Autumn reflection along the Portsmouth New Hampshire waterfront. It is a historic seaport and … [+] popular summer tourist destination. Portsmouth is the third oldest city in the USA. New Hampshire is one of New England’s most popular fall foliage destinations bringing out some of the best foliage in the United States
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The positive relationship between economic freedom and economic growth is one of the most robust empirical relationships in economics. This is good news for New Hampshire, which ranks number one in the latest edition of the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of North America (EFNA) index.
Each year, the Fraser Institute releases its EFNA index, which ranks the 50 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces, and 32 Mexican states based on how free their citizens are to engage in economic activity. The three primary areas analyzed for the index are government spending, taxes, and labor market freedom. Data for the report are from 2022, which are the most recent data available due to lags in reporting across the various states and countries. Among the three countries, U.S. states are freer on average, holding every top 40 spot except for one: Alberta, Canada is tied for 12th overall. Every Mexican state is ranked below every U.S. state and Canadian province.
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In the United States, New Hampshire is the freest state, followed by South Dakota and Florida. New York is the least free state, ranked just below California and Hawaii (see figure below).
Top and bottom 5 states on EFNA index
Fraser Institute Economic Freedom of North America Index https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/economic-freedom-north-america-2024
As discussed in the report, the most economically free U.S. states experienced faster population growth and more employment growth from 2013 to 2022. Population growth in the states ranked in the top 25% was 8.3% over this period. For those ranked in the bottom 25%, it was only 0.8%. Similarly, employment growth in the states ranked in the top 25% was 12%, while it was only 4% for those in the bottom 25%. Per capita incomes also grew faster on average in states that increased their economic freedom over this period, as shown in the figure below.
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Average growth in per capita income and economic freedom
Fraser Institute Economic Freedom of North America Index https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/economic-freedom-north-america-2024
So, what can state policymakers do to increase economic freedom in their state? One option is tax reform. High tax rates impose large financial burdens on workers, businesses, and consumers and distort choices, such as whether to work more or invest rather than spend. Lower tax rates allow people to keep more of their money and reduce distortions, which is why lowering rates increases economic freedom.
Louisiana ranks 23rd on this year’s index, but it is likely to do better next year due to its recent tax reforms. In a recent special session that ended a couple weeks ago, Louisiana’s legislature approved a flat 3% individual income tax rate, eliminating the previous top rate of 4.25% that applied to income over $50,000. It also lowered the corporate income tax rate to a flat 5.5% from a top marginal rate of 7.5%. To offset some of the lost revenue, the sales tax rate was increased from 4% to 5%. Unfortunately, other pro-growth tax reforms that eliminated tax credits for restoring historic buildings and the film industry were defeated.
Reducing regulation is another way states can boost economic freedom. While regulation can provide benefits, too much regulation restricts consumers’ choices and imposes unnecessary burdens on businesses. America’s inability to build housing and energy and transportation infrastructure is a perfect example of what happens when regulation runs amok.
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Idaho is a great example of how a state can reduce its regulatory burden. Since 2019, it has eliminated or simplified 95% of its regulations through a comprehensive process that requires agencies to periodically review regulations and eliminate or reform those that are not working. Today, it is one of the least regulated states in the country and its economy is booming: Its real GDP grew by 5.9% on an annualized basis—the highest in the country—according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
A thriving economy benefits everyone—workers, consumers, and entrepreneurs—and government has a role to play in protecting individual economic choices so people are free to innovate and create new products and services. State officials who want to improve their state’s economy should focus on increasing economic freedom.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2025 – Three more states this week opened the door to applicants seeking funding under a federal program designed to close the digital divide in rural America.
That announcements by Arizona, Arkansas, and New Hampshire meant that at least 20 states have reached the same application milestone under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 set aside $42.5 billion for getting broadband to every home and business in the country, with states and territories getting individual allocations to dole out themselves. Arkansas began taking applications for funding Tuesday, with Arizona and New Hampshire getting started on Monday.
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Arkansas and Arizona received $1.02 billion and $993 million respectively, while New Hampshire, with a relatively smaller and less remote unserved population, took home $196 million. The eligible location count is 84,000 in Arkansas, 184,298 in Arizona, and 9,527 in New Hampshire, according to data from the states’ challenge processes. States had to accept and adjudicate challenges to government broadband data before funding projects under the program.
