Maryland Falls Again In State Business Rankings

As Governor O’Malley addresses the Maryland Chamber of Commerce tonight he has a lot of explaining to do about Maryland’s latest business rank:

Maryland fell again in Chief Executive magazine’s annual ranking of “best states for business.” The state ranked 37^th – pretty poorly. (Jay Hancock, “Maryland falls again in state business rankings,” Baltimore Sun, 5/4/11)

Illinois and Maryland are distinguished by their inclusion in the “5-Year Biggest Losers” category for states with falling rankings. (Jay Hancock, “Maryland falls again in state business rankings,” Baltimore Sun, 5/4/11)

Of course that period coincides with the departure of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., Maryland’s first Republican governor in decades, and the inauguration of Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley, who substantially raised taxes. (Jay Hancock, “Maryland falls again in state business rankings,” Baltimore Sun, 5/4/11)

Maryland’s new dismal business ranking coincides with new data showing Maryland has lagged far behind other state’s when it comes to job creation:

Maryland ranks 44^th in the nation for percent change in job growth from March 2010 through March 2011; last among neighboring states. Pennsylvania (1.37%), Delaware (1.37%), Virginia, (1.02%), Washington D.C. (0.76%), West Virginia (0.71%), Maryland (0.22%). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/25/11)

Maryland ranked 38^th in the nation for annual employment gains through the end of the first quarter.(G. Scott Thomas, “Maryland adds 5,400 jobs in the past year,” Baltimore Business Journal, 4/25/11)

Maryland ranks 38^th in the nation for jobs created from March 2010 through March 2011, second to last among neighboring states. Jobs created: Pennsylvania (76,500), Virginia (37,000), Delaware (5,600), Washington D.C. (5,400), Maryland (5,400), West Virginia (5,300). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/25/11)

Maryland isn’t just falling behind when it comes to jobs, O’Malley’s mismanagement of the Pension Fund ranks among the worst in the nation:

Maryland ranks 39^th among the 50 states in the percentage of its funding at 65%. (Len Lazarick, “How Maryland compares on pension funding,” Maryland Reporter, 5/2/1)