TN ranks No. 3 in government fiscal restraint; No. 7 in ‘overall freedom’

March 13, 1:52 PMNashville Public Policy ExaminerMark Todd Engler

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A new nationwide analysis of state-level government deference for personal and economic liberty ranks Tennessee among the Top 10 in key policy areas.

In addition to high marks for government fiscal restraint and comprehensive freedom, the paper, published Feb 26 by the free-market Virginia-based Mercatus Center at George Mason University, puts the Volunteer State at No. 8 in “economic freedom.”

However, the state didn’t fare nearly as well in “regulatory policy” or “personal freedom,” ranking No. 28 and No. 18 in those categories respectively.

The study's authors -- Texas State University professor William Ruger and State University of New York assistant professor Jason Sorens, both political science specialists – say their “Freedom in the 50 States” study is “the first-ever comprehensive ranking of the American states on their public policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres.”

The No. 1 state in the country in overall freedom, according to the authors, is New Hampshire. Bringing up the rear is New York.

Of Tennessee’s eight neighboring states, only Missouri ranked higher in overall freedom at No. 6.