Forbes 10 Best Pro-Big Business States
The Best States For Business
Forbes has listed the top 10 states for business. The rankings are based on the following criteria:
Business Costs: Index based on cost of labor, energy and taxes.
Labor: Measures educational attainment, net migration and projected population growth.
Regulatory Environment: Measures regulatory and tort climate, incentives, transportation and bond ratings.
Economic Climate: Reflects job, income, and gross state product growth as well as unemployment and presence of big companies.
Growth Prospects: Reflects projected job, income and gross state product growth as well as business openings/closings and venture capital investments.
Quality of Life: Index of schools, health, crime, cost of living, and poverty rates.
#1 Virginia
Located in the Bible Belt, conservative, conveniently located near Washington DC, with many US officials and congress members living within its borders, considered a "red state" even though its governor is considered one of the prime canidates for the next presidential election.
Governor: Tim Kaine - Democrat
Population: 7,567,470
Gross State Product: $335 billion
GSP Growth: 4.3%
Income Tax Rates: 2.00% to 5.75% (income brackets)
RANKINGS
Business Costs: 10
Labor: 4
Regulatory Environment: 1
Economic Climate: 8
Growth Prospects: 10
Quality Of Life: 5
#2 Texas
Located in the Bible Belt, conservative, long-established center for the oil industry, lots of Arab investment, considered a "red state" even though it has a history of producing renowned Democrats like LBJ and Anne Richards. Has a "get tough on crime" approach that has supported death penalties for retarded and psychiatrically impaired persons. Has a long history of pro-NRA policies, including allowing relaxed rules and regulations for carrying firearms.
Governor: Rick Perry - Republican
Population: 22,859,970
Gross State Product: $888 billion
GsP Growth: 3.3%
Income Tax Rates: No State Income Tax
RANKINGS
Business Costs: 22
Labor: 25
Regulatory Environment: 6
Economic Climate: 7
Growth Prospects: 2
Quality Of Life: 23
#3 North Carolina
Another Bible Belt State, considered a "red state", headquarters of many major tobacco companies, and also noted for recent issues of industrial and agricultural water pollution from pig excrement, pesticides, fertilizers and manufacturing. Also noted for a history of governmental corruption, fraud by welfare officials, prison abuse and poor schools.
Governor: Mike F. Easley - Democrat
Population: 8,683,240
Gross State Product: $336 billion
GSP Growth: 3.4%
Income Tax Rates: 6.00% to 8.25% (income brackets)
RANKINGS
Business Costs: 4
Labor: 26
Regulatory Environment: 3
Economic Climate: 30
Growth Prospects: 4
Quality Of Life: 26
#4 Utah
Noted for the domination of state politics by the Mormon Church, a great deal of governmental corruption, beautiful mountain scenery, limits on alcohol consuption, its own set of "blue laws", segregationist Mormons still practicing polygamy, Mormon in-fighting that has resulted in murders, and having its own Bible-focused impact on politics.
Governor: Jon Huntsman - Republican
Population: 2,469,590
Gross State Product: $81 billion
GSP Growth: 3.0%
Income Tax Rates: 2.30% - 7.00% (income brackets)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 19
Labor: 9
Regulatory Environment: 18
Economic Climate: 17
Growth Prospects: 11
Quality Of Life: 17
#5 Colorado
Considered a "red state," it has a history of swinging back and forth between the Republican and Democratic parties for leadership , it has been noted for police authority abuses and has generated a lot of ACLU activity in response, it has pockets of "hippie hangovers" and some towns that are really focused on progressive environmental policies, celebrity catering ski spots, avalanches and problems keeping the corruption out of the state capital. Like Texas, Colorado has a history of unrestricted gun laws. Like Utah, it has its share of Mormonism gone wild, with segregated areas where polygamists live. While not in the Bible Belt, the rural areas outside of the tourist traps and celebrity villages, there is definitely a conservative streak and pockets of ultra-conservative religious views.
