Categories: Best & Worst States for Business

California is the Worst State for Business 2012

No. 50

California

Taxation and Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’07-’10: -2.08 % Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): -1.74 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 11.10 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): 2.60 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: -1,490,105 Rank: 49 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,008 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 504.56 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 10.59 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): 0.79

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’07-’10: -2.08
% Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): -1.74

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 11.10
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): 2.60

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: -1,490,105
Rank: 49

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,008
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 504.56

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 10.59
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): 0.79

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

Development Trend Indicator: Negative
Sucking sound continues as frustrated businesses leave state for friendlier climes.

CEO Comments
“California continues to head in the wrong direction as its tax policies will drive more businesses and people to relocate in other states. State politicians feel business and commerce are “necessary evils” that provide the funds to enable pursuit of their misguided agendas.” “California government is difficult to work with and very bureaucratic. Taxes and regulation are high and unruly.”

CEO Comments

“California continues to head in the wrong direction as its tax policies will drive more businesses and people to relocate in other states. State politicians feel business and commerce are “necessary evils” that provide the funds to enable pursuit of their misguided agendas.”

“California government is difficult to work with and very bureaucratic. Taxes and regulation are high and unruly.”

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

Chief Executive

Chief Executive magazine (published since 1977) is the definitive source that CEOs turn to for insight and ideas that help increase their effectiveness and grow their business. Chief Executive Group also produces e-newsletters and online content at chiefexecutive.net and manages Chief Executive Network and other executive peer groups, as well as conferences and roundtables that enable top corporate officers to discuss key subjects and share their experiences within a community of peers. Chief Executive facilitates the annual “CEO of the Year,” a prestigious honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of peers, and is known throughout the U.S. and elsewhere for its annual ranking of Best & Worst States for Business. Visit www.chiefexecutive.net for more information.

Next Arizona is the 10th Best State for Business 2012 »

Previous « New Mexico is the 33rd Best State for Business 2012

Published by

Chief Executive

14 years ago

The State Of The States: Who’s Building The Future Of Business?
As the nation marks a quarter millennium, Chief Executive’s annual CEO survey of the Best…
Best & Worst States For Business 2026: Inside The Rankings
Our annual survey of more than 650 CEOs, presidents and business owners—with representation from every…
The New Rules Of Site Selection
For decades the formula was straightforward: find cheap land, secure tax breaks, tap into available…