As the legislative session approaches its May 6 conclusion, a new national report underscores what many residents already feel: the state’s affordability challenges remain deeply entrenched.  

Despite acknowledging cost reduction as a top priority heading into the 2026 session, lawmakers are advancing policies that risk moving in the opposite direction — potentially worsening the state’s already high cost-of-living and weak economic outlook. 

According to Rich States, Poor States, published by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Connecticut ranks 46th in the United States for its economic outlook and 48th for economic performance. The outlook ranking represents a decline from the previous year and continues a troubling long-term trend.

Over nearly two decades, Connecticut has consistently placed in the bottom tier, averaging around 38th overall. Its highest placement was 32nd in 2009, while it fell as low as 47th in both 2015 and 2016. 

These findings are not an outlier.  

Other national assessments, including the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index, Wallethub’s rankings for business environment and costs, and CNBC’s 2025 “America’s Top States for Business” report, show similar results. Across these measures, Connecticut consistently underperforms in areas tied to economic competitiveness, including tax burden, regulatory climate, and labor policy. 

Overall, the state imposes high personal and corporate income taxes, maintains one of the heaviest property tax burdens in the nation, and ranks poorly in structural indicators such as estate taxes and labor flexibility.  

Connecticut did post strong GDP growth in 2025, ranking 12th nationally. But that short-term performance masks longer-term challenges. From 2014 to 2024: 

• GDP growth ranked 41st  

• Domestic migration ranked 43rd  

• Non-farm employment growth ranked 45th  

These indicators suggest that while the state can experience periods of growth, it continues to struggle with attracting residents, retaining workers, and expanding its economic base.  

Even within New England, a region known for higher costs, Connecticut trails most of its neighbors: See Table One 

While other states in the region face similar structural challenges, Connecticut’s relative performance remains among the weakest.  

There has been progress. 

Since 2017, Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails have introduced spending discipline, bond rating upgrades, helped reduce pension liabilities, and contributed to the buildup of a $4.1 billion Rainy Day Fund. These reforms also enabled the largest income tax cut in state history. 

However, the state still carries one of the highest debt burdens in the nation, particularly when measured on a per-capita basis. In recent years, adjustments to the guardrails have also raised concerns about maintaining their long-term effectiveness. 

Preserving the core principles of these reforms, disciplined spending, predictable budgeting, and continued progress on long-term liabilities, remains critical to improving the state’s fiscal outlook.  

Strengthening Connecticut’s economic outlook trajectory will require addressing structural challenges in taxation, spending, and regulation.  

Instead, lawmakers are considering proposals that would increase taxes on high earners and businesses, including a potential statewide property tax, higher income tax rates, and a capital gains surcharge.  

These policies carry risks. Connecticut already relies heavily on a relatively small group of high-income taxpayers (2.5%), who account for a disproportionate share of income tax revenue (41%). Increasing that burden further may influence decisions about where individuals live, work, and invest. 

A shrinking tax base would have broader consequences, affecting revenue stability and the state’s ability to fund services.  

Connecticut’s challenges are not new: they are structural and well-documented. 

High housing costs, rising energy prices, and a heavy tax burden continue to drive concerns about affordability. Surveys consistently show residents considering relocation to states with lower costs and stronger economic growth. 

At the same time, population growth in lower-cost states across the South and Southeast reflects a broader trend: individuals and businesses are responding to policy environments that support affordability and opportunity.  

Reversing course will require more than incremental adjustments.  

It will require a renewed focus on fiscal discipline, structural reform, and policies that improve competitiveness, including controlling spending, maintaining effective guardrails, and reducing tax and regulatory burdens. 

Connecticut has seen what works. The challenge now is sustaining and building on those reforms. 

As the legislative session enters its final weeks, the direction is becoming clear: without meaningful structural change, the state risks continuing the same pattern of high costs, slow growth, and persistent outmigration that has defined its economic trajectory for decades. 

It’s finally that time of year. warmer weather is here, and outdoor dining is right around the corner.

In Maine, that’s the real sign that spring has arrived. Restaurants, cafés, and bars start setting up their patios and sidewalk tables, and suddenly everything feels right in the world. After a long, tough winter, it’s a simple but welcome reminder that we made it through.

It also means Maine is gearing up for another year of hordes of tourists rolling into the state to enjoy all it has to offer. And local fare is certainly high on that list—because it’s, well, delicious.

How Great is Maine as a Foodie State?

We spend massive amounts of time discussing and dissecting every little aspect of the Maine restaurant scene. Whether it’s Portland, the surrounding area, Bar Harbor, Central Maine, the Midcoast, the Western Foothills, or the Southern Coast, this state is an absolute gold mine.

With warmer weather and longer days rolling in, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at some of the state’s best restaurants for outdoor seating—the spots that not only serve great food but also offer beautiful views of Maine’s charming towns and stunning landscapes.

Outdoor dining has absolutely blown up in Maine since 2020, with countless restaurants making use of any available outside space. It’s been a huge hit with both locals and tourists.

We put out the call for the joints Mainers say have the best outdoor dining—the restaurants that help shape a community and keep our stomachs full.

Now, thanks to our stations’ social media, we can finally put some names to those establishments.

What are the Best Maine Restaurants for Outdoor Dining?

Below is a list of many of the restaurants that were suggested to us. They vary in size, concept, and location. Some have opened recently, while others have been community staples for years. But they’re all true Maine originals.

READ MORE: Maine’s Chase’s Daily Named One of America’s Best Vegetarian Restaurants

You can check out the full list below. Hope you’re hungry—I know I am.

There is a heavy police presence in a section of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, on Wednesday afternoon due to what authorities are describing only as an “ongoing incident.”

“There is currently a heavy police presence on Salem Road due to an ongoing incident,” Tewksbury police said in a social media post just before 1 p.m. “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible. Please allow emergency personnel the space they need to respond safely and efficiently”

No further details were released. Police said they will provide updates as more information becomes available.