These are very hard times for my native state, but this Guardian piece (hat tip Slate) sees better times ahead. I hope so.
I do think that the troubles can be traced back to when the (in)famous Proposition 13 was passed. The first of several financially consequential initiatives (a result of California’s constitutional affection for direct democratic decision making), it lead to the State becoming overly dependent upon economic growth for the delivery of basic services.
Discoverers and Discoveries 