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Ohio Ranked 43rd in Economic Freedom

Libertarians Propose Small Business Initiative

A new report issued by the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy ranks Ohio near the bottom of an economic scale designed to measure each state's interference with free enterprise.  This report was featured in "Forbes Magazine's" May 2004 "Best Places" issue.

"In coming up with our ratings we evaluated 143 variables for each state, using the most recent data," explained Lawrence McQuillan, director of Business and Economic Studies at the Institute. "This snapshot includes tax rates, state spending, occupational licensing, environmental regulations, income redistribution, right-to-work, and a number of government agencies."

This news comes on the heels of two similar reports.  The Small Business Survival Committee recently ranked Ohio 39th in friendliness to small business.  Ohio now has the nation's third highest taxes, as well.

"In response to this news, the Libertarian has put together the Small Business Initiative," reports Libertarian State Chair Jason Hallmark.  "We want to eliminate the state income tax and reduce government regulations.  Every cut in taxes would be met with a cut in spending on senseless business regulation."

"After 15 years of Republican leadership, Ohio is nearing the bottom of the barrel in economic terms," notes Libertarian Executive Director Robert Butler, "Most Ohioans realize they can no longer trust Republicans to cut the size of government. Libertarians provide a clear alternative."

"The Libertarian Party has ten elected officials in Ohio, and not one has ever advocated or voted for increased taxes," agrees Hallmark.

See the Pacific Research Institute's website:

http://www.pacificresearch.org/centers/cfe/index.html

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