Fla. Gov. Scott Warns Texas Gov. Perry: We're Gaining on Biz

Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott is going after his GOP counterpart in the Lone Star State for the top billing as the leader of the state that’s No. 1 in the nation for doing business. Chief Executive magazine recently ranked Gov. Rick Perry’s Texas as the best state for business, while Florida came in third, The Palm Beach Post reported Friday.

The survey of chief executive officers prompted Scott to challenge Perry, to whom he looks as a model for governing. Scott wrote Perry congratulating him, but with a warning.

“Not only have you achieved this top ranking this year, you have achieved it seven years in a row,” Scott wrote. “Like everything else Texas does, you have done it in a BIG way. However, I must tell you: Seven years is long enough.”

Scott touted Florida’s move to eliminate “job killing regulation, reducing the size and cost of government, and making sure we have the best educated workforce.

“We have no personal income tax and are phasing out the business tax, starting with eliminating it entirely for half the business that paid it. Florida is definitely on the road to be number one. Thank you for giving us the motivation we needed.”