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Washington Ranks Ninth Overall in US News Best States Ranking

7/29/2026

44 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Washington placed ninth overall in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best States ranking.
The state ranked eighth in both education and infrastructure.
Washington ranked seventh for natural environment, measuring air and water quality.
Washington ranked 14th for healthcare and 19th for economy, with unemployment at 40th.
Washington ranked 26th for fiscal stability, 50th for short-term fiscal stability but third for long-term fiscal stability.

History

Historical Context

In 1990 Washington faced a $1.5 billion shortfall, prompting Governor Booth Gardner and the state legislature to adopt the 1991 Budget Reform Act, which capped deficits at 2 % of GSP and created a rainy-day fund. The reform echoed federal moves that year, when the Budget Enforcement Act replaced the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings sequestration system with a PAYGO rule. Decades later, the 2026 rankings still reflect those constraints.

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Story summary

Washington placed ninth overall in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best States ranking.
The state ranked eighth in both education and infrastructure.
Washington ranked seventh for natural environment, measuring air and water quality.
Washington ranked 14th for healthcare and 19th for economy, with unemployment at 40th.
Washington ranked 26th for fiscal stability, 50th for short-term fiscal stability but third for long-term fiscal stability.

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