50-state report: GOP-led states are in best economic condition

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A new report ranks all 50 states from best to worst for economic conditions, showing which states have improved, and worsened, in creating an economic climate where businesses want to invest.

The American Legislative Exchange Council released the state analysis, which ranks Utah as the number one state, North Carolina as second, and Arizona as third. Idaho and Oklahoma fill out the top five spots, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively.

“The proof is in the pudding,” Jonathan Williams, ALEC’s chief economist who co-authored the report, told The Center Square.

“Utah was the fastest growing state in the country by population, over 18% population growth in the last decade. So one of the key themes that we see not just in Utah but in so many of the top ten or the top half of states is that states that get it right with policy are getting it right with migration as people continue to vote with their feet. Taxpayers are continuing to vote with their feet against high-tax states and going toward states that offer more economic opportunity and really a better quality of life and a lower cost of life.”

“We’ve been doing this long enough that there are really no accidents and no flukes,” he added.

ALEC created its rankings using 15 metrics, most of them related to the state tax environment. The metrics, which are equally rated, are as follows:

• Top Marginal Personal Income Tax Rate.

• Top Marginal Corporate Income Tax Rate.

• Personal Income Tax Progressivity (change in tax liability per $1,000 of income).

• Property Tax Burden (per $1,000 of personal income).

• Sales Tax Burden (per $1,000 of personal income).

• Remaining Tax Burden (per $1,000 of personal income).

• Estate/Inheritance Tax Levied.

• Recently Legislated Tax Changes (2020 & 2021, per $1,000

Critics claim new emission standards will end gas vehicles

By TOM GANTERT THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced new proposed federal vehicle emissions standards critics claim will “effectively ban gasoline and diesel vehicles” while making the U.S. dependent on China.

The EPA proposal of light and heavy-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards is for model years 2027-2032. The EPA projects that its proposal could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 56% by 2032 and help increase electric vehicle light-duty sales by 67% by 2032.

“By proposing the most ambitious pollution standards ever for cars and trucks, we are delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s promise to protect people and the planet, securing critical reductions in dangerous air and climate pollution and ensuring significant economic benefits like lower fuel and maintenance costs for families,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, in a media release.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers said the EPA decision to “fixate on tailpipe emissions rather than full fuel and vehicle lifecycle is a huge error that will stymie investment and artificially cap the potential of carbon abatement for liquid fuels and vehicles on the road today.”

“EPA’s proposal to effectively ban gasoline and diesel vehicles is bad for consumers, the environment, our freedom of mobility and U.S. national security,” American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers’ President and CEO Chet Thompson said in a press release.

Henry Payne, auto columnist for The Detroit News, said the Biden Administration is trying to radically transform the auto energy sector.

“A century after the alcohol Prohibition era, a second Temperance Movement has formed to ban carbon-emitting products as immoral,” Mr. Payne said in an email to The Center Square. “Popular consumer items like incandescent light bulbs, gas stoves, and gas cars are targeted. The effects are already being felt