To the editor: Earlier than the adjustments to the cap-and-invest system described within the Sunday version, California was competing with a handful of states for probably the most anti-business state within the U.S. (“After heated debate, California updates key climate limit. Critics say it’s a retreat,” Could 29) Legislators have made many adjustments which are each pro- and anti-business, which primarily cancel one another out. That leaves California because the front-runner for the doubtful distinction.
All refineries will nonetheless depart California, maybe one or two years later than they might have beforehand. The state’s anti-electricity-generation insurance policies stay about the identical if you internet the adjustments, leaving California with some of the highest prices for electrical energy of any state. Most drivers nonetheless don’t need electrical vehicles and by no means will. Members of Congress will both be voted out of workplace or bankrupt their counties with huge subsidies in the event that they power everybody to purchase them.
The legal guidelines of capitalism can’t be damaged, and environmentalists’ persevering with makes an attempt to that finish will solely improve the variety of hard-working, income-tax-paying individuals who depart California and improve the affordability crises for many who keep. California already received its contest with Hawaii and New York for highest income taxes of any state and its Legislature continues to debate extra will increase. We haven’t received the award for highest sales taxes of any state, however we’ve got come shut and can proceed to.
Regardless of this unimaginable tax burden, California (and particularly Los Angeles) doesn’t manage to pay for to repair its potholes and damaged sidewalks.
Gordon Binder, Pasadena
