For years, millions tuned in to watch "Dallas" but the Ewings' ranch was actually in Plano, Texas.   

Remember the Southfork Ranch and the TV series? The ranch is still there but surrounded by buildings full of network engineers rather than cattle hands!   

The Toyota move to Texas is significant in many ways:

1) It shows that Texas is the place to be;

2) It proves that California is on the wrong track, as The Dallas Morning News points out in a great editorial:

"Toyota wanted out of California for many reasons: high taxes, steep operations costs and unpredictable state politics.

The automaker reportedly had kicked the tires on several locations in Texas as well as in Denver, Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C.

And Toyota’s not the only one racing for the exits.

In recent years, more than 250 companies have bolted from California, and relocation experts in that state say Texas was their No. 1 destination.

“When you look at the whole package, it’s difficult to be a business here,” said Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto, whose city is the big job loser in Toyota’s move to North Texas.  

Toyota has deep pockets and could expand anywhere on its own coin, but Texas made a strong case sealed with a handsome dowry.

The benefit to North Texas comes from high-paying corporate jobs and the multiplier effect of new home purchases and countless other spending gains. 

For Toyota, the pieces fit together nicely. It already has 2,900 employees at a San Antonio factory that builds Tundra and Tacoma trucks.

Now it will centralize key operations in a low-cost state and have its headquarters a short drive from D/FW International Airport and Love Field, allowing executives to cut a travel day off a trip to either coast.  

The Toyota move is worthy of much celebration and also is a reminder of the importance of the multifaceted economic and quality-of-life factors that encourage major companies to relocate and smaller businesses to expand.

Plano’s gain is a win for all of North Texas."

3) It proves the beauty of having states compete with other states.  Could you imagine what a great health care system we would have in the US if we'd allow states to create their own plans? Or compete with one another by developing employer friendly health care systems designed to create jobs rather than bureaucrats?

We've had academic debates over the years about California vs Texas, the "blue vs red statement" battle.

I think that Toyota just voted "red" and settled that argument!

P. S. You can hear CANTO TALK here & follow me on Twitter @ scantojr.