To the editor: Laurence Darmiento’s article accurately identifies the contradiction on the coronary heart of California’s economic system: We stay one of many world’s most modern and productive financial engines, but more and more battle to construct the housing, infrastructure, power and public works wanted to maintain that success (“As companies leave California, is the state’s $4.25-trillion economy really in trouble?,” Oct. 22).
A helpful framework for addressing this problem is the “abundance agenda” superior by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson of their latest guide, “Abundance.” Relatively than framing financial progress as a alternative between markets and authorities, Klein and Thompson argue that authorities ought to give attention to attaining tangible outcomes by making it sooner and simpler to construct what folks want. In California, which means extra housing close to jobs and transit, expanded electrical transmission and water infrastructure, streamlined allowing and modernized environmental assessment processes that shield the atmosphere with out creating years of delay.
California’s financial downside isn’t an absence of expertise, capital or entrepreneurial power. It’s our incapacity to transform these strengths into inexpensive properties, dependable infrastructure and alternative demanded by our rising inhabitants and economic system. When initiatives take years to approve and price multiples of what they price elsewhere, companies and residents inevitably search for alternate options.
If California desires to stay the nation’s financial chief, policymakers ought to embrace an abundance agenda centered on growing provide, decreasing pointless obstacles and making it attainable to construct housing and inexperienced infrastructure. Progress, affordability and environmental stewardship needn’t be competing targets if we’re keen to reform the techniques that stop progress.
Bernie Resser, Los Angeles
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To the editor: This wonderful article offered an in depth clarification of the sky-high price of doing enterprise in California versus different states, however the creator made the fashionable mistake of assuming all progress is nice. Does California must decrease regulatory prices? Certain. However California might lose half our inhabitants and nonetheless thrive. In truth, it will be an much more enticing place to stay.
I’m a fourth-generation San Franciscan, born and raised right here in California. Whereas I’ve traveled the world, I made the error of residing in one other state solely as soon as, throughout the COVID-19 years. Having had that have, I can assert with absolute certitude that only a few Californians would like to stay in Texas (of all locations!), or some other state for that matter. Even Elon Musk ceaselessly discusses this issue, sometimes referred to as “the partner downside,” referring to the difficulties of transferring for a job when you might have a household.
And eventually, when you keep up a correspondence with the poor individuals who have left, you realize a tragic story. They inevitably view the transfer with remorse. Few of those misplaced souls wouldn’t welcome the chance to maneuver again.
They’ve my utmost sympathy.
JJ Flowers, Dana Level
