I live in San Benito County in California. We are one of the hardest hit counties economically in the entire state. Based on personal experience and observations, I would have to say most of what I read in the story is true. Every day I see more and more homeless walking the streets of my hometown unable to find a job because, as the story said, there are no new businesses and the ones left are not, or cannot, hire anyone. Half the kids at my high school receive free or reduced lunches because their parents cannot find any work. I have several friends and acquaintances or have who have been effected by this. The schools are not teaching us what we need or should be learning because the money is just not there. Schools all across the state are forced to cut programs such as sports, migrant education programs, and various other electives that were once offered to students. My school in particular has been effected by this, but not in a way you would think. We put our athletic program above academics. They encourage kids to pursue sports rather than clubs or classes focused on STEM (The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). I know at least 4 people who I know for a fact were failing classes and had a GPA lower than 2.0 who were allowed to continue playing on the football team because they were a "star" player. What really amused me was recently the school had a fundraiser the raise 100,000 dollars in order to keep the JV (Junior Varsity) sports program running. The schools varsity sports team budget is 12.5 million dollars a year. 12.5 million dollars... The final subject I will comment on is the gangs. Gangs have been a problem in every state, not just California. But I feel that it is worse here, especially in Southern California. I have seen gang related crimes rise in my city. There have been stabbings, and just a few months ago there was a gang related double homicide. The city cannot combat this because once again, there is no money. It's not just my city or county either. This is widespread, it's all over the state. I don't blame people moving out of California because frankly, I don't want to live here either.