Every year, newspapers print Forbes’ “Best States for Business” and this year Maine is No. 49. Forbes is only one of many groups evaluating states.
State rankings are determined by the point of view of the evaluators, the specific criteria they have chosen to evaluate, and how much weight is given to each category.
For instance, according to Wall Street 24/7, the least tax-friendly states for business are New Jersey, New York, California, Minnesota, Vermont and Rhode Island.
According to CNBC, the worst states to live in are Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana and Alabama. The best states to live in are 1-New Hampshire, 2-Hawaii, 3-Vermont, and 4-Maine.
According to Infoplease, Maine is the No. 1 safest, low-crime state.
Forbes is dealing with businesses and their profitability. Paying low wages, providing no sick days or health care, cutting jobs and hiding profits overseas are all profitable for business but bad for workers.
Maine needs to consider much more than one negative business rating.
Officials need to find a balance between preserving a good environment for Maine people to live and work in, while also providing a good climate for business.
Ellen Field, New Gloucester
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