INDIANAPOLIS – In a new report released today by U.S. News & World Report, Indiana ranks first in the nation for government efficiency and fourth in the nation for affordability and opportunity. The report, available online at www.usnews.com/news/best-states/indiana, evaluates the states in seven categories: health care, education, crime & corrections, infrastructure, opportunity, economy and government. Overall, Indiana ranks in the top half of all states nationwide.
“Strong leadership over the last 12 years has made our government efficient and our fiscal position healthy and solid,†Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “As our state enters its third century, it’s my goal to continue this success and elevate our position on all fronts to take Indiana to the next level.â€
U.S. News evaluated states across 68 metrics to create the Best States rankings. The rankings are based on tens of thousands of data points provided by McKinsey & Company’s Leading States Index. In calculating the rankings, categories were weighted based on a national “citizen experience†survey, conducted by McKinsey, that asked people to prioritize each subject in their state and provide their levels of satisfaction with government services.
Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Legislative Agenda is focused on five key priorities that are closely aligned to the areas evaluated by U.S. News & World Report:
- Make Indiana a Jobs Magnet
- Fund a 20-year Plan for Roads and Bridges
- Prepare a Skilled and Ready Workforce
- Attack the Drug Epidemic
- Deliver Great Government Service
“To attract the talent and businesses necessary to position our state for a successful future, we need Indiana to pop off the map as a top performing state,†Gov. Holcomb said. “Folks around the nation are already learning just how much further their dollar goes here in Indiana, and with a strong focus on these key priorities, we will continue to move the needle by every measure.â€
