George Mason University has released it’s state Freedom study – Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom.

Here’s Tennessee’s summary (page 40):

Tennessee (#8 economic, #18 personal, #7 overall) is, along with Virginia, one of the freest states in the South. By one of our measures, Tennessee’s overall tax burden is the lowest in the country (6.8% of corrected GSP). The government debt ratio is also extremely low. Along with West Virginia, Tennessee also has the best gun control laws in the South. However, taxes on alcohol—particularly wine—are quite high. The first offense of marijuana possession is always a misdemeanor, but otherwise the state has fairly harsh marijuana laws. The state is one of three not to require auto liability insurance (permitting self-insurance instead), but it has sobriety checkpoints, primary seat-belt enforcement, and helmet laws for motor- and bicyclists. Gambling is highly controlled; Tennessee is one of just three states to
prohibit even charitable gaming. The state also falls somewhat short on education, with mandatory kindergarten, mandatory registration of private schools, and burdensome notification requirements for home schoolers. Labor laws are above average, but health insurance laws are mediocre. Occupational licensing has gone way too far. Eminent domain has not really been reformed. The state has low cigarette taxes and no smoking bans on private property.

My former state, Minnesota has significantly lower rankings – the state ends up 31st on economic freedom, 31st on personal freedom, and 35th overall.

Link from Powerline

State Freedom Index, Tennessee