New Hampshire has reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the Cato Institute’s “Freedom in the 50 States” index, displacing Florida, and was again ranked first in North America for economic freedom by the Fraser Institute. NH Journal reports the Granite State’s record on lowering taxes, reducing regulation and expanding educational opportunity is being credited for the rankings, and that Gov. Chris Sununu also earned an “A” on Cato’s latest fiscal report card.
After a year in second place, ‘Live Free or Die’ New Hampshire is back on top of the Cato Institute’s “Freedom in the 50 States” index, knocking Florida out of the top spot.
NH Journal
A second national ranking reinforced the result, according to NH Journal, which notes the state held its position at the top of the continent for a second straight year.
The Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom in North America has also ranked the Granite State the top state or province in North America for the second year in a row.
NH Journal
Sununu framed the recognition around delivering results for residents rather than scoring political points, in remarks reported by NH Journal.
As the first state to hold the number one spot for both economic and overall freedom, it’s clear that New Hampshire’s approach is the right one.
NH Journal
The governor’s standing was reinforced by an additional national mark, NH Journal reports, placing him among only a few chief executives to earn the top grade.
Cato also gave Sununu an “A” rating in its latest fiscal responsibility report card , just one of four chief executives to earn top marks.
NH Journal
Americans for Prosperity-New Hampshire State Director Greg Moore tied the rankings to recent policy choices, per NH Journal.
The steps that the state has made in recent years to lower taxes, reduce regulation and expand educational opportunity are paying off and have made us the freest state in the nation.
NH Journal
The reports arrived alongside strong labor-market figures, with the state’s 2.9 percent unemployment rate among the lowest in the nation and below those of its New England neighbors, the outlet notes.
Moore added that the rankings, while favorable, also pointed to areas where supporters of the state’s approach want to see further action.
State officials presented the dual recognition as the product of sustained policy decisions rather than any single move. The coverage from NH Journal lays out the reaction from leaders and policy groups, who pointed back to the same priorities of taxes, regulation and education highlighted in the rankings.
For the full breakdown of where New Hampshire placed and how it compared with its neighbors, the complete report is available from NH Journal.
The recognition extended a multi-year run of strong national marks for the state across independent indexes.
Officials presented the dual ranking as the product of sustained policy choices rather than any single decision.
Backers pointed to lower taxes, lighter regulation and expanded school choice as the foundation for the results.
Sununu’s fiscal grade placed him among only a handful of governors to receive the top mark.
Moore said the state should not rest on the rankings and pointed to areas where supporters want further action.
Read the full story at NH Journal.
