California Doing California Things

[thebeave]

California is now the 4th largest economy in the world​

“California isn’t just keeping pace with the world—we’re setting the pace. Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation. And, while we celebrate this success, we recognize that our progress is threatened by the reckless tariff policies of the current federal administration. California’s economy powers the nation, and it must be protected.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

Just doin' California things.

It seems a little disingenous to separate CA from the rest of the US, and then compare it to other countries. Federal government dollars were used to help fund a lot of CA's infrastructure (airports, freeways, ports, etc over the last many decades) that have been crucial for this state's economy. If CA had made its way in the world in a manner truly independent of the Federal government, where would it rank?

 

[Elixir]

I googled that for you @TSwizzle

Interesting page. Below the list is an interactive national map and a list of all the states' quality and safety rankings. At a glance it's apparent that most of the worst rankings Republican States and most of the best ones Democratic. But what jumps out at me, is that so many of the middle rankings are purple-ish. The correlations are fairly stark the causation arrows, not so much. I won't spoil your fun, Swiz - you can look up CA's ranking for yourself.

 

[Politesse]

California is now the 4th largest economy in the world​

“California isn’t just keeping pace with the world—we’re setting the pace. Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation. And, while we celebrate this success, we recognize that our progress is threatened by the reckless tariff policies of the current federal administration. California’s economy powers the nation, and it must be protected.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

Just doin' California things.

It seems a little disingenous to separate CA from the rest of the US, and then compare it to other countries. Federal government dollars were used to help fund a lot of CA's infrastructure (airports, freeways, ports, etc over the last many decades) that have been crucial for this state's economy. If CA had made its way in the world in a manner truly independent of the Federal government, where would it rank?

The other states take just as much help from the federal government, and they are a net loss to the country instead of a benefit, mooching off of our talent and innovations.

 

[TV and credit cards]

California is now the 4th largest economy in the world​

“California isn’t just keeping pace with the world—we’re setting the pace. Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation. And, while we celebrate this success, we recognize that our progress is threatened by the reckless tariff policies of the current federal administration. California’s economy powers the nation, and it must be protected.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

Just doin' California things.

It seems a little disingenous to separate CA from the rest of the US, and then compare it to other countries. Federal government dollars were used to help fund a lot of CA's infrastructure (airports, freeways, ports, etc over the last many decades) that have been crucial for this state's economy. If CA had made its way in the world in a manner truly independent of the Federal government, where would it rank?

California is, of course the number one contributor of tax dollars to the federal government. Texas is number two but is less than half of California's. Maybe I'm missing some pieces of the puzzle here but federal expenditures financed by debt aside, it seems to me California would not only be financing their own infrastructure but that of poor states not able to carry their weight.

 

[Politesse]

It's not just tax dollars we contribute either, we produce an enormous proportion of the nation's goods and services, and are the locus of our trade with Asia and the rest of the Pacific Rim. Trade which, of course, Trump is attempting to destroy. But does that not make the food, petroleum, natural gas, and educated labor force that we produce that much more urgently critical to the nation's welfare? Without California, New York, and Texas, there would barely be a national economy. Wheat is not the valuable commodity it once was. Once you have ended all business with Asia and Europe, there will be no broccoli, artichokes, garlic or pistachios unless they came California fields, no potassium fertilizer or borax products except those that come from our mines. If it's up to the Midwest and the South to feed everyone affordably, I hope you really like cornbread.

 

[TomC]

It seems a little disingenous to separate CA from the rest of the US, and then compare it to other countries. Federal government dollars were used to help fund a lot of CA's infrastructure (airports, freeways, ports, etc over the last many decades) that have been crucial for this state's economy. If CA had made its way in the world in a manner truly independent of the Federal government, where would it rank?

It's been several years now, but I read an interesting article. I believe it was published in more than one top publication during the Obama administration.

The subject was the disparities between states concerning federal taxes paid and federal funding returned. It was long and detailed and I don't remember the small details, but the the overall gist was clear. States run by Democrats were heavily subsidizing states run by Republicans.

