The tax rates used to be....
Dinosaurs used to roam the earth....

My used to be is that here in 1963 Los Angeles the combined sales tax rate was 3%. In 2010 the rate was 9.75%. That increase combined with the higher cost of goods...on the order of 10X since 1963...accounts for increased of over 30X what revenue was in 1963 which is even more when one considers the increased population paying these taxes. Yet, today Los Angeles is a city in decay, with fewer amenities and infrastructure...and the same can be said for the state as whole (or hole, if you prefer).

For those of you who want sources, I sourced my information leading to my conclusion in the original post. I'll look at your sources in refutation...but I forgot Greg doesn't refute, he only avers.