State Policy Reports

For those interested in subscribing to State Policy Reports, a recent issue is available for review:

November 2021, Volume 39, Issue 22

Mapping and Bridging the Digital Divide Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress was working to bridge the digital divide, but its efforts have accelerated.

Wrenches in the Census A report from the Urban Institute attempts to quantify the accuracy and fairness of the 2020 decennial census.

Annual indices are also available:

September 2023, Volume 41, Issue 17

Labor Market Recovery Since the Pandemic, Four Ways

This article focuses on four distinct aspects of the labor force landscape for a deeper look at the recovery from the short but severe COVID recession.

August 2023, Volume 41, Issue 15-16

The 2023 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 2023 is New Hampshire.

July 2023, Volume 41, Issue 14

On the Road to Transportation Electrification

A new study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy evaluates states on their policies to support electrification of the transportation sector.

July 2023, Volume 41, Issue 13

State and Local Revenue in FY 2021

The Census Bureau has released its state and local finance series for fiscal year 2021, which allows an apples-to-apples comparison of tax structures and burdens among the states. This issue highlights the revenue data.

June 2023, Volume 41, 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 update, Florida claimed the top spot, while Wyoming came closest to the national average economic momentum.

June 2023, Volume 41, Issue 11

State Budget Process Quality Index

A good budget process gives people confidence that their state is run in an orderly, efficient, and open manner. Reports periodically updates its Index of State Budget Process Quality, based on the National Association of State Budget Officers publication on budget processes. Several of the components seldom change but others cover areas that have been revised in recent years.

May 2023, Volume 41, Issue 10

A Father’s Day Homage

May 2023, Volume 41, Issue 9

To the Seniors Go the Spoils

April 2023, Volume 41, Issue 8

Everyone’s a Winner

April 2023, Volume 41, Issue 7

The Great Unwinding

March 2023, Volume 41, Issue 6

Index of State Economic Momentum

March 2023, Volume 41, Issue 5

Canaries in the Coal Mine