Chief Executive surveyed 550 CEOs, asking them to rank each state in the U.S. based on taxation and regulations, workforce quality, and living environment.

Click here for the results of the survey, including an explanation of the methodology and a color-coded U.S. map.

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council released its annual Small Business Survival Index for 2008 (PDF). The index ranks states’ policy environment with respect to entrepreneurship. This year the top five states with the friendliest policy environment are: South Dakota, Nevada, Wyoming, Florida and Washington.

Meanwhile, a Forbes article discusses how states’ licensing regulations can stifle entrepreneurship and competition by erecting barriers to entry in various professions.

In light of the recent death of a Walmart employee, who was trampled to death by a crowd of shoppers during a Black Friday sale, and whose family has brought a wrongful-death lawsuit against the company, The Business Ethics Blog‘s Chris MacDonald discusses the use of tort law versus legislation in regulating corporate behavior.