Arkansas and Arizona are both planning on multiple rounds of applications in an effort to ensure universal coverage. States can also negotiate directly with providers.
At least three states have put forward their preliminary awards under the program, spending plans that will have to be approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration before projects get underway. NTIA chief Alan Davidson is stepping down Jan. 20, and it’s not clear who will head the agency under the incoming Trump administration.
Republicans have strongly criticized the program, in part because of its preference for fiber broadband. That and satellite ISP-owner Elon Musk becoming a close advisor to Trump have sparked speculation that rules might be changed going forward but states have been moving ahead under the current project selection rules.
States can fund non-fiber projects when fiber exceeds a cost threshold they decide on, or if no fiber providers show interest in a given area. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, has promised to “review” the fiber preference and other spending provisions in his new role.
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In the states that have made tentative awards—Louisiana, Nevada, and Delaware—fiber has been the go-to technology, covering at least 80 percent of eligible locations in each state. Louisiana and Nevada did award money to satellite providers, with Nevada tapping Amazon’s nascent Project Kuiper service. Louisiana was still hammering out the terms of the deal when it released its draft spending plan and hasn’t said which satellite provider it’s going with.
Massachusetts is set to open its application window Wednesday, with Michigan following Thursday.
The season is young, but there can be little debate about which team deserves to be at the top of New Hampshire’s girls basketball Top 10 rankings.
In a match-up between programs that each won a state championship last season, Bedford beat Bishop Feehan of Attleboro, Mass., to win the Londonderry Holiday Classic. Bedford then improved its Division I record to 4-0 by beating Walpole, Mass., 54-27 Saturday.
So the top storyline entering the 2025 portion of the season is this: Can anyone beat the Bulldogs?
Records are through games played Jan. 4.
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Previous rank: 1
The Bulldogs have plenty of scoring, but they also have a great defense. Bedford hasn’t allowed more than 32 points in any of its four Division I wins.
Previous rank: 2
We’ll get a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup when Pinkerton plays at Bedford on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs beat the Astros in last year’s Division I championship game.
Previous rank: 3
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If you had to select one NHIAA player to build a team around, Londonderry’s Sammie Sullivan might be the pick.
Previous rank: 4
The Blue Devils will face their stiffest challenge when they play Londonderry on Friday.
Previous rank: 10
The Jaguars are unbeaten, but have feasted on a soft schedule. Windham has yet to play a team with a record over the .500 mark.
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Previous rank: 9
Alvirne’s only loss came against second-ranked Pinkerton.
Previous rank: 8
Macy Swormstedt scored the 1,000th point of her high school career last season and is a Player of the Year candidate in Division II. The Sachems are the highest-ranked team not in Division I.
Previous rank: 6
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The Kingsmen are seeking their fourth title in four seasons, all in different divisions.
Previous rank: Not ranked
Derryfield and Bow are two of the four unbeaten teams remaining in Division II. Those teams will meet in Derryfield on Tuesday night.
Previous rank: Not ranked
St. Thomas is the only Division III team in this week’s Top 10.
Drugs and the gun allegedly found in the car operated by two people from Lawrence on Jan. 2 on I-95 in Greenland, N.H.New Hampshire State Police
Two Lawrence residents are facing charges after State Police in New Hampshire allegedly seized illegal guns and drugs from their vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 95, officials said Monday.
Abigail Arias Gonzalez, 25, and Justane Garcia, 23, are charged with possession of a narcotic drug with intent to distribute and felon in possession of a firearm, State Police said in a statement.
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The two were stopped by troopers for alleged speeding on I-95 in Greenland on Thursday, Jan. 2, the statement said.
The troopers conducted a roadside investigation during the stop and allegedly a gun and about 200 grams of fentanyl and 100 grams of cocaine, police said.
Gonzalez and Garcia were arrested. They were released pending an arraignment, which is scheduled for Feb. 24.
Anyone with information about the incident or investigation should contact Lieutenant Shane W. Larkin of the Narcotics Investigations Unit at (603) 234-0707, police said. Anonymous tips can be sent to nabdope@dos.nh.gov.
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Adam Sennott can be reached at adam.sennott@globe.com.
