Much has been said over the years about the business climate in Massachusetts. In the legislature, we have worked hard on economic development here, and it’s good to see that it has paid off.

Forbes magazine has ranked Massachusetts 13th in its list of the Best States for Business in 2014. You can read the details by clicking here. The ranking measures six vital categories for businesses: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life.

The Milford Daily News ran an editorial on the topic and noted that for decades, critics have “been telling the world that Massachusetts is a terrible place to do business, doing incalculable damage to the state’s reputation and its economy.” But, as the editorial noted, a “more realistic appraisal of our state comes from those outside it, especially those who aren’t looking for political advantage within the state or special favors from its government.” And that’s where Forbes magazine comes in; giving Massachusetts a respectable showing at number 13, with the top score in New England.

In the legislature, we are committed to doing what is necessary to continue to make Massachusetts a great place to live, work, and raise a family. We still have a lot of work to do, but it’s good to see that we are headed in the right direction. Let’s keep it up.