The current issue of Chief Executive magazine has named Tennessee one of the top four states in the nation for business in its annual survey of Best and Worst States for Business.

More than 650 chief executive officers rated all 50 states in three general categories: taxation and regulation, quality of workforce and living environment.

Tennessee ranked fourth for the second consecutive year.

Texas earned the top ranking, followed in order by Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana.

"It is an honor to be recognized by Chief Executive magazine for the hard work being done in our state," said Bill Hagerty, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

The magazine sited two examples of CEO comments about Tennessee:

* "Recently moved from New York State to Tennessee. Differences in ambience/climate/cost of living/attitude of government toward business are outstanding!"

* "Good states have quality work force, affordable housing, good infrastructure and business-friendly regulations with low income taxes. None of these apply to Illinois or California, but do so in Tennessee and Texas."

The Chief Executive magazine honor is the latest in a number of awards Tennessee has recently received for its economic development efforts.

In March, Trade & Industry Development magazine named the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development among the recipients of its 2012 Corporate Investment & Community Impact (CiCi) Awards.

In addition, Tennessee earned a ninth-place finish in the annual Site Selection magazine Governor's Cup for economic development and was ranked among the top 10 states in the U.S. for best business climates.

The complete ranking by Chief Executive magazine can be found online at http://chiefexecutive.net/best-worst-states-for-business-2012