The average home price in California is almost 250 percent above the national average, while the monthly housing rent in the state is nearly 50 percent higher than the national level.

Independent Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Lawrence McQuillan has created the California Golden Fleece Awards to highlight a state or local spending program or regulation that fleeces California taxpayers, consumers, or businesses.

This Golden Fleece Award goes to California’s state and local politicians, government regulators, and anti-development activists. Together, they have succeeded in artificially creating the worst housing crisis in America.