No. 1Texas
Job growth in Texas continues to amaze the country, although it slipped to No. 4 from No. 3 percentage-wise in 2013. Crippling drought there keeps businesses wary.
Governor: Rick Perry (Republican)
Tax Foundation rank: 11
ALEC-Laffer Economic Outlook rank: 12
Kauffman Foundation Index of Entrepreneurial Activity (2012) rank: 15
Total Nonfarm Employment Percentage Growth (2013): 4
Economic-development contact: Texas Wide Open for Business, 512/936-0100, www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com; Jonathan Taylor, Executive Director