Right & Left Squeeze Tax Reform Idea
Like a vice pressuring from both sides, interests on the political right and left are trying to crush the idea of reforming the California tax code by taxing services. That makes the prospects for success daunting. Sen. Bob Hertzberg, who is leading the effort, should at least be given credit for recognizing that California is […]
Californians Have No Idea How Important Public Universities Are
Californians, I regret to inform you that your diploma is being held up. You won’t be able to graduate. You flunked higher education. Another state budget, accompanied by an eight-month-long controversy over the University of California, demonstrated once again that we Californians don’t have a clue about what our public universities mean to the state. […]
The Construction Jobs Rebound in California
In last Friday’s California jobs report by far the greatest percentage job growth was in the Construction sector. Construction employment gained 6100 jobs over the month and 36,600 jobs over the year—a 6.9% employment gain, considerably higher than the other 11 employment sectors. Let’s bring in Mr. Brandon Hooker, labor market analyst for EDD’s Labor […]
Budget Signed But … Will Legislature Upset Fiscal Balance?
The budget continues Governor Brown’s policy of fiscal restraint. While the General Fund expenditures increased by nearly $8 billion dollars over last year’s Budget Act, the Governor has ensured the state starts preparing for future economic downturns with a $6 billion reserve. The revenues show that California’s economy is improving, but growth still remains limited […]