KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

‘They all happen to be Republican’: Curley not surprised WA ranked 38th best state to start a business

Aug 11, 2026, 6:03 PM | Updated: 6:03 pm

KIRO host John Curley wasn’t surprised to find out Washington was ranked near the bottom on WalletHub’s list of best states to start a business. Meanwhile, Florida, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, and Idaho were ranked the best states to do business.

“There’s a consistency there,” Curley said on “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “They all happen to be Republican states. You have states that have high taxes. You have states where unions control the lawmakers. This is what we have. It’s not good because you need actual businesses to generate wealth, so that the function of government can siphon that wealth off and redistribute it to special interests. Terrible spot that we’re in, but it’s not news to anybody.”

Curley attributes millionaires’ tax to WA’s low business ranking

Curley noted Democrats have said there is no evidence of people leaving Washington due to the millionaires’ tax. He countered that, urging people to look at the vast number of homes for sale online.

“Just look online,” he said. “You can see the number of homes that have been available and are now on the market. An increase. King County: these are luxury homes that are valued anywhere between $3 million all the way up to like $60 million, an 84% increase year over year. Eastside: 60% increase. Kirkland had a 102% increase from 150 to 303. That is in one year.

“Big luxury homes on the market, and more will hit all the time,” he continued. “Because why? Where are they going? Why are they selling their house? It’s so obvious, and they can leave. And those that can’t leave are going to, unfortunately, be left holding the bag.”

While Washington was ranked the 38th best state to start a business, Rhode Island was ranked the worst state to start a business. Maryland was ranked 49th, Hawaii was ranked 48th, Connecticut was ranked 47th, and New Jersey was ranked 46th.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to John Curley weekday afternoons from 3 – 7 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

John Curley on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to tom and curleyTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 3pm for The John Curley Show.

John Curley

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

seattle police response times...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘We’re chasing our tail’: KIRO hosts warn Seattle’s 911 response times reveal a problem no new chief can fix alone

Seattle's police response times raise concerns with KIRO hosts as they warn no chief can solve this issue alone.

8 hours ago

lindsay clancy government visits...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘Do we really trust these people?’: KIRO hosts wary after Massachusetts governor announces home visits for newborns

Gov. Healey's viral soundbite made the voluntary program sound mandatory and Jake Skorheim said history suggests that's exactly where it could end up.

8 hours ago

seattle CARE bears...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘What if they actually dressed up as Care Bears?’: Jake floats a novel strategy for Seattle’s $72M CARE team

Explore Jake Skorheim's concept of Care Bears in Seattle's $72M CARE team for innovative crime solutions amid budget increases.

8 hours ago

downtown seattle woman bit...

Gee Scott

Gee: Wait, what?! Woman has part of her face bitten off in downtown Seattle

A woman was walking downtown Seattle in the middle of the afternoon when police said a complete stranger bit a chunk out of her forehead.

21 hours ago

denny blaine park seattle...

John Curley Show

Seattle Parks seeks public input on Denny Blaine Park redesign after court orders changes

Seattle Parks and Recreation is redesigning Denny Blaine Park, and the department wants input from neighbors and community members before redevelopment begins.

23 hours ago

Dow Constantine...

Jake Skorheim

Jake: Sound Transit board votes unanimously to give Dow Constantine a raise? And a bonus? For what?!

Dow Constantine's new deal locks him in for three more years as CEO of the taxpayer-funded agency, at a cool $509,689 a year.

1 day ago

‘They all happen to be Republican’: Curley not surprised WA ranked 38th best state to start a business