Letters: There are good reasons for California's high cost of living

"As I told one new resident decades ago, "It's the sunshine tax." Just look at the national weather map throughout the year, and you'll find a smorgasbord of undesirable combinations of national weather events year-round. California's weather is not perfect, and we do have the odd earthquake and - with global warming - increased fire danger, but that is being addressed. It's called "government," and yes, good roads, good social programs and good public services do cost more."

"There have been several changes to Proposition 13 tax exemptions since it was first passed, and it's regrettable that a person must sell a home they have inherited for financial reasons. But it's equally regrettable that two homeowners on the same street pay wildly different taxes based on whether they inherited or bought their homes. When you inherit a $2 million home in California, you escape the capital gains appreciation and only pay increased property tax on the value over $1 million."

California's higher cost of living arises from a combination of desirable climate, built infrastructure, and public services that require funding. Natural hazards such as earthquakes and increased wildfire risk exist but are managed through government investment and programs. Market supply-and-demand dynamics interact with responsive policy choices to shape affordability. Proposition 13 exemptions have evolved and create unequal tax outcomes between inherited and purchased homes. Inherited properties can retain low assessed values, limiting tax increases; inheriting a $2 million home may result in increased property tax only on value above $1 million. Proposition 13 was originally intended to help seniors remain in their homes.

Read at The Mercury News