-By Warner Todd Huston
Once again Illinois and California are neck-and-neck in the calculations for the worst of the worst U.S. states, this time in a measure of how friendly the states are for the growth of small businesses.
Earlier this month thumbtack.com released its third annual survey of the climate for small businesses exploring such ratings as the overall friendliness of the state to small businesses, the ease of starting a business, regulations, ease of hiring new employees, taxes, and other criteria.
The poll was conducted among over 12,000 small business owners across the country.
The survey, held in conjunction with the Kauffman Foundation, found that the worst states for small businesses were California, Rhode Island and Illinois, all of which got a Thumbtack “F” rating. The next worst were Connecticut and New Jersey, both of which received a “D” grading.
Illinois has descended in its rating each of the three years that the survey has been conducted having earned a “D+” in 2012, a “D” in 2013, and an “F” in 2014.
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Illinois Ranks as ‘Worst’ For Small Businesses”
State lawmaker Raul Labrador beat party establishment pick Vaughn Ward to win the Republican nomination for U.S. Representative for Idaho’s 1st District this week. While Ward was supported by the national party, Labrador received the support of Idaho’s largest Tea Party Group, Tea Party Boise. The question that immediately comes to mind is just what effect did the Tea Party group’s support have on the race?