The Future of California

Spent the weekend showing some friends from London around San Francisco in some of the most glorious weather we have had all summer. It is quite easy to show off the beauty of the Bay Area as the sun basks on some of the iconic landmarks of the Golden State. It is pretty hard to imagine the financial and political gridlock ongoing in Sacramento while taking in the sites.

Word of the political wrangling and mismanagement of the state had reached our visitors. But perhaps what was most striking to them was what was printed on the lunch menu when we sat down at a popular eatery in San Francisco. The 4% health care surcharge in SF restaurants quickly became a topic of conversation over our meal. On one hand the city is trying to address a very serious social need. On the other, it strikes as a bit of a renegade political policy--especially given the state of the state as a whole. If nothing else it is a microcosm of the multiple disconnects between state & city government, and ultimately with the citizens. California needs a comprehensive gameplan.