Our chapter on federalism discusses economic competition among the states, and includes a photograph of former California legislator Chuck DeVore changing his license plate as he moves to Texas. Yesterday, Joel Fox wrote at Fox and Hounds about a new move by the governor of the Lone Star State.
Texas Governor Rick Perry is making a push to recruit California companies. Competition for jobs and businesses should spur California to respond with positive actions to improve the state’s business climate.
Yesterday, a press release issued by Perry’s office, announced a radio ad campaign aimed at California businesses, in which the governor says: “Building a business is tough, but I hear building a business in California is next to impossible.”
Perry invites California businesses to check out the Texas Wide Open for Business website to “see why our low taxes, sensible regulations and fair legal system are just the thing to get your business moving to Texas.” The website is designed specifically to appeal to a California audience.
...Here is the radio ad.
Perry is not limiting his activity to radio commercials that will run in the San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Inland Empire and San Diego media markets. The Pacific Coast Business Times, which serves San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, reported that Governor Perry will visit Haas Automation in Oxnard next week. The 1500 employee high-end manufacturer is considering expansion options and is in talks with California officials over taxes and fees, according to the report.
Governor Jerry Brown of California is unimpressed, comparing the campaign to, er, flatulence.
