Los Angeles Times

Michael Hiltzik: Conservative group's ranking of states' economies has been wrong about California for 12 straight years

If you happened to check out the latest ranking of states for their "economic outlook" published last week by the right-wing political group ALEC, you would be excused for concluding that California is deep in an economic hole and digging itself deeper.

ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, has updated these rankings every year or so since 2008. They're prepared by economist Arthur Laffer, Heritage Foundation fellow Stephen Moore and Jonathan Williams, ALEC's chief economist, under the title "Rich States, Poor States."

We've examined "Rich States, Poor States" in the past and found its ability to actually predict states' economic growth prospects to be essentially nil. But this year's edition is especially notable because of Moore's role, since he's been nominated by President Trump for a seat on

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times2 min read
Martin Scorsese Will Produce And Host A Docudrama Series For Fox Nation Streaming Service
NEW YORK — Martin Scorsese has landed in Fox Nation. The subscription streaming service owned and operated by Fox News Media announced Wednesday that it has signed the Oscar-winning director to produce and host an eight-episode faith-based docudrama
Los Angeles Times13 min read
Why Was 2023 Such A Deadly Year In Los Angeles County Jails? It Depends On Whom You Ask
LOS ANGELES -- It was well after dark, but Tawana Hunter lingered in the hospital parking lot, watching the minutes tick by on her phone. As midnight drew closer, she ran through all the things she wished had been different. She wished her father had
Los Angeles Times3 min readCrime & Violence
Editorial: On Medication Abortion, The Supreme Court May Actually Do The Right Thing
It always seemed farfetched that anti-abortion doctors could argue that they have the right to ask a court to severely restrict a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration simply because they don’t want to treat women who might experienc

Related Books & Audiobooks