State leaders took a victory lap Thursday after a report named Utah as the state with the best economic outlook for the 16th year in a row.
The report, issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative-leaning policy group, is based on several variables, including tax rates, minimum wage, average workers' compensation costs and the number of state employees per capita.
Utah's Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said the state's conservative principles and governance are behind the continued rosy outlook for its economic future.
"It's truly an honor to celebrate an unprecedented 16th year in a row as the state with the best economic outlook," he said during a press conference at the state Capitol Thursday. "Utah's commitment to free market values, low taxes, small government, and opportunity for all is proving — time and time again — that this is truly a recipe that works. ... This data-driven approach holds states accountable and shows exactly how states can find a path to prosperity. This roadmap to success is key to good government."
He went on to say efforts to address the concerns Utah is facing would face an uphill climb without economic stability.
"You can't solve homelessness, you can't solve housing, you can't work on education if you don't have a healthy economy, and this year we proved that we can do all of those things," he said.
Legislative leaders joined Cox to celebrate the recognition, and pointed out policy achievements they say were made...
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