Florida's penchant for freedom energizes CEOs nationwide

Chatter over the latest best and worst states to do business in survey, a poll of some 400 CEOs from Chief Executive magazine, reads like the famous line from the movie Bravehart. The one where Mel Gibson, playing Scottish Knight William Wallace, exclaims: “They may take our lives but they will never take our freedom!”

States across the U.S., of course, aren’t battling an English monarchy for independence. But in citing the best states for a pro-business climate, business leaders consistently praise Florida for mostly keeping the state open for business amid the pandemic.