Utah retains top ranking in economic outlook report

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah retained the top economic outlook ranking in a new report by the American Legislative Exchange Council.

The third edition of "Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index" had Utah top-ranked a year ago, based on 15 state public policy variables. Utah was ranked 18th in economic performance, based on three variables "highly influenced by state policy."

The report's authors analyzed how economic competitiveness drives income, population and job growth.

In the economic outlook rankings, Utah was followed by Colorado, Arizona, South Dakota and Florida. New York was ranked last.

The report is available at www.alec.org. ALEC is nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators.