Kentucky ranked among bottom 15 states in economic competitiveness

Kentucky ranked among the bottom fifteen states in terms of economic competitiveness according to a new study sponsored by the American Legislative Exchange Commission (ALEC). The study, authored by Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore, and Jonathan Williams, used 15 policy variables that have a "proven impact on the migration of capital."

The 15 policy variables are as follows:

• Highest Marginal Personal Income Tax Rate
• Highest Marginal Corporate Income Tax Rate
• Personal Income Tax Progressivity
• Property Tax Burden
• Sales Tax Burden
• Tax Burden From All Remaining Taxes
• Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax (Yes or No)
• Recent Tax Policy Changes 2007-08
• Debt Service as a Share of Tax Revenue
• Public Employees Per 1,000 Residents
• Quality of State Legal System
• State Minimum Wage
• Workers’ Compensation Costs
• Right-to-Work State (Yes or No)
• Tax or Expenditure Limit

These factors, say the study, are all factors that are under the control of state lawmakers.