Forbes Thinks Highly of Texas

Forbes Magazine recently acknowledged in its first survey of best states for doing business what we here in Houston have known for years -- Texas remains a great place for business. The survey had Virginia as number 1, Texas at number 2, North Carolina at 3, Utah at 4, and Colorado (5) rounding up the top of the list. Why such a positive assessment?

According to the magazine "Texas was among the best when it came to population growth, transportation, tort climate and cost of living...The state also has the largest number of companies with $1 billion in sales at 110."

People continue to come to Texas in droves because of the economy's diversity in industries. Changes in the way people can sue (tort reform) has made Texas a less hostile place for people to conduct business. And although people remain in horror over our traffic situation, the state as a whole offers better roads than its neighbors and even its cities have less congestion than those in other parts of the country.

I use to live in Virginia and it is a truly great state, but when I think of its transportation problems, state income tax, and other issues, I think Forbes may have been off on its math a little. Texas' enormous room for population growth and, I hope, continued commitment to business friendly policies, will have it remain a great place for business. It is certainly number one with me.