CEO Magazine Ranks Texas Top State for Business for 4th Year in a Row

AUSTIN– Texas has been ranked the top state for job growth and business development for the fourth year in a row in a survey of CEOs by Chief Executive Magazine.

“Being recognized by Chief Executive Magazine for the fourth year in a row proves what millions of Texans already know: there is simply no better place to live, work and raise a family than the Lone Star State,” Gov. Perry said. “Our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulations, and skilled workforce have created a competitive economic climate, and helped us weather the national economic downturn.”

The survey asked 543 CEOs to evaluate their states on issues such as proximity to resources, regulation, tax policies, education, quality of living and infrastructure. CEOs were also asked to grade each state based on taxation and regulation, workforce quality and living environment.

“Our survey, year-over-year proves that those states with the worst records continue to practice the same policies that alienate businesses,” said JP Donlon, editor-in-chief of Chief Executive Magazine. “As the nation’s economic problems continue to snowball and an increasing number of states experience budgetary problems, state governments ought to take a hard look at their taxation and unionization policies if they want to turn the page and attract new businesses and capital to their provinces.”

Texas is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state, and the U.S. Department of Commerce named Texas the top exporting state in the nation for the seventh year in a row based on 2008 export data. Additionally, Texas created nearly 94,000 jobs between December 2007 and December 2008.

To view the survey results, please visit www.chiefexecutive.net/ME2/Default.asp