(The Center Square) – Wisconsin ranked near the middle of the pack at 26th in economic outlook in the American Legislative Exchange Council’s rankings released Tuesday.
ALEC’s 18th edition of its annual “Rich States, Poor States” report showed that Wisconsin was 34th in economic performance over the 10 years running from 2013 to 2023, ranking 37th in state gross domestic product, 34th in absolute domestic migration and 32nd in non-farm payroll.
The rankings looked at 15 state policy variables to determine an overall economic outlook ranking based upon the premise that states that spend less and tax less experience higher growth ranks than states that tax and spend more.
“Each of these factors is influenced directly by state lawmakers through the legislative process,” the report’s author’s wrote.
Wisconsin’s economic outlook ranking has dropped from a high of 12th in 2020 to 15th in 2021, 14th in 2022, 17th in 2023, 21st in 2024 and the current ranking of 26th.
Wisconsin earned its top ratings for being a right-to-work state, relying on the $7.25 state minimum wage and not having an estate or inheritance tax.
Wisconsin received its lowest ratings in the average workers’ compensation costs (42nd), personal income tax progressivity (40th) and top marginal person income tax rate (40th).
Wisconsin workers’ compensation costs employers $1.67 on average per $100 of payroll.
