More cheery news about California

So, let's continue Richard Rider's  statistical look at California under the control of the lefties in Sacramento. I'm going to put these in one humongous paragraph. It's overwhelming, but so are the results.

Our state's 2013 “business tax climate” ranks 3rd worst in the nation – behind New Jersey and (no surprise here) New York state, according to taxfoundation.org. The American Tort Reform Association now ranks CA the “worst judicial hellhole” in U.S. – extremely anti-business. But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks CA higher – “only” the 4th worst state (unfortunately, sliding from 7th worst in 2008). How's that for progress? In addition, CA tickets are incredibly high. Red-light camera ticket $490. Next highest state is $250. Most are around $100. Our state  needlessly licenses more occupations than any state – 177. Second worst state is Connecticut at 155. The average for the states is 92.CA has the 3rd highest state workers compensation rates, up from 5th in 2010. Tax Foundation study ranks CA as the 4th worst taxed state. But if counting ONLY in-state and local taxes, we are arguably the 2nd highest. Then there's unemployment. California has the 5th worst state unemployment rate (August, 2013) – 8.9%. National unemployment rate 7.3%. National unemployment rate not including CA is 7.1%, making the CA unemployment rate 25.7% higher than the average of the other 49 states (one of the better performances we’ve managed in several years). How are we doing with education? CA public school teachers the 4th highest paid in the nation. CA students rank 48th in math achievement, 49th in reading.

OK, that's enough depressing news for now. The Golden State indeed.