CNBCs 2009 ranking of states business climates rated Pennsylvania No. 33 overall; thats down 10 spots from the 2008 survey.

The study considered such factors as cost of doing business, work force, quality of life, economy, transportation and infrastructure, technology and innovation, education, business friendliness, access to capital, and cost of living.

In addition to its slide in the overall rankings, the Commonwealth dropped eight spots – from 28th to 36th – for business friendliness, and received even lower marks for cost of doing business, 41st; and work force, 43rd.

Pennsylvanias poor showing for business friendliness in this and similar studies is due in part to having the second highest Corporate Net Income tax in the nation; a restrictive cap on net operating losses (one of only two states that limits losses businesses can claim for tax purposes); and an apportionment formula for the CNI that penalizes Pennsylvania companies for hiring workers and investing in their operations.

The survey did reveal bright spots for Pennsylvania in the areas of access to capital, 7th; and technology and innovation, 8th.

However, Pennsylvanias overall slide, particularly in areas essential to job creation and economic growth remain concerns for PA Chamber members, who advocate reforms across all issue areas – business taxes, labor laws, environmental regulation, health care, legal reform – that will enable Pennsylvania to emerge from the recession in a more competitive position.

The CNBC study and other similar surveys demonstrate that the Commonwealth has a long way to go in many areas to match its few bright spots.

Click here to read more about PA Chamber members legislative priorities.

More Pennsylvania rankings:

• Tax Foundation State and Local Tax Burden - 11th (50 is best)
• Forbes' "The Best States for Business" - 41st (1 is best)
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council Business Tax Index 2008 - 28 (1 is best)
• Pacific Research Institute State Tort Liability Rankings - 45th (1 is best)
• Cato's Fiscal Report Card of the Governors (Rendell ranking) – D
• Beacon Hill Institute State Competitiveness Report 2008 - 39th (1 is best)
• Fraser Institute Labor Markets in the US and Canada - 49th (out of 60, 1 is best)
• Alliance for Worker Freedom Index of Worker Freedom - F (Tied for worst)
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship. - 24th (1 is best)
• Tax Foundation State Business Tax Climate Index - 28th (1 is best).
• CEO Magazine Best States to do Business - 37th (1 is best)