We continue to believe in the government’s power to do good. But seriously, California, some things seem to have gotten completely out of hand.

We speak again of that near-invisible form of local government called “special districts” — usually single-purpose agencies that form an awe-inspiring patchwork quilt above, below and alongside your higher-profile city and county governments. Some special districts deliver your water. Others cart away your sewage. Still others handle regional transportation, fire services, health care, cemeteries … heck, some even battle mosquitos and rats! Heaven knows we need separate little governments for that.

Anyway, the money these districts amass can truly take one’s breath away. So much so that the state’s earnest (but unfortunately toothless) watchd

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