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California Economy and Taxes
 
Image - Big 3 Revenue Outlook
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Thumbnail for Unclaimed Property is 5th Largest General Fund Revenue Source

Unclaimed Property is 5th Largest General Fund Revenue Source February 10, 2015

We provide some perspectives on California's unclaimed property program as a General Fund revenue source.

Thumbnail for 2014 CA Price Inflation Above U.S., But Still Low

2014 CA Price Inflation Above U.S., But Still Low February 7, 2015

Consumer price index (CPI) data for all of 2014 is now available.

Thumbnail for Broader Unemployment Measure Improves, Still Higher Than Before Recession

Broader Unemployment Measure Improves, Still Higher Than Before Recession February 5, 2015

We consider California's "U-6" unemployment rate, a broader measure of labor force underutilization than the official "U-3" unemployment rate.

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Silicon Valley, San Francisco, & Marin: CA Income Taxes February 4, 2015

A recent report on Silicon Valley discusses the region's economic growth. We consider the role that Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Marin play in California's main state government revenue source, the personal income tax.

Ending the Triple Flip February 3, 2015

With the upcoming end of the "triple flip," a complex, decade-old mechanism affecting state and local finances in California, we have received several inquiries seeking a basic understanding of what the triple flip is and how its end will work exactly. This note addresses those issues.

Thumbnail for Effects of L.A., Inland Empire on CA Unemployment

Effects of L.A., Inland Empire on CA Unemployment February 2, 2015

We consider how the elevated unemployment rates in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties affect the statewide unemployment rate.

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Agricultural Areas Tend to Have Higher Unemployment January 29, 2015

We consider the relationship between a California area having an agriculture-focused economy and its unemployment rate.

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FTB December 2014 Revenue Exhibits Posted January 28, 2015

The Franchise Tax Board's twice-yearly revenue exhibits are highly technical, but include key information for those who track and forecast California's state income tax revenues.

Thumbnail for CA Unemployment, While Improving, Still Among Highest in U.S.

CA Unemployment, While Improving, Still Among Highest in U.S. January 27, 2015

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data on state employment trends in December show that, while California's job market has been improving, unemployment here still ranks high among U.S. states.

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Initial 12/14 Jobs Report: Modest Growth to End Solid Year for State January 26, 2015

The state's Employment Development Department released its first report, to be revised later, on December 2014 job growth in California.

Thumbnail for U.S. Price Inflation Very Low Now

U.S. Price Inflation Very Low Now January 17, 2015

Inflation in the U.S. economy was very low in late 2014, and further drops in