CEO Survey: MO 31st best state for business

Gauging opinions from 736 CEOs nationwide, Chief Executive magazine ranked Missouri No. 31 on its ninth annual list of the best and worst states for business.

The Show-Me State dropped seven spots from its rank on the 2012 list, according to the ChiefExecutive.net report.

Business leaders surveyed were asked to grade states based on taxation and regulation, quality of workforce and living environment. Within the tax and regulatory category, CEOs graded attitudes toward business, which the report calls a key indicator.

Missouri was graded a three out of five in all three categories, earning the state a neutral development trend indicator. According to the report, Missouri "hasn't done enough to spiff up for business," but the fact it's considering becoming a right-to-work state is promising.

Texas held its No. 1 rank on the list, followed by Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana rounding up the Top 5. California bottomed out the list.