(The Center Square) – Wyoming dropped two spots in this year’s economic outlook ranking in the “Rich States, Poor States” report from American Legislative Exchange Council, but still remains in the top 10.
The Cowboy State came in at 8th best for economic outlook in the report, which is in its 17th edition. The state is 44th when it comes to economic performance.
Economist Jonathan Williams, one of three co-authors of the report, says it does not hurt being the only state in the region outside of South Dakota that avoids both a personal and a corporate income tax.
“Of course, avoiding things like the death tax, having right to work policies, and having debt service that is the lowest share of tax revenue of any states in the country, so, avoiding the problem of over-indebtedness that has created so many problems for other states,” Williams told The Center Square. “Wyoming continues to be a state that is a great example of other states to emulate.”
Areas that hampered Wyoming include “Public Employees Per 10,000 of Population.” Wyoming finished 50th in that category. Wyoming is 44th in “Average Workers’ Compensation Costs.”
Wyoming ranked sixth last year and 10th the year before that. Wyoming has been as high as second in recent years (2020).
