The business-oriented cable network CNBC recently released it's annual list of the best and worst states for business and the best and worst states to live in the U.S.
It's no surprise that Texas ranks high on the list of places to do business, coming in at No. 5. The "Texas miracle" has long been a drawing card for companies looking for lower taxes and a friendlier regulatory atmosphere. Texas ranks pretty high in several factors, including a strong workforce, infrastructure, cost of doing business and technology and innovation.
What may come as a shock is that CNBC lists the Lone Star State as the second worst place to live in the U.S. Only Arizona ranks lower.
Why? Well, as CNBC puts it, Texas suffers from "limited childcare options, a stressed health care system with the highest rate of uninsured, new curbs on voting rights and few protections against discrimination."
The cable network also doesn't consider Texas very "inclusive."
Funny, that's not stopping the influx of educated, skilled workers. The state ranks in the Top 3 destinations for college graduates looking for work -- and they seem to find a lot to like about Texas.
Call us cynical, but it looks like CNBC's definition of a great place to live has more to do with liberal political attitudes and high spending on government benefit programs than anything that matters to most Texans -- or even most Americans looking for a better life.