Section: Logical Reasoning

27) By passing more and more regulations allegedly to protect the environment, the state is driving the manufacturing industry away. And when the employers leave, the workers will follow. The number of new no growth or environmental rules passed each year is increasing by leaps and bounds. Rich environmentalists who think they are sympathetic to workers have no real sympathy for the blue-collar employees who are injured by their activities. One major manufacturer has been fined for failing to establish a car-pool plan. Another is accused of polluting the air with industrial emissions, although everyone knows that two thirds of the pollutants come from cars and trucks. No wonder the large manufacturers are moving to states with fewer restrictive laws. And as the manufacturers go, unemployment and the number of workers leaving the state will rise more rapidly than ever before.

The author's argument that strict environmental laws will eventually lead to loss of workers in the state will be most weakened if it can be shown that

so far, the number of manufacturers who have left the state is small
the unemployment rate has climbed steadily in the last three years
most workers who leave the state give as their reason for leaving poor environmental quality
several other manufacturing states have strict environmental laws
rich environmentalists are more powerful in many other states