Here's the data:
w.
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Here’s a fact-checked breakdown of the claims from the image regarding California, based on the latest available sources (2024–2025):
1. 1 in Homelessness
• Accurate. California has the largest homeless population in the nation (187,000 people) and the highest share of unsheltered homeless. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
2. 1 in Poverty
• Accurate by Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). California consistently ranks highest in poverty rate by the SPM, at 18.9% in 2023, the highest among all states. [7] [8]
3. 1 in Addiction
• Misleading. California has the largest absolute number of overdoses due to its population, but not the highest per capita rate. States like West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio top for highest per capita opioid addiction and overdose. [9]
4. 1 in Gas Prices
• True. California has the highest average gas prices in the nation, consistently $1–$1.50 above the U.S. average. [10] [11]
5. 1 in Income Tax
• True. California has the highest state top income tax rate at 13.3% (12.3% plus a 1% surcharge for very high incomes). [12] [13]
6. 1 in Gas Tax
• True. California’s gas tax is the highest in the U.S. at 61.2 cents/gallon as of July 2025. [14]
7. 1 in Budget Deficit
• True for total dollar amount (not per capita). California’s budget deficit is the largest of any state, estimated at $38–$73 billion for 2025. [15] [16]
8. 1 in Retail Theft
• Mixed. California has high-profile retail theft cases and more reported large-value thefts than most states, but direct national rankings are hard to confirm. It is widely considered a hot spot. [17]
9. 1 in Citizen Exodus
• Partially true. California has had the nation’s largest numeric population loss in recent years, though not the highest rate per capita. Net domestic out-migration is high compared to other states.
10. 1 in COVID Mandates
11. 1 in COVID School Closures
12. 1 in COVID Business Closures
• Subjective. California had some of the strictest and longest-lasting mandates and closures, but so did New York and a few others. “1” depends on the ranking metric. California was among the most stringent. [16]
13. 1 in Illegal Immigration
• California has the largest undocumented immigrant population by absolute number, but Texas and Florida have high numbers as well. Not necessarily 1 per capita.
14. 1 in Funding Illegal Migration
• Unclear. California provides more state benefits to undocumented immigrants than most states, but “1” isn’t always quantifiable.
15. 1 in Illiteracy
• Not confirmed. California has a higher-than-average adult illiteracy rate, but not the highest (ranks around 9–10) [U.S. census & EdData].
16. 1 in Wage Stagnation
• Not confirmed. Wage growth and stagnation vary across states and sectors. California’s wage growth lags in some sectors but accelerates in others.
17. 1 in Frivolous Lawsuits
• Broad claim, often cited by legal-reform lobbies. California has many lawsuits and strict liability laws, but “1” is debatable.
18. 1 in Worker Restrictions
• California has among the strictest labor and employment regulations in the U.S., but whether it’s “1” depends on interpretation [various sources].
19. 1 in Anti-Business Regulations
• California regularly ranks near the bottom in business-friendly rankings (e.g., Forbes, Chief Executive) due to extensive regulation. Often cited as “least business-friendly,” but “1” is subjective.
Summary:
Many of these claims reflect real issues—especially homelessness, poverty (under the SPM), tax rates, gas prices, gas taxes, and budget deficit, where California is either the nation’s leader or among the top states. Other claims are broader or more subjective, sometimes lacking precise national ranking data.
If you want a breakdown or citations for additional specific claims, let me know!
[1](
ppic.org/blog/homelessness-h…)
[2](
shou.senate.ca.gov/sites/sho…)
[3](
calmatters.org/housing/homel…)
[4](
shou.senate.ca.gov/sites/sho…)
[5](
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homele…)
[6](
usafacts.org/articles/which-…)
[7](
calbudgetcenter.org/news/new…)
[8](
calbudgetcenter.org/resource…)
[9](
cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/…)
[10](
centerforjobs.org/ca/special…)
[11](
gasprices.aaa.com/?state=CA)
[12](
states.aarp.org/california/s…)
[13](
efile.com/california-tax-for…)
[14](
caltax.org/2025/06/06/cdtfa-…)
[15](
arnoldporter.com/en/perspect…)
[16](
hoover.org/research/after-10…)
[17](
cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/new…)