Republicans’ ‘real-live experiment’ with Kansas’s economy survives a revolt from their own party

[Bamspeedy]

Personally I think the rankings should have given more weight to roads and bridges than internet access. How to fairly balance the rankings to give some states who have greater challenges (like population density) I don't know.

Last thing about the rankings and the thread topic, so where was Kansas ranked before this experiment? I have a feeling Kansas was not going to be in the top 10 overall rankings, with or without this experiment that's been in effect for 4-5 years. (or does someone have a very similar study from 2012 or before), There are a lot of 'best state' rankings, but they all use different criteria (best for business, best to live in, best to retire in, etc.), let alone which stats they use and how to weigh them, it's not a very valid comparison.

 

[EgonSpengler]

-Commute time (KS #5, CA #46, obviously population density has the largest effect for this stat)

Yeah, commute time and housing affordability have a lot to do with pop density. Kansas does really well in housing affordability. Meanwhile, just about 2 minutes ago, I listened to a radio program about 350-square-foot "micro" apartments that someone is trying out in my city. Overall Affordability ranking for KS is 8th (CA is 49th). But I'll have plenty of time to read more about it on my 70-minute trip home.

 

[EgonSpengler]

Personally I think the rankings should have given more weight to roads and bridges than internet access. How to fairly balance the rankings to give some states who have greater challenges (like population density) I don't know.

It might be interesting if they could somehow let the reader weight the categories themselves. otoh, we don't know what we don't know, so our weightings of the characteristics are necessarily going to be based on our own experiences.

Last thing about the rankings and the thread topic, so where was Kansas ranked before this experiment? I have a feeling Kansas was not going to be in the top 10 overall rankings, with or without this experiment that's been in effect for 4-5 years. (or does someone have a very similar study from 2012 or before), There are a lot of 'best state' rankings, but they all use different criteria (best for business, best to live in, best to retire in, etc.), let alone which stats they use and how to weigh them, it's not a very valid comparison.

This is the first time US News & World Report has done these rankings, so there's not much to compare them to. I'd also like to see how US cities compare to other places around the world.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

I think commute times in California being high is a function of lack of population density. Chicago suburbs are a lot closer to Chicago than LA suburbs are to LA. If the LA area were packed into a much smaller space density would go way up, but commute times would go down.

 

[Farm Boy]

The trains are pretty slow if you have to come in from the west, but at least you don't have to drive. My condolences if you need to take 294 or get in east past 88 during rush.

 

[Berzerker]

when I lived in socal a long time ago it was like one giant city from the grapevine to san juan capistrano, probably close to 100 miles

 

[Timsup2nothin]

when I lived in socal a long time ago it was like one giant city from the grapevine to san juan capistrano, probably close to 100 miles

Man, I wonder what sort of catastrophe decimated that?

For those who aren't in Southern California, the grapevine is now a good twenty miles deep in the Los Padres National Forest. I can't guess how old Berzerker must be, but there's a lot of old growth in that forest so this city he remembers has been gone for a century, at least.

 

[Berzerker]

back then some people considered it to include the i5 stretch climbing the mtns north out of LA

 

[Timsup2nothin]

back then some people considered it to include the i5 stretch climbing the mtns north out of LA

I-5 stretch north of LA...so the San Fernando Valley was part of the grapevine back then? Curious.

 

[Bamspeedy]

Man, I wonder what sort of catastrophe decimated that?

For those who aren't in Southern California, the grapevine is now a good twenty miles deep in the Los Padres National Forest. I can't guess how old Berzerker must be, but there's a lot of old growth in that forest so this city he remembers has been gone for a century, at least.

Or simply confusion over where the 'Grapevine' actually begins:

Grapevine
From Caltrans, "Most travelers think the portion of I-5 called the Grapevine begins at the north end of Castaic in the Santa Clarita Valley where the freeway begins a northerly climb at Parker Road -- and where the California Highway Patrol closes the freeway when snow or icy conditions northward prohibit safe travel. But this is not where the actual Grapevine is located. What they would be traveling on, instead, is what is most commonly known as the beginning of the five-mile grade where I-5 sharply rises to the north at a grade of 5% -- and the beginning of a 40 mile journey over the Tehachapi Mountains from northern Los Angeles County to the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County.

