(The Center Square) – Virginia ranks 17th and Maryland 44th in a new national labor policy report evaluating state laws that, according to its authors, shape job access, worker mobility and economic opportunity.

The report, released by the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, scores states across 10 policy areas, including licensing rules, union regulations, minimum wage levels and public-sector job reliance.

ALEC, which promotes limited government and market-oriented policies, ranks states higher when they adopt what it calls pro-worker reforms that encourage employment growth and reduce regulatory barriers.

ALEC credited Virginia with 3.5 out of 10 stars. It highlighted the commonwealth's adoption of a universal licensing law, which allows professionals moving into the state to continue working without reapplying for licenses.

The report also noted Virginia’s right-to-work law and low union membership rates. Just over 11% of the state’s public-sector workforce belonged to a union in 2023, and 2.4% of private-sector workers were union members, placing Virginia in the top five for lowest unionization.

Maryland received just one star, with the report citing stricter licensing rules, a higher minimum wage, and a larger government workforce. Maryland’s minimum wage was $15 as of January 2025, and 26% of public employees were union members. Both factors were cited as contributing to its lower ranking.

Virginia and Maryland, which share a border and a large regional...

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