GUNS/CRIME/PRISON

GOVERNMENT

ENVIRONMENT

PEOPLE

EDUCATION BUSINESS

TAXES/MONEY

What Is Your

STATE GOVERNMENT Known For?

From the lowest tax rate to the best public school system, every state government is famous for something. Learn fascinating facts about your state government—that could be viewed as positive or negative—in the

infographic below. What you discover may surprise you!

SOURCES

CREATED BY: OBIZMEDIA

http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/alabama-first-state-to-require-fingerprints-of-prison-visitors-120909?news=845243

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2012/10/28/state-taxes-states-highest-lowest/1654071/

http://newamericamedia.org/2012/04/a-trend-toward-anti-immigrant-anti-choice-laws.php

http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/only-in-arkansas-can-tenants-be-arrested-if-landlords-say-they-didnt-pay-rent-on-time-130212?news=847041

http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/va-defies-new-york-gun-law-california-only-state-to-take-legal-guns-from-prohibited-owners-130314?news=849429

http://www.hu�ngtonpost.com/2012/11/06/amendment-64-passes-in-co_n_2079899.html

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/governors/a/governors.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/business/how-delaware-thrives-as-a-corporate-tax-haven.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/18/19522874-florida-had-first-stand-your-ground-law-other-states-followed-in-rapid-succession?lite

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/09/14/lawmakers-in-georgia-enjoying-last-free-football-tickets-before-new-law-cuts/#ixzz2fNXjVWtS

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/22709601/shark-fin-proposal-divides-federal-and-state-government-in-hawaii

http://www.inidaho.com/fun_facts_list.asp#sthash.Xg9H7sXa.dpuf

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/whats-the-matter-with-illinois-with-blagojevich-conviction-state-has-most-imprisoned-governors/2011/06/28/AGZVjnpH_blog.html

http://www.allgov.com/news/top-stories/indiana-first-state-to-allow-citizens-to-shoot-law-enforcement-o�cers?news=844609

http://www.allgov.com/news/unusual-news/iowa-gives-gun-permits-to-the-legally-blind-130912?news=851104

http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/kansas-only-state-to-close-criminal-records-to-public-130517?news=850046

http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/atheists-challenge-kentucky-law-ordering-homeland-security-to-publicize-dependence-on-almighty-god-121126?news=846302

http://maineinsights.com/perma/two-first-in-the-nation-laws#sthash.rkRzHdW9.dpuf

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-schools-insider/post/maryland-schools-ranked-number-one--again/2012/01/11/gIQA7NEqrP_blog.html

http://gaymarriage.procon.org/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/03/11/michigan-governor-plays-fast-and-loose-with-democracy-invokes-radical-new-powers/

http://www.allgov.com/news/controversies/federal-judge-approves-minnesota-law-banning-campaign-lies-130204?news=846957

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/us/ruling-prevents-closing-of-mississippis-only-abortion-clinic.html?_r=2&

http://www.50states.com

http://awesomeamerica.com/montana/

http://www.hu�ngtonpost.com/2010/03/02/17-ridiculous-laws-still_n_481379.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2012/10/28/state-taxes-states-highest-lowest/1654071/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/01/north-carolina-first-state-to-cut-long-term-jobless-benefits-protesters-rally/

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/22/top-earth-day-10-most-and-least-green-u-s-states/

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2005/09/guilty-man

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=427900015

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100817171

http://www.infoplease.com/toptens/deathpenalty.html

http://infactcollaborative.com/places/utah-facts.html

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/22/top-earth-day-10-most-and-least-green-u-s-states/

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/jan-13-1990-douglas-wilder-becomes-first-elected-african-american-governor-in-u-s/?_r=0

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/us/washington-passes-law-to-curb-sex-tra�cking.html

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/04/daniel-zimmerman/west-virginia-legislature-passes-five-pro-gun-bills/

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/usaweb/snapshot/Wisconsin.htm

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ALABAMA ALASKAThe first state to require visitors at prisons to undergo fingerprinting.1

Residents pay the lowest taxes. As a percentage of income, the non-federal tax rate is just 7.0%.2

ARIZONA ARKANSASThe first state to pass an anti-immigrant state law. SB 1070 makes it illegal to be an undocumented immigrant in the state.3

The only state where tenants can become convicted criminals for paying their rent late—even if it’s just one day overdue.4

