Since Texas taxes at a much lower rate than California, I don't see how they have "much more" to spend. In fact, the most recent numbers I was able to get were for 2002. In 2002 the average per-pupil spending in Texas was 6,145. In California, it was 6,298. It could have something to do with their reform efforts which were conducted under both democrat and republican governors. While union power is less overall because of the decline of industrial unions, the growth of the power of public employee unions has been great. Where the citizens don't pay enough attention to issues, the unions buy all of the candidates. In San Jose for instance, a solid majority of the council are products of the South Bay Labor Council machine. That has only happened in recent years when union were becoming weaker. Cindy is their candidate for mayor. In my wife's district where she teaches, the union took control of the school board in recent years. They brag about it in the union newsletters.