July 2021, Volume 39, Issue 13

Index of State Economic Momentum: Take 2

The most recent issue of Reports had an update of the Index of State Economic Momentum and noted something unusual in each of its three components that led to atypical results in the overall measure. One of those oddities was self-inflicted and is addressed herein. Specifically, the update used two sets of population figures that really shouldn’t have been compared. Using consistent population data changes things up a bit.

The 2020 Census

New state population data may have a big impact when distributing billions in federal assistance to state and local governments.
June 2021, Volume 39, Issue 12

Index of State Economic Momentum

The Index of State Economic Momentum ranks states based on their most recent performance in three key measures of economic vitality: personal income growth, employment growth, and population growth. Reports updates the index each quarter. In this second update of 2021, the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns, re-openings, and federal aid, plus the release of the 2020 census count, have upended results.
June 2021, Volume 39, Issue 11

2021 KIDS COUNT: TRENDS

The 2021 edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s assessment focuses on performance trends on the study’s key child well-being indicators.

2019 Overdose Deaths by State

The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show persistently high death rates in many states.

States with the “Worst” Drivers in 2021

A top-10 list of states with the worst drivers focuses on traffic citations, which could depend on factors other than driver performance.
May 2021, Volume 39, Issue 10

State Tax Collections in FY 2020

Examining what happened to state tax collections in FY 2020 sheds light on the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the economic jolt was the strongest.

COVID-19 Cases, Deaths, Vaccinations, and Hesitancy

As the pandemic moves to a new phase—mitigation through vaccination—it is interesting to note the variation in state rates of infection, death, vaccination, and vaccine hesitancy.
May 2021, Volume 39, Issue 9

Eco-Friendliest States

WalletHub released a report that ranks states based on various environmental attributes.

Retiree-Friendliest States

Yahoo! Finance highlights the states least desirable for retirement.
April 2021, Volume 39, Issue 8

The 2021 Camelot Index

The Camelot Index was developed by Reports founding editor Hal Hovey, a longtime observer and analyst of state budgets and economies. It ranks states on six “quality of life” measures: economy, health, crime, education, society, and state government. Like last year, the top-ranking state in 2021 is Iowa.
April 2021, Volume 39, Issue 7

Volcker Alliance Finds Improved State Budget Practices
March 2021, Volume 39, Issue 6

Index of State Economic Momentum
March 2021, Volume 39, Issue 5

Be Best, State Version
February 2021, Volume 39, Issue 4

A Pandemic Fiscal Stress Test Update
February 2021, Volume 39, Issue 3

When is a $15 Minimum Wage not $15?
January 2021, Volume 39, Issue 2

Economic Impact Payments by State
January 2021, Volume 39, Issue 1

Defense Spending and COVID-19 Data
December 2020, Volume 38, Issue 23-24

Index of State Economic Momentum
November 2020, Volume 38, Issue 22

The State-Federal Balance of Payments in FY 2019
November 2020, Volume 38, Issue 21

The 2020 Census: What’s at Stake?
October 2020, Volume 38, Issue 20

Transfer Payments and Second Quarter Personal Income
October 2020, Volume 38, Issue 19

State and Local Finances in FY 2018
September 2020, Volume 38, Issue 18

Index of State Economic Momentum
September 2020, Volume 38, Issue 17

Potential Applications of Regional Price Parities
August 2020, Volume 38, Issue 15-16

A Federal Budget Update
July 2020, Volume 38, Issue 14

The Value of Added FMAP
July 2020, Volume 38, Issue 13

Stress Test Update
June 2020, Volume 38, Issue 12

Index of State Economic Momentum
June 2020, Volume 38, Issue 11

Camelot Components: State Solvency
May 2020, Volume 38, Issue 10

COVID-19 Job Losses: The Dominoes Begin to Fall
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