Categories: 2014 Best & Worst States

10 Worst States for Business 2013: Slideshow

Number 2

No. 41Maryland

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 0.9 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.6 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 6.7 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -1.1 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -2,994 Rank: 34 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,250 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 535.2 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 7.6 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -2.28

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 0.9
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.6

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 6.7
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -1.1

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -2,994
Rank: 34

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,250
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 535.2

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 7.6
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -2.28

Key Companies
Lockheed Martin Constellation Energy Marriott

Development Trend Indicator: Negative
Passed major tax increases, now may boost minimum wage and sick leave.

CEO Comments
“Maryland has a tremendous amount of funding opportunities, business support systems, and a talented and skilled workforce. I believe that it is one of the best states for small businesses in particular.” “California and Maryland have a ton to do to improve relations with Business. They are driving businesses out of their states”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 1 Number 3

No. 42Pennsylvania

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 1.2 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.3 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 7.9 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.1 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -1,121 Rank: 31 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,526 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 478.4 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 7.7 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -2.15

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 1.2
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.3

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 7.9
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.1

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -1,121
Rank: 31

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,526
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 478.4

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 7.7
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -2.15

Key Companies
AmerisourceBergen Sunoco Rite Aid CIGNA PNC Financial United States Steel H.J. Heinz

Development Trend Indicator: Positive
Gov. Corbett has resisted tax hikes and instituted some regulatory reforms.

CEO Comments
“We are headquartered in Pennsylvania (over 120 years)and have facilities in Florida, Texas, Utah, and Alabama. Pennsylvania is by far the highest taxed for corporations but our workforse and those available to do work (welders, fitters, etc.) is the highest skilled. We also have an excellent group of colleges and universities in our area to supply us with engineers and other college degreed employees. All of the states we are in except Pennsylvania are “right to work” states and we are a non union shop.” “Pennsylvania Environmental regulations and their bureaucracy make it difficult to plan and build new projects in a timely manner. Indiana is getting more competitive every year and it is boosting the competitiveness of the surrounding states (except for Illinois)”

CEO Comments

“We are headquartered in Pennsylvania (over 120 years)and have facilities in Florida, Texas, Utah, and Alabama. Pennsylvania is by far the highest taxed for corporations but our workforse and those available to do work (welders, fitters, etc.) is the highest skilled. We also have an excellent group of colleges and universities in our area to supply us with engineers and other college degreed employees. All of the states we are in except Pennsylvania are “right to work” states and we are a non union shop.”

“Pennsylvania Environmental regulations and their bureaucracy make it difficult to plan and build new projects in a timely manner. Indiana is getting more competitive every year and it is boosting the competitiveness of the surrounding states (except for Illinois)”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 2 Number 4

No. 43Hawaii

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: -0.2 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -1.7 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 5.1 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -2.7 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -2,320 Rank: 33 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 5,682 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 559.8 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 7.9 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -1.93

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: -0.2
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -1.7

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 5.1
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -2.7

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -2,320
Rank: 33

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 5,682
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 559.8

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 7.9
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -1.93

Key Companies
Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. Cyanotec Corp Alexander & Baldwin Hawaiian Holding

Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Court struck down costly sick-leave law but replacement measure is unclear.

CEO Comments
“California and Hawaii are very overtaxed and have a political environment that is only making it worse. Business is very difficult in both states and increasing regulations making it nearly impossible yet they always demand more taxes.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 3 Number 5

No. 44Michigan

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 2.3 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.8 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.9 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 1.1 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -57,234 Rank: 48 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,251 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 491.0 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 9.3 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.58

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 2.3
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.8

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.9
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 1.1

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -57,234
Rank: 48

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,251
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 491.0

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 9.3
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.58

Key Companies
Ford Motor Company Dow Chemical Company Whirlpool Dominos Pizza Inc. Stryker

Development Trend Indicator: Positive
Leap to right-to-work follows business-tax overhaul, with more reforms likely.

CEO Comments
“Michigan is on its way back to fiscal solvency. Our companies are prepared to report profits that have exceeded our original expectations.” “Michigan’s problem has been poor government and domination by the auto workers union.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 4 Number 6

No. 45Connecticut

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 2.0 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.5 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.2 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.4 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -16,848 Rank: 45 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 8,465 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 537.4 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 10.1 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): 0.25

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 2.0
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.5

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.2
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.4

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -16,848
Rank: 45

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 8,465
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 537.4

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 10.1
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): 0.25

Key Companies
General Electric Company Xerox Company Aetna Corporation The Hartford Financial Services Stanley Black & Decker

Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Trying to hold line on taxes and spending but solid-blue state lacks growth.

CEO Comments
“Connecticut is the worst. Poor leadership.” “Lower taxes and realistic regulations that don’t send businesses elsewhere. Connecticut is at the bottom of the list.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 5 Number 7

No. 46New Jersey

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: -0.5 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -2.0 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 9.5 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 1.7 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -54,098 Rank: 47 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 6,944 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 593.0 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 9.3 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.61

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: -0.5
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -2.0

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 9.5
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 1.7

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -54,098
Rank: 47

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 6,944
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 593.0

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 9.3
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.61

Key Companies
Merck & Co. Inc. Johnson & Johnson Honeywell Interational Inc. Medco Health Solutions Campbell Soup Quest Diagnostics

Development Trend Indicator: Positive
At least now the debate is over which tax to cut rather than to cut or raise taxes.

