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California is in terrible shape. Starting with education, which I wrote about last week, just 29% of the state’s fourth-graders are proficient in reading. Only 11 states do worse. However, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. What follows is a sampling of how the once golden state is now tarnished.
Crime and poverty
Tom Del Beccaro, former chairman of the California Republican Party, notes, “California ranks third among states with the highest motor vehicle theft rates, with 14 out of every 1,000 registered vehicles being stolen.” Overall, California ranks 17th in national violent crime rates, with a 6.1% increase in reported violent crimes and a 6.2% increase in property crimes from 2021 to 2024.
Additionally, California leads the country in poverty, with 31% of Californians living at or near the poverty line. At the same time, the Pacific Research Institute discloses that, including federal, state, and local funds, California’s per capita spending on income support programs is 81% higher than the average expenditures for all other states: $3,869 compared to $2,141.
The governor
Many of the state’s problems can be attributed to Gov. Gavin Newsom. As noted by Victor Davis Hanson, Newsom recently enjoyed a $98 billion budget surplus, gifted to him from multibillion-dollar federal COVID-19 subsidies; yet, practically overnight, he turned it into a growing $45 billion budget deficit.
Newsom’s priorities stink, in one case literally. Earlier this year, the governor announced a new program of free diapers for newborns.
California ranks among the top 10 states in terms of homelessness, a pet project for Newsom, who has spent billions on the issue over the past four years, with only slightimprovement. An April 2024 audit reveals that the state lacksdata on the cost-effectiveness of its homelessness programs, despite spending nearly $24 billion over the past five fiscal years.
A climate hustler, Newsom has proposed a 15-year extension of California’s signature cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases—a cornerstone of the state’s climate policies.
The fires and insurance costs
In Los Angeles, which has just suffered some of the most devastating fires in the nation’s history, the fire chief is on record as “highlighting her DEI agendas rather than emphasizing traditional fire department criteria like response time or keeping fire vehicles running,” writes Victor Davis Hanson.
Hanson continues, “Ninety percent of the water from the northern rivers flows out to the sea. The aqueduct transfers that water down to LA. They should have had more water. They don’t. The insurance system is completely broken because of overregulation, fraud, and mismanagement by the state. So, you cannot buy fire insurance in most cases.”
It’s not only fire insurance that is costly. Data reveal that automobile insurance rates in the state increased by nearly 50% in 2024. Furthermore, per the California Department of Insurance, between 2020 and 2022, insurance companies declined to renew 2.8 million homeowner policies in the state.
Bleeding cash
Fiscally, California is in dire straits. The state has a $12 billion deficit, which Newsom takes no responsibility for. Instead, he blames President Trump.
Assembly member Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare) called on Newsom to stop supporting a wasteful high-speed rail gambit and redirect the funding elsewhere.
Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R–Yuba City) called on Newsom to take responsibility for California’s failures.
“Newsom’s finger-pointing on the budget shortfall is the biggest load of crap I’ve ever seen from a politician, and he shovels out a lot of it. We’re in this mess because of his reckless spending, false promises, and failed leadership.”
Individual cities are also incurring deficits. California Globe’sKaty Grimes writes, Los Angeles has a budget deficit of over $1 billion, while San Francisco’s is $876 million, and San Diego’s debt exceeds $300 million.
Terrible laws
California is also home to some of the most ridiculous laws imaginable.
As of 2022, a law requires taxpayers to pay up to $400 millionin union dues. As National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix points out, “The idea that they’re going to give union members a tax credit, which is really just a dollar for dollar reduction in the taxes they owe… is really just another example of how Gavin Newsom and the regressives in the California General Assembly in Sacramento are trying to trying to use governmental tax policy to get more workers into unions, which means more union dues for political expenditures.”
No surprise here. The state legislature is far left and in thrall to the California Teachers Association, which considers itself “the co-equal fourth branch of government,” per former Democratic State Senate leader Dom Perata.
SB 1375, another terrible idea, is now law. This horror allows nurses to perform abortions; no doctors need to be present.
