The Free State really isn’t very free, according to a new report from the Mercatus Center in Northern Virginia, a libertarian research group.
According to a study from Mercatus Center scholars who looks at how truly free each state is, Maryland ranked 43rd, seventh from the bottom. Done by two scholars with the George Mason University-based group, the study ranks Maryland dead last in personal freedom, 44th in regulatory freedom and 28th in economic freedom.
But one surprise in the study was how well Maryland ranks on fiscal issues, coming in 11th among the states on its freedom rankings. The Tax Foundation, business groups and Republicans typically beat up Maryland for high taxes.
Surprise on taxes, spending
Jason Sorens, a political science professor at SUNY Buffalo who co-authored the study, was “a little surprised ” too, given Maryland’s poor rankings in other categories.
The main reason for the good ranking on government taxes and spending is the way the Mercatus study calculated the fiscal burden. Maryland’s state “debt ratio to personal income is very low” compared to other states, Sorens said. “Its ratio of government spending to personal income is also low.”
“On tax collection, Maryland is about average,” he said.
Sorens noted that the Tax Foundation, which ranks Maryland as the 12th highest taxed state, counts taxes paid to other states. The Mercatus study puts Maryland “right there in the middle.”
Maryland’s tax burden looks higher because personal incomes are higher, Sorens said.
8 comments:
guess they didn't look at fees?
Then the freedom ranking in Wicomico County should put us last in the state of Maryland, so we should be right down at the bottom. Near to a police state of the Hitler times of 1939 or so. The regulations drive companies out and never get replaced. Tax and spend politicians! You can't drive to the grocery store without getting stopped by one of Sheriff Shorty's gestapo and of course you will be nervous and get your car searched and even though you are Mother Teresa there's one seed of MaryJane on the floor and you will go to jail and meet the commissioner. You guys know the deal. And, don't forget the racial profiling on the bi-pass! Yep, we'd be last on the list for sure. No, for all you cops out there, never been arrested, good upstanding citizen, don't hate cops, love my wife and kids, good neighbor. Just know the reality of living in Wicomico County!
"Near to a police state of the Hitler times of 1939 or so."
I stopped reading your response right there.
:o(
for shame
Hmmm, 0632. Makes you wonder why there are 14,089 more people in Wicomico County than in 2000, doesn't it?
Obviously, it's those Gestapo border guards in Delmar, Mardela, Willards and Eden. They're letting people in but no one can leave. Yeah...that must be it. Otherwise, why would nearly 100,000 people choose to live in a horrible place like this?
8:04 that's right. put your head in the sand and everything will get better. people hate where we live because of what we've become. this blog allows us to speak up and hopefully someone is listening and will reflect on things and make them better. avoiding issues or denying them doesn't solve any of them. discussing them at least starts a process.
Many of us have lived here for decades and hate what our land of pleasant living has become in the last 20 years. But, have homes, families here or can't sell the homes because of the economy and are STUCK. Who likes the depressed economy? Who isn't disappointed in the lack of jobs? Who feels safer? Is there a heavy crime rate? Gangs? Is the detention center getting bigger? Are the schools meeting their educational goals or failing? Is our government a cordial group of people who get along and pull for the common good? Is there a feeling of satisfaction or a spirit of dissatisfaction? Do people leave their doors unlocked anymore? Let their kids play without fear of a pedophile? Can you go to the Mall at Christmas time and shop and go to your car without fearing someone is going to rob you? Is our downtown thriving or dying? Are our rivers cleaner? I could go on, you IDIOT! Add to that the government regulations, the harassment by police and the taxes that go up and the inefficiencies of our government at all levels and keep their hands extended for more, and you have a VERY DISSATISFIED group of people who do live here and wish it was like it used to be and many who WISH they could move! You are an a$$hole! Do your census research a little better next time too.
8:04, you are either ignorant and just can't help yourself, young and clueless, or old and can't seem to "reason" any longer.
try to engage your brain before engaging your writing. i know you can do better if you educate yourself and try real hard.....
I'm practicing my goose stepping
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