Not proud of this ranking

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The home security systems company SafeHome.org emailed the Independent its study titled “The Drunkest States in America which analyzed the most recent data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FBI, among others. The study claims Minnesota is the No. 17 drunkest state. And, it also claims the state is No. 13 in percentage of adults who drink at 62.87%. Yes, it’s been rough couple days being cooped up inside because of the brutal weather. But being No. 17 in this study is nothing to be proud of. A consolation: South Dakota is No. 3 on 10 most heaviest drinking states, North Dakota No. 5 and Wisconsin No. 6.

Good news for Minnesota

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But another study emailed to the Independent boasts Minnesota is No. 20 on healthiest economies list among U.S. states. SeniorLiving.org says it used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis for the study. The study ranks Minnesota at No. 10 in unemployment rate (3.3%), No. 13 in average annual wage ($54,200) and No. 15 in per capita gross domestic product ($66,142.81).

Klobuchar’s hard work paying off

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Putting political beliefs aside, it’s always good to see somebody from the state make a splash on the national stage. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., received a big boost from New Hampshire voters going into the next round of primary election contests later this month. For the first time in the presidential campaign season, Klobuchar’s name is getting more play by the news outlets. Kloubchar may not be everybody’s favorite senator in Minnesota, but you have to admire her determination and hard-working attitude. That hard work is now paying off for her.

Tax relief around the corner?

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Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, is calling for some tax relief because of the state’s $1.3 billion surplus. He released his statement during Tuesday’s opening day of the 2020 Legislature session. Tax relief is music to the ears for many landowners and residents of southwest Minnesota.

$1 trillion and counting

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The U.S. budget deficit is on track to hit $1 trillion. The Treasury Department said Wednesday in its monthly budget report that the deficit from October through January was $389.2 billion, up $78.9 billion from the same period last year. While the U.S. economy is doing pretty good, we may be gambling away the future.