[yorkiemom]

It spends far less than California on education but ranks significantly higher. And California business leaders are growing more frustrated by the day, as Sacramento seems determined to squeeze them for ever more revenue.

I've noticed the former myself. I don't know about the entire state, but when I got my teaching certificate in Texas and was looking at local jobs, there were NO penions. A wonderful thing! Not only did that save the tax payers money, BUT I also think it helps with the quality of teachers. Seems contradictory, but here's how I see it: a pension system holds teachers into that position, whether they are good or bad at it. Without one, teachers who don't like the work feel free to leave and find something they do enjoy. And the job can be a labor of love, not just a source of money. I know CA has a ton of awful teachers who are working for nothing more than getting that huge pension. At the taxpayer's expense, of course!

[KarlInOhio]

It spends far less than California on education but ranks significantly higher.

Actually California spends a lot more on the education system. I doubt that they spend as much on real education.