota ranks 3rd, Michigan 16th, North Dakota 24th, Iowa 27th and Wisconsin 30th. Minnesota's overall ranking of 35 should raise red flags for those in positions of power.

We should be asking our legislators, and they should be asking themselves and each other, why our neighbors' economic policies put them on more stable ground and how we can reevaluate our policies to improve our economic position in the region and nation.

As Minnesota Democrats spend the remainder of this legislative session seeking ways to increase the burden on taxpayers, they may want to read (or at least have a staffer read) this study.

Kudos to ALEC...