As a republican, I fully support the right of California to torch its internet access, just like it has its infrastructure, tax base, and housing policies.
Federalism FTW.
Federalism FTW.
It was the Republicans (specifically, Howard Jarvis) who screwed the California tax base and housing policies by Proposition 13 and Proposition 218. The loss of local tax revenue following 13's passage now ties up 70% of the state revenue to prop up local governments. The 2/3 majority required by Props 13 and 218 to raise any new taxes means that it is impossible to switch away from the current tax system that results in windfalls when the market is up and disaster when the market is down. On the other hand, ballot initiatives don't need a 2/3 majority and pass relatively easily, usually issuing bonds to fund some billionaire's pet project, tying up even more of the state revenue.
The one thing that has saved California is the passage of Proposition 25, which removed the 2/3 majority requirement to pass a budget. Until that point, the Republicans held the state government over a barrel, requiring that their pork barrel projects be funded before allowing a budget to pass. Prop 25 and the Democratic supermajority has brought sanity to the small portion of the budget that the legislature can control.
https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2014/01/c...
https://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2014/01/c...
I was around in the 70s and the smog was truly horrible. We'de still have that if Republicans controlled CA for The last 3 decades.