A Massachusetts think-tank ranks Pennsylvania 39th among the 50 states on the basis of economic competitiveness.
The study (PDF Link), conducted by the Beacon Hill Institute of Suffolk University, confirms what anyone trying to do business in Pennsylvania already knows: It’s nearly impossible. The layers of regulation and taxation from the state right down to individual municipalities are driving small business out of the state if they’re lucky, out of business if they’re not.
Commonwealth Foundation’s Policy Blog breaks it down.
According to the study, Pennsylvania is ranked 39th out of the 50 states in economic competitiveness, citing high taxes, high crime rates and other factors for it’s less-than-desirable ranking. Given the burden our state continues to place on our families and small business by way of both personal income tax and business taxes, our low ranking is not surprising.
Until we can provide a economic climate that can allow small business to flourish and reduce the onerous levels of taxation on our citizens, Pennsylvania will continue to miss out on opportunities for real growth.
Taxation on business is a big part of the problem, probably the biggest, but it’s not just taxation. The number of hoops you have to jump through to create and maintain an enterprise in Pennsylvania is nearly insurmountable.
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