CALIFORNIA COLORADOAllows state law enforcement to confiscate legally registered guns from residents who have lost the right to own them.5

One of the first states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.6

CONNECTICUT DELAWAREThe first woman governor, who did not succeed her husband, was elected in Connecticut.7

This state has more corporate entities, both public and private, than people with a total of 945,326 corporate entities and 897,934 people.8

FLORIDA GEORGIAThe first state to pass a “Stand Your Ground” law, which changed the legal definition of self-defense for citizens.9

Passed a law banning lobbyists from giving politicians free college football tickets, starting Jan 1, 2014.10

HAWAII IDAHOThe first government in the world to ban the sale, possession, trade, and distribution of shark fins.11

The statehouse in Boise is geothermally heated from underground hot springs.12

ILLINOIS INDIANAHas the most imprisoned governors (4 total).13

State law allows residents to use deadly force against public servants, including law enforcement o�cers, who unlawfully enter their homes.14

IOWA KANSASState law allows persons who are legally or completely blind to receive permits for gun purchases.15

The only state where the media and members of the public cannot access police reports and court records pertaining to criminal cases.16

KENTUCKY LOUISIANAHas a law requiring the state O�ce of Homeland Security (OHS) to acknowledge the reliance of the state on God.17

The only state that still refers to the Napoleonic Code in its state law.1

MAINE MARYLANDCreated a six-year pilot program to test incentives to expand renewable power generation by individuals and communities.18

The best public school system in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year and was given an overall grade of B+ by Education Week.19

MASSACHUSETTS MICHIGANThe first state to legalize gay marriage, back in 2004.20

State law allows the government to break up unions, dissolve local governments, and place appointed “emergency managers” in their stead.21

MINNESOTA MISSISSIPPIHas a law that bans campaign lies.22

Attempting to be the first state without an abortion clinic.23

MISSOURI MONTANAThe first state to free its slaves in 1865.24

Forty-six out of 56 counties are considered "frontier counties" with an average population of 6 or fewer people per square mile.25

NEBRASKA NEVADAThe only state in the U.S. with a unicameral (one house) legislature.1

The highest number of home foreclosures in the U.S.—one in every 180 homes— and the highest unemployment rate.18

NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW JERSEYThe lowest poverty rate at 8.1%.18

Once convicted of drunk driving, you may never again have personalized plates in New Jersey.26

NEW YORKResidents pay the highest taxes as a percentage of income at 12.8%.27

NEW MEXICOThis state has the highest rate of violent crime in the country.18

NORTH DAKOTAThe lowest unemployment rate at 3.5%. This rate has not been above 5% in over 20 years.18

NORTH CAROLINAThe first state to cut o� a federal unemployment compensation program for the long-term jobless.28

OKLAHOMAThe first jurisdiction in the world to adopt lethal injection as a means of execution.30

OHIOThe least green state in the U.S., ranking fifth in energy consumption with only 0.7% of the state's energy coming from renewable sources.29

PENNSYLVANIAThe first state in the U.S. to list its website URL on a license plate.18

OREGONThe first in the nation to eliminate state and local subsidies for charities that spend too little of their budget on programs and services.31

SOUTH CAROLINAThe first state to elect a U.S. Senator by write-in vote.1

RHODE ISLANDA state with no county government, Rhode Island is divided into 39 municipalities, each having its own form of local government.1

TENNESSEEThe lowest debt per capita in the U.S., a mere $773 per person.18

SOUTH DAKOTAThe best state for business in 2013, according to a CNBC ranking.32

UTAHHas the highest literacy rate in the U.S.34

TEXASThe state with the most executions, with 676 executions since 1930 and 379 since 1976.33

VIRGINIAThe first state in the U.S. to elect a black governor. L. Douglas Wilder was elected in 1990.36

VERMONTThe greenest state in the U.S., Vermont releases the fewest carcinogenic toxins and has the smallest carbon footprint in the country.35

WEST VIRGINIAPassed law HB2471, which prevents firearms or ammunition confiscations during a time of emergency.38

WASHINGTONTo combat child sex tra�cking, Washington law requires websites to obtain documentation to prove escorts advertised there are at least 18.37

WYOMINGThe highest rate of state residents, age 25 or older, with at least a high school diploma (at 92.3%).18

WISCONSINThe state with the first kindergarten, the first school for training rural teachers, and the first vocational schools.39