Marathon Pundit: Bronze medal of shame: Illinois has nation's third worst business climate; Texas is best

Monday, September 19, 2011

Bronze medal of shame: Illinois has nation's third worst business climate; Texas is best

Massive "temporary" personal and corporate income tax hikes in Illinois have earned the Prairie State a bronze medal of shame. According to a New York-based consulting firm, Illinois has the nation's third-worst business climate. Only New York and California are worse.

Since the firm's last survey three years ago, Illinois sprinted past New Jersey, Michigan, and Massachusetts.

Which state is the best for business? Texas.

Here's what Rick Perry has to say about that:

Texas has again been ranked as the best place to do business, according to a survey released today by Development Counsellors International (DCI) International. Texas has received the top ranking since 1999 in the DCI survey, which is conducted every three years.

According to the report, top-ranking states are recognized for the common themes of low operating costs, low taxes, economic incentives and a pro-business environment. More than 300 corporate executives and consultants who deal with relocation decisions participated in the survey.

To view a summary of the report, please visit http://www.aboutdci.com/winning-strategies/2011-winning-strategies.

Texas continues to receive national accolades for its business friendly climate. Most recently, Texas was ranked by Chief Executive Magazine as the top state for job growth and business development for the seventh year in a row in its 2011 a survey of CEOs. Additionally, Texas won Site Selection Magazine's Governor's Cup for 2010, for the most new and expanded corporate facilities announced over the year. Eleven Texas cities topped Forbes Magazine’s lists of the best Big, Mid-size and Small cities for jobs, while Newsweek recently ranked four Texas cities in its list of 10 cities best situated for economic recovery, and described Texas as the top destination for job-seeking Americans.