Revenue collections through January have been well ahead of projections in the recently released 2021-22 Governor’s Budget. After accounting for changes in constitutionally-required spending, we estimate that these higher-than-expected collections represent a roughly $4 billion increase in discretionary state funding relative to the Governor’s Budget.
California new business creation in January was up more than 50 percent over the same month in 2020.
California personal income stayed flat in the third quarter as transfer payments fell, although wages and salaries were up over 2019.
December data was emblematic of the state’s uneven economic recovery from the pandemic.
California recorded 11,611 housing permits in December, by far the biggest monthly total in 2020.
California home price growth continues to outpace national growth, and is now up nearly 10 percent over the past 12 months.
California home sales remained very strong for the fourth straight month.
California lost 52,200 net jobs in December, as the pandemic surge slowed the leisure and hospitality sector.
California withholding collections through January 25 were up 7 percent from the comparable days in 2020, and withholding since March 23 is up 6.1 percent.
A brief look at recent Unemployment Insurance claims and benefits.
December revenue collections from the state’s three largest taxes were ahead of Governor’s Budget projections by $3.0 billion (21 percent).
U.S. retail sales declined by 0.7% from November to December, but sales for the full year were 0.4% higher than 2019.
Credit/debit card data suggest CA taxable sales dropped by 2% in December but remained higher than January 2020.
After October data suggested a somewhat surprising jump in economic activity, November data returned to the late summer pattern of a slow recovery.
California recorded 8,368 housing permits in November, slightly above both the October level and the 2020 monthly average.