Newsom also signed a law that decriminalizes jaywalking because of “racism.” The “Freedom to Walk Act” prevents law enforcement from stopping people who are crossing the street,not at a crosswalk, unless they are in visible danger. The law’s proponents insist that jaywalking is a racist crime because it is allegedly enforced unfairly in “communities of color” where people allegedly cannot afford to pay the fines.
People are leaving the state
The Public Policy Institute of California reports that asignificant driver of the state’s population decline has been residents moving to other states. In a recent PPIC survey, 34%of Californians reported considering a move out of the state due to skyrocketing housing costs.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest statistics, the most significant gains from net domestic migration in 2022 were insaner states. Florida gained 318,855 citizens, Texas was up 230,961, and North Carolina saw an increase of 99,796. Conversely, California saw the most losses: 343,230.
If you decide to leave the state by car, it is advisable to do sosoon. While the national average cost per gallon of gas in April was $3.26 and just $2.87 in Texas, California’s average pricewas $4.92. Worse, USC Professor Michael Mische warns that the price could rise to $8.43 a gallon next year.
Businesses are also leaving the state
Major companies, including Chevron, SpaceX, and Charles Schwab, have fled California.
In total, 441 businesses have left the state since 2018 and moved their headquarters elsewhere. High taxes, skyrocketing rent, soaring costs of living for employees, and mounds of red tape are just a few reasons cited by the businesses that have exited, with Texas being the primary destination state.
Is there any good news?
Steve Hilton is running for governor as a Republican in 2026. The former Fox News host and Silicon Valley executive is campaigning to reduce the immense size, cost, and waste of the state government. He would succeed term-limited Gov. Newsom, who—perish the thought—has his eyes on the White House.
John Seiler interviewed Hilton and asked him how he couldbreak through the 40% ceiling of votes that Republicans have won in recent statewide elections. John Cox garnered just 38% against Newsom in 2018, and Brian Dahle 41% in 2022.
Hilton explains, “The majority of the people in California want change. My argument is the person who is going to win is the change candidate – and that’s going to be me. I would almost flip the question and say: How on earth could I possibly lose? My job is to make sure people know I’m the candidate who will bring the change. The fundamental issue is that it’s so tough for regular families in California. And it’s the Democrats who created this mess.”
Hilton referenced a United Way of California survey released April 29, which found that 35% of households “do not earn sufficient income to meet basic needs.” The rate is 54% for families with children under the age of 6. He blamed the high costs of housing, electricity, gas, etc. Additionally, he stated that small businesses are being “crushed by regulations.”
Unless something changes soon, the formerly Golden State should be remonikered, “The Imploding State.”
And because it’s the citizenry that has elected the people who are leading the implosion, we can’t look outside our borders for assistance. As comic icon Pogo the Possum once averred, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
Larry Sand, a retired 28-year classroom teacher, is the president of the non-profit California Teachers Empowerment Network – a non-partisan, non-political group dedicated to providing teachers and the general public with reliable and balanced information about professional affiliations and positions on educational issues.
So glad I bailed on the Golden State 10 years ago.
Must have been hard for you to leave the SF bathhouses. I’m sure you found other methods to fulfill your “alternative lifestyle”
Uncalled for Comment.
How gay can and anti-American you be? Some things are supposed to have limits, douchetard.
Apparently Sebby has no limits when it comes to his “limits”.
I think I’ll let your usual classless comment and your downvotes, plus my upvotes and the upvotes of those who agree with me re: California speak for themselves.
If I may paraphrase WWI poet Joyce Kilmer poem “Trees”:
“I think that I shall never see a lowlife as stupid, ignorant and small-minded as thee”
6.5 yrs left San Diego now in SC
“Failed State,” by Christopher Moritz, is a haunting read. I left 35 years ago. One of my better decisions.
Sadly for Texas is that it will inherit immigrants with the idiotic mind set that made CA the disaster it is today.
Yes, they leave CA and bring their dumbass politics with them to vote Dem in Texas.
I moved to Los Angles in 1982, retired & left after 37 years in 2018. I loved California, I really miss the weather & the many things & places to do & visit. In the mid 2000’s after the KKK Democrats took complete control it started going down hill & continues. I do not believe that it will EVER elect a Republican mayor or Governor. That large immigrant population will always vote for socialism.
