The bottom 4 percent

Where is the best place for companies to do business? It certainly is not New York state, according to the Chief Executive magazine.

In a recent survey of 500 CEOs — ranking states on taxation, regulation, work force quality and living environment — the top rated spot was Texas followed by North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia. The bottom five? No surprises here. Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, New York and California.

The most obvious decline in this list is Illinois, which was in the Top 10 five years ago, but because of its increasing tax trend is now No. 48 and in a "death spiral," the magazine notes.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, made the largest jump in the survey from 41 to 24th. The survey says the jump is due to Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts at reforming the state’s spending.

As for our state's standing, anyone for the "We're No. 49" chant?