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Iowa, land of the more free than 37 other states

June 13, 2011

The Mercatus Center, a free-market think tank, ranks Iowa the 13th most free state in the union. Mercatus says their new study "comprehensively ranks the American states on their public policies that affect individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres."

Map via Mercatus Center

In other news, the company owning Chicago's two big futures exchanges is thinking of fleeing Illinois as a result of thier recent tax increases (via Instapundit). With an extensive financial industry, a location in the center of the ag industry, and lots of available space downtown, Des Moines would be a natural home for the commodities exchanges. Iowa's only drawback? The sixth-worst tax business climate in the 50 states. This is a a great opportunity for the legislature should do something useful in its session-that-won't-die and enact the Quick and Dirty Iowa Tax Reform Plan right now. Even if it doesn't seal the deal for the exchanges, it would still do a lot more for Iowa's prospects than any tax bill they've passed in the past 20 years.

Pater Pappas has more coverage of the Mercatus Study.

Tags: Instapundit.Mercatus Center.Peter Pappas.Quick and Dirty Iowa Tax Reform.State Business Tax Climate Index.