Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

RICHMOND, Va. – A controversial new report puts Virginia among the richest states in the country.

The state was ranked third, behind only Utah and South Dakota, in the annual “Rich State, Poor State” report from the American Legislative Exchange Council. The pro-business group analyzes states based on incomes, property tax rates, business regulations, right to work laws and unemployment rates.

Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Barry Du Val says that’s good news.

“When companies are thinking about selecting a place for their headquarters or expanding, do they choose Maryland, the District of Columbia?” says Du Val. “Time and again the choose Virginia.”

Maryland finished 20th in the same report. D.C. was not ranked.

ALEC Director Jonathan Williams says higher taxes in Maryland have hindered that state.

“After Maryland enacted the millionaires tax, $1 billion dollars of wealth left Montgomery County and went to another state,” says Williams.

But some groups, such as Progress VA, criticize the report. They say other economic forecasts, such as fair minimum wage and union contracts, should be factored in.

ALEC considers high minimum wages and union contracts as a negative for a state’s economy.

Progress VA calls ALEC a “corporate front group.”

The report ranked New York last and Vermont at 49.

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