Has California jumped the shark? May 24th, 2010

That’s the question I’ve been asking myself recently as a California resident. Living in this state, especially in the L.A. or Bay Area locales, comes at a steep premium by almost every measure. We pay a 7.25% state sales tax, up to a 10.5% income tax, a 35 cent per gallon gas tax, and a host of other miscellaneous fees and withholding taxes. On top of facing the highest aggregate tax burden in the country, we Golden State dwellers have substantially higher housing costs. Has California officially jumped the shark?

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