May Revision 2016: Economic Outlook May 15, 2016
We discuss the state's economic outlook, including the administration's assessment of the near-term economic outlook in the Governor's May Revision to his 2016-17 budget proposal.
A Note on Economic Assumptions & State Budget Analyses May 15, 2016
We discuss the ways that economic assumptions affect state budget analyses and how policy makers and others should consider these assumptions.
April 2016 "Big Three" Tax Collections May 9, 2016
We have now received preliminary data from all the tax agencies concerning April 2016 collections of the personal income tax, the sales and use tax, and the corporation tax. These are the state General Fund's "Big Three" revenue sources.
April 2016 Tax Tracker: Personal Income Taxes May 5, 2016
Updated daily during April, this is our annual tracker page for California's personal income tax collections.
U-6: Broader Unemployment Measure Continues to Improve April 22, 2016
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released updated data for states' "U-6" measures (broad measures of the unemployed, underemployed, and those who are not looking but who want a job) through the first quarter of 2016.
Some History on April FTB Tax Collections April 18, 2016
To help enhance readers' understanding of how to track April California income tax collections, we offer some data concerning the recent history of the month's tax collections at the California Franchise Tax Board.
March 2016 Jobs Report: Unemployment Down, Slow Growth in Payroll Jobs April 15, 2016
We discuss the March 2016 jobs report, released by the California Employment Development Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
February 2016 State Revenues: Above Expectations...For Now March 10, 2016
We have received preliminary information from the state's tax agencies on February 2016 collections of the California's "Big Three" state General Fund taxes.
Santa Cruz Libraries: A Case Study in Local Control March 1, 2016
In the mid-1990s, the state allowed Santa Cruz County enterprise districts' property tax revenue to be redirected to a supplemental fund supporting county libraries.
Hearing Handout: State Homelessness Program Overview February 25, 2016
We were asked to provide an overview of state homelessness programs at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review.
Administration's January 2016 Proposition 30 Estimates February 19, 2016
As part of the annual budget development process, the administration provides us with its current estimates of Proposition 30 revenues through 2018-19. 2018-19 is the last fiscal year affected by the Proposition 30 income tax increases for high-income Californians.
Enterprise Services: Similar Functions, Different Funding February 18, 2016
We explore how the property tax allocation decisions from the mid-1970s affect funding for local airport services even now in the Lake Tahoe region.
Personal Income Budget Formula Estimate Likely Too Low February 18, 2016
We discuss a particular formula used in the state budget related to personal income growth. The administration's January estimate of this formula for the 2016-17 state budget is likely too low.
Jan. 2015 Revenues: Income Taxes Modestly Under Projections February 12, 2016
We have received data on January 2015 state revenue collections from California's tax agencies.
Consequences of the Property Tax Allocation System February 10, 2016
This post explores some of the consequences of basing today's local government property tax shares on choices made in the 1970s.