>> OUR NEXT GUEST IS HERE TO WEIGH IN ON THE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN US CITIES, AFFORDABILITY AND MUCH MORE. LET'S BRING IN DALLAS MAYOR ERIC JOHNSON, CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLICAN MAYORS ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS CONVENING HERE IN NEW YORK CITY. MR.MAYOR, WELCOME. GOOD MORNING TO YOU. MORNING.DALLAS HAS A LOT OF GOLDMAN SACHS EMPLOYEES. IT'S GOT AN EXCHANGE LAUNCHING. I MEAN, WHAT'S BEEN SORT OF THE DRIVING FORCE THERE IN TERMS OF ATTRACTING BUSINESSES. >> WELL, I THINK THIS IS IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME IN ...

State Ranking & Economic Factors - Massachusetts surges 18 spots in ranking after a previous drop of 23 places [1] - Massachusetts is the second most expensive state to do business in and one of the least business-friendly [2] - The state is among the least dependent on a shrinking federal government, which helps insulate its economy [2] Research Funding & Challenges - Massachusetts is a major recipient of federal research grants, which are under fire by the Trump administration [2] - The state passed $1 billion for life sciences and climate technology research [2] - State funding may not compensate for potential loss of federal research dollars [3]