(The Center Square) - Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Tuesday, "a number of state actors and other individuals are ultimately responsible for millions in misspent federal relief dollars."

Drummond dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by former Attorney General John O'Connor against ClassWallet, a Florida company hired by the state to administer a program called "Bridge the Gap."

An audit by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General questioned the use of the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Funds. Some money meant to purchase education supplies was used to purchase other items such as television sets, furniture and smartphones, according to the OIG report.

The audit identified $652,720 in expenditures that it said were "questionable" and recommended the state either return the money to the federal government or provide documentation to show the spending was education related.

The audit also called for a full review of another $5.4 million that may have also been misspent.

The lawsuit filed against ClassWallet was "almost wholly without merit," the district attorney said in a news release.

"It is clear that a number of state actors and other individuals are ultimately responsible for millions in misspent federal relief dollars," Drummond said.

The focus is now on who should be held accountable for the misspent dollars, Drummond said.

"While the lawsuit has been dismissed, this matter is far from concluded," Drummond said. "My office will continue engaging with various state and federal agencies to investigate this egregious misuse of tax dollars."

State Auditor Cindy Byrd is preparing an audit of the use of the GEER funds. That report will like come between March and July, according to the news release.

(The Center Square) – Twenty-five Republican governors oppose a revised federal rule regulating U.S. waterways, citing uncertainty from an undecided U.S. Supreme Court case related to the rule.

The governors sent a letter to the Biden administration on Monday asking it to delay the implementation of the revised Waters of the United States rule since the U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering Sackett v. EPA. The revised WOTUS rule, released on Dec. 30, reinstates pre-2015 water protections under the federal Clean Water Act. The rule was scaled back under the Trump administration, which triggered lawsuits from environmental groups.

“The substance of the rule hinders State governments as we seek to give clarity and consistency to businesses, farms, and individuals regarding the regulatory framework for water,” the 25 GOP governors wrote. “The broad definitions used in the 514- page document only add to the confusing and complicated history of WOTUS. In fact, it appears that the EPA is seeking to regulate private ponds, ditches, and other small water features.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in December the revised rule applies to “traditional navigable waters, the territorial seas, interstate waters, as well as upstream water resources that significantly affect those waters.”

“When Congress passed the Clean Water Act 50 years ago, it recognized that protecting our waters is essential to ensuring healthy communities and a thriving economy,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Following extensive stakeholder engagement, and building on what we’ve learned from previous rules, EPA is working to deliver a durable definition of WOTUS that safeguards our nation’s waters, strengthens economic opportunity, and protects people’s health while providing greater certainty for farmers, ranchers, and landowners.”

The governors also questioned the timing of the new rule, given ongoing inflation.

“Another burdensome and overbroad regulation from the federal government could not come at a worse time for America,” they wrote. “Having already squandered much of America’s energy independence, you should not increase costs for consumers by tying up energy production with even more red tape.”

Environmental groups praised the Biden administration’s revised WOTUS rule.

“This comes at a time when we’re seeing unprecedented attacks on federal clean water protections by polluters and their allies,” Jon Devine, director of federal water policy for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement last month. “While the nation still has significant work to do to fully protect important waters, it’s encouraging to see the country taking a step in the right direction to protect the waters we need for everyone’s health and the environment.”

The letter was signed by Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon.

(The Center Square) - A report by Oklahoma's Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency recommends the state simplify its tax structure and create a savings fund not bound to constitutional limitations.

The Sooner State tax burden of 4% on businesses is already one of the lowest in the region, according to the report.

Oklahoma is one of only 11 states in the U.S. with a corporate income tax rate below 5%, according to a recent report from the Tax Foundation.

But the state relies heavily on corporate taxes, according to LOFT. Nineteen percent, or $2.4 billion of Oklahoma's total tax revenue, came from "gross production, corporate income, franchise and withholdings for pass-through entities," according to the report. Gross production and corporate income taxes are unstable, so Oklahoma's tax base is the ninth most volatile in the country, LOFT said in its report.

