New York Ranked Last In Freedom Study

A just-released study suggest Americans who like freedom might not love New York.

The Freedom in the 50 States study published by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University puts New York last after assessing an assortment of issues that affect perceived freedom.

Study co-author Jason Sorens is an assistant professor in the SUNY Buffalo political science department.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Sorens said the report concluded New York was "the least free state" after considering fiscal policy, regulatory policy and personal freedoms.

Sorens said one of the biggest factors in New York coming in at number 50 was the state's "by far the highest tax burden" in the U.S.

Sorens said New Yorkers pay about double the taxes compared to states that topped the freedom list.

The four states deemed by the study to offer the most freedom are North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and New Hampshire.

Of those, Sorens said, New Hampshire is the only one that has "substantial economic and personal freedom."

The freedom study took various regulations regarding individual freedom into account, including laws restricting possession of guns and marijuana.