In doing some research I ran across a report that ranked each state according to key indicators that are important to the business owner. (And in some respects citizens of those states).
I put together some key comparisons, from which you may draw whatever conclusions you'd like, and which we can discuss. (Note: These are 2009 numbers) am also providing a link to the entire report.
Some of these stats just chap my hide, for reasons we can discuss later if you'd like. In all I found this report quite interesting. . .
State Rankings (2009)
Personal Income Tax Rates (TOP)
O% - Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, S Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming.
Illinois = 3% ranked 10
Indiana = 3.4% ranked 13
Wisconsin 7.75% ranked 40th!
Hawaii/ Oregon – 11% tied for worst.
Top Corp Income Tax Rates
0% - Nevada ,South Dakota ,Texas ,Washington, Wyoming
Indiana = 8.5% RANKED 37
Illinois =7.3% ranked 28
Wisconsin = 7.9% ranked 32 (Tied with Oregon)
Pennsylvania = 9.99% ranked worst
Top CORP Capital Gains Tax Rates
0% - Nevada ,South Dakota ,Texas ,Washington, Wyoming
Illinois = 7.3% ranked 29
Indiana = 8.5% ranked 38 (Tied with New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia)
Wisconsin = 7.9% (tied with Oregon)
Pennsylvania = 9.99% ranked worst
State and Local Property Taxes (As share of Personal Income)
Alabama = 1.40 Ranked 1st
Illinois = 3.88 ranked 40th
Indiana = 2.92 ranked 23rd
Wisconsin = 4.14 ranked 42nd
Crime Rate
1 South Dakota 1.85
Illinois = 3.46 ranked 26th
Indiana = 3.67 ranked 30th
Wisconsin = 3.03 ranked 18th
District of Columbia 6.54 ranked worst
Government Employees (per 100 employees)
1 Nevada 4.32
Illinois = 5.03 Tied with Wisconsin ranking 7th
Indiana = 5.36 ranked 17th
Wyoming = 9.19 worst.
State Gas Taxes
1 Alaska @ .080
Illinois = .367 ranked 46th
Indiana = .317 ranked 38th
California = .474 ranked worst
Diesel Tax
1 Alaska @ .080
Illinois = .399 ranked 46
Indiana = .416 ranked 47th
Wisconsin = .329 ranked 42nd
Hawaii = .465 ranked worst
http://www.sbecouncil.org/uploads/SBSI2009.pdf
(http://www.sbecouncil.org/uploads/SBSI2009.pdf)