Despite similarities in their histories and demographic makeup, Texas and California differ greatly in terms of their respective approaches to public policy. With its low taxes and “hands-off” economic policies, Texas’ economy is booming and the state is experiencing a population inflow. Meanwhile, California’s recent experience has been quite the opposite, thanks to its expensive and increasingly incompetent government, says Michael Barone, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).
California has gone in for big government in a big way, says Barone:
Texas differs vividly from California, says Barone:
In the meantime, Texas’ economy has been booming. Unemployment rates have been below the national average for more than a decade, as companies small and large generate new jobs, says Barone.
And Americans have been voting for Texas with their feet, says Barone:
Source: Michael Barone, Low-Tax Texas Beats Big-Government California, Washington Examiner, March 7, 2010.
For more on Government Issues: http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_Category=33
First published by the National Center for Policy Analysis, Dallas and Washington, USA
FMF Policy Bulletin/ 16 March 2010
