Every state has its own culture that policymakers are hard pressed to impact. Nevertheless, states do compete on this basis. Policymakers do have the bully pulpit, though, and can help to focus efforts toward greater business friendliness. Houston has repeatedly voted down efforts to establish a zoning regime. Policymakers there play a part in both promoting zoning and fighting it. Zoning is regulation that does as much or more to inhibit and redistribute to the politically connected as it does to protect property rights. Houston has demonstrated a culture friendly toward business as a result of rejecting zoning regulations.
San Francisco, on the other hand, has generally demonstrated a culture of hostility toward business with its stringent zoning and development restrictions. The city continues to do well economically because of its natural, geographically-based advantages. On the other hand, San Francisco is home to two upstart ridesharing services, Uber and Lyft, which have often been under fire from regulators in various states, including some considered business-friendly.
For the most part, elected policymakers will tend to reflect the wider culture. However, to the extent that they are truly community leaders, they can gently and marginally impact the mood of the wider community and help it to compete for businesses in search of a welcoming home.