State’s Fiscal Picture a Bit Brighter in August, Says Controller

California’s August revenues were nearly $135 million above the projections in the recently enacted budget, State Controller John Chiang announced September 9.

Income taxes were above projections by $127.4 million.  Sales taxes were up $8.6 million and corporate taxes were up $46.7 million, Chaing said in his monthly cash statement.

Revenues collected in July, however, were nearly $539 million less than anticipated in the budget.    Read more »

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Chief Executives Cannot Live By Kale Alone

Gov. Jerry Brown spent part of Sunday September 11 at the Yolo Land Trust’s Annual “Day in the Country” fundraiser at Park Winters, an 1865 Victorian near Winters.

The Democratic governor, who was not accompanied by First Lady Anne Gust, practiced the diversity he says he prizes, sampling a broad swath of the creations by chefs from various Northern California eateries.    Read more »

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Gov. Jerry Brown Torpedoes “Paid Political Signature Gatherer” Badges

Paid signature gathers won’t be required to wear badges identifying them as such, thanks to a veto by Gov. Jerry Brown September 7.

The Democratic governor said the bill was “provocative but ultimately unpersuasive” and could set a bad precedent.

“If it is acceptable to force paid signature gatherers to place identifying badges on their chests, will similar requirements soon be placed on paid campaign workers?”    Read more »

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Jerry Brown Says: Save California’s Sea Otters, One Tax Check-off At a Time

If they are generous enough, taxpayers will be able to keep helping California sea otters for another five years through voluntary contributions under a new law signed Sept. 1 by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The tax check-off, one of 15 on Page 3 of the Franchise Tax Board’s Form 540, automatically expired January 1 under the terms of the legislation creating it in 2006.    Read more »

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Tribe Sponsored Bill to Overrule Local Land Use Decisions on Landfill Goes to Governor

A landfill project opposed by a casino-operating San Diego Indian tribe would be prohibited under legislation sent to Gov. Jerry Brown by the Legislature August 31.

The fight over siting the landfill has lasted more than 17 years, spawned the most expensive county ballot measure in San Diego history and sparked numerous legal tussles, several of which reached the state Supreme Court.    Read more »

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Not Much Time or Taxpayer Dough Wasted But 117 Days Late?

Approved August 30 by California lawmakers, on the eight day prior to the Legislature hanging up its cleats until 2012, was a resolution urging Californians to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo, which oddly enough occurs on the 5th day of May, is the “historic day to honor the valiant spirit of the brave Mexicanos who defended the town of Puebla against the French invaders” and “honor the Mexican Americans of today who have fought, died and lived to protect the freedom of the United States.”    Read more »

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Like Paragraph Two Says: California’s Teachers and Students Are Succeeding — At Least as Measured By Test Results

2010–11 California High School Exit Examination Results Released

SACRAMENTO — Nearly 95 percent of students from the Class of 2011 passed the California High School Exit Examination and tests administered over the last school year also showed improvement among the state’s African American and Hispanic students, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced August 24.    Read more »

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Seems Like News Would Be Commending Rather Than Combating Underage Drinking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Andrew LaMar

August 22, 2011

Corbett Resolution Targeting Underage Drinking Passes Assembly

SACRAMENTO – A resolution authored by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) urging the governor to make it a priority to prevent underage use of alcohol passed the Assembly today on a unanimous vote.    Read more »

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It’s Just a Legislative Letter But the Content Is Concerning

Among the measures approved August 22 as the Legislature hurries to complete its work before it adjourns for 2011 on September 9 was a resolution encouraging President Obama and Congress to keep sending federal dollars to “increase the supply of physicians in California.”

In particular the resolution, which has no force of law, seeks to improve access to care for “Californians in rural areas and members of underrepresented ethnic groups.”    Read more »

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California Unemployment Inches Up in July — Better Than Last Year, Though

California’s unemployment rate increased to 12 percent in July, according to data released August 19 by the California Employment Development Department.

Non-farm jobs increased by 4,500 during the month. Through July, the state has added 116,000 jobs in 2011.

The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 9.1 percent in July.

July’s state unemployment rate is .2 percent higher than June but .4 percent lower than July 2010’s rate of 12.4 percent.    Read more »

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