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Survey: Calif. ranks worst for business again

California ranks last among the states for best business climate on yet another survey of corporate executives. This newest one was conducted by the New York-based Development Counsellors International.

California has been the worst-ranked state on this survey, conducted every three years, for the past four surveys dating back to 2002. New York was worst before that.

Believe it or not, California ranked as second best in 1999.

It’s not the first survey to label California unfriendly to business. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council ranks California 48th. CNBC ranked the Golden State 49th for cost of living. Council on State Taxation gave California a D —.

“With the battle for business more intense than ever, states and their economic development organizations need to pay close attention to the results of this survey,” said DCI President Andrew T. Levine. “Whether accurate or misguided, perceptions about a location’s business climate often play a crucial role in site selection decisions and where companies invest money and create jobs.”

More than 7 out of 10 (71%) of respondents said California is bad for business citing (more than one answer was allowed):

  • High taxes, 40%

  • Too much regulation, 36%

  • High cost, 23%

  • Anti-business climate, 17%

While California was the worst by a wide margin, the other states joining California at the bottom of the heap are:

  • New York, 47%

  • Illinois, 24%

  • New Jersey, 24%

  • Michigan, 16%

The major negatives for New York were taxes, 61%; costs, 38%; and regulations, 19%.

The states with the most favorable business climates are:

  • Texas, 49% (top ranked on every survey back to 1999)

  • North Carolina, 27%

  • South Carolina, 14%

  • Tennessee, 14%

  • Florida, 14%

If these business executives vote with their feet, many businesses will be on the move because 46% told this survey that their company will make a decision about moving, expanding or consolidation within the next two years. An additional 31% weren’t sure about possible movement.

Source: Orange County Register
September 19, 2011

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