After the five mile grade, comes Templin Highway at about the 3,000-feet level. Proceeding north one encounters 22.5 more miles north on a rolling, meandering drive by Frazier Mountain through the Gorman area and the highest point of the drive at an altitude of 4,183 feet, and the summit of this famous drive.

Continuing northerly from the summit is a slight drop in altitude and in six more miles one reaches Fort Tejon, a state historic monument. Fort Tejon was established in 1854 to suppress stock rustling, which was rampant at that time, and to protect the Native Americans in the San Joaquin Valley. It is here where the actual portion of freeway known as the Grapevine actually begins."

Most Southern Californians know this area to be a trouble spot for winter travelers, as it is often closed, stranding motorists for hours.

Locals' Tip: If snow is predicted over 3,000 feet, using Hwy 101 will avoid this area. Keep in mind, it can be sunny in Santa Clarita, while The Grapevine is experiencing a blizzard.

http://santaclaritaguide.com/Glossary.html

Mapquest says 93 miles between Castaic and San Juan Capistrano.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Castaic to San Juan Capistrano isn't uninterrupted city now, and it certainly wasn't a long time ago. In fact referring to Castaic as "city" at all is a stretch.

 

[Berzerker]

where i5 climbs the mtns north of LA

 

[Timsup2nothin]

where i5 climbs the mtns north of LA

That would be at the north edge of Castaic, and again there is no "uninterrupted city" there and never has been. Before it reaches Castaic it does climb a bit through the Newhall Pass at the north end of the San Fernando Valley. LA and the SFV are uninterrupted city, but that's a good ways short of Castaic.

 

[Berzerker]

Or simply confusion over where the 'Grapevine' actually begins:

http://santaclaritaguide.com/Glossary.html

Mapquest says 93 miles between Castaic and San Juan Capistrano.

Wow! I imagine they've developed well south of Capistrano by now. Wont be long before LA meets San Diego

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Wow! I imagine they've developed well south of Capistrano by now. Wont be long before LA meets San Diego

Soon as California bails on the US and takes over El Toro Marine Base...which starts at the San Juan Capistrano city limits and pretty much always has.

 

[Berzerker]

That would be at the north edge of Castaic, and again there is no "uninterrupted city" there and never has been. Before it reaches Castaic it does climb a bit through the Newhall Pass at the north end of the San Fernando Valley. LA and the SFV are uninterrupted city, but that's a good ways short of Castaic.

Here's what I said:

when I lived in socal a long time ago it was like one giant city from the grapevine to san juan capistrano, probably close to 100 miles

Nothing in there about uninterrupted cities or where you think the grapevine starts... But I do recall a sign marking where the grapevine began at the base of the first serious hill leading up into the mtns. I used to drive those freeways for a living. I googled an image of socal's city lights, you should too before proceeding.

 

[Timsup2nothin]

Here's what I said:



Nothing in there about uninterrupted cities or where you think the grapevine starts... But I do recall a sign marking where the grapevine began at the base of the first serious hill leading up into the mtns. I used to drive those freeways for a living. I googled an image of socal's city lights, you should too before proceeding.

LOL...I don't need to, I can just go outside. But no doubt you know waaaaaaaaaaaay better than me.

By the way, if "one giant city" doesn't imply "uninterrupted" in your native language you should ask for a refund, because it sure does in everyone else's.

 

[Berzerker]

Soon as California bails on the US and takes over El Toro Marine Base...which starts at the San Juan Capistrano city limits and pretty much always has.

I remember a gap between Capistrano and San Clemente, it looks fairly filled in now

 

[Timsup2nothin]

I remember a gap between Capistrano and San Clemente, it looks fairly filled in now

Yeah, the little strip along the beach has filled in. Inland of that strip is the base though, and it cuts to the beach right there at San Clemente. Until the marines give up their base LA and San Diego can't really get any closer. By the time you get far enough inland to get around it things get pretty rugged.

Brain drift: that's Pendleton, not El Toro.

 

[Berzerker]

LOL...I don't need to, I can just go outside. But no doubt you know waaaaaaaaaaaay better than me.

By the way, if "one giant city" doesn't imply "uninterrupted" in your native language you should ask for a refund, because it sure does in everyone else's.

You can go outside and do what? I said it 'was like one giant city'... In my native language "was like" doesn't imply identical or uninterrupted. And google an image of socal's lights. Its uninterrupted from NLA to Capistrano and beyond. Its actually amazing how far inland the blob of light appears.