California, Texas, and Public Policy

For Monday, read Miller ch. 11-13.

On Monday, we shall adjourn at noon for course evaluations.  Bring your devices.

Political Background Review

• News deserts in California and Texas
• "The Lone Star  Constitution places many shackles on state government" (Miller 135).
• "Redeemer Constitution"
• Lieutenant Governor
• California Constitution -- the Progressive imprint
• Annual legislative salaries: 
• Texas: $7,200 California: $114,877

Back to the NYT video

Taxes and Fiscal Policy

Stanford study:

BUT CONSIDER DISTRIBUTIONAL EFFECT

• TEXAS 
• CALIFORNIA

California income tax: Top 1 percent of taxpayers now generate half of personal income tax receipts.

 The federal picture: Average Federal Tax Rates, by Income Group, 1979 to 2018

Union representation in 2021: 

• Texas 4.7%
• California: 17.8%

Opportunity Atlas