California Budget

California's public transit systems say they are facing a "fiscal cliff" and are pleading for state aid, but so far haven't gained much traction in the Capitol.

California faces a large budget deficit for the forthcoming fiscal year and chronic shortfalls for years thereafter. How to deal with them is going to be a major problem for the state's politicians.

Reuse, reduce… recalibrate?  According to one watchdog agency, California is “falling short” in its ambitious organic waste recycling efforts and may need to hit the pause button until state agencies and local governments can sort themselves out. But that rankled the state officials in charge, who considered the very suggestion, well, garbage — prompting a […]

California's public transit agencies are seeking $5 billion over five years to keep buses and trains running, but time is running out in the budget process at the state Capitol. To address criticism, they submitted a new accountability plan.

With California experiencing a serious budget deficit and the fiscal squeeze tightening, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators also face demands for billions of more dollars for troubled vital services.

For the past decade, California has spent billions of dollars to improve the education of at-risk children, but there's scant evidence that it had the intended effect.

As Republicans stymie President Joe Biden's budget proposal to reverse Trump-era tax cuts and increase the corporate tax rate, Senate Democrats in California want to follow through at the state level to help close the budget deficit and keep various spending programs intact. They also proposed a 25% cut for smaller businesses and additional relief for low-income renters and families.

As the state moves to require dyslexia screening in public schools, experts say teachers need to embrace the “science of reading” approach that emphasizes phonics.

With the projected budget deficit ballooning, Republicans in the California Senate are urging Democrats to be cautious about spending decisions and back off on a proposal to increase taxes on major corporations.

What are the big takeaways from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s updated 2023-24 budget proposal, the so-called May revise? The impact of climate change. Fiscal restraint with a looming recession. And almost certainly, no tax increases to cover the growing budget deficit. The spending plan Newsom unveiled Friday anticipates a $31.5 billion deficit, up from $22.5 billion […]