Where Are All the Californians Going?

   Hmmmm. Gov. Gavin Gruesom, erstwhile "roving" chief executive of the 'Golden State", has been hopping around the country, popping up here, there, and everywhere. He wants to be in the right place at the right time. He might even pop up near his ex-wife, the fiance of Donald Trump, Jr. Maybe Gavin should stay closer to home and answer a few questions. Such as: why are some California residents giving up their life on the Left Coast for "greener pastures" in Red States? Hmmmm. Are they not aware of Texas' hurricanes? Or Florida's October surprises? Or how about the tornadoes that plague the Mid-West? Oh, yes, we have earthquakes; who cares? We have prodigious wildland fires-very smoky, and scary. But other things scare Californians more.

      How about gasoline prices per gallon? Or my favorite: high insurance rates, if you can get a policy. The State had to form a policy of last resort as major insurers abandoned the state because the commissioner wouldn't allow them to raise rates( that many owners could not afford). How about poor schools? How about a terrible lack of affordable housing? How about street crime in large cities? Oh, pundits write, continuously, that major crimes are down(really?). Or how about those property taxes- one of the best if you bought your home 30 years ago and have a 3% mortgage; otherwise, you pay through the nose. 

     Oh, but California has META, and X, and Apple, and LAM Research, and some of TESLA. Oh, how about the wine country: Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley. And UC Berkeley and UC SF Medical School/Hospital. But, still, folks leave, and leave, and leave some more. What does this mean, in real numbers?

       How about adjusted gross income(AGI)? California LOST $23 billions, followed by New York-$14; Illinois-$9.8 billion, New Jersey-$5.3 billion, and Massachusetts-$3.9 billion. In 2022, California lost 3 times as much income as it did in 2019. 3 times  as much in only 3 years. How sad, really, for those left with a massive state deficit. Again: left with a massive state budget deficit to fill with...................TAXES!!!!!!.

      How about the costs of electricity.? This is nothing new; we ousted Gray Davis in a recall after we were fleeced by Enron and Texas. It's been going up higher and higher and home owners are screaming uncle-enough; we're outta here. Costs are 2-3 times as other states; and those still here keep paying more. Those sales taxes : 8-9+%- way over the top. And those income taxes: California taxes middle-income wage earners (9.3% at $68,350) higher than millionaires in most states. Restaurants must pay workers at minimum $20/hour. And then they want tips. Or they must add a health tax/fee.

      So Mr. Newsom: Please seek higher office and let us try to remold our state without you. Maybe then  folks will stop leaving and the homeless will go to Florida instead. Recal that you have a super majority in the state legislature: NOT A GOOD THING, Gavin. Look what you and them are doing to the "Once" Golden State.