Nebraska ranks high among self-reliant states

Gov. Ricketts and other fiscal conservatives saw to it that Nebraska didn’t participate in the Medicaid expansion part of Obamacare, with one argument being that the state couldn’t depend on federal funding over the long term.

That seems to have become a self-fulfilling prophecy, with the election of President Trump and Republicans intent on repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Federal subsidies pay a large role in the agricultural economy, but the self-reliant reputation of individual Nebraskans proves true, according to a study from the financial website WalletHub.

The study concludes the Cornhusker state is one of America’s least dependent states.

WalletHub’s data team compared 50 states based on consumer finances, government, job market, international trade and personal vices.

They then broke down these categories into 32 key indicators of independence in order to determine which states are most self-sustaining.

Nebraska was ranked 11th most independent overall, scoring best in the following categories:

* 3rd lowest underemployment rate;

* 3rd lowest percentage of adult drug users;

* 5th lowest percentage of households receiving public assistance;

* 5th highest median credit score;

* 8th lowest unemployment rate;

* 11th highest median household income adjusted by cost of living;

* 16th best industry variety; and

* 16th lowest percentage of residents living below the poverty line.

Overall, Colorado, Utah and Minnesota were deemed the least dependent states by WalletHub, while Louisiana, Kentucky and Alaska were most dependent.

See the study by visiting: http://bit.ly/2s8TSMN