OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The Golden State is not so golden for a growing number of businesses seeking to escape Democrat-run California’s reams of regulations and higher costs for a much more business-friendly climate in the Lone Star State.
“According to a tally kept by the California Policy Center in its California Book of Exoduses, at least 237 companies have left California since 2005, citing the state’s ever-expanding regulatory and taxation climate. More than half of them, over 120, relocated to Texas,” Just the News reported this week.
“Since Gov. Gavin Newsom took office in 2019, companies have increasingly left California, with The Center Square reporting each year on the majority primarily relocating to Texas,” the report said, adding that 2023 was “no different.”
Of 30 companies that left California through November, the policy center said that 11 of those relocated to GOP-run Texas, primarily north Texas.
Just the News added:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has for years touted the state as the best for business and the state that attracts the most business relocations and expansion projects in the U.S.
Since he’s been in office, he’s worked with the Republican-led legislature to prioritize reducing red tape and regulations, expand job creation programs and grants, skilled workforce training programs and resources to assist small businesses. Their combined efforts, including working with businesses and public private partnerships, have paid off, he’s argued.
In 2023, Texas led the nation in job growth and creation, economic expansion, reported the greatest number of new residents, and continued to break its own employment and economic records.
Texas dominates in job growth and business relocation because “of hardworking Texans and endless possibilities for success across our great state,” he said.
“Corporate executives and business leaders across the nation continue to choose Texas because they know that the freedom and opportunity our state has to offer cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Companies are coming to Texas in droves because we offer attractive, pro-growth policies where businesses – and people – can thrive,” he added.
“With no state income tax, a reasonable regulatory environment, and a young, skilled, and growing workforce, Texas is at the helm of innovation and economic prosperity. Texas has, indeed, the No. 1 business climate in the nation,” Abbott said, as reported by Just the News.
As for Newsom, he has not declared his intent to run for the presidency, but his name continues to surface as a potential candidate because of President Joe Biden’s accelerating mental cognitive decline. And, many of his actions in recent months have been criticized by the White House as appearing to position himself for a run.
A report in August that cited several people close to the Biden administration said Newsom is getting under their skin with his constant attacks on GOP lawmakers, states, and presidential candidates in what they view as a clear attempt to position himself for a future presidential run.
According to NBC News, Newsom “is increasingly being viewed as a nuisance to some of President Joe Biden’s political advisers, according to four people familiar with the matter.”
“Though Biden’s camp no longer sees Newsom as a wannabe challenger — and some in Biden’s orbit praise him for acting as a top campaign surrogate — Newsom’s plan to debate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on television carries more risk than potential reward, these people say,” the Sunday report continued. “That has caused consternation within Biden’s operation and among Vice President Kamala Harris’ allies.”
Harris, readers may recall, was serving as one of California’s U.S. senators before Biden picked her as his running mate.
NBC News went on to report that “Harris allies take particular umbrage at what they see as Newsom’s attempt to position himself for the 2028 Democratic presidential primarily at her expense.”
“It’s disrespectful,” one of Harris’ outside advisers told the outlet. “Joe Biden is running with Kamala Harris. That’s the Democratic ticket.”
