It is easy to oversimplify a complex situation. But first, what is the source of Tucker's claim that "More than a third of California’s population now hovers around the poverty line." Q..v.,  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_poverty_rate
In 2018, CA was #26:
26 California 12.8%
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45 Alabama 16.8%
46 Kentucky 16.9%
47 Arkansas 17.2%
48 West Virginia 17.8%
49 Louisiana 18.6%
50 New Mexico 19.5%
51 Mississippi 19.7%
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Why not be thankful that the State Leadership of AL, KY, AK, WV, LA, NM, and MS have not ascended to national leadership positions? (I don't include Mitch McConnell KY as a State Leader solely responsible for KY having the 46th worst poverty situation even though he is trying to make things worse nationwide.)
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What accounts for the widening income and wage gaps THROUGHOUT the entire US? Is it something that CA did or is it something like a massive federal tax reduction that put even more money into the hands of the top 1%?  
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I have read a variety of stories about trends in CA that may or may not be representative. E.g., as high tech companies expand, they create high paying positions that attract what can be described as yuppies. That drives up the local rents, leads to gentrification of poor (lower cost) neighborhoods, and forces people of low income and limited means onto the streets.  
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Another story (typical? exemplary?) is automation.  Although its effect is nationwide, it may be having a larger impact in CA. Automation is eliminating more jobs than off-shoring. Think tanks and others have suggested some sort of "automation tax" to cover the public support needed for the increasing numbers of people left unemployed. Is CA industry automating faster than other areas of the country? Should CA state leadership pass regulations or taxes to control or deal with poverty created by increasing automation?  Will that be needed throughout the US?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_0TOCR_OIk