"Additionally, Oklahoma's tax structure is reliant on statewide taxes, which accounted for an average of 63% of total tax revenues from 2015-2020," the report said. "This is in stark contrast with neighbors like Texas, which vests the majority of its taxing power in local entities."

Simplifying the state tax code would have little impact on revenue and make Oklahoma more competitive for business, LOFT said in its report.

Oklahoma faces challenges due to the volatility in its tax base, according to LOFT. The state had $1.45 billion in its Revenue Stabilization and Rainy Day funds, which represented 5.4% of total spending for state services for fiscal year 2021, the report said.

"Raise the cap on total deposits allowable to the Revenue Stabilization Fund so the state can reach the recommended savings level of 15% of outlays as well as provide the ability to hold reserves to plan for transitioning tax policy," LOFT recommends. "Alternatively, create an additional state savings fund not subject to constitutional limitations for the purpose of capturing revenues from a transitioning tax source for one year in order to offset potential revenue losses."

During their study, LOFT found that businesses focus on workforce and infrastructure, according to LOFT.

"For example, the Department of Commerce reports that lack of sites with utility infrastructure is the single greatest factor in not securing a prospective business," the report said. "Meanwhile, a survey by the Oklahoma State Chamber reflects workforce needs are the biggest concern among surveyed business leaders."

LOFT is working on a workforce study that should be completed in about eight months, Executive Director Mike Jackson told the LOFT Committee on Monday.

Canadian health officials issued revised government recommendations for alcohol consumption last week, changing the low risk level from two drinks per day to two drinks per week. Health officials further said that no amount is safe and strongly suggested that citizens cut out alcohol altogether.

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that any alcohol consumption, however moderate, can have negative health consequences. Even low levels of drinking increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain types of cancer - and as alcohol consumption rises, so do the health risks and alcohol-related deaths.

Understanding that there is no such thing as risk-free drinking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - while not going so far as its Canadian counterpart - defines moderate drinking as 2 drinks or less per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Still, despite the well-publicized health risks, more than two-thirds of adult drinkers regularly exceed those levels.

In some parts of the country, excessive drinking is far more common than in others. According to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Oklahoma residents consumed 1.85 gallons per resident 14 and older in 2020, the third lowest among states. Nationwide, alcohol consumption was 2.45 gallons per person the same year.

The health risks posed by excessive alcohol consumption go beyond chronic conditions. A reported 26.8% of all driving deaths in Oklahoma between 2016 and 2020 involved alcohol.

Data on alcohol-related driving fatalities came from the 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program.

RankStatePer capita alcohol consumption, 2020 (Gal.)Adults who drink excessively (%)Driving deaths involving alcohol (%)1New Hampshire4.8320.833.12Delaware4.0120.525.03Nevada3.4319.527.34Montana3.3224.346.45North Dakota3.2624.141.46Vermont3.2223.235.47Wisconsin3.1125.235.68Maine2.9922.534.49Colorado2.9720.134.010Wyoming2.9420.531.811Minnesota2.8523.429.912Alaska2.8318.136.913Florida2.7420.222.014Rhode Island2.7121.740.315Oregon2.7121.227.916Hawaii2.7120.731.517Missouri2.6819.527.618California2.6318.827.719New Jersey2.6316.022.820Massachusetts2.6222.530.521Louisiana2.5921.931.222Michigan2.5320.529.223Iowa2.5024.626.824Connecticut2.5019.230.425Illinois2.4222.928.826Texas2.4119.625.427Mississippi2.3915.918.528South Dakota2.3424.436.129Indiana2.3417.719.030Pennsylvania2.3219.825.431North Carolina2.3116.525.932New Mexico2.3017.429.433Tennessee2.3017.223.534Virginia2.2717.330.335Washington2.2616.532.736Arizona2.2417.422.337New York2.2219.020.238Nebraska2.1723.233.239Maryland2.1516.028.340South Carolina2.1221.732.841Ohio2.1220.732.542Kansas2.1220.019.443Kentucky2.1218.225.544Idaho2.1019.631.145Alabama2.0814.825.946Arkansas1.9215.925.747Georgia1.9117.820.748Oklahoma1.8514.526.849West Virginia1.8215.226.150Utah1.3611.921.7

Voters in Oklahoma will decide on State Question 820, an initiative to legalize marijuana, on March 7, 2023. Voters in Ohio could decide on an initiative to legalize marijuana in Nov. 2023.

Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, which is leading the campaign in support of State Question 820, wanted the citizen-initiated measure on the ballot in 2022. However, due to legal challenges and signature deadlines, the measure could not be placed on the ballot and was set to be voted on at a later election date. On Oct. 18, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) called a special election for State Question 820 on March 7, 2023.

State Question 820 would legalize the possession and consumption of marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority would be responsible for marijuana business licensing and regulations. Sales of marijuana would be taxed at 15%. People would be allowed to possess, transport, and distribute up to one ounce (28.35 grams) of marijuana, eight grams of marijuana in a concentrated form, and/or eight grams or less of concentrated marijuana in marijuana-infused products. Under State Question 820, individuals could possess up to six mature marijuana plants and up to six seedlings. The initiative would also provide a process for individuals to seek the expungement or modification of certain previous marijuana-related convictions or sentences.

Through Sept. 30, 2022, Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws raised $2.74 million and spent $2.57 million. The largest contributor was the Just Trust for Action, which donated $1.06 million.

In Ohio, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol submitted 136,729 valid signatures for a marijuana legalization initiative. As initiated statutes are indirect in Ohio, the proposal was presented to the Ohio General Assembly. Legislators have until May 3, 2023, to approve the measure. Should legislators reject or take no action on the initiative, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would be required to collect an additional 124,046 valid signatures within 90 days, which would be around Aug. 1, 2023. A successful signature drive would result in the initiative appearing on the ballot for Nov. 7, 2023.

Through Dec. 9, 2022, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol raised $1.50 million and spent $1.42 million. The largest contributor was the Marijuana Policy Project, which provided $840,000.

As of Jan. 2023, 21 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes.

In 12 states and D.C., the ballot initiative process was used to legalize marijuana.In two states, the legislature referred a measure to the ballot for voter approval.In seven states, bills to legalize marijuana were enacted into law.

From 2011 to 2021, an average of 33 statewide ballot measures — five initiated measures and 28 referred measures — appeared on ballots in odd-numbered years.

Marijuana legalization initiatives targeting the 2024 ballot have also been filed in Wyoming, Florida, and Nebraska.

Additional reading:

Marijuana laws and ballot measures in the United StatesOhio Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2023)

(The Center Square) - Two bills regarding teacher raises await Oklahoma lawmakers when they begin their legislative session next month, and a third proposal for merit-based pay is on the table.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a proposal from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters to base teacher pay raises on merit. The plan could cost $150 million.

The incentives would range from $2,500 to $10,000 and would be in addition to the minimum salary schedule, according to the proposal.

The plan differs from one approved by the State Board of Education in September when it voted to ask lawmakers for a $5,000 raise for state teachers. The raises would cost the state $310 billion and were supported by the Oklahoma Education Association.

The association is not backing the merit plan.

"The metrics used to determine merit-based pay are controversial and inequitable," OEA President Katherine Bishop said in a statement. "Our students deserve educators who are compensated and respected as the professionals they are. Previous pay raises for all educators have proven to increase quality candidates to the profession."

The starting annual salary for an Oklahoma teacher is $38,074, and the average salary is $54,762, according to the National Education Association. Surrounding states start teachers off at higher wages. New teachers in Texas start at $44,527. New Kansas teachers make slightly more than their Oklahoma counterparts at $39,100.

Lawmakers are also introducing bills that would give teachers pay raises.

Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, a retired educator, introduced a bill in December that would give teachers a $2,000 annual raise for the 2023-2024, 2026-2027 and 2029-2030 school years. He told The Center Square he hoped the pay raises would alleviate the state's teacher shortage.

