Category Archives: CA Budget

Another Shot at Tax Break Democrats Love to Hate

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For the last several years, Democrats have been relentless at trying to undo a hotly debated tax incentive for large corporations that was signed into law as part of the 2009 deal. And now they're launching another shot. The 2012 … Continue reading »


Brown Appears Unsuccessful at Blocking Other Tax Measures

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Somewhere out there is a crystal ball that can tell us whether multiple tax increase initiatives on the November ballot means voters will reject all of them en masse. But until that clairvoyant device shows up, we're left to wonder … Continue reading »


Budget Dreams and Dangers of Facebook's IPO

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In the world of state budget writing, the past is often prologue. And that's why news of a tech company's dazzling initial public offering is nothing new in Sacramento, and why there's both hope… and caution. And the bottom line: … Continue reading »


Brown Urges Action, Vision In State of the State

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If there's one takeaway from Governor Jerry Brown's 2012 State of the State address, it may be this: Brown faces the unique task this year of preaching both boldness and austerity… all at the same time. The governor's roughly 20 … Continue reading »


Analyst Urges Legislators Think Hard on Brown's Tax Plans

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Governor Jerry Brown's quest to have voters approve a multi-million dollar tax increase is key to his plan for balancing the state's books. But might the uncertainty of winning that election force deep spending cuts now by officials who will … Continue reading »


The Whip Snaps at High Speed Rail... and More

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For the man whose Central Valley hometown is supposed to be an anchor point in the first construction phase of high speed rail, Rep. Kevin McCarthy seems intent on doing everything he can do block the project. And given McCarthy … Continue reading »


Reporter's Notebook: Tax Talks, Supremes and Signatures

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We may complain that there's no rest for the weary, but political junkies would be disappointed if the tasty morsels of news came to an end with the unveiling of a new state budget. Right? If your answer is yes, … Continue reading »


Surprise! The New State Budget

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The unveiling of a governor's state budget every January is an annual, and well rehearsed, ritual: budget decisions are made in late December, budget goes to the printer, gubernatorial staffers privately brief some stakeholder groups (some who leak to the … Continue reading »


Speaker Perez: Fix Water Bond. And More.

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As the Legislature returns to Sacramento, the leader of the lower house is sounding confident but cautious on some of the more challenging issues in year ahead. And so the headlines from an interview with Assembly Speaker John Perez in … Continue reading »


Panel: High Speed Rail Plans Not Fully Cooked

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A panel of independent reviewers says that without more certainty on funding and operations, any start to construction of a high speed rail system "represents an immense financial risk to the state of California." The new report is further proof … Continue reading »