Another New California Law Will Have More Moving to Arizona

Oh, California. You do love your ridiculous laws. In Arizona, we believe that our citizens deserve to keep more of their own money. California, it seems, prefers a system that punishes working Americans with unintended consequences.

California’s New Income-Based Electricity Billing: A Game Changer or a Deal Breaker?

Let's hope this concept doesn't migrate to other states. California passed a law that will take effect next year, which could lead to its citizens fleeing like never before. The new law will change the way electricity bills are calculated in California.

Traditionally, electric customers are billed based on how much electricity they use.  They're usually charged based on a flat rate, times the amount consumed. In some places, the rate changes based on the time of day the electricity is used to encourage customers to use appliances like washers and dryers in the evening when fewer people run things like air conditioner units.

All of this will be tipped on its head. California's new law will tie electricity charges to household income. Lawmakers believe this will alleviate the financial burden on lower-income families while asking wealthier residents to contribute more.

READ: A California Law Forced a Controversial Crack-Down on AZ Shoppers

But it's not hard to see where this will lead. Arizona and the surrounding states better brace for impact because there's a good possibility we'll see an even greater influx of disgruntled Californians headed our way.

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Progressive Electric Billing Could Lead to Mass Exodus from California

California's new law will create a fixed charge on electricity bills based on income brackets. According to CNET.com, customers who earn under $28,000 could save up to $300 a year.

Anyone who makes over $180,000 could see their bill jump to around $500 annually. The way lawmakers intend this to work is to distribute the cost of maintaining and upgrading California’s aging power grid more equitably.

It's not hard to see what could happen, though. California's rich will not stick around to see how much more they can pay to maintain the crumbling infrastructure. In the new "work anywhere" economy, those with means will flee the state, leaving those in lower income brackets right where they started.

The High Cost of Living in California

California already has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, and additional charges like this could be the last straw for anyone who may already be thinking about moving. Will that mean more refugees from the Golden State eyeing Arizona and our neighboring states as a more reasonable alternative?

Supporters believe this move will help level the playing field, but if history is a teacher, this will all collapse when there's no one left to pay the higher prices, settling the burden on the backs of the poor once again.