Posted on 03/15/2012 6:18:06 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
In its most recent annual ranking of "business friendly" states, Forbes magazine had some blunt advice for investors: "Utah and Colorado have maintained strong business climates. Forget about California."
Californians like to dismiss such assessments of the Golden State and instead point to its natural beauty and quality of life. They tend not to worry what people in other states think. But they should. California is no longer the economic miracle it once was. Silicon Valley no longer has a monopoly on high-tech talent and innovation. Hollywood has to compete for movie locations with Utah and Morocco. Real estate investors see better development prospects in states with fewer foreclosed and abandoned homes. And SoCal porn producers know they don't need huge wardrobe containers to move to Nevada.
Californians tend to be complacent about these competitive risks. On the surface, things don't look too bad. Sure, the state's finances are in shambles and the Legislature in disarray. But median personal income ($42,578) is well above the national average ($39,945).
These things can't compensate for some disturbing recent trends. The growth of the state's $2-trillion economy has slowed dramatically. Since 2000, the state's economy has grown significantly more slowly than the rest of the nation. Last year, California ranked 34th in real GDP growth. That sluggish growth has burdened it with among the highest unemployment rates (10.9%) in the nation. If businesses heed Forbes' advice to avoid the state, the situation will only worsen.
So what is it that makes California unfriendly to business? For starters, it's very expensive to do business in the state. Corporate taxes are high, as are energy and labor costs, according toMoody'sAnalytics and the Tax Foundation. In the Forbes rankings, the state also comes in at No. 40 in the category of regulatory environment.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I visualize Californians swirling the toilet bowl while their leaders continually reach out for the flush handle.
We spent a week in San Diego earlier this month. Loved the place but holy cow, the price of everything was nuts !
California voters are really to blame. An example? We voted against a moratorium of the Clean Air Act which is mandating unrealistic restrictions on every business in the state. The CARB commission can be likened to the SS in Nazi Germany.
“I visualize Californians swirling the toilet bowl while their leaders continually reach out for the flush handle.”
yea, I get that. It is pure insanity.
How the hell did this sneak into the Lost Angeles Crimes?
And the amazing thing is... the majority of Calis think it’s all wonderful out there, so long as they get theirs. Look who they elect... over and over and over....
I’m surprised this was in the LA Times — but the comment at the LAT where the commenter makes fun of people moving to Mississippi is the supreme lib who is both in the bowl and reaching for the handle.
RE: How the hell did this sneak into the Lost Angeles Crimes?
Sometimes, they want to appear to be “Fair and Balanced” too.
Well, kinda a little late for that.
They are in-the-tank for communism and liberalism.
They are in-the-tank for Democrats.
But I repeat myself.
Last September my wife and I were in Burbank for a convention. We had a certificate for a “free” one day car rental. The rental was free, but the taxes and fees came to $48.00.
The whack nut politicians in Sacramento don’t care about good jobs and business. Jeez! All the left wing politcal fringe groups have them by the balls!
RE: The rental was free, but the taxes and fees came to $48.00.
Did you ask what the rental would have been without your “free” certificate?
It's in the rural areas that the devastation can be seen. But there aren't enough people living there to effect any change.
You aint seen nothing yet. Wait until that soul-less witch Mary Nichols of CARB double’s California energy costs now that Arnold pushed for and won the California Cap and Trade law. Energy costs are going to skyrocket and could be the final nail in the coffin for California business. Dare I say California Cap and Trade SHOULD BE the final nail.
CARB is oppressive and Mary Nichols is a tyrant.
Maybe the LA Slimes editors finally figured out the parasites are on the edge of killing the host. A good parasite knows better. I know I’m giving the Slimes too much credit here.
A good time to think about business flight is BEFORE businesses flee.
And I don’t even have a Masters in Government Administration from the Kennedy School.
It would have been $39.95 higher. The $48.00 was taxes and fees.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.