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Perry rings up 'Best State for Business' title on TV
by Bob Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
- Governor touts Texas' economy on worldwide program as stock exchange closes Thursday
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Characteristic of Texas' image, Gov. Rick Perry announced in a big way Thursday that it is the No. 1 state for business -- on CNBC's "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo" show.
Citing its roaring economy and other assets, he said as the New York Stock Exchange closed flamboyantly in the background there "is no better place to live, work, grow a business and raise a family than the great state of Texas.
"We live in a world that moves faster than at any time in history. Knowledge and capital are rapidly deployed to parts of the world where the right combinations of talent, technology, business climate, infrastructure and markets converge.
"Now more than ever, Texas is that place."
Perry told a worldwide audience the state has created 1.2 million jobs in five years with the nation's best transportation system, aggressive innovation and technology, low costs of living and doing business, reliable workforce and good quality of life, business friendliness and access to capital and education.
"We have the best business climate and remain globally competitive thanks to reasonable regulations, low taxes, a fair legal environment and an educated workforce and unparalleled quality of life," he said.
The Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based Consumer News Business Channel's second annual analysis moved Texas up from No. 2 and set Virginia second, Utah third, Idaho fourth and Colorado fifth. Hawaii and Alaska are 49th and 50th.
"Fueled by record high energy prices, Texas is America's Top State for Business for 2008," the study said. "The Lone Star State also made strides in business friendliness, cost of living, quality of life and transportation."
Midland Chamber of Commerce President John Breier said legislators' 1989 authorization of cities to enact a half-cent economic development tax was a key. "The state has acted wisely for a number of years," he said.
"There's no silver bullet. Abilene was the first city to pass the economic development statute in 1990 and now there are 400-plus. The new world economy is based on intellectual capital and the state provides an overarching structure for that.
"We passed the bond issue at Midland College by 60-70 percent and put money in place for UTPB's engineering program and new building."
Breier said the state Legislature's tort reform to limit damages in lawsuits and curb ill-founded suits also has been important.
With 4.1 percent annual growth and 4.3 percent unemployment, Texas is ranked first in economy and transportation, third in cost of living and access to capital, fourth in technology and innovation, 12th in workforce readiness, 20th in business friendliness, 22nd in quality of life, 27th in the cost of doing business and 30th in education.
It has an average per capita income of $37,793 among its population of 23,904,380. Along with petroleum and natural gas, its primary industries are banking, steel, insurance and tourism.
Bob Campbell can be reached at campbell@mrt.com.
By Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Characteristic of Texas' image, Gov. Rick Perry announced in a big way Thursday that it is the No. 1 state for business -- on CNBC's "Closing Bell with Maria Bartiromo" show.
Citing its roaring economy and other assets, he said as the New York Stock Exchange closed flamboyantly in the background there "is no better place to live, work, grow a business and raise a family than the great state of Texas.
"We live in a world that moves faster than at any time in history. Knowledge and capital are rapidly deployed to parts of the world where the right combinations of talent, technology, business climate, infrastructure and markets converge.
"Now more than ever, Texas is that place."
Perry told a worldwide audience the state has created 1.2 million jobs in five years with the nation's best transportation system, aggressive innovation and technology, low costs of living and doing business, reliable workforce and good quality of life, business friendliness and access to capital and education.
"We have the best business climate and remain globally competitive thanks to reasonable regulations, low taxes, a fair legal environment and an educated workforce and unparalleled quality of life," he said.
The Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based Consumer News Business Channel's second annual analysis moved Texas up from No. 2 and set Virginia second, Utah third, Idaho fourth and Colorado fifth. Hawaii and Alaska are 49th and 50th.
"Fueled by record high energy prices, Texas is America's Top State for Business for 2008," the study said. "The Lone Star State also made strides in business friendliness, cost of living, quality of life and transportation."
Midland Chamber of Commerce President John Breier said legislators' 1989 authorization of cities to enact a half-cent economic development tax was a key. "The state has acted wisely for a number of years," he said.
"There's no silver bullet. Abilene was the first city to pass the economic development statute in 1990 and now there are 400-plus. The new world economy is based on intellectual capital and the state provides an overarching structure for that.
"We passed the bond issue at Midland College by 60-70 percent and put money in place for UTPB's engineering program and new building."
Breier said the state Legislature's tort reform to limit damages in lawsuits and curb ill-founded suits also has been important.
With 4.1 percent annual growth and 4.3 percent unemployment, Texas is ranked first in economy and transportation, third in cost of living and access to capital, fourth in technology and innovation, 12th in workforce readiness, 20th in business friendliness, 22nd in quality of life, 27th in the cost of doing business and 30th in education.
It has an average per capita income of $37,793 among its population of 23,904,380. Along with petroleum and natural gas, its primary industries are banking, steel, insurance and tourism.
Bob Campbell can be reached at campbell@mrt.com.
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