Governor: Bill Owens - Republican
Population: 4,665,180
Gross State Product: $206 billion
GsP Growth: 2.7%
Income Tax Rates: 4.63 (flat)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 31
Labor: 2
Regulatory Environment: 8
Economic Climate: 35
Growth Prospects: 1
Quality Of Life: 19
#6 Idaho
A state that is not noted for producing many controversies, and an agricultural image based on the rich potatoes grown in volcanic soils, possessing beautiful scenery, and really bad winters, it is a "red state" with its share of ultraconservative religious divisions, but does not have the population or business base to attract the attention of candidates or businesses. It would appear to most of us that its pro-business stance is that it needs the business so badly that it is willing to cut its throat to get it.
Governor: Jim Risch - Republican
Population: 1,429,100
Gross State Product: $45 billion
GSP Growth: 4.4%
Income Tax Rates: 1.60% to 7.80% (income brackets)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 13
Labor: 16
Regulatory Environment: 34
Economic Climate: 2
Growth Prospects: 22
Quality Of Life: 20
#7 Nebraska
Like Idaho, Nebraska is primarily rural, conservative, a "red state," and on the outskirts of the Bible Belt. Outside of a few larger cities drawing some attention, Nebraska is not known for a lot of controversies. Its industry and business is primarily in the agricultural arena. Its most recent big business scandal involves its lax rules regarding profiteering credit card companies and banking practices.
Governor: David Heineman - Republican
Population: 1,758,790
Gross State Product: $66 billion
GsP Growth: 2.7%
Income Tax Rates: 2.56% to 6.84%
RATINGS
Business Costs: 9
Labor: 29
Regulatory Environment: 14
Economic Climate: 27
Growth Prospects: 30
Quality Of Life: 9
#8 Delaware
While considered a "blue state," Delaware is noted for its strong support of corporations through its lenient incorporation laws and regulations, as well as the banking headquarters for major credit card compnies like Wachovia--most of which are noted for gouging the nation through high fees and interest rates. The state is a suburb of New Jersey (the entire state), New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. While its state government is predominantly Democratic, it sometimes appears that the Delaware Democrats work for the Republicans. If a business wants to survive as a corporate entity and get away with corporate corruption, then Delaware is the place for you!
Governor: Ruth Ann Minner - Democrat
Population: 843,520
Gross State Product: $52 billion
GsP Growth: 4.0%
Income Tax Rates: 2.20% to 5.95% (income brackets)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 6
Labor: 6
Regulatory Environment: 27
Economic Climate: 37
Growth Prospects: 25
Quality Of Life: 25
#9 Florida
Florida's politics are dominated by Miami-Dade County Republicans who are religiously and sexually bigoted, sexually repressed, and best represented by Anita Bryant's campaign to repeal anti-discrimination laws, Jeb Bush's interference with the Terri Sciavo case, and the fact that their voters are so demented, senile, illiterate or stupid that they can't manage to complete a ballot. The epitome of corruption in Florida is illustrated by the fact that it is the US headquarters of "sweepstakes scams" and the only place in the world where the wealthy can own property worth MILLIONS and still not be attached in bankruptcy proceedings. The corruption that occurs in Tallahassee has songs written about it. Florida is a "red state," but I am not sure that most of its residents know that it is a red state. Florida is also known as the "snow bird state" where so many folks from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York live there during the winter, everyone wonders what a true Floridian accent sound like for 6 months of the year.
Governor: Jeb Bush - Republican
Population: 17,789,860
Gross State Product: $616 billion
GsP Growth: 4.5%
Income tax Rates: No State Income Taxes
RATINGS
Business Costs: 35
Labor: 13
Regulatory Environment: 16
Economic Climate: 4
Growth Prospects: 3
Quality Of Life: 42
My comments about these states do not reflect any bias or preference for any other state. Certainly our states have ample corruption and numerous problems remembering that their mission is to "strive for a more perfect union. It's just that when Forbes endorses certain states as being pro-business--in fact the best states for business--in a nation currently and historically filled with a pro-business (especially big corporate business) agenda supported by one business scandal after anothe-- it is either the ultimate insult to the working stiff or the ultimate joke... I can't be sure which.