"We had 3,338 emergency certifications last year," he said. "We're running about the same number this year. We can't find teachers, especially in the math and science areas."

Pemberton's bill is assigned to the Senate Education Committee.

Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, introduced a comprehensive education package last week that includes a bill allocating $241 million for teacher pay raises. The proposal would move starting teacher pay to $40,000 annually with a $3,000 pay increase through the next four years, and incremental pay raises after that. That bill is also assigned to the Senate Education Committee.

In the wake of the pandemic, with growing economic uncertainty and climate change stressing public infrastructure, more Americans are seeking ways to live off the grid. This does not necessarily mean forgoing all modern conveniences. Rather, living off the grid simply often means just that - being disconnected from local utility grids and having a higher degree of self-sufficiency.

A recent study released by LawnStarter, a lawn care company that frequently conducts research into city and state amenities, created a weighted index of 23 key measures to identify the best states to live off the grid. These measures fall into one of five categories: feasibility, infrastructure, affordability, climate, and safety.

According to LawnStarter, Oklahoma ranks as the fifth best state for those seeking to live off the grid.

Oklahoma scores highest in the affordability category, which includes measures like the average per-acre value of cropland, the property tax rate, and the overall cost of living. The state's lowest ranking category is climate, which takes into account measures such as the average yearly amount of sunshine, the average yearly amount of rain, and days of extreme temperatures.

All data in this story is from LawnStarter. A full description of the methodology is available here.

RankStateOverall off-the-grid scoreHighest ranking categoryLowest ranking category1Iowa67.1SafetyAffordability2Texas65.6InfrastructureClimate3Kentucky63.4SafetyInfrastructure4Minnesota61.3SafetyClimate5Oklahoma61.1AffordabilityClimate6Nebraska61.0SafetyClimate7Kansas60.6SafetyFeasibility8North Dakota59.5FeasibilityClimate9Illinois58.9SafetyAffordability10Montana58.5AffordabilityClimate11Missouri58.3SafetyInfrastructure12Wyoming57.8AffordabilityClimate13South Dakota57.7InfrastructureClimate14Wisconsin57.2SafetyClimate15Vermont56.9InfrastructureAffordability16Arkansas56.8ClimateInfrastructure17Idaho56.6FeasibilityClimate18Tennessee55.5AffordabilityFeasibility19Oregon55.2FeasibilityClimate20Maine54.3InfrastructureAffordability21West Virginia54.1AffordabilityInfrastructure22Indiana52.9InfrastructureFeasibility23Georgia52.4ClimateInfrastructure24Ohio52.3SafetyClimate25Louisiana52.2ClimateInfrastructure26Mississippi52.2SafetyInfrastructure27Washington51.1InfrastructureClimate28New Hampshire51.0SafetyAffordability29Alabama51.0AffordabilityFeasibility30Virginia50.8ClimateSafety31South Carolina50.4ClimateSafety32New Mexico50.0AffordabilitySafety33Hawaii49.6ClimateAffordability34California49.1InfrastructureAffordability35Colorado48.1AffordabilityFeasibility36Florida47.9ClimateSafety37Michigan47.9SafetyClimate38North Carolina46.8ClimateFeasibility39Delaware46.0ClimateSafety40Arizona46.0ClimateAffordability41New York45.5InfrastructureFeasibility42Utah40.6AffordabilitySafety43Alaska40.1FeasibilityInfrastructure44Pennsylvania40.0ClimateFeasibility45Nevada39.4AffordabilitySafety46Massachusetts37.6ClimateFeasibility47Maryland36.6ClimateFeasibility48Connecticut34.5ClimateFeasibility49Rhode Island33.5ClimateFeasibility50New Jersey28.2ClimateAffordability

(The Center Square) - U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and seven other senators have signed onto a bill that would repeal the tax threshold for reporting third-party payments.

Under a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act, business transactions over $600 annually would be reported to the IRS by the payment platforms.

The Stop the Nosy Obsession with Online Payments Act, known as the SNOOP Act, would keep the threshold at $20,000 a year for at least 200 transactions.

