Debt Weight Scorecard

[alienlovechild 75]

Free-spending America isn't quite a Banana Republic yet. But in a FORBES ranking of sovereign debt the U.S. comes out number 35, one rung below Estonia, on a global list of 85 (see "Setting Sun").

How do the 50 U.S. states stack up against one another? Have a look at the best and worst below. We considered a dozen or so factors, including unfunded pension liabilities, changes in tax revenue, debt as a percentage of GDP, debt per capita, growth expectations for employment and the state economy, net migrations and a moocher ratio that compares government employees, pension burdens and Medicaid enrollees to private-sector employment. Utah finished first overall thanks to AAA ratings from both Moody's ( MCO - news - people ) and S&P, as well as a debt per capita of only $447. Bringing up the rear is Illinois, which lagged several high-tax, debt-burdened states in the Northeast. More people left the Prairie State than took up residence over the past five years, and its unfunded pension obligations are fifth highest in the country.

Best states

1 Utah

2 New Hampshire

3 Nebraska

4 Texas

5 Virginia

Worst

46 New Jersey

47 California

48 Connecticut

49 New York

50 Illinois

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0208/deb...-scorecard.html

[scandal 951]

Bringing up the rear is Illinois, which lagged several high-tax, debt-burdened states in the Northeast. More people left the Prairie State than took up residence over the past five years, and its unfunded pension obligations are fifth highest in the country.

Worst

50 Illinois

:crying:

It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.

My taxes are definitely going up. Despite what Republicans in Springfield are saying, there's just no way around major tax increases and huge service cuts. We're in the cesspool big time in Illinois.

[Ali G. 37]

50 is interesting...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

50 is interesting...

It's the hair...