As the California legislative season comes to an end, we’re left to reflect on the decisions made during the 2019 session: some good, most bad, and altogether a sign of the self-destructive political times we live in.
California is a breeding ground for bold new legislative moves, an approach that is appreciated in particular enclaves around the country. Our legislation is seen as an inspiration for initiatives in Washington D.C., so what we pass often has a big impact on national policy.
Sadly, what we’ve passed isn’t anything that deserves that level of prestige or replication. Two notable examples would include the statewide rent control legislation that goes against thousands of economic studies on the negative impacts of rent control; and the gig economy bill that tore away the flexibility of freelance workers, Lyft drivers, and Uber drivers. If either of these were implemented on a national scale, the results would be catastrophic.
It’s truly a shame that our Democratic legislators are wasting the esteem that California once had, due to policy that is faulty at best and absolute garbage at worst. We need to place reckless Democrats under a more watchful eye when the next election rolls around, and call for a change in leadership. Of course, that call is best made at the ballot box.
After so much bitter experience with past failures, the least we—as the people of California—can do to contribute to greater things on the national scale is to elect responsible individuals who will bring back the glory our state once had.
