4/8: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

Morris News Service: New poll released on top states likely to add jobs

A report issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council puts four of the South's states in the top ten states most likely to grow jobs. Florida ranked 5th, Virginia ranked 8th, Georgia ranked 9th, and Tennessee ranked 10th.

Economist Arthur Laffer compared each state on 15 factors. Georgia fared in the middle of the pack when it comes to worker's compensation costs, property taxes and the top rate for personal income taxes. Its sales-tax burden as a share of personal income ranked in the bottom third.

One note: South Carolina, which currently is ranked 31st, could catapult toward the top of the list if state legislative efforts to eliminate the state income tax pass.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Editorial: An epidemic in Alabama

ARKANSAS: Parents get public school option under state law

FLORIDA: Legislature to take up gambling, education bills

GEORGIA: State sees big jump in number of Medicaid and food stamp applications

KENTUCKY: Mining officials in the state examine safety measures

LOUISIANA: University faculty, students question raising tuition

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour approves bill requiring quick records response

NORTH CAROLINA: Pollen rate hits 9,632 grains per cubic meter in Winston-Salem

SOUTH CAROLINA: Some S.C. politicians aim to take lead on knocking out health care reform

TENNESSEE: State drops about 100,000 from Medicaid rolls

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell amends Confederate history proclamation to include slavery

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