California ranked worst place for business

California came in dead last in a national ranking of the best states to do business, according to Chief Executive magazine. Finishing just ahead of California in the 2009 rankings were New York, Michigan, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Texas was ranked first.  The magazine evaluated states on natural resources, regulation, tax policies, quality of living, education and infrastructure, among other categories. Chief Executive magazine said states that perform well in the rankings tend to have lower taxes and little unionization. California ranked 48th in “cost of business” and “business friendliness.”