In a new policy brief, we look at how Washington fares in nine recent business climate rankings. The rankings come from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, the Beacon Hill Institute, Chief Executive magazine, Site Selection magazine, Forbes, CNBC, Thumbtack.com, and Development Counsellors, Inc.

Criteria and emphasis differ among the rankings, but Washington is never among the top five states. There is no single “best business climate,” but the rankings share features that legislators could focus on as part of an effort to move toward a better business climate.