The South will fall again

Political ideology aside I genuinely feel sorry for those in southern states. Lawmakers in these states have designed their economies around tax breaks for fading industrial age industries of decades past such as manufacturing, mining and energy (oil and coal) the result: 8 of the 10 worst state economies are from the south, the 2 exceptions being the purple states of New Mexico and Ohio. The big winners - 6 of the top 10 are solid Blue Liberal states (including the hated California at #8) all with high taxes, 2 purples (Maryland and Minnesota) and only 2 red states (Utah and Idaho) I would also add all the Liberal west coast states of WA, OR and CA are in the top 12.

But why are those at the top thriving despite higher taxes?

There are many reasons, but 1 seems to stand out: Educational opportunities. The states at the top believe in well funded schools, and opportunities for those who want to pursue a college education. This produces a better educated state population able to compete successfully in today's increasingly tech dependent world.

Maybe it's time for the south to admit you cannot succeed in today's economy with planning from the 1950's -



https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/08/27/states-best-and-worst-economies/37490453/

Back about three decades you could say that state colleges provided education that allowed poor to average people to go. Today, you need a gold mine to get a four year education.

The facilities are still there, but haven't they always been? Every state has a state university (except New Jersey, who has Rutgers).

@mchill said
Political ideology aside I genuinely feel sorry for those in southern states. Lawmakers in these states have designed their economies around tax breaks for fading industrial age industries of decades past such as manufacturing, mining and energy (oil and coal) the result: 8 of the 10 worst state economies are from the south, the 2 exceptions being the purple states of New Mexi ...[text shortened]...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/08/27/states-best-and-worst-economies/37490453/

@mott-the-hoople said
money means nothing if you are miserable...

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-news-best-states-quality-of-life-ranked-2018-2