CEOs rank my home and base of operations Florida second best in America for business; they rank Texas first (and we have companies there too). Meanwhile, people who thought they’d never leave California are fleeing. There’s a reason.

Good policy means a better life for real people. Bad policy makes life more difficult for real people, especially real middle class and poor people who cannot afford the lawyers and accountants necessary to get out of the way. Lower taxes mean that you get to spend more of your earnings the way you need or want: for the entrepreneur that may mean capital formation, but for the people he’s trying to hire, it means having a job (or not) and supporting your family (or not).

When the government decides how to spend your paycheck, it reduces opportunities for a better life. Our friends in California are learning this, painfully. We in Florida learned this long ago from our neighbors, so many of whom used to live in Cuba. The difference is only a matter of degree. –RDM


Florida ranked 2nd best state for business by CEOs

by Matt Mauney
Orlando Sentinel
May 12, 2014

The state of Florida ranks second in the nation for business according to a recent study from ChiefExecutive.net.

The business website and magazine surveyed 500 CEOs across the U.S. for the 10th annual survey, which asks CEOs their views of the best and worst states for business.

The survey measures tax and regulatory regime, the quality of the workforce and the quality of the living environment.

Texas is once again the best state for business, a position it has held since the survey began.

Florida comes in at No. 2 on the list, including ranking higher than Texas in terms of quality of living environment.

Michigan, New Jersey and New York all fall in the category of the worst states for business, according to the survey. California ranks last in the study, with only 1-out-of-5 stars in taxes and regulations.