Pew Center on the States compiled its list by scoring all 50 states

Scoring the States

The Pew Center on the States compiled its list by scoring all 50 states according to six measurable factors that contributed to California's ongoing fiscal woes, using the best available data as of July 31, 2009. The state profiles in this report go beyond the data to give a fuller picture of the recession's deep and pervasive effects on states' financial and economic well-being. 

Six Factors		Revenue change		Budget gap		Unemployment rate change		Foreclosure rate		Need supermajority?			GPP "money" grade		Score
United States		-11.70%		17.7%5		4.4		1.37%		17 yes, 33 no			B-		17
California		-16.20%		49.30%		4.6		2.02%		Yes			D+		30
Arizona		-16.50%		41.10%		3		2.42%		Yes			C+		28
Rhode Island		-12.50%		19.20%		4.5		1.50%		Yes			D+		28
Michigan		-16.50%		12.00%		6		1.47%		Yes			C+		27
Oregon		-19.00%		14.50%		6.4		0.86%		Yes			C+		26
Nevada		1.50%		37.80%		5.2		3.12%		Yes			C+		26
Florida		-11.50%		22.80%		4.4		2.72%		Yes			B-		25
New Jersey		-15.80%		29.90%		3.7		1.18%		No			C-		23
Illinois		-10.90%		47.30%		3.5		1.44%		No			C-		22
Wisconsin		-11.20%		23.20%		4.4		0.96%		No			C+		22

Download the 50-state scorecard. (Adobe PDF)

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November 11, 2009 -
Beyond California full report (Adobe PDF)