WalletHub: R.I. eighth worst for taxpayer ROI

RHODE ISLAND landed in the bottom 10 for having the eighth worst taxpayer return on investment, according to the latest survey by WalletHub. / COURTESY WALLETHUB
RHODE ISLAND landed in the bottom 10 for having the eighth worst taxpayer return on investment, according to the latest survey by WalletHub. / COURTESY WALLETHUB

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island landed in the bottom 10 for having the eighth worst taxpayer return on investment, according to the latest survey by WalletHub.
The personal finance website ranked Rhode Island 42nd among states. It studied 22 different metrics to compare the quality and efficiency of state government services across six categories – infrastructure, education, health, safety, economy and pollution, while accounting for the different rates at which citizens are taxed in each state.
The Ocean State ranked the best in the safety and pollution categories, at eighth and 16th, respectively. Its lowest scores were in health (33rd), economy (36th), education (37th), infrastructure (42nd) and tax rate (48th).
When all government services are taken into account, Rhode Island ranked 32nd, according to WalletHub.
However, it ranked last in the nation for having the worst roads and bridges.
Alaska ranked first for best taxpayer return on investment, but it had the highest violent crime rate.

New Hampshire ranked the highest among the New England states at No. 8, followed by Vermont at No. 13, Massachusetts at No. 19, Maine at No. 28 and Connecticut at No. 33.
The website compiled the report in time for Tax Day to find out where “taxpayers get the most and least bang for their buck.” It said 52 percent of people think they pay too much in taxes, while most people think at least half their tax dollars are being wasted.

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