Forbes has listed the top 10 states for business. The rankings are based on the following criteria:
Business Costs: Index based on cost of labor, energy and taxes.
Labor: Measures educational attainment, net migration and projected population growth.
Regulatory Environment: Measures regulatory and tort climate, incentives, transportation and bond ratings.
Economic Climate: Reflects job, income, and gross state product growth as well as unemployment and presence of big companies.
Growth Prospects: Reflects projected job, income and gross state product growth as well as business openings/closings and venture capital investments.
Quality of Life: Index of schools, health, crime, cost of living, and poverty rates.
#1 Virginia
Located in the Bible Belt, conservative, conveniently located near Washington DC, with many US officials and congress members living within its borders, considered a "red state" even though its governor is considered one of the prime canidates for the next presidential election.
Governor: Tim Kaine - Democrat
Population: 7,567,470
Gross State Product: $335 billion
GSP Growth: 4.3%
Income Tax Rates: 2.00% to 5.75% (income brackets)
RANKINGS
Business Costs: 10
Labor: 4
Regulatory Environment: 1
Economic Climate: 8
Growth Prospects: 10
Quality Of Life: 5
#2 Texas
Located in the Bible Belt, conservative, long-established center for the oil industry, lots of Arab investment, considered a "red state" even though it has a history of producing renowned Democrats like LBJ and Anne Richards. Has a "get tough on crime" approach that has supported death penalties for retarded and psychiatrically impaired persons. Has a long history of pro-NRA policies, including allowing relaxed rules and regulations for carrying firearms.
Governor: Rick Perry - Republican
Population: 22,859,970
Gross State Product: $888 billion
GsP Growth: 3.3%
Income Tax Rates: No State Income Tax
RANKINGS
Business Costs: 22
Labor: 25
Regulatory Environment: 6
Economic Climate: 7
Growth Prospects: 2
Quality Of Life: 23
#3 North Carolina
Another Bible Belt State, considered a "red state", headquarters of many major tobacco companies, and also noted for recent issues of industrial and agricultural water pollution from pig excrement, pesticides, fertilizers and manufacturing. Also noted for a history of governmental corruption, fraud by welfare officials, prison abuse and poor schools.
Governor: Mike F. Easley - Democrat
Population: 8,683,240
Gross State Product: $336 billion
GSP Growth: 3.4%
Income Tax Rates: 6.00% to 8.25% (income brackets)
RANKINGS
Business Costs: 4
Labor: 26
Regulatory Environment: 3
Economic Climate: 30
Growth Prospects: 4
Quality Of Life: 26
#4 Utah
Noted for the domination of state politics by the Mormon Church, a great deal of governmental corruption, beautiful mountain scenery, limits on alcohol consuption, its own set of "blue laws", segregationist Mormons still practicing polygamy, Mormon in-fighting that has resulted in murders, and having its own Bible-focused impact on politics.
Governor: Jon Huntsman - Republican
Population: 2,469,590
Gross State Product: $81 billion
GSP Growth: 3.0%
Income Tax Rates: 2.30% - 7.00% (income brackets)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 19
Labor: 9
Regulatory Environment: 18
Economic Climate: 17
Growth Prospects: 11
Quality Of Life: 17
#5 Colorado
Considered a "red state," it has a history of swinging back and forth between the Republican and Democratic parties for leadership , it has been noted for police authority abuses and has generated a lot of ACLU activity in response, it has pockets of "hippie hangovers" and some towns that are really focused on progressive environmental policies, celebrity catering ski spots, avalanches and problems keeping the corruption out of the state capital. Like Texas, Colorado has a history of unrestricted gun laws. Like Utah, it has its share of Mormonism gone wild, with segregated areas where polygamists live. While not in the Bible Belt, the rural areas outside of the tourist traps and celebrity villages, there is definitely a conservative streak and pockets of ultra-conservative religious views.
