California is a leader in many ways, including screwing things up.  In 2007, the size of economic output in California was huge.  If California had been a country, it would have had the world's 10th largest economy.  So now the state legislators have taken measures that could put more strain on the economy.

What the state did was sign into effect a very aggressive plan to cut greenhouse emissions.  The new regulations are bound to put a strain on businesses and consumers in a state that already has huge physical problems.  The plan includes regulations on building materials and locations, tougher emission standards for automobiles and requiring utility providers to generate a third of their electricity from renewable sources.  So what Californians will probably see is more expensive new construction for homes and businesses, higher electric costs (wind and solar cost a lot) and more expensive automobiles.

I understand that many people love California for many reasons, but how many will decide to leave and move to less expensive areas like Texas?  Time will tell.