Forbes magazine has named Washington state the fifth best place in the country to do business. And the business magazine says that placement is bigger news than even the first-place finisher.

In Forbes.com's second annual Top States for Business, Virginia may be the top-ranked state for the second straight year, but Washington is the big story. The biggest mover (tied with Tennessee), rising from 12th to fifth place, Washington is also the only state to finish in the top five in three main categories (labor, regulatory environment and growth). And Washington's numbers are up across the board when you look both backward and at projections into the future.

The article is downright gushing.

One of Washington's big strengths is reduced red tape. The Office of Regulatory Assistance helps individuals and businesses sort through the many layers of government regulation all in one place. If a number of state agencies need to be contacted for a new business to obtain permits, it can be handled from one source.

That's certainly good news for Gov. Christine Gregoire, who is quoted in the piece. I don't think Dino Rossi's supporters can counter by saying this is more evidence of a liberal press bias. Forbes just doesn't fit the picture.