CEO Comments
“New Jersey is more proactive for business opportunities.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 6 Number 8

No. 47Massachusetts

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 2.2 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.7 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 6.7 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -1.1 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -10,886 Rank: 40 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 11,310 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 517.5 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 9.3 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.57

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 2.2
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.7

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 6.7
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -1.1

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -10,886
Rank: 40

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 11,310
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 517.5

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 9.3
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.57

Key Companies
State Street Corporation Raytheon The TJX Companies BJ’s Wholesale Club Boston Scientific Smurfit-Stone Container

Development Trend Indicator: Negative
Appears ready to boost income taxes and add services to sales tax.

CEO Comments
“Massachusetts is returning to the state of Taxachusetts, thanks to Governor Deval Patrick and the overwhelming Democratic party majority in both houses of the Legislature.” “Taxation and regulation are always the key barometers. Massachusetts and Oregon are the worst.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 7 Number 9

No. 48Illinois

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 1.3 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.2 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.6 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.8 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -79,458 Rank: 50 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,790 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 503.1 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 9.7 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.15

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 1.3
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.2

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.6
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.8

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -79,458
Rank: 50

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,790
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 503.1

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 9.7
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -0.15

Key Companies
Abbott Laboratories McDonald’s Corporation Allstate Corporation Walgreens Archer-Daniels-Midland Deere & Co.

Development Trend Indicator: Negative
Keeps adding to toxic environment with new effort to boost minimum wage.

CEO Comments
“Illinois — a complete and utter disaster when it comes to fiscal management. The inability to address key issues that are driving debt and instead increase the tax burden on businesses AND residents is mind-boggling. This is precisely why I intend to move my company to FL or TN.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 8 Number 10

No. 49New York

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 1.1 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.4 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.2 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.4 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -113,757 Rank: 51 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 6,694 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 634.5 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 11.1 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): 1.21

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 1.1
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): -0.4

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 8.2
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 0.4

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -113,757
Rank: 51

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 6,694
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 634.5

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 11.1
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): 1.21

Key Companies
IBM AIG Pfizer PepsiCo Inc. JP Morgan Chase Citigroup Verizon Phillip Morris Goldman Sachs American Express

Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Gov. Cuomo seems to be less concerned now about business-friendliness.

CEO Comments
“New York’s taxes on the job creators is broken and taxing authorities are too bureaucratic–a glimpse of everything bad in the federal government; California is perpetually bankrupt and relies on market rallies to fix their budget. Their best and brightest are moving to the sunbelt with low tax burdens and pro-business governments. Only thing these states have going for them is the immigrant influx and the established industries already there.” “90% of our business is in New York State, so I don’t have any good feedback on other states.”

CEO Comments

“New York’s taxes on the job creators is broken and taxing authorities are too bureaucratic–a glimpse of everything bad in the federal government; California is perpetually bankrupt and relies on market rallies to fix their budget. Their best and brightest are moving to the sunbelt with low tax burdens and pro-business governments. Only thing these states have going for them is the immigrant influx and the established industries already there.”

“90% of our business is in New York State, so I don’t have any good feedback on other states.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

Number 9

No. 50California

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 2.0 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.5 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 9.8 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 2.0 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -65,705 Rank: 49 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,008 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 504.6 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 7.8 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -2.09

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 2.0
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.5

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 9.8
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): 2.0

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: -65,705
Rank: 49

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,008
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 504.6

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 7.8
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -2.09

Key Companies
Apple Inc. Chevron Corporation Visa Google Oracle Corp. McKesson

Development Trend Indicator: Negative
Major income-tax hike in November hastens self-imposed economic decline.

CEO Comments
“Thank you, California! Keep applying pressure on your job creators and we will keep welcoming their move to Texas.” “You cannot sustain economic strength with power only generated by wind farms and people working in fast food restaurants. Unless we all want to retreat to life in caves, you need power you can count on when the wind doesn’t blow and employment in businesses that produce both products of true value and wealth for their workforce.”

CEO Comments

“Thank you, California! Keep applying pressure on your job creators and we will keep welcoming their move to Texas.”

“You cannot sustain economic strength with power only generated by wind farms and people working in fast food restaurants. Unless we all want to retreat to life in caves, you need power you can count on when the wind doesn’t blow and employment in businesses that produce both products of true value and wealth for their workforce.”

2013 Best & Worst States for Business Links

2013 Best & Worst States for Business – Homepage
States More Aggressive in Competing With One Another
California Dreaming
Playing the Incentives Game
8 State Advocate CEOs
How CEOs Grade the States
Click here to see a slideshow of the 10 Best States for Business in 2013
Click here to see a slideshow of the 10 Worst States for Business in 2013

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

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