Mass. top spot in competitiveness

A new study claims Massachusetts is the most economically competitive state in the nation.

The Bay State moved from second place to first in the latest edition of the Beacon Hill Institute's Competitiveness Report. Throughout the report's eight-year existence, the state has never ranked lower than third and usually has been first or second.

The state improved its ranking in part through its strong showing in human resources, technology, business incubation and security. It also rose from ninth to first in the number of residents with health insurance coverage.

Gov. Deval Patrick will discuss the findings at a news conference on Wednesday.

The report's author, Suffolk University Economics Professor Jonathan Houghton, said Massachusetts does have plenty of weaknesses -- including expensive housing and electricity.