You're right on all counts. This state is becoming less business -- AND LESS RESPONSIBLE-ADULT -- friendly every month. California built up a hell of momentum because of its climate and initial strengths (entertainment industry, excellent public schools, superb freeway system, etc.). But each of those items, and plenty more, have been going downhill for at least 30 years. Even the longstanding production/entertainment companies have stopped using California to produce films/TV because of the littany of games they must play (and "fees" they must pay) before the cameras are allowed to roll.
I see people "cashing out" of this state everyday. In the past six months I've had two neighbors within 60 yards of my house sell and move to Austin, which I find ironic because I've been seriously looking into that city for about 15 years (and I moved hear 13 years ago, so it easily could have gone the other way...). At some point the traffic, pollution, population demographics, school system, politics and police-state antics will drive me out. The trick is to get out while the gettin's good.
These fee-based cameras (along with fee-based policies like "Operation Safe Canyons") are convincing me that time is getting short...