[Danimal16]

Having dealt with the environmental regulatory situation in the state, there is no doubt that there is a relationship between "do gooders" large engineering and construction conglomerates and the state regulatory bodies. And what is ironic about it is the "do Gooders" are being manipulated by the other two. The amount of money generated by constant and unscientifically supported environmental legislation in the state is mind boggling. Just look at the items in the budget that are for land conservancies. The implementation of septic management systems, AB 885 is the most blatant example of this and it shows the very real and dangerous shift from the regulatory focus of the past on the manufacturing and business sector to individual citizens. I would bet money that there will be other examples of this for property owners.

The real estate boom is, IMHO, brought on by the failure of the state leadership at all levels to focus on sustainable funding. Property tax reform, i.e. prop 13 is now coming to haunt the state. This led to the current overvaluation of real estate, or at least paid a huge role in it. Think of it, if the revenue source for government is in large part dependent on the sale of real estate why not let the stuff just go up and up. I am no expert on the financing or the details of the economy, but the dependency on real estate transactions must shape the policy minds of local and state politicians. It will get far worse before it gets better.

And yes there is an attitude that has developed in the state that I noticed in the mid 1980s that is not similar to the attitude of the old timers of my youth. It is a beautiful state that is not what it was. Very sad.