http://www.thestreet.com/story/12783796/12/the-10-most-socialist-states-in-america.html
In order to measure the degree to which different states reflect socialist principles, we determined state expenditures and state GDP as the best indicators because socialist states tax and spend a higher percentage of their GDP. We used data on the total state expenditures for fiscal year 2013 from the most recent National Association of State Budget Officers report and pulled 2013 gross domestic product by state data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The math? Simple. The FY2013 state expenditure divided by the state's 2013 GDP.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/12783796/12/the-10-most-socialist-states-in-america.html
In order to measure the degree to which different states reflect socialist principles, we determined state expenditures and state GDP as the best indicators because socialist states tax and spend a higher percentage of their GDP. We used data on the total state expenditures for fiscal year 2013 from the most recent National Association of State Budget Officers report and pulled 2013 gross domestic product by state data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The math? Simple. The FY2013 state expenditure divided by the state's 2013 GDP.

And despite other states being "more socialist" that Hawaii, all have much better gun laws....Alaska and Texas are two that stand out....

The GMU index is far more comprehensive across multiple dimensions of regulation and you can tweak the weighting to your liking.

http://freedominthe50states.org/

Puts Hawaii at 47, NJ at 48, California at 49, and NY dead last at 50.

Sad, but that sounds about right to me.

And despite other states being "more socialist" that Hawaii, all have much better gun laws....Alaska and Texas are two that stand out....

Did I read that right?  Are you saying Texas is MORE SOCIALIST than Hawaii?