Grocery store closures in California

[Lance]

See the story here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compani ... 33#image=1


I've been reading a lot lately about California grocery stores (among other stores) are closing up shop at a fast and unprecedented rate. I understand they want grocery stores to do the following, as I quote below. This is also happening with pharmacies and other important stores.

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"The Grocery Protection Act essentially requires grocery stores to provide at least 6 months' notice before closing. It also requires the business to find a grocer to take its place and assist in building a plan to ensure that residents have groceries in their area. This is in an effort to ensure residents have access to groceries and other necessities."
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That last sentence in the quote above: is this REALLY MY RESPONSIBILITY?

If I owned a grocery store, not a Safeway, Wegmans, or any major grocery outfit, and I find I'm having overwhelming pilferage, unsafe conditions for employees and customers, and I'm not making the revenue to keep the place going, realizing I could go bankrupt at any point, I cannot close the store, period (without meeting the above requirements). I've lost the ability to run my business as I believe it should be - or to close it. The local government is deciding all this for me. Even if it is a large corporation with many stores, who make their own corporate decisions, they have to follow the Grocery Protection Act.

What is your take on these kinds of proposals?

[Belle]

It's the opportunity cost, Lance, of having people do as they please without fear of the law and an ideology which calls for 'de-funding the police'. Well, who in the world would have thought business would leave the state of California!!?? My 12 year old grand-daughter, maybe?

One million people have already left that state, according to a discussion with Dave Rubin - who did the same himself. Rubin supported an opponent of Governor Newsom and within days found himself audited by the state!!! The very next day, he says, he and his partner decided to leave California.

California; beautiful one day, horrendous the next.

[Lance]

The subject of store closures is getting worse by the day. It's almost as if the state is becoming a gestapo state ... you can't run or close your business. And it is up to you or the corporation to find a replacement after your six months notice of leaving.

No, I once loved my visits to California, but there is no way I would ever live in that state at this time - or anytime in the future. Besides, if you EXIT the state, they are imposing an EXIT TAX based on your entire worth! They don't want to lose the big taxpayers, but most of those have already left - the smaller guy, who is tax poor, wants to leave but may not be able to afford to. What a terrible situation to wake up to each day. New York State is bad enough, but not quite as bad as California - at least not yet. Remember what I said about the US being halfway down the toilet ... well, sometimes I believe we are almost THERE. All around me, I have never seen so many angry, unhappy people everywhere I go. The unrest is incredible.

[jserraglio]

The economy of the State of California is the largest in the United States, with a $3.89 trillion gross state product (GSP) as of 2023. It is the largest sub-national economy in the world.

If California were a sovereign nation (2024), it would rank in terms of nominal GDP as the world's fifth largest economy, ahead of both India (3.176 trillion) and the United Kingdom (3.131 trillion). —Wikipedia

And Australia (1.7 trillion) ranked 14th, with just 1/3 fewer people than Cal., it produces far less than half (44%) of Cal.’s GDP!!! Q.E.D.

[Lance]

Understand that ... but wouldn't you say California is among the worst states at this time in terms of huge debt, and imposing Exit taxes, etc.? Where is all this going to end up? Now problems with the $20/minimum wage for fast food outlets ... businesses are closing right and left, general major shopping areas are now bare, no population to support stores no longer there. Hate to be bleak, but the outlook just doesn't look good. People can absorb only so much. Life there for a major part of the population must be quite uncomfortable.

The economy of the State of California is the largest in the United States, with a $3.89 trillion gross state product (GSP) as of 2023. It is the largest sub-national economy in the world.

If California were a sovereign nation (2024), it would rank in terms of nominal GDP as the world's fifth largest economy, ahead of both India (3.176 trillion) and the United Kingdom (3.131 trillion). —Wikipedia

And Australia (1.7 trillion) ranked 14th, with just 1/3 fewer people than Cal., it produces far less than half (44%) of Cal.’s GDP!!! Q.E.D.

[Belle]

Bigger isn't better. It's the same as saying something is good because it's popular. Doah!!

People are moving away in droves from California for the reasons you state, Lance. Mainly to Texas and Florida (Rubin says there's no income tax there). My doctor and her family wouldn't leave their hotel room in SF after 8pm as it's just too dangerous on the streets.

Those progressive states; working a treat, guys! If you like Dante's Inferno. When people vote with their feet you know that most of them get it!!

