Hawaii’s economic outlook ranks 41st among states

Hawaii’s economy is still among the nation’s most troubled, ranking in the bottom ten states, but has improved from last year, according to a new report by a national group representing state legislators.

Hawaii ranked 41st out of 50 states for its economic outlook, an improvement from last year’s ranking at No. 44. The report, Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index, is from the American Legislative Exchange Council, the nation’s largest nonpartisan individual membership organization of state legislators.

Hawaii’s low ranking is based in part on high taxes, low wages and the quality of the state’s legal system. The report found that Utah, Colorado and Arizona have the best economies and New York has the worst. Click here to view the Hawaii state profile.