Columbus Dispatch
Ohio takes a big step forward 

In the latest sign that word is getting out about Ohio’s business-friendly makeover, the Buckeye State is the biggest gainer in Chief Executive magazine’s 2013 ranking of Best States for Business. 

Ohio advanced an impressive 13 spots from last year, by far the biggest gain of any state, on the list based on responses from more than 700 CEOs around the country. 

Ohio landed at No. 22 after CEOs ranked states on factors including taxation and regulation, work-force quality and quality of life. 

In addition to its impressive one-year gain, Ohio had the third-largest four-year gain among states, rising from a dismal No. 45 in 2009. 

State tax reforms signed into law by former Gov. Bob Taft and phased in over several years have had a major impact on Ohio’s reputation as a good place for business. 

Gov. John Kasich has taken the foundation of Ohio’s diverse economy and continued to build Ohio’s reputation for business-friendliness. 

A state can’t promote itself as business-friendly if it can’t get its own house in order. Kasich quickly closed Ohio’s $8 billion budget gap, has overseen the addition of 115,000 new jobs since taking office and just announced refunds to employers from the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, which is running a surplus… 

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