The only two states I recall were at opposite ends of the spectrum. For every federal tax dollar paid in, Massachusetts got a little less than $.78 while Mississippi got a little over $1.20. IIRC, it didn't include SSI but everything else. Roads, social safety net, education, everything. The article didn't specify this, but the pattern was obvious. The bluer the state the more that they paid, the redder the state the more that they were subsidized.
Tom

 

[Politesse]

It's also more balanced than people realize. The disparities are there but they aren't huge as a proportion, and those have fluctuated a lot over time. Where they do differ a lot is on quantity. The big states have a GDP most countries would be jealous of, and they both pay in and withdraw huge amounts to and from federal budget while little states are negligible in their impact, which is only logical. But that means that while Mississippi is desperately dependent on funding that comes from the ten states which hold the budget together, there's no way they could ever hope to offer anything meaningfully equivalent in trade, nor would it make much difference if they tried to bow out somehow. They're just ... there. 32 footnotes in the national budget barely important even as a general class. Which is fine with me, actually, at least in theory. I'm not some diehard capitalist who thinks everyone has to pay exactly as much to the government as they get from it. Keeping the country humming is the whole point of government, and I don't mind that my taxes go to the common good, if that's what they're doing, even if that means giving more assistance where there is more need. I don't even mind that one of the big states is Texas. It has some decent little corners. Or that some of the little states are the size of counties out West but still get two senators each. I can cope.

But the relationship sours quickly when Trump is on the airwaves talking openly about "going to war with California" as though we were a hostile foreign entity, and systematically denying federal assistance, disaster relief, and projects in our state. Oh no, fuck you with that. No fucking taxation without representation, Georgie Boy. It's in the goddamned meta narrative of state.

 

[Elixir]

Federal government dollars were used to help fund a lot of CA's infrastructure (airports, freeways, ports, etc over the last many decades) that have been crucial for this state's economy.

In 2022, California contributed $83.1 billion more in federal taxes than it received in federal funding. Specifically, the state paid $692.2 billion in federal taxes and received $609.1 billion in federal funding. This makes California a significant "donor state," meaning it contributes more to the federal government than it receives in return.
They could have kept it all, paid for their own damn airports and had $83,000,000,000.00 left over - about $2k per taxpayer.
Tell me more about how dependent CA is on federal funds!

 

[TomC]

I also remember a handful of discussions with people who were big on Texit.

I'd ask, "Will Texas be willing and able to pay up their share of the current Federal Debt on their way out?"
That usually ended the discussion as I recall.
Tom

 

[TSwizzle]

Where do California public schools rank compared to other states? Where does California rank in poverty compared to other states? Where does California rank for taxes compared to other nations? California's reputation for business friendliness is poor. Newsom is an incompetent, corrupt, authoritarian buffoon. Why do you adore Newsom so much? You think California's economy is down to anything that insufferable prick has done? lol. You are delusional.

Why are you so lazy as to post all these questions, rather than the easily googled answers to them? {snip}

A rhetorical question obviously but the answer is, not what you’d expect from the “fourth biggest economy in the world”^TM

And let’s not forget the homeless population.

 

[Elixir]

And let’s not forget the homeless population.

Thanks for the reminder. I tend to forget since they almost never bother me.

 

[Shadowy Man]

The only two states I recall were at opposite ends of the spectrum. For every federal tax dollar paid in, Massachusetts got a little less than $.78 while Mississippi got a little over $1.20. IIRC, it didn't include SSI but everything else. Roads, social safety net, education, everything. The article didn't specify this, but the pattern was obvious. The bluer the state the more that they paid, the redder the state the more that they were subsidized.
Tom

maybe our votes should count in these proportions too then.

 

[TSwizzle]

Newsom is such an insufferable prick.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state is now the world’s fourth largest economy. But after accounting for the high cost of goods and services, California only barely edges out low-performing Italy, with the state’s continued losses in private sector jobs amid falling corporate and sales tax revenue painting a darker picture of the Golden State’s economy. However, after accounting for purchasing power parity—how much can be purchased in the local economy with local currency, which provides a more accurate comparison—California’s economy is ranked 11th, at $3.6 trillion. The state’s private sector is contracting, while employment growth is increasingly driven by government-funded programs,

News

I really hope Newsom runs for president. Comedy gold.

