The Best and Worst States in America to Do Business

The US census bureau reports Florida Passes New York to Become the Nation’s Third Most Populous StateI added the dashed red line to show the stagnation in Illinois.

The banking world is full of good news and bad news these days. But the news is better in some states than in others.

If Texas and seven other states want to secede from the Union, it won’t be on Barack Obama’s watch. The White House formally responded Monday to a petition signed by more than 125,000 for Texas to secede by rejecting the motion, saying “As much as we value a healthy debate, we don’t let that debate tear us apart.”

It’s interesting how “pro-business” policies do not appear to be conducive to rapid employment growth. Employment in Governor Walker’s Wisconsin, as in Governor Brownback’s Kansas, has lagged behind that of the United States (and behind that of Governor Dayton’s Minnesota and Governor Brown’s California).

Should politicians focus on culture wars or jobs? "The business climate is amazing," marvels Chris Epstein, a property developer in Charlotte, North Carolina. Officials are either helpful or stay out of the way. And the living is sweet: drivers don't honk, neighbours are kind and deals are often sealed with a handshake. "It's like living in a loaf of Wonder Bread," he chuckles.

While arguments will likely flare over just how 'miserable' the occupants of Louisiana are relative to those of Minnesota, based on Bloomberg's quantification of 'misery' these two states are the most and least miserable in our Union. Based on thirteen factors, ranging from child poverty rates to pollution, income inequality, and mental health it seems New Mexico and West Virginia are moving up the most miserable ranks most rapidly year over year.