The twenty-five year old John Locke Foundation has just released its First in Freedom Index for 2015. The Freedom Index ranks states for the level of freedom allowed their citizens in four weighted areas of policy:
Fiscal: 50%
Education: 20%
Regulation: 20%
Health Care: 10%
Michigan ranks 31st overall among the states in the Freedom Index. Dismal per capita levels of state taxes, spending, and regulation weighed down Michigan’s rankings. Michigan’s ranking in the individual policy categories are:
Fiscal: 32nd
Education: 20th
Regulation: 33rd
Health Care: 9th
People can challenge the John Locke Foundation’s criteria, but their rankings pretty much pass the ‘gut feel’ test. It is woefully clear that Michigan is a long way from the freedom afforded our neighbors in Indiana. Time to benchmark Indiana’s state policies?
(12)Nuh Uh.
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Gee, go figure.