How local gov't policies make life worse for the poor

Why does California have one of the highest poverty rates in the country? Part of the answer: the state's very high costs for necessities such as rent, gasoline, and utilities. Dan Walters of CalMatters explores how gov't policies make it even more expensive to live in the state, worsening the condition of our low-income neighbors.

Restrictive land zoning processes, arbitrary building standards and crushing fees, for instance, make it nearly impossible to build cost-effective housing for low and moderate income families, and the shortage of such housing drives up rents.

Overly complicated state and local regulations on business and professions throw up roadblocks that make it difficult for enterprising poor. Californians to lift themselves up.

California's public schools are notoriously lax in educating children from disadvantaged backgrounds. When the state gave schools billions of extra dollars to close what's called the "achievement gap" local officials directed much of the money to other purposes. 

A coalition called Debt Free Justice California issued a report on how very hefty "civil assessments" tacked onto minor offenses, including traffic offenses, create a vicious cycle for those who can't afford them. 

"First do no harm" is an age-old credo about medical treatment. If California politicians want to help the poor, they first should stop harming them.

This article originally appeared in CalMatters. Read the whole thing here.

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