The lack (or reduced teeth) of CEQA equivalents help, NEPA like laws make it hard to build things. https://ceq.doe.gov/laws-regulations/states.html https://ceq

The lack (or reduced teeth) of CEQA equivalents help, NEPA like laws make it hard to build things. https://ceq.doe.gov/laws-regulations/states.html https://ceq.doe.gov/laws-regulations/states.html The fact that CEQA applies to all levels of government in California makes it easier to throw sand in the gears. Similarly there is too much good government sometimes, too much accountability makes it hard to accomplish anything. Too little means corruption is hard to root out. There is less accountability in the east overall in bureaucracy - any state not hit hard by the progressive revolution of the early 20th century seems to be better at doing thing. I see more community focused expectations of behavior on the east coast (There is more of an expectation that everyone ought to behave a certain way, and do certain things in certain places). There are other cultural differences too, east coast residents in my first hand experience tend to be more apt look the other way at penny ante corruption (the stereotypical "I know a guy.." culture), which somewhat perversely makes government more flexible work better. Generally the less moral imperative government has, the better it works. I realize these are probably not popular opinions.