Want to get your arms around California state government? Doesn’t seem possible, does it?
Maybe not, but you can get a good start by reviewing the Legislative Analyst’s Office’s latest publication, a 68-page pamphlet called CalFacts that the LAO hopes will "provide the reader with a broad overview of public finance and program trends in the state."
Essentially a list of Frequently Asked Questions, CalFacts does surprisingly good job of laying out and summarizing the specifics of how California government operates. Some of the more useful sections include a list of ballot measures that have affected the budget, and numbers on what services cost and where the money comes from.
It also includes several interesting facts that will play a major role in shaping debate in the coming year. For example, in 2009, personal income fell in the state for the first time since 1938; this will play a major role in legislative discussions regarding taxes.
You can download a copy of CalFacts by clicking here.