California Budget

Commentary

Should California use bond money to cover its budget deficits?

As California's budget faces years of operating deficits, politicians may be tempted to borrow money to cover them, but that would be a misuse of the state's bonding authority.

By Dan Walters • July 31, 2023

Commentary

Budget deficits could plague California for years. When will Capitol leaders take it seriously?

The state budget that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in June largely uses gimmicks to bridge a big deficit, and hopes increasing revenues in the future will make it work. However, his own administration sees a string of deficits in the future.

By Dan Walters • July 25, 2023

WhatMatters

Slow roll to finish California budget

A new CalMatters newsletter: The CalMatters California Divide team is devoted to providing in-depth, innovative and independent coverage of the politics and policy of inequality. Now, the team is bringing you a free weekly newsletter. Just as WhatMatters brings you the best of CalMatters and stories by other media, Inequality Insights will do the same […]

By Lynn La • July 5, 2023

Commentary

California’s winners and losers in bids for more state budget aid

Three major providers of public services mounted strong campaigns for more state aid, citing financial crises, but the new state budget's outcomes varied greatly.

By Dan Walters • July 3, 2023

WhatMatters

Can California find solutions to homelessness in Texas?

When you’re facing an intractable crisis like homelessness, you’ll try to find answers anywhere.  Despite a recent history of quarreling governors, California officials are looking at Texas. And maybe for good reason: While California’s homeless population grew by 43% (and 439 out of every 100,000 residents are homeless), Texas’ homeless population shrunk by nearly a […]

By Lynn La • June 28, 2023

Commentary

California budget deal delivers major setback to Delta water tunnel project

California Gov. Gavin Newsom had to concede defeat on trying to get the Legislature to give a very contentious water tunnel project streamlined regulatory treatment.

By Dan Walters • June 28, 2023

Politics

What you need to know on the California budget deal

After weeks of negotiations, the governor and top Democrats in the Legislature say they have a budget deal. Legislators will start voting today on bills related to the agreement, which sets spending and policy across a wide range of issues affecting Californians.

By Sameea Kamal and Alexei Koseff • June 27, 2023

Politics

Is California using an old labor board to get around a fast food industry referendum?

An obscure 1910s-era labor board once regulated everything from canneries to film sets to sheep farms. Why is California trying to revive it now?

By Jeanne Kuang • June 27, 2023

WhatMatters

Winners and losers in the California budget deal

Monday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders finally announced they had reached a budget deal. The bills will start being voted on today to finalize the agreement before the new fiscal year starts on July 1. The deal sets spending levels and policy across a wide range of issues affecting Californians. Some winners: A […]

By Lynn La • June 27, 2023

Commentary

California budget being misused to provide special interest goodies

As a final California state budget is being negotiated, special interest goodies are being written into it and the dozens of related "trailer bills" that follow.

By Dan Walters • June 27, 2023