In broad strokes, California's top spending is on Education, Healthcare, and Transportation. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, within those categories there

In broad strokes, California's top spending is on Education, Healthcare, and Transportation. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, within those categories there are glaring examples of abuse... Transportation We're currently $37.3b over budget on a "bullet train" (in quotes because much of the track can't run faster than current trains in those areas). And despite having nearly doubled its budget almost before it laid any track, the recently released plan by the commission acknowledges that it still doesn't have enough money to complete a Bay Area <-> Bakersfield first leg. http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-bullet-train-slow-track-20180315-story.html http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-bullet-train-s... A little while back, we also replaced part of a bridge for $6.5b despite early estimates indicating it would be less than $1b. https://www.citylab.com/equity/2015/10/from-250-million-to-65-billion-the-bay-bridge-cost-overrun/410254/ https://www.citylab.com/equity/2015/10/from-250-million-to-6... Education University of California chancellor ran a hidden account with $175m in it while pulling out her pockets and claiming they couldn't educate the students any more. https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/25/california-auditor-slams-uc-presidents-office-over-175-million-in-hidden-funds/ https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/25/california-auditor-sl... The previous UC Chancellor at Davis was booted from office for misappropriating funds, but she's also still on the payroll and making as much as she did while chancellor... which, by the way is $400k+ http://www.slate.com/articles/life/moneybox/2012/03/uc_davis_chancellor_linda_katehi_s_salary_makes_her_a_member_of_the_1_percent_.html http://www.slate.com/articles/life/moneybox/2012/03/uc_davis... Health I can't think of glaring abuses of the healthcare system off the top of my head, but it's worth noting that California has the largest population of homeless people in the US (and while most states' homeless numbers are shrinking, California's is growing) and, being a border state, a higher number of illegal immigrants than most states. Ignoring any political discussion about those groups, they both incur a disproportionate cost on healthcare as they are either incapable or disallowed from buying insurance policies yet they still need and receive healthcare.