Best and Worst States for Business

 

Chief Executive magazine has released their 10th annual survey of CEOs concerning their views of the best states and the worst states for business. More than 500 CEOs graded states on their tax and regulatory regimes, quality of the workforce, and quality of life.

I created a graphic of the 10 best and the 10 worst. The results may surprise you: BestWorstStates (Just kidding — the results aren’t surprising at all.)

All states in the Top 10 have GOP governors; Seven of the Bottom 10 are run by Democrats. Those three GOP-led states in the Bottom 10 all went for Obama in 2008 and 2012.

Where does your state rank?

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  1. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    45, but at least we’re not Illinois, New York, or California.  And at least we’re not under Canadian leadership anymore.

    • #1
  2. C. U. Douglas Coolidge
    C. U. Douglas
    @CUDouglas

    Oregon has escaped the bottom 10!

    We’re 38! We’re 38!

    In your face, Rhode Island!

    • #2
  3. C. U. Douglas Coolidge
    C. U. Douglas
    @CUDouglas

    An additional note: California’s being at the absolute bottom of the list partially vindicates my move to Oregon. Sure, Oregon isn’t that much better, but anything is better than California. A move out of California is a positive step up no matter where you end up.

    • #3
  4. user_1029039 Inactive
    user_1029039
    @JasonRudert

    Thirteenth. Not bad.

    • #4
  5. Whiskey Sam Inactive
    Whiskey Sam
    @WhiskeySam

    Oy vey we fell out of the top 10.  Won’t be 11 for long at this rate either.

    • #5
  6. user_158368 Inactive
    user_158368
    @PaulErickson

    Bummer. We lost 46th place to… Massachusetts?!?  Did you ever notice how funny that name is?  I mean, we have towns called “Secaucus” “Totowa” “Hohokus” and “Succasunna,” but as state names go, Mass is pretty funny.

    Anyhow, don’t think of us as the “basement.”  Think of us as the “foundation.”  There, that’s better…

    • #6
  7. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    33, with all-Dem. leadership, population who tends to re-elect those  [insert derogatory term here], like McDermott (+80% every time).  No income tax, but business “gross-receipts” tax.  Moving to Eastern WA is almost like going to another state.

    • #7
  8. EThompson Member
    EThompson
    @

    Arahant:

    45, but at least we’re not Illinois, New York, or California. And at least we’re not under Canadian leadership anymore.

    Rick Snyder is an accomplished businessman, but perhaps his election is too little too late; the city of Detroit is draining the rest of the state. Glad I live in Florida now.

    @ Tallahassee: I love Rick Scott!

    • #8
  9. Eeyore Member
    Eeyore
    @Eeyore

    4. But we’re down one from last year. And there are buckets of cerulean political and financial capital pouring into NC with hopes of turning this state solid Dem. It’s been a hard, unrelenting push for the last 40 years, centered in the colleges and universities [I’m shocked, shocked, I say!]. Many of the cities and towns are members of Mayors Against Illegal [HA!] Guns and ICLEI, and have adopted Common Core. It’s not looking good…
    One thing you can say for the Commies – they’re persistent.

    • #9
  10. Pony Convertible Inactive
    Pony Convertible
    @PonyConvertible

    Indiana is doing well, thanks to great leadership like former Governor Mitch Daniels and now Mike Pence.  Indiana is known for automobile and RV manufacturing.  We also have a lot of medical device manufacturers.  Unfortunately those are being seriously squeezed by the Obamacare medical device tax and rapidly increasing FDA regulations.   That sector is suffering bad right now.

    • #10
  11. Songwriter Inactive
    Songwriter
    @user_19450

    As a Texas transplant to Tennessee, I’ve been lucky to spend my life in two of the top 10 states.  But as Eeyore points out above, the Left never stops trying to screw things up.  They are relentless in their foolishness.