Governor: Bill Owens - Republican
Population: 4,665,180
Gross State Product: $206 billion
GsP Growth: 2.7%
Income Tax Rates: 4.63 (flat)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 31
Labor: 2
Regulatory Environment: 8
Economic Climate: 35
Growth Prospects: 1
Quality Of Life: 19
#6 Idaho
A state that is not noted for producing many controversies, and an agricultural image based on the rich potatoes grown in volcanic soils, possessing beautiful scenery, and really bad winters, it is a "red state" with its share of ultraconservative religious divisions, but does not have the population or business base to attract the attention of candidates or businesses. It would appear to most of us that its pro-business stance is that it needs the business so badly that it is willing to cut its throat to get it.
Governor: Jim Risch - Republican
Population: 1,429,100
Gross State Product: $45 billion
GSP Growth: 4.4%
Income Tax Rates: 1.60% to 7.80% (income brackets)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 13
Labor: 16
Regulatory Environment: 34
Economic Climate: 2
Growth Prospects: 22
Quality Of Life: 20
#7 Nebraska
Like Idaho, Nebraska is primarily rural, conservative, a "red state," and on the outskirts of the Bible Belt. Outside of a few larger cities drawing some attention, Nebraska is not known for a lot of controversies. Its industry and business is primarily in the agricultural arena. Its most recent big business scandal involves its lax rules regarding profiteering credit card companies and banking practices.
Governor: David Heineman - Republican
Population: 1,758,790
Gross State Product: $66 billion
GsP Growth: 2.7%
Income Tax Rates: 2.56% to 6.84%
RATINGS
Business Costs: 9
Labor: 29
Regulatory Environment: 14
Economic Climate: 27
Growth Prospects: 30
Quality Of Life: 9
#8 Delaware
While considered a "blue state," Delaware is noted for its strong support of corporations through its lenient incorporation laws and regulations, as well as the banking headquarters for major credit card compnies like Wachovia--most of which are noted for gouging the nation through high fees and interest rates. The state is a suburb of New Jersey (the entire state), New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. While its state government is predominantly Democratic, it sometimes appears that the Delaware Democrats work for the Republicans. If a business wants to survive as a corporate entity and get away with corporate corruption, then Delaware is the place for you!
Governor: Ruth Ann Minner - Democrat
Population: 843,520
Gross State Product: $52 billion
GsP Growth: 4.0%
Income Tax Rates: 2.20% to 5.95% (income brackets)
RATINGS
Business Costs: 6
Labor: 6
Regulatory Environment: 27
Economic Climate: 37
Growth Prospects: 25
Quality Of Life: 25
#9 Florida
Florida's politics are dominated by Miami-Dade County Republicans who are religiously and sexually bigoted, sexually repressed, and best represented by Anita Bryant's campaign to repeal anti-discrimination laws, Jeb Bush's interference with the Terri Sciavo case, and the fact that their voters are so demented, senile, illiterate or stupid that they can't manage to complete a ballot. The epitome of corruption in Florida is illustrated by the fact that it is the US headquarters of "sweepstakes scams" and the only place in the world where the wealthy can own property worth MILLIONS and still not be attached in bankruptcy proceedings. The corruption that occurs in Tallahassee has songs written about it. Florida is a "red state," but I am not sure that most of its residents know that it is a red state. Florida is also known as the "snow bird state" where so many folks from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York live there during the winter, everyone wonders what a true Floridian accent sound like for 6 months of the year.
Governor: Jeb Bush - Republican
Population: 17,789,860
Gross State Product: $616 billion
GsP Growth: 4.5%
Income tax Rates: No State Income Taxes
RATINGS
Business Costs: 35
Labor: 13
Regulatory Environment: 16
Economic Climate: 4
Growth Prospects: 3
Quality Of Life: 42
My comments about these states do not reflect any bias or preference for any other state. Certainly our states have ample corruption and numerous problems remembering that their mission is to "strive for a more perfect union. It's just that when Forbes endorses certain states as being pro-business--in fact the best states for business--in a nation currently and historically filled with a pro-business (especially big corporate business) agenda supported by one business scandal after anothe-- it is either the ultimate insult to the working stiff or the ultimate joke... I can't be sure which.
posted by Jim Downey at 9:46 AM
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