 

[Politesse]

Newsom is such an insufferable prick.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state is now the world’s fourth largest economy. But after accounting for the high cost of goods and services, California only barely edges out low-performing Italy, with the state’s continued losses in private sector jobs amid falling corporate and sales tax revenue painting a darker picture of the Golden State’s economy. However, after accounting for purchasing power parity—how much can be purchased in the local economy with local currency, which provides a more accurate comparison—California’s economy is ranked 11th, at $3.6 trillion. The state’s private sector is contracting, while employment growth is increasingly driven by government-funded programs,

News

I really hope Newsom runs for president. Comedy gold.

BREAKING NEWS: California doing very well, but conservative tabloid says "NUH UH", cites no evidence of claim.

ALSO BREAKING NEWS: Trump goes on massive government firing spree, wonders aloud why thousands jobs are suddenly disappearing under his watch.

 

[TSwizzle]

The deviant lawmakers in California don’t want sex traffickers to face felony charges

Democratic state lawmakers on Thursday approved changes to a bill that removed tougher penalties for soliciting 16- or 17-year-olds for sex on Thursday.
Current law allows the offense of soliciting a minor under the age of 16 for sex to be punishable as a misdemeanor or a felony on the first offense and as a felony on subsequent offenses. The bill, AB 379, included a provision that would extend the same punishment to suspects who solicited 16- and 17- year-olds. This marks the second year in a row that Democrats in the Legislature have refused to extend felony charges to soliciting older teens.

LA Times

 

[bilby]

The deviant lawmakers in California don’t want sex traffickers to face felony charges

The article you cited doesn't appear to talk about a law that applies to sex traffickers at all, but rather to those who solicit sex from minors.

And according to your quote from the article, the law does provide for felony charges to be an option for first offenders, and to be mandatory for subsequent offenders.

TL;DR - The article says something completely different from what you said it says.

Are all of your opinions based on such poor reading comprehension?

 

[ZiprHead]

It had the word Democrats in it so it must be something bad they did.

 

[Elixir]

ALSO BREAKING NEWS: Trump goes on massive government firing spree, wonders aloud why thousands jobs are suddenly disappearing under his watch.

And TSwizzle posts another rolleyes emoji.

 

[thebeave]

California is the gift that keeps on giving...

State Bar’s botched exam for new lawyers is California’s latest entry to the hall of shame

California doesn’t need another entrant on its list of managerial failures, but it has one in what happened when the State Bar changed its test of aspiring lawyers.

The licensing agency was feeling a financial pinch and formulated its own test to save money. When the exam was administered in February, it was a disaster.

“The online testing platforms repeatedly crashed before some applicants even started,” the Los Angeles Times reported. “Others struggled to finish and save essays, experienced screen lags and error messages and could not copy and paste text from test questions into the exam’s response field — a function officials had stated would be possible.”

Ever since, State Bar officials, exam takers, legislators and state Supreme Court justices have been arguing over what should be done with the obviously flawed results, especially after it was revealed that the agency used artificial intelligence to formulate exam questions — without making that known.

The LA Times goes more in-depth on this:

‘Utterly Botched’: Glitchy rollout of new California bar exam prompts lawsuit and legislative review

After logging on remotely at around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday — 15 minutes ahead of his 10 a.m. remote exam — Drelinger said the testing platform crashed when a proctor logged on. He rebooted multiple times, eventually trying three laptops and knocking on neighbors’ doors to access passwords to different internet connections.

After 35 attempts at logging on, he gave up.

“Today was one of the worst days of my life,” Drelinger wrote in an email to the State Bar. “There were a few points that I thought I was having a panic attack and almost had to call an ambulance because I didn’t want to die alone today at my computer.”

Yet somehow, California is the tech capital of the world.

 

[TomC]

Isn't the key point:
"The licensing agency was feeling a financial pinch and formulated its own test to save money. "?
Isn't it the Trump thing to do, cut costs and let the consequences fall where they may?

Kinda like his attitude towards the IRS and virtually every other federal government agency?
Tom