A new regulation in California bans the use of toxic insecticides on state lands to protect birds, bees, and other pollinators.

Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.

In short:

• The California Fish and Game Commission has prohibited neonicotinoid pesticides on lands managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• The regulation, effective July 1, affects more than 1 million acres of wildlife habitats and refuges.
• This decision follows a 2017 petition by Earthjustice, highlighting the dangers of neonics to native birds.

Key quote:

“Systemic insecticides like neonicotinoids have no place on public lands. They are harmful to a wide variety of species and the biodiversity throughout ecosystems.”

— Greg Loarie, attorney for Earthjustice

Why this matters:

Pollinators play an indispensable role in the ecosystem, aiding in the reproduction of around 75% of flowering plants and a substantial portion of food crops. However, their populations have been in alarming decline, largely due to the widespread use of harmful pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change. By eliminating toxic insecticides from state lands, California is setting a precedent that prioritizes ecological health and biodiversity.

“How expensive?” tracks measurements of California’s totally unaffordable housing market.

The pain: Even California workers making more than 75% of all jobs will struggle to buy a home.

The source: My trusty spreadsheet created an “affordability” index comparing the 75th percentile income in 50 states as of May 2023 – that’s the median of the upper half of all annual wages – from the Bureau of Labor Statistics against the median home value, as tracked by Zillow.

The pinch

In a state where roughly half of all households own their home, it’s not hard to see why the 75th percentile pay is typical for house hunters.

In California this annual pay ranks third-highest in the nation at $93,250 versus $70,035 nationally. That’s 33% higher.

Tops for upper-crust paychecks was Massachusetts at $98,110, then Washington at $95,180. Lows? Mississippi at $55,870, Arkansas at $58,900, and South Dakota at $59,980. California rivals Texas was No. 22 at $72,640 and Florida was No. 30 at $67,600.

Then ponder pricing, California’s bane.

The typical statewide residence was No. 2 costliest in the US last year at $753,800 versus $325,750 nationally. That’s 131% higher. Yes, more than double.

Top home prices were in Hawaii at $848,700. No 3. was Massachusetts at $586,600. Lows? West Virginia at $157,400, Mississippi at $177,100, and Kentucky at $200,300. Texas was No. 29 at $305,600. Florida was No. 17 at $390,800.

The point of pain

Now, think about who can afford to buy a home.

Imagine the buying power of a 7% mortgage for a borrower devoting 40% of those 75th percentage wages to the house payment.

In California, these wages buy you 61% of the typical residence. That ranks next-to-last and well below the 110% nationally.

Only Hawaii was worse at 45%. No. 3 was Utah at 69%. Tops was West Virginia at 193%, Ohio at 165%, and Illinois and Mississippi at 157%.

And Texas was No. 20 at 118% and Florida was No. 38 at 86%.

Jonathan Lansner is business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com