California moves up slightly on Forbes best states for business list

Although the state's political stage is still filled with bickering over whether the California comeback is real, another economic snapshot has reinforced some optimism: California has advanced two slots to No. 37 on the Forbes " Best States for Business and Careers" list.

California finished No. 39 on the listing last year and No. 41 the year before that. The improved ranking is mostly the result of a strengthening economic forecast for the coming five years and $44 billion in venture capital money that was invested over the past three years -- "an amount which is almost five times the total of any other state," wrote Forbes.

Utah earned the top slot, a return to the position it held from 2010 through 2012. The state benefitted from energy costs that are about a quarter less than the national average and soaring tourism around winter sports.

Virginia was the first place finisher last year, and dropped to fourth this year. Texas finished sixth place this year, up one spot from 2013.

Here is a list of where California's ranking finished on the Forbes list of business-friendly states over the past six years.

2009: 38
2010: 39
2011: 39
2012: 41
2013: 39
2014: 37

Allen Young covers state legislation, regulation and contracts, as well as economic news, international trade and economic development for the Sacramento Business Journal.