Economy

For local governments still sporting the budgetary scars of the last “once in a generation” recession, this downturn is at once familiar — forcing elected leaders to cut, furlough and delay — and entirely new. Never before in state history has so much economic activity ground to a halt so quickly.

Local governments across California have seen their budgets gutted by the pandemic-induced recession, but they aren’t likely to have much luck turning to voters for a handout. A new Public Policy Institute of California poll found that voters are not in a giving mood when it comes to new bond and tax measures. That follows […]

California faces an unprecedented $54.3 billion deficit. Finance officials announce the unemployment rate could reach 18%, worse than the Great Recession. Schools, health care and safety-net programs face devastating cuts as state and local officials seek additional federal stimulus. 

California health care workers face layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts in the coronavirus pandemic as hospitals and medical practices say they're financially bleeding.

Lee este artículo en español. California’s essential workers will get new workers’ compensation protections under an executive order signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom — a move that could cost the state billions of dollars in claims from COVID-19-infected workers. The order presumes that workers — including nurses, janitors, first responders, farmworkers and grocery workers who […]

The state's massive deal with novice medical supplier Blue Flame mysteriously falls apart, with Maryland now calling for an investigation into the company's conduct.

Today’s socially distanced oral argument was just the latest installment in a nearly decade’s long legal drama that pits unionized public sector workers against cash-strapped state and local governments and pension debt hawks.

California’s top prosecutor sued Uber and Lyft for classifying drivers as independent contractors, depriving them of employee benefits and wages that are even more essential during the coronavirus pandemic.

California businesses have received $66.6 billion in federal Paycheck Protection Program loans so far, about 13% of the nation’s total, according to federal loan data. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state’s businesses didn’t receive a proportional share of the federal money in the first round, but that it is now “punching above its weight” in […]

Health officials say the coronavirus is controlled enough to allow retail and manufacturing businesses to partially reopen.