Utah is the best state for business. That is according to Forbes 2011 ranking. Among other things, Utah’s energy costs are 31% below the national average, overall business costs are 10% lower and employment growth has averaged 0.6% for the past 5 years. Virginia ranked second followed by North Carolina, North Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Washington, Nebraska, Oregon and Iowa. Maine ranked 50th. Among other reasons, Maine’s energy costs are 31% above the national average, population growth is stagnant and forecasts for both job and gross state product growth are poor. It seems our 23rd state is not a “Mainestay” of business.
Hawaii had the highest electricity rates with an average monthly bill of $168.86. Maryland was second ($156.04) followed by Alabama ($147.69). These were the 2010 figures released by the Energy Information Administration. One reason for variations in electricity bills is the energy source – coal-fired or hydropower plants. Variations are also affected by how much electricity is used. People in the South depend more on electricity for air conditioning in summer and are likelier to use electricity for heat in winter. Utah had the lowest, average, monthly bill ($68.43) followed by New Mexico ($69.35) and Montana ($77.37). People is these states were less “wired”.
Mississippi, as of 2011, allows residents who have a concealed carry permit and who have taken an 8-hour course to carry guns on college campuses, in bars and in courthouses. Also as of 2011, Wyoming residents don’t need permits to carry concealed weapons. Neither do residents of Alaska, Arizona and Vermont. However, similar laws recently failed in both Colorado and Utah. In Indiana private businesses must allow employees to have guns in their vehicles while on company property. Whether or not you think Americans should be able to carry concealed weapons, time will tell if these laws “backfire”.
Detroit, Michigan is the most artery-clogged city in the United States. That was the finding of Prevention magazine. In 2011 the magazine analyzed the latest obesity and heart disease data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That analysis resulted in a list of the most-at-risk cities with populations over 200,000. Fort Wayne, Indiana was second on Prevention’s list followed by Lubbock, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Dallas, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Louisville, Kentucky. Obviously, where you live affects your health. For residents of these cities, exercising judgment about what to eat isn’t enough exercising.
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