Mid 2000’s? You are at least three decades late. I lived along the NOrth Coast through the seventies. I had alerady escaped So Cal by then.
Worked as a mechanic. They dumped the “Bureau of Automotive Repair” on us all. Had to begMother for the permission slip, accompanied by a bribe for the priviledge. Renew annually. the new law provided ZERO benefit to the trade nor to the consumer. It also created a legion of minions to zealously guard their newly acquired turf. They had subpoena powers and were qualfied witnesses to the “crime” of changing someone’s sparking plugs without said Permission Slip/Bribe.
Local chap had worked at a sawmill, tragic accident left him with one arm, cut off just below the shoulder. State cheated him out of his compensation and pension, inured on the job. He had a family to feed.
Our regional Grand Poohbah from BAR caught wind of him doing some minor repair, busted him. Victim showed up in court, which was packed with friends, neighbours, locals, all on HIS side. His attorney, pro bono, ORDERED him to wear a suit, and leave the long suit coat sleeve to obviously flap in the breeze. Out of character for this guy but he caught the drift and went with it. The BAR clown got up and laid it on thick to the judge, pleading strongly for the rights and protections of the vulnerable customers always at the mercy of such crooked and unaccountable “professionals”. He “rested”, the judge called the accused who flaped his bum wing and went up. The judge hesitated, then declared “I called for the defendant. Surely this man cannot be he”. Yes, your honour, this is Mr. Mechanic. The judge banged his gavel and said CASE DISMISSED. I cannot believe that a one armed mechanic can possibly be working on cars to make money. he courtroom erupted in loud cheers…. BAR creep crept out in shame. He had to get transferred to another part of the state, too cowardly to show his face on OUR turf. THAT was back in 1972 or so. Things were already heading rapidly downhill then.
“How on earth could I possibly lose? ” Unfortunately, Mr. Hilton, CA is a democrat state and you could easily lose by the same means Trump lost in 2020. Democrats have no morals (that means ZERO) and will happily lie, cheat, and steal to ensure one of them wins and you lose.
Places like California, lost & out of touch with it’s own people needs a disciplined leader with a spine who’ll have to rip out all the laws & it’s deceptive tentacles that have divided & damaged the people because when the government no longer serves its citizens but itself instead must be struck down. It’s the people that are sovereign, . Everything starts with strong foundation of the family & its core values, support that always, supports a united community can only bind us together. Loose the family, you loose everything.
Scrap entitlements, as no one is entitled to anything except what he earns honestly through hard work is his alone . Make government smaller, the administrators, like the legislators or governor, bow to the people’s will and not the other way around. Forget the husker’s Climate change dogma of knuckling under their thumb, as most level headed common sense folks know & prefer the petroleum industry of gas & oil & all our major national electrical grids throughout our country depend on it & its excellent infrastructure compared to all the collective various forms of energy combined could never ever achieve nor fulfill the hungry needs of such a vast place as ours like that of fossil fuels offers, which processed here are the cleanest in the world over due to its high standards exacted. Let people choose what cars to drive, it’s not the government’s place to tell you. Remember, the government isn’t your family. A leader who is right and true and who really cares about the people will follow through. People are smarter than you or I think, though they have been lead astray , blinded, and blundered too often to the determent of all. Stop. It’s time.
All far too true.
What you fail to comprehend (not a slam, but a simple observation of reality) is that California are no longer a state, duly organised under the US Constitution. And that won’t change on its own steam.
I have been wondering lately if perhaps Trump will come up with a way of imposing order upin the everal rogue states we have. Cali, NY, Colorrado, NJ, etc. They enact laws directly and findamentally at odds with the Constitution of the nation, to which ALL states are by law subject. The election cheats that derailed Trump’s previous run were in egregious violation of such laws. States enacting laws clearly anti- or extra-constitutional. And so on.
Actually, California ranks 48th in education. The richest state by far in “the Union” and that’s how things are here. What a sick joke. We should be shooting teachers in the streets and schools. They’re child molesters.