“Small business owners and independent contractors need rescuing from this American Rescue Plan Act provision, which, fortunately, has yet to be implemented by the IRS,” Cramer said in a news release. “Our bill would prevent enforcement of the onerous regulation and institute a more reasonable reporting threshold.”

“This invasion of taxpayer privacy is another example of overreach by the Administration and should be stopped in its tracks,” he added.

Cramer co-sponsored a similar bill last year. According to congressional records, it was assigned to the Senate Finance Committee but never made it to the Senate floor for a vote.

The IRS delayed enforcing the regulation for the 2022 tax year.

“The IRS and Treasury heard a number of concerns regarding the timeline of implementation of these changes under the American Rescue Plan,” Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell said in December. “The additional time will help reduce confusion during the upcoming 2023 tax filing season and provide more time for taxpayers to prepare and understand the new reporting requirements.”

Sens. John Hoeven, R-N.D, Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, John Kennedy, R-La., John Barrasso, R-Wyo. and James Lankford, R-Okla. are co-sponsors of the bill.

Gun sales, as approximated by background checks, surged in 2020 to 39,695,315 just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. They have declined each year since, to 38,876,673 in 2021 and to 31,596,646 in 2022. Still, these numbers remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System publishes a monthly list of how many firearm background checks are conducted on potential gun buyers. Nearly everyone put through this system qualifies. Of the more than 400 million checks conducted since November 1998, there have only been 2.1 million denials. More than half of those who are denied have criminal records.

Adjusting for population, there were 94.8 background checks per 1,000 people nationwide in 2022. The per capita background check data varies considerably by state.

In Oklahoma, 370,275 background checks were conducted in 2022 based on FBI data. Adjusted for population, this amounts to about 92.1 firearm background checks for every 1,000 people, the 20th highest rate among states.

Estimated per capita gun sales in the state in 2021, approximated by background checks, totaled 416,514, or about 103.6 per person, compared to the national rate of 116.6 per 1,000 people.

Population data used to calculate background checks per capita came from the U.S. Census Bureau's Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program, and are for July of 2022. It is important to note that in some states, certain firearm permit rechecks require FBI background checks, which can impact the overall number of background checks used to create this ranking.

RankStateFBI firearm background checks per 1,000 people, 2022Total FBI firearm background checks, 2022FBI firearm background checks per 1,000 people, 2021Total FBI firearm background checks, 20211Kentucky890.14,016,510852.83,848,0612Illinois355.74,476,055673.58,474,5053Utah300.01,014,277349.51,181,5644Indiana161.71,105,040265.71,815,5315Minnesota155.9891,044165.3945,2996Alabama145.7739,113186.5946,2717Montana126.3141,803143.1160,6408Idaho121.4235,465141.2273,7629Wyoming120.970,276145.684,62410Tennessee118.7836,953136.8964,51211Oregon116.9495,842107.1454,13312Alaska115.684,802124.391,20713West Virginia108.6192,868126.3224,24014Wisconsin107.9635,528133.4785,85615Mississippi96.9284,864110323,31916South Dakota96.387,589117.5106,88117New Hampshire95.7133,507108.8151,85318Pennsylvania94.81,229,129108.61,408,16519North Dakota93.072,458103.480,54620Oklahoma92.1370,275103.6416,51421Washington90.7706,26094.6736,84622Colorado90.5528,335107.7628,81123Missouri85.9530,932102.7634,19124Maine82.4114,09093.3129,19325New Mexico82.2173,79392.3194,98926South Carolina80.1423,09891.9485,48727Michigan78.6789,16096.8970,99028Arkansas78.6239,35094.8288,70629Louisiana75.1344,80887.4401,34530Arizona72.5533,69976.6563,76331Vermont69.144,72279.751,54932Iowa68.3218,70383.3266,67833Florida66.31,474,73076.91,711,68534Virginia65.4567,50475.5655,33935Kansas65.3191,89578.4230,16836Connecticut63.6230,70276.5277,25037Texas57.71,732,651661,980,75338Delaware57.358,32367.869,06839North Carolina57.3612,69573.1781,73340Ohio55.9656,93672.5851,88741Georgia55.1601,40773.9806,91242Maryland52.9326,11443.4267,75343Nevada47.9152,26158.7186,57844Nebraska38.275,08446.190,67645California36.71,431,99337.81,476,07346Massachusetts32.6227,92837.1259,24847Rhode Island25.527,90034.737,93648New York22.7447,56723.6464,57549New Jersey18.1167,74024.1223,43750Hawaii13.118,84212.317,707

Gun sales, as approximated by background checks, surged in 2020 to 39,695,315 just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. They have declined each year since, to 38,876,673 in 2021 and to 31,596,646 in 2022. Still, these numbers remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System publishes a monthly list of how many firearm background checks are conducted on potential gun buyers. Nearly everyone put through this system qualifies. Of the more than 400 million checks conducted since November 1998, there have only been 2.1 million denials. More than half of those who are denied have criminal records.

Adjusting for population, there were 94.8 background checks per 1,000 people nationwide in 2022. The per capita background check data varies considerably by state.

In Oklahoma, 370,275 background checks were conducted in 2022 based on FBI data. Adjusted for population, this amounts to about 92.1 firearm background checks for every 1,000 people, the 20th highest rate among states.

Estimated per capita gun sales in the state in 2021, approximated by background checks, totaled 416,514, or about 103.6 per person, compared to the national rate of 116.6 per 1,000 people.

Population data used to calculate background checks per capita came from the U.S. Census Bureau's Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program, and are for July of 2022. It is important to note that in some states, certain firearm permit rechecks require FBI background checks, which can impact the overall number of background checks used to create this ranking.

RankStateFBI firearm background checks per 1,000 people, 2022Total FBI firearm background checks, 2022FBI firearm background checks per 1,000 people, 2021Total FBI firearm background checks, 20211Kentucky890.14,016,510852.83,848,0612Illinois355.74,476,055673.58,474,5053Utah300.01,014,277349.51,181,5644Indiana161.71,105,040265.71,815,5315Minnesota155.9891,044165.3945,2996Alabama145.7739,113186.5946,2717Montana126.3141,803143.1160,6408Idaho121.4235,465141.2273,7629Wyoming120.970,276145.684,62410Tennessee118.7836,953136.8964,51211Oregon116.9495,842107.1454,13312Alaska115.684,802124.391,20713West Virginia108.6192,868126.3224,24014Wisconsin107.9635,528133.4785,85615Mississippi96.9284,864110323,31916South Dakota96.387,589117.5106,88117New Hampshire95.7133,507108.8151,85318Pennsylvania94.81,229,129108.61,408,16519North Dakota93.072,458103.480,54620Oklahoma92.1370,275103.6416,51421Washington90.7706,26094.6736,84622Colorado90.5528,335107.7628,81123Missouri85.9530,932102.7634,19124Maine82.4114,09093.3129,19325New Mexico82.2173,79392.3194,98926South Carolina80.1423,09891.9485,48727Michigan78.6789,16096.8970,99028Arkansas78.6239,35094.8288,70629Louisiana75.1344,80887.4401,34530Arizona72.5533,69976.6563,76331Vermont69.144,72279.751,54932Iowa68.3218,70383.3266,67833Florida66.31,474,73076.91,711,68534Virginia65.4567,50475.5655,33935Kansas65.3191,89578.4230,16836Connecticut63.6230,70276.5277,25037Texas57.71,732,651661,980,75338Delaware57.358,32367.869,06839North Carolina57.3612,69573.1781,73340Ohio55.9656,93672.5851,88741Georgia55.1601,40773.9806,91242Maryland52.9326,11443.4267,75343Nevada47.9152,26158.7186,57844Nebraska38.275,08446.190,67645California36.71,431,99337.81,476,07346Massachusetts32.6227,92837.1259,24847Rhode Island25.527,90034.737,93648New York22.7447,56723.6464,57549New Jersey18.1167,74024.1223,43750Hawaii13.118,84212.317,707