Taxes

California received a one-two punch from Mother Nature as Tropical Storm Hilary unleashed torrential record rains and flooding across Southern California, and an earthquake struck near Ojai — all during what has historically been the state’s wildfire season. The wild weekend prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to head south, declaring a storm state of emergency even […]

California's 45-year-long war over tax restrictions will be placed before voters next year. But a new appellate court ruling has also opened a new source of conflict.

California has experienced population and economic growth for virtually all of its 173-year history, but now may be facing prolonged stagnation.

A new ban on flavored tobacco products is accelerating a decline in nicotine tax revenue that funds California’s early childhood services. Some programs are already making cuts.

From CalMatters’ politics/California Divide intern Rya Jetha: Have you ever enjoyed a night market in East Asia? Or hoped to experience the delicious food and lively atmosphere of one? Good news: There may be many more night markets coming soon to California. A new bill unveiled Monday is trying to pave the way for night […]

When budget season arrived in 2022, state lawmakers enjoyed the excitement and possibilities over how to spend a record $97.5 billion budget surplus, a shocking figure coming at the end of a bruising COVID-19 pandemic. But the two ensuing years have played out like a mirror universe as the state stares down a budget deficit […]

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.

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.

Twelve years ago California made a deal with Amazon to establish how to collect sales taxes for online purchases. But while Amazon has become a retail giant in California, the taxation issue still reverberates.

From Wendy Fry of CalMatters’ California Divide team: A pandemic-era public health policy known as Title 42, used to turn away asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border, is coming to an end just before 9 p.m. tonight, prompting concerns about unprecedented migration flows. Meanwhile, hundreds of migrants have been waiting outside between border walls in […]