Minimum wage, other factors hurt state, study says.
A new study by the American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Washington 35th in the country in economic outlook for 2015.
The 8th annual Rich States, Poor States study ranks the states on state policy issues including minimum wage, workers’ compensation costs, property tax burden, sales tax burden and highest marginal personal income tax rate. Washington’s poor showing reflects its high minimum wage, sales tax burden, estate tax and the fact that it’s not a right to work state. Still, it was a slight improvement over last year’s finish of 38th in the country.
Utah ranked best in the nation overall, and New York the worst. Oregon was 45th, Idaho 6th and California 44th.
In the study’s Economic Performance Ranking, which measures gross domestic product, migration and employment over the last 10 years, Washington ranked 6th. In that measure, Texas finished first and Michigan last.
