Readers React: California vs. Texas

Republicans should read this carefully: Businesses are not running away from California. (“Was Toyota driven out of California? Not so fast,” May 1)

Wal-Mart, which realized several years ago that it could no longer adequately service its California stores from Nevada and Arizona, built a distribution center in Colton. Amazon has opened AmazonFresh facilities in San Francisco and Inglewood. Moreno Valley will soon be home to a new Amazon fulfillment center.

Google has spread divisions throughout California, including in Venice. Both Kia and Hyundai have their U.S. headquarters in Orange County.

Yes, a few greedy, selfish and heartless companies have left because they value the almighty dollar over hardworking, dedicated and loyal employees. California will always be a beacon for business, innovation, technology and abundant opportunities.

Deborah Cunningham-Skurnik

Rancho Santa Margarita

The Times plays loose with the figures.

Yes, California has higher wages, but this isn’t that meaningful when taking into account the substantially higher costs of housing. And while Toyota and a few other companies cited may have left for reasons besides a poor business climate, the article addressed only a few of the 60 companies reported to have left California for Texas over the last two years.

In fact, a Times article on Sunday reported the woes of our signature movie industry, with production days still down by nearly 2,000 since 2004. The article on Toyota, in contrast, would suggest that California needs to maintain its course, which brings to mind the Titanic.

Larry Eisenberg

Los Angeles