Richert: Questioning ALEC’s Rankings

There’s a magic formula for economic prosperity, and the American Legislative Exchange Council is all too happy to share it. All you have to do is elect a boatload of Republican legislators who’ll play ball with a Republican governor. OK, ALEC didn’t exactly put it that way. But that big box store for free-market and small-government thinking — offered helpfully under the guise of “model legislation” — implied it clearly enough. Clearly enough that I don’t mind putting the words in ALEC’s mouth, much in the way that ALEC puts words in the mouths of legislators. ALEC has released its fifth annual report titled “Rich States, Poor States,” its forecast of the states’ economic outlook. … According to the ALEC-Laffer braintrust, Idaho’s economic outlook is ranked No. 6 in the nation/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Do you think Idaho should be ranked No. 6 in the nation for states’ economic outlook?