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Maine is hurt by energy costs while Utah has a relatively low corporate income tax and like other western states has lower energy costs.
Washington’s best rankings are No. 5 for growth prospects, No. 6 for labor supply and No. 7 for economic climate. But in a finding that buttresses complaints from the Association of Washington Business, the Evergreen State is No. 20 for regulatory climate, No. 21 for business costs and – get this – No. 26 for quality of life.
The news no doubt will play into arguments on all sides of the political spectrum about the state’s regulatory and labor climate.
The rankings come as majority Democrats in the House and Senate are developing a major jobs program that proposes to use revenue bonds to pay for construction projects worth $1 billion or more.
That jobs plan is in addition to the education bills Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed to improve the readiness of the work force for aerospace companies like Boeing. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, says the aerospace education bills are a priority to move before lawmakers adjourn their special session this week.
Republicans such as House minority leader Richard DeBolt want to loosen regulations on land use as a way to spur jobs. And Republican Sen. Joe Zarelli of Ridgefield is proposing a one-year holiday on Washington's gross-receipts tax on new businesses. The business-and-occupations tax hits businesses whether they are making or losing money.
