Economy

Economy

Get up to speed: 10 hot topics that will shape California campaigns in 2018

The 2018 elections are coming—and those of you who don’t spend your waking hours monitoring the secretary of state’s website may have some questions. Here’s a quick primer for anyone resolving to enter 2018 as a more informed citizen.

By

Ben Christopher

• December 28, 2017

Economy

Tesla troubles: Can California impose its blue values on the green economy?

Would California withhold clean car rebates from Tesla customers if the electric car maker doesn't meet the state's evolving labor standards?

By

Judy Lin

• December 20, 2017

"Painted Lady" Victorians in San Francisco. Photo via Wikimedia

Economy

Jerry Brown urges a ‘no’ vote on ‘tax monstrosity’

"Please, call your Republican representative and tell them: 'Vote no on this tax monstrosity,'" Gov. Jerry Brown tells Californians.

By

Judy Lin

• December 18, 2017

1040 Individual Tax Return form on top of a table full of paper money.

Economy

Partial preservation of income tax deductions softens blow to Californians

Some Californians are breathing a sigh of relief now that House and Senate Republicans have agreed to a partial preservation of state and local income taxes, but a lot of taxpayers will still be unhappy.

By

Judy Lin

• December 14, 2017

Economy

Brown advisor: GOP tax plan will make it harder to buy homes in California

Gov. Jerry Brown's chief fiscal advisor says the Republican tax plan will raise the cost of homeownership by scaling back the mortgage interest deduction, making it harder to buy property in California given the state's high cost of housing.

By

Judy Lin

• December 13, 2017

Economy

What new jobs? California program to entice hiring falls short

Four years after Gov. Jerry Brown launched his signature program to boost California jobs by awarding tax credits to the businesses that create them, businesses have left two thirds of those available credits unclaimed—a sign that most expected jobs have yet to materialize. Nor can the state say for sure how many of the administration’s 83,414 projected jobs over five years have actually been created. State offices responsible for awarding and monitoring the California Competes tax credits say they aren’t keeping count.

By

Judy Lin

• November 21, 2017

A Japanese classroom with desk and tables and blakckboard is taken from low angle.

Economy

Open Reporting: Help us explore how pension costs are hitting schools

In the past year, CALmatters, Capital Public Radio and the Los Angeles Times have partnered to examine the history of the state’s pension woes and how key decisions to boost public workers’ benefits without setting aside extra money to pay for them have threatened the bottom lines for universities as well as state and local governments. Now, we’re turning our attention to schools.

By

Jessica Calefati

• November 16, 2017

Economy

UC is handing out generous pensions, and students are paying the price with higher tuition

As parents and students start writing checks for the first in-state tuition hike in seven years at the University of California, they hope the extra money will buy a better education.

By

CalMatters Staff

• November 16, 2017

Economy

Help us explore how pension costs are hitting schools

In the past year, CALmatters, Capital Public Radio and the Los Angeles Times have partnered to examine the history of the state’s pension woes and how key decisions to boost public workers’ benefits without setting aside extra money to pay for them have threatened the bottom lines for universities as well as state and local governments. Now, we’re turning our attention to schools.

By

Jessica Calefati

• November 16, 2017

Economy

Democrats outline how tax plan hurts middle-class Californians

Democrats are taking their concerns about the GOP tax plan to congressional delegates, highlighting the pain it would inflict on homeowners, college students and even victims of the Northern California wildfires.

By

Judy Lin

• November 9, 2017