UCLA Prof Peter Baldwin writes about the value of California higher education. He wants to voice enthusiasm for continued generous state support for the UC system, but he says kind things about the rise of Califronia private universities in the State also (including mine). It really is an amazing story and his comparisons with the Northeast are interesting.
There is lots of nostalgia in California for the "good old days" when the California public sector seemingly "worked." What has changed since the early 1970s or so? (a) Climate change; (b) The rise of the Internet; (c) Unionized government employees; (d) All of these; (e) None of these.
You can pick (c) if you like, but it is not really mentioned when this question comes up in polite company.