ABSTRACT
Texas is frequently touted as the best job producing state in the nation and as the most business-friendly state in the nation. For example, in April 2009, Forbes, one of the nation’s top business magazines, ranked the job producing prospects of 333 major metropolitan areas. Forbes reported that “the top five large metropolitan areas for job growth [are] all located in the Lone Star State. . . . Nine of the top twenty cities on Forbes’ overall list are in Texas.” In May 2014, Chief Executive reported a survey ranking the “Best and Worst States” for business. The best states for business were Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, while the worst were California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Connecticut. Such reports are common. Texas has been ranked number one by Chief Executive every year since 2004. CNBC has conducted a similar ranking since 2007. Texas has finished either first or second every year.
