Tennessee praised for low taxes, regulations

Friday, January 1, 1904

It is certainly welcome recognition that the United States Chamber of Commerce has named Tennessee No. 1 among the 50 states for low taxes and limited regulations.

That positions our state for further job creation, on top of recent economic development victories such as the Volkswagen plant and a huge distribution center for Internet retailer Amazon at Chattanooga's Enterprise South industrial park.

The research firm Praxis Strategy Group conducted the study for the U.S. Chamber.

It found Tennessee is an attractive destination for business because of both our low taxes and our comparatively low cost of living.

The study also praised Tennessee for its "no surprises" regulatory policy -- a policy that has resulted from the cooperative efforts of lawmakers and economic development and other state officials.

That predictability makes the state appealing to economic investment, because companies looking to expand here or to build in the Volunteer State for the first time do not have to wonder what massive and costly new rules may be imposed on them after they have pumped money into Tennessee.

Tax and regulatory policies in Tennessee are not perfect, but we are on the right path.