While Tax-Paying California Residents flee the state, we find that the homeless population increases along with an assortment of proposed increased taxes and exploding property crimes along with a reduced overall quality of life in the once Golden State of California.

It wasn’t long ago that California and in particular Southern California had a great reputation as the place to live, work and play.  A state with a moderate climate, a great educational system and many quiet residential communities with affordable housing and plenty of places to shop at local retail centers.  

There were multi-lane freeways where you could drive at 65 mph from the San Fernando Valley to downtown Los Angeles in 30 to 45 minutes.  There was no traffic congestion or the current freeway parking lots where we now creep along at 5 to 20 miles an hour most times of the day and into the evenings.  As we remember, they were called “The Good Old Days.”  

Being a native Angelino, I know how good it was to live in L.A. and the surrounding communities a number of years ago.  Communities like Burbank, Glendale and those beach cities of Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach. Growing up in Hollywood I made frequent visits to the Farmer’s Market,  Canter’s Restaurant and the great places along Sunset and Hollywood Blvd. There was Van Nuys Blvd where we would cruise for hours on Wednesday nights stopping at Bob’s Big Boy and June Ellen’s Donut shop.  The reality is the past is gone and it is not coming back. Also gone are the thousands of retired and working families that have left and continue to leave California for a better life in other states across America.  States where you can live with a lower cost of living in a safe and happy environment.  

For you NRA members, you can get a CCW if you are a good citizen with a clean record.  Quite a change from the restrictions in California and in particular Los Angeles.     

Today we have the growing and continuing exodus from California.  A 2018 U.S. Census Bureau report lists migration out of California.  A total of 691,145 people left and moved out of California last year.  86,164 of those people moved to Texas while 68,516 moved to Arizona. 55,467 moved to Washington and another 50,707 relocated to Nevada.  43,058 relocated their residence to the State of Oregon. While a total of 691,145 people moved out of California, 501,023 people moved into the state.  This is a five – year low of people moving into California. What do these official U.S. Census Bureau statistics tell us? They reflects the unhappiness of thousands of California residents.  Unhappiness with the Homeless population, increasing property crimes, excessive taxes, the highest gasoline prices in the country and so may more reasons why thousands have move out of California while others are considering leaving the state.  

How many states have current recalls on the Governor and the Mayor of their city.  California currently has two recall petitions circulating on the Governor and one on the Los Angeles Mayor.  This is truly a reflection that many people are fed up with the leadership at the top and want to see positive changes.   

Have you considered moving to another state?  I know many of my friends have moved and are very happy with the move to “Greener Pastures” with an improved quality of life in so many ways.     

Talking about Taxes.  Be aware that some new tax proposals are scheduled to be on the next ballot.  You will have the choice of voting for or against them. Among the most common are the school taxes.  The state is moving forward on a state school tax to repair school facilities. In addition, if you live in Los Angeles the LAUSD plans to put another school tax on the ballot.  We voted down the last one. In addition to those taxes, there will be additional taxes for the Fire and Police Departments in the City of L.A. Knowing that we love our emergency personnel, that tax should pass without any problem following the destruction caused by the recent fires.  There is also the Prop 13 split tax for business. What this all means is that your property tax will continue to increase following the next election. I plan on reviewing the measures and tax proposals prior to the next election and promise to educate you on the pros and cons of the measures.