The 16th edition of a state economic competitiveness index is giving Idaho and Wyoming high marks. But Washington's position continues to worsen. Montana doesn't do much better.
Rich States, Poor States is authored by Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, economist Stephen Moore and Chief Economist Jonathan Williams of the American Legislative Exchange Council.
The authors use 15 economic policy sections to rank how states are performing when it comes to competitiveness and growth.
Overall, Utah ranked 1st followed by North Carolina, Arizona, Idaho and Oklahoma.
Idaho's ranking for the past three years has continued to improve, from 11th, to 5th and now 4th best.
Wyoming also improved this year, from 10th to 6th.
Montana and Washington, however, rank in the lower half, at 33rd and 34th, respectively.
Here's where the states rank in the different categories.
Idaho
Personal income tax - 34th
Property tax burden - 14th
Minimum wage - 1st (tied)
Number of public employees per 10,000 people - 7th
Debt service as a share of revenue - 4th
Recently-legislated tax changes - 1st
Average worker's compensation cost - 35th
State liability system (tort management) - 9th
Montana
Personal income tax - 36th
Property tax burden - 37th
Minimum wage - 22nd
Number of public employees per 10,000 people - 36th
Debt service as a share of revenue - 10th
Recently-legislated tax changes - 25th
Average worker's compensation cost - 36th
State liability system (tort management) - 7th
Washington
Personal income tax - 1st (tied)
Property tax burden - 18th
Minimum wage - 50th
Number of public employees per 10,000 people - 21st
Debt service as a share of revenue - 42nd
Recently-legislated tax changes - 27th
Average worker's compensation cost - 27th
State liability system (tort management) - 26th
Wyoming
Personal income tax - 1st (tied)
Property tax burden - 36th
Minimum wage - 1st (tied)
Number of public employees per 10,000 people - 50th
Debt service as a share of revenue - 1st
Recently-legislated tax changes - 21st
Average worker's compensation cost - 44th
State liability system (tort management) - 4th
The research shows both Idaho and Montana need to work on lowering personal income tax rates and the cost of worker's comp. Wyoming, too, suffers from a high worker's comp system - the result of a state monopoly.
Washington state's minimum wage puts it at a competitive disadvantage, as does its debt service.