The governor and the legislature believe that higher taxes, higher prices, and more regulations are worth the pleasures of California’s weather, natural beauty, and chic culture. Who would leave all that for low-tax but scorching Texas or Nevada?I'm a native Californian who has also lived in Texas, Wyoming and Maryland, and traveled widely throughout all 50 states and most territories. Hanson is right, California has the best combination of comfortable weather and scenic beauty, hands down. It's California's man-made environment that has gone badly wrong.
They may be right. I am still here, writing this column in 70-degree March weather, gazing out at the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, amid blooming almond orchards on the small farm of my ancestors — while computing my soaring taxes and picking up the daily litter tossed by the roadside.
My only quibble with Hanson is about California's roads, which he believes are bad. We drive them and find CA roads aren't noticeably worse than those in other states. Because of its mostly benign weather CA has few of the killer potholes or frost heaves that states with lots of freezing weather get. Outside the Sierras, few CA roads get attacked by snow chains or plows.