[jserraglio]

I would not, Lance. The modest exit tax allows Cal (1) to recoup some of its investment in businesses and individuals who have enjoyed the unique dynamic economic environment offered by the state & used it to accumulate wealth; and (2) to close a loophole that allows wealthy people to avoid paying their fair share of taxes by relocating.

And, Belle, not for the first time you entirely miss the point: WHY, even after the numbers are adjusted to reflect the difference in population, are Californians on average still some 11% more productive than Australians? It’s not because Cal.’s economy is bigger but because its economy is far more technologically advanced and has been for decades.

You still value productivity, don’t you; or have you been utterly co-opted by nativist socialism?

Ever hear of Silicon Valley?? Own an iPhone?? Doah!!

[Lance]

Joe, I respond in bold to some of what you write:

I would not, Lance. The modest exit tax I understand it is not very modest allows Cal (1) to recoup some of its investment in businesses and individuals who have enjoyed the unique dynamic economic environment offered by the state & used it to accumulate wealth; and But, during the time that people and companies lived/worked in California, they paid taxes on their income or money acquired in their businesses (which may have been substantial) like we all do. (2) to close a loophole that allows wealthy people to avoid paying their fair share of taxes by relocating. As mentioned above, if they have already paid their share of taxes on their investment and/or salaries and decide to leave the state to live or set up shop elsewhere, why pay more tax just for leaving? When Bezos left his state, I read somewhere that he saved $600 million dollars by exiting when he did. If I live in New York State (which I do) and had a healthy profit-making business and have paid my share of company and personal taxes to the state all that time - and decide to move my operation to Pennsylvania, for example, why should I pay more tax just because I exit? Isn't that my right? I read recently the great Remington Arms Company of Ilion, New York, left the town, moved to Georgia, and is now closing up shop for good. One of the reasons they left was because of gun laws in the state, but also it was costing mega dollars to stay in the state. Many jobs were lost in this small town, which will play havoc with the town's economy. Those things, I do understand.

[jserraglio]

What these tax dodgers were doing was to exploit a loophole that allowed them to effectively shelter their wealth by moving it out of state after having employed their home state as a stepping stone for accumulating that wealth. It is a ploy similar to moving one's money to an offshore tax haven.

California found itself in a position not unlike that of the wife who has put her philandering hubby thru law school, only to be cast aside after he makes partner and develops a lech for Georgia, a younger broad fresh out of FSU with balloons for boobs. Now, I wouldn’t begrudge the effing bastard his absolute right to do that (after all, even Johnny Carson noted that "a stiff pri*k knows no conscience"), but he shouldn't bitch when he finds out it's gonna cost him!

Besides, the exit tax is hardly large enough to encumber a billionaire that has deluded himself into believing he is entitled to receive even more govt-funded welfare, over and above the wining and dining, the tax incentives, the roads, bridges and communication infrastructure, the workforce, the intellectual capital, the fire, police, health, utilities and other social services, the dynamic business environment, and the prestige the state has already showered him with, perks he reaped that helped him build his wealth in the first instance.

[Lance]

Very interesting comments, Joe. Thank you.

[Belle]

You think so, Lance? "Tax dodgers", "wealth", "hiding". Hardly the badinage of the Algonquin Round Table and typically laced with bitterness and bile, sans facts.

[Lance]

Who knows what to think any more? Everything is so convoluted. I just think it's all a big mess.

[Belle]

Who knows what to think any more? Everything is so convoluted. I just think it's all a big mess.

Don't over-think it, just do what you do - do well!!

[jserraglio]

You think so, Lance? "Tax dodgers", "wealth", "hiding". Hardly the badinage of the Algonquin Round Table and typically laced with bitterness and bile, sans facts.

Good on you, dear , standing tall for and making common cause with your own cohort!!

I must say I played very hard ball when it came to taxation!!

Greed is good. 🤨

[Belle]

On the contrary, it's your Democratic Party which is the party of big business these days! Big time. The Left grew rich!

As I've said before, I'm not going into a battle of wits with the totally un-armed. It wouldn't be fair.

[jserraglio]

As I've said before, I'm not going into a battle of wits with the totally un-armed. It wouldn't be fair.

A wise strategy for the witless. 🥹

[Lance]

Hey, all I can say is I love you all being here. We have a great platform; not everyone will agree with what is said, but at least we can say it. I just wish for a more peaceful world. More great music, more art, more of everything that makes life better.