title: How to retrieve both Text and Value from DropDownList in Asp.net mvc
body: <p>I have a dropdownlist in asp.net mvc which is bound using the normal binding syntax
  and I can retrieve the "value" in the controller.
  But I also need to display the text that is associated with this value.
  I can go the hard route and query the db for this associated value.
  But I wanted to know if there is an easy way to retrieve the Text as well as the Value in the controller.</p>
  
  <p>Sample code I used</p>
  
  <pre><code>&lt;%= Html.DropDownList("State","Pick a State")%&gt;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>which displays    </p>
  
  <pre><code>"NJ", "New Jersey" etc.
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>In Controller</p>
  
  <pre><code> public ActionResult  SelectState(string State)
  {
    // I have value of State (NJ) ...I also need the Text for this
  
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Any help would be appreciated.
  Thanks</p>