California has lost a lot of business due to the higher costs here, they have moved to places with no state taxes, easyer on businesses. internet sales have hurt brick and mortar stores and so the powers that be didn't think it's fair that a brick and mortar store should be hurt they make people pay the tax and they might as well spend the money here in the state. least that's the reasoning that I've seen around and heard about after talking with a few people today. it's all economics and politics and I just want to be a artist shrug