Businesses and families vote with their feet, and a new study of the states with the brightest economic futures suggests lower taxes and less regulation are a prescription for sustained growth while heavy burdens from government lead to decline.

In the 2018 edition of “Rich States, Poor States,” published by the American Legislative Exchange Council, economists Jonathan Williams, Stephen Moore and Arthur Laffer say it’s clear which states are thriving and which ones are floundering.

For the 11th consecutive year, Utah tops the list of states with the brightest outlooks. Idaho, Indiana, North Dakota, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Wyoming, South Dakota and Virginia round out the top 10.

New York finished dead last in the study. Vermont, Illinois, California, New Jersey, Hawaii, Minnesota, Montana, Maine and Oregon make up the remainder of the lowest 10 states.

Williams told WND and Radio America that the ranking is simply a compilation of