CNBC today issued two reports that are fresh evidence that Governor Martin O'Malley's policies have hurt quality of life and economic opportunity in Maryland.

First, CNBC issued its highly-anticipated "Top States for Business" survey, which ranks Maryland 31^st out of 50 states - a full 28 spots behind neighboring Virginia. Maryland dropped two spots from last year.

Second, a new CNBC analysis "The Most Expensive States to Live" ranks Maryland the 8^th most expensive state in the nation. Within Maryland, CNBC says the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick corridor is the most expensive region of the state. Governor O'Malley added to those already high costs in May by enacting a record personal income tax increase that will be disproportionately paid by residents in that same region.

"The CNBC reports are sad, but not surprising," said Christopher Summers, President of the Maryland Public Policy Institute. "Maryland's reputation as a place to do business has been routinely undercut the past six years by two powerful forces: the pro-growth policies enacted by governors from both sides of the aisle in Virginia, and Governor O'Malley's utter indifference towards entrepreneurship and job creation in Maryland. The Maryland Public Policy Institute is committed to reimagining Maryland as a place where families and entrepreneurs can create bright futures for themselves without being road-blocked by their government. We hope CNBC's rankings prompt more Marylanders to join us in this cause."