SHORT
COMMUNICATION 378
California
vs. Texas
By
Roger Behra
There is a continuous battle going on
between California and Texas that started long ago. Most recently it has picked
up in intensity and is now a full-fledged economic battle for technology
development and export supremacy. In 2012 the tide turned and Texas began
forging ahead of California. In 2013 Texas owned the lead. Export from Texas
hit $45.1 billion while exports from California totaled $44.8 billion. Silicon
Valley was supplanted by the Texas.
California’s economy is stuck in a
recessionary ditch. The unemployment rate is stuck at a 12 percent. That’s the
second highest in the Texas’ jobless rate is nearly a third lower and about one
percentage point below the national rate. Concerning the matter of taxes,
California’s tax rates are among the nation’s highest. Texas’ tax burden is one
of the lowest. It’s about a third lower than California’s which is one of the
nation’s highest.
Texas city in south Texas do not
indicate recession, as do California’s. There are few vacant stores. Retail,
dining, and entertainment venues are hopping with economic activity. The Texas
oil industry is booming and is begging for workers. Texas highways are wide,
smoothly paved, and well-maintained. California’s are congested and
deteriorated, even though California’s fuel taxes are nearly twice as high. The
total tax burden California’s pay per gallon of gasoline is the highest in the
nation. Texas has the 13th best business climate, while California’s
is the 49th, only ahead of New York. There is no doubt. Texas has
won the economic battle them and California.
When Jerry Brown was elected the first
time, he promised to greatly improve the economic condition in California, but
he didn’t. He begged for a second 4 year term, which the voters gave to him. He
thanked them by reneging on his camping promises. He even completely changed
some of them to the opposite effect. Gov. Jerry Brown and his crew of political
helpers have had one thing on their agenda and it’s taxes, and more taxes. That
has caused hundreds of businesses to flee the state and the average Californian
to curtail spending. California will never be the same as before Jerry Brown
became governor. His second four-year term is worse than the first four-year
term because he knows his political career is over. He’s leaving California in
bad and unfixable economic condition. Texas is holding most of the candles to
California. But when it comes to climate and physical beauty, Texas simply
cannot hold and candle anywhere near California. And thankfully, Jerry Brown as
California’s governor cannot get involved in trying to negatively change or tax
California’s beauty or climate.
R.
B.
1-24-14
