7 ms·
You are what's wrong with my state if you think everything is fine. 1st - that $9 billion surplus isn't a surplus. The state has debt and unfunded liabilities
by barnesto 8y ago
You are what's wrong with my state if you think everything is fine.
1st - that $9 billion surplus isn't a surplus. The state has debt and unfunded liabilities of over $1 TRILLION. $9 billion is couch change in comparison. Also, Brown has already said that "surplus" is being spent.
https://californiapolicycenter.org/californias-total-state-local-debt-totals-1-3-trillion/ https://californiapolicycenter.org/californias-total-state-l...
http://www.capradio.org/articles/2018/05/11/governor-brown-to-release-updated-california-budget-proposal/ http://www.capradio.org/articles/2018/05/11/governor-brown-t...
https://www.ocregister.com/2018/04/06/with-california-taxpayers-facing-a-1-trillion-unfunded-pension-liability-lawmakers-focus-on-foam-and-plastic-straws https://www.ocregister.com/2018/04/06/with-california-taxpay...
2nd - this state is over taxes and when they can't tax us more, they levy fees. Like the the 12 cent gas tax for infrastructure projects that have already been paid for, and the increase DMV registration fees for the same. This state is one of the worst for business, which is why so many people and businesses are fleeing the state.
3rd - we have the largest homeless population in the country and are doing nothing to prevent or solve the issue. also, over 40% of people living here (citizens and non-citizens) are on some form of welfare or entitlement. where do you think that $9 billion "surplus" is going?
4th - we are at the bottom of schools systems and quality of life. see #3.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/03/01/california-ranks-last-quality-life-new-report/384853002/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/03/01/ca...
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/02/08/geographic-disparity-states-best-and-worst-schools/1079181001/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/02/08/geog...
5th - destruction of the middle class. our open borders policies provide cheap labor. we've also allowed non-citizens to obtain professional licenses - construction, lawyers, medical, etc. this takes away opportunities for citizens - you know the ones that are fleeing the state.
6th - speaking of non-citizens. we've issued over 1,000,000 driver's licenses to non-citizens and over 3,000,000 million own homes in our state. you don't think that amount of people, here illegally, have an affect on our middle class, our lower class - come on, this affects everything from quality of life to our school systems.
but sure it's all fine and dandy. where's the meme with the dog in the room on fire?
- claydavisss 8y agofor perspective - CalPERs has a projected shortfall of over $1 Trillion, meanwhile the entire federal debt of Canada is less than $700 billion. unlike Canada, the state of California cannot simply print its own currency to address the issue
- gamblor956 8y ago2nd - this state is over taxes and when they can't tax us more, they levy fees. Like the the 12 cent gas tax for infrastructure projects that have already been paid for, and the increase DMV registration fees for the same. This state is one of the worst for business, which is why so many people and businesses are fleeing the state. California is the 5th biggest economy in the world. It just surpassed the UK. (http://fortune.com/2018/05/05/california-fifth-biggest-economy-passes-united-kingdom/ http://fortune.com/2018/05/05/california-fifth-biggest-econo...). Despite only having 12% of the US population, it contributed 16% of the total US job growth over the past 5 years. California's GDP went up by $127 billion from 2016 to 2017 alone. This, despite people fleeing the state. Good riddance--any business that can't stay afloat in California's massive market place without hand-me-outs like tax cuts is a failing business. Hundreds of thousands of other businesses are doing just fine.
- claydavisss 8y agoI've never understood responses like yours How does "fifth largest economy in the world" benefit you if you can't even afford to purchase a house? "Fifth largest economy" benefits Larry, Sergey, Tim Cook...you, not so much
- gamblor956 8y agoThere are plenty of apartments to rent. Purchasing a house is not the end game for everyone, nor should it be. It represents a major investment of time and money in terms of maintenance and upkeep. And the primary problem with people not being able to afford houses is that they're not able to generate savings due to college loan debt, which is a national problem not restricted to California.
- 8y ago