Republicans Control Best-Run States in America, 24/7 Wall St. Survey Shows

The annual Best and Worst Run States in America survey by 24/7 Wall St. came out today, revealing that the top 5 states are led by Republicans while the bottom five are dominated by Democrats.

The list is based on a review of data for financial health, standard of living and government services. While noting that current situations may stem from decisions made years ago and that external factors like weather can be as much to blame as poor governance, 24/7 Wall St. also points out that all of the high-ranking states have “well-managed budgets” and the worst states have “high debt relative to both income and expenditure.”

Here’s how it breaks down at the top and bottom of the list cross-referenced with details on party control based on this map from Americans for Tax Reform:

HE TOP 5 STATES:

1.  North Dakota

Governor: Jack Dalrymple, Republican

State Senate: Republican control

State House of Representatives: Republican control

> Debt per capita: $3,282 (22nd lowest)

> Budget deficit: None

> Unemployment: 3.5% (the lowest)

> Median household income: $51,704 (20th highest)

> Pct. below poverty line: 12.2% (13th lowest)

2. Wyoming

 Governor: Matt Mead, Republican

State Senate: Republican control

State House of Representatives: Republican control

> Debt per capita: $2,694 (18th lowest)

> Budget deficit: 10.3% (32nd largest)

> Unemployment: 6.0% (7th lowest)

> Median household income: $56,322 (13th highest)

3. Nebraska

Governor: Dave Heineman, Republican

State Legislature: Republican control

> Debt per capita: $1,279 (2nd lowest)

> Budget deficit: 9.7% (34th largest)

> Unemployment: 4.4% (2nd lowest)

> Median household income: $50,296 (22nd highest)

> Pct. below poverty line: 13.1% (tied-15th lowest)

4. Utah

Governor: Gary Herbert, Republican

State Senate: Republican control

State House of Representatives: Republican control

> Debt per capita: $2,356 (15th lowest)

> Budget deficit: 14.7% (25th largest)

> Unemployment: 6.7% (tied-11th lowest)

> Median household income: $55,869 (14th highest)

> Pct. below poverty line: 13.5% (tied-17th lowest)

5. Iowa

Governor: Terry Branstad, Republican

State Senate: Republican control

State House of Representatives: Republican control

> Debt per capita: $1,690 (7th lowest)

> Budget deficit: 20.3% (18th largest)

> Unemployment: 5.9% (6th lowest)

> Median household income: $49,427 (24th highest)

> Pct. below poverty line: 12.8% (14th lowest)

via Republicans Control Best-Run States in America, 24/7 Wall St. Survey Shows | TheBlaze.com.

via Republicans Control Best-Run States in America, 24/7 Wall St. Survey Shows | TheBlaze.com.