In a briefing released to House leadership today, Peter Francese, Director of Demographic Forecasts for the New England Economic Partnership, reports that New Hampshire's index of economic activity is highest among the 50 states.

Francese credits New Hampshire's ongoing economic recovery to our relatively low tax burden, our educated, entrepreneurial population (with the skillsets and personal savings needed to start new businesses), and our very high quality of life.

Francese strongly suggests that budget-makers not tamper with New Hampshire's formula which he predicts will pull us out of recession, create more jobs, and help repair the state budget faster than most other states.  He suggests that we not follow Connecticut and Rhode Island by expanding gambling.

"[S]lots & casino gambling in those states have not improved either their economy or demography," writes Francese.