WSJ editorial write Allysia Finley opines on the out-migration of working class Californians in search of employment and lower housing costs, contrasting it with in-migration of the same class of Americans during the Depression - also on video.
Finley's piece is based on recent findings from the U.S. Census American Community Survey that show who is leaving the Golden State, and who is not. Similar findings were reported here based on reports from San-Francisco based real-estate firm Trulia.
(M)ost of California's outward-bound migrants are low- to middle-income, with relatively little education...Their median household income is about $40,000—two-thirds of the statewide median—and about 95% earn less than $80,000.
But contrary to conservative lore, there has been no millionaires' march to Texas or other states with no income tax. In fact, since 2005 California has experienced a net in-migration of households earning more than $200,000
Finley points the blame squarely on Sacramento lawmakers for the out-migration as one might expect from the Wall Street Journal editorial board.
(I)t is ironic that many of the intended beneficiaries of California's liberal government are running for the state line—and that progressive policies appear to be what's driving them away.
While she rightfully points to restrictive municipal zoning laws for increasing housing costs, she misses the main reason for those laws, attributing them to attempting to control "suburban sprawl". Finley probably had 'urban growth boundaries' in mind - but far more common is zoning that restricts higher density housing and mixed-used developments that keep property values and rents high, and add to suburban sprawl as opposed to controlling it.
As Harvard public-policy professor Daniel Shoag documents in a working paper, land restrictions became common in high-income enclaves during the 1970s—coinciding with the burgeoning of California's real-estate bubble—and have increased income-based segregation and inequality.
Indeed - "liberal" groups like Public Advocates have taken on restrictive zoning and growth control ordinances in those "high income enclaves" such as Pleasanton and Menlo Park in an effort to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Finley points to the attractiveness of Houston's low housing values - lower than Fresno's - but unlike that city's nearly 15% unemployment rate, Houston's rate is 6%.
Editor's Note: For another counterargument to Finley's claims see Ed Kilgore's post in Washington Monthly.
FULL STORY: Opinion: The Reverse-Joads of California Low- and middle-income residents are fleeing the state.
How Overly Restrictive Land Use Regulations Hurt the Nation's Economy
Two economics professors from the University of Chicago and the University of California, Berkeley argue that the housing crisis doesn't just affect booming coastal cities. It's a national problem.
City of Los Angeles Tops 4 Million in Latest State Population Report
As usual, California's fastest growing counties were inland, far from coastal job centers. The big surprise was that the fastest growing city was an affluent Silicon Valley suburb that had been sued in 2012 by affordable housing advocates.
Houston Densifies and Diversifies Housing
It's been over 12 years since Houston last planned for denser development patterns, but an updated code is on the way to lure an ever growing population away from the suburbs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie