South Carolina is a right-to-work state. You can’t be forced to join a union as a condition of employment. South Carolina is open for business. And the fact that it is a right-to-work state is the reason Boeing is building 787 Dreamliners there.
CEOs don’t have a problem with their workers. It’s the union leaders that are a wedge between them, like an unwelcome cousin Eddie at Christmas. CEOs and workers focus on delivering the goods. Union leaders focus on collectivism and the union dues.
Chief Executive Magazine has released its eighth annual survey of CEO opinion of best and worst states. The top 10 states are right-to-work states—every single one of them. The bottom 10 states are all forced-union states. No, wait a minute. Make that the bottom 20 states are all forced-union states.
And then there’s good ole New England—a forced-union mecca if ever there was one. New England’s states make a dismal showing through the 30s and 40s; thank you, Illinois, New York, and California. New Hampshire was the best performer in New England, ranked at 26—worse off by 8 spots than last year. Here’s what New Hampshire House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt had to say:
This survey showed that we are the still the best state for business in New England, but 26th is far from good enough for our residents. They deserve better, and we missed our chance to make a huge jump when Governor Lynch vetoed Right to Work. I appreciate that the magazine noted our work by saying that the “Statehouse continues tax-friendly ways and nurture[s] entrepreneurial spark,” but there is much more to do. With a Republican governor next year, we will be able to lower taxes on our employers, pass Right to Work, get out of cap-and-trade that is driving up our electric bills and reform our health care laws to bring the free market to lower costs.
There’s a breath of fresh air. Where’s the senior leadership from Rhode Island’s statehouse? Where’s the support for Nicholas D. Kettle, who has introduced a right-to-work bill in Rhode Island? This is not a Republican or Democrat thing.
Rhode Island has a unique opportunity to differentiate itself from other New England states. Citizens need to get on board. Make Rhode Island a right-to-work state, abolish state corporate taxes, and promote charter schools. Do that and business will come a knockin’. CEOs recognize Rhode Island as a great place to visit, but it could be a great place to do business.
Parents and grandparents need to get involved. This is not rocket science. It could be changed over a long weekend with the right participation. It’s time to get fired up. Union leaders and entrenched politicians have had a run of the state for too long. It’s time they’re shown the door so another can welcome businesses in.