    • #11
  12. user_129539 Inactive
    user_129539
    @BrianClendinen

    And everyone says Texas is the greatest state to live in. What is so bad about being number two when you have way better beaches than Texas, Disney World, and rocket launches with the occasional one going boom. Nothing boring like training astronauts or ground control

    • #12
  13. RightinChicago Member
    RightinChicago
    @

    Born in 45.  Moved to 48.  Maybe I need a life-coach.

    • #13
  14. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    RightinChicago: Born in 45. Moved to 48. Maybe I need a life-coach.

    We must have passed each other in our respective moves.

    • #14
  15. Jon Gabriel, Ed. Contributor
    Jon Gabriel, Ed.
    @jon

    Arizona moved from six to seven. Can’t complain, but we could be much better. My personal favorite gubernatorial candidate, former Cold Stone Creamery CEO (where he was my boss) and current state Treasurer Doug Ducey, is proposing a gradual elimination of the state income tax. This would significantly raise our appeal to fleeing California businesses.

    I also admire Scott Walker whose state is continuing its climb in the rankings, moving from 17 to 14.

    • #15
  16. EThompson Member
    EThompson
    @

    Songwriter:

    As a Texas transplant to Tennessee, I’ve been lucky to spend my life in two of the top 10 states. But as Eeyore points out above, the Left never stops trying to screw things up. They are relentless in their foolishness.

    I spent 4 terrific years in Nashville; it is one of the loveliest, most livable, and civilized cities in this country. Wonderful restaurants and you can’t beat the music. Lucky you!

    • #16
  17. danys Thatcher
    danys
    @danys

    Yes! 50, baby!
    What, do you mean 50 isn’t good? But, but we’re building at high-speed train for the central valley! 
    We aren’t all winners just for participating? 
    My self-esteem hurts.

    • #17
  18. danys Thatcher
    danys
    @danys

    California has Gov. Moonbeam, again. Does that count?

    Now, I’m off to find my reusable grocery bags & stroll down aisles of gluten-free water and organic kale.

    • #18
  19. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    danys: But, but we’re building at high-speed train for the central valley!

    Will it squirt out water to water the crops?

    • #19
  20. danys Thatcher
    danys
    @danys

    Micro-agression!
    Honesty compels me to say that it squirts debt.

    • #20
  21. C. U. Douglas Coolidge
    C. U. Douglas
    @CUDouglas

    danys:

    Micro-agression! Honesty compels me to say that it squirts debt.

     But it’s totally gonna be awesome when it’s done, just like his other big project, the Bay Bridge!

    • #21
  22. danys Thatcher
    danys
    @danys

    C. U. Douglas:

    danys:

    Micro-agression! Honesty compels me to say that it squirts debt.

    But it’s totally gonna be awesome when it’s done, just like his other big project, the Bay Bridge!

     And totally awesome doesn’t come cheap. You gotta spend money to spend money.

    • #22
  23. CuriousKevmo Inactive
    CuriousKevmo
    @CuriousKevmo

    50?!?!?!  Sweet, 7 more and we’ll have made it all the way to the bottom.  Nice!

    (The new Bay Bridge did turn out nice.  Expensive…but nice)

    • #23
  24. Frederick Key Inactive
    Frederick Key
    @FrederickKey

    New York has been running ads about all the great benefits to starting or moving a business here–if you are a moron. The current tax breaks and whatnot may be useful, but you know New York is like Aesop’s scorpion – eventually it will sting you because that is what it does.

    • #24
  25. Songwriter Inactive
    Songwriter
    @user_19450

    EThompson:

    Songwriter:

    As a Texas transplant to Tennessee, I’ve been lucky to spend my life in two of the top 10 states. But as Eeyore points out above, the Left never stops trying to screw things up. They are relentless in their foolishness.

    I spent 4 terrific years in Nashville; it is one of the loveliest, most livable, and civilized cities in this country. Wonderful restaurants and you can’t beat the music. Lucky you!

     We do like it here a lot.  

    • #25
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