Miracle in California — Stopping the Cancer of Big Government!

Dear Readers: I wanted to lead off the post today with some great news, courtesy of my heroes at Hot Air! It seems that a heavily Democratic district in the Bay Area is closely more closely contested than it has been in previous history, and some Democratic pundits have expressed concern about tonight’s results. Personally, I think it is raising expectations, so that the inevitable Democratic win in that district will be made by the elite media to minimize any conservative victory in VA, NJ or NY. However, it is just too good to dispute at this moment, so I will savor the optimism. I am praying diligently for “A Miracle in the 10th.”

California is in need of a lot of miracles. I had the privilege of talking with Bryan Bloom yesterday, a heroic citizen activist hoping to save our state’s businesses from its perpetual over-regulation. Bryan said something so profound yesterday, that I wanted to take the opportunity to repeat it:

Everyone gets taxed, and its like losing blood. It is unpleasant, but survivable. Over-regulation is a cancer. It is slow, painful, and often not diagnosed until it is too late. It kills businesses.

(MUT Note: Chris Reed, host of “Top Story” on KOGO AM 600 interviewed Bryan related to the Chamber of Commerce meeting that focused on the effects of over-regulation on state’s enterprises. The podcast can be found by clicking HERE! More on Chris Reed and Top Story can be found by clicking HERE).

Bryan professed enormous frustration in dealing with the behemoth that is the California bureaucracy. For example, the California Air Resources Board is just NOW becoming responsive to the numerous complaints from regulated businesses, and just beginning to recognize the unintended consequences on employment and productivity of the implementation of their diesel exhaust regulations. Bryan wanted to note that Assemblyman Dan Logue has been on the front-lines of this battle, and led a fact-finding tour to Nevada.

No! Dan did not go to Vegas! He located expatriate Californians, in a quest to learn why they fled our state. Louge’s findings are detailed HERE; a brief but shocking excerpt is below:

Another business owner stated he was dogged by so much state regulation and high taxes that he felt unwelcome in California.

“They treat you like an enemy not like someone who is creating wealth and jobs and opportunity,” said Steve Patmont, owner of Patmont Motor Werks, who moved his business from Pleasanton to Nevada.

“Nevada is a place that appreciates those of us who are job creators,” he testified. “I went to Nevada and they rolled out the red carpet. ‘I say ‘God Bless America’ and ‘Thank God for Nevada.’”
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Assemblyman Villines repeatedly asked the participants if they were asked by state or local officials why they were leaving and what could be done to change their minds. All stated that no one asked that question – not one.

One of the most interesting speakers was Kris Holt, who is hired by businesses in Nevada to travel to California to recruit businesses to Nevada.

He said that California’s hostile business climate and high taxes has made his job easy.

“California is the feeder state for our job recruitment,” he said. “The State of Nevada is very grateful for California’s over regulation and over taxation of business.”

Bryan notes that the need for such draconian rules is only NOW just being questioned by members of the California Air Resources Board. “There is 40 percent fewer miles being driven, due to the poor economy,” Bryan noted. “Therefore, during a recent meeting in San Diego, results were brought up by the Board that emission levels have clearly dropped as a result of far less miles being driven by diesel trucks. Staff was asked about this and also asked why the exhibits they were showing the Board did not reflect this. The Board later demanded once again a full economic impact study.

Let me do a quick and cheap impact study for CARB. First, our compatriot W.C. Varones detailed a report from the LA Times (hardly the bastion of big business) that describes the exodus of tax-payers from this state — due to……………over-regulation! California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. A record number of California businesses are closing their doors.

Economic Impact study complete! Let the repeal begin!

On a more serious note, Byran says that California’s citizens really need to get active and involved. He indicated that the presence of citizen activists at CARB sessions and related meeting (e.g. the members of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition) made a difference, and underscored that punitive regulations based on poor science hurt everyone. He suggested that citizens contact CARB board members directly, and describe their concerns and the effects they are experiencing.

I came to discover that San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts has been a member of the California Air Resources Board since 1994. Roberts can be quite instrumental in saving Bryan’s company, and that of many other San Diegans, from the unfair fines and ridiculous mandates of CARB. His contact information is:

Webmail: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/cnty/bos/sup4/contact.html

Mailing Address: 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 335; San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 531-5544
Facsimile: (619) 531-6262
Email: ron-roberts@sdcounty.ca.gov

Also, Californians can donate to the Pacific Legal Defense fund, so they can go forward with lawsuits that can directly counter-act the over-regulation (e.g., Most CARB science-panel members have overstayed their terms of office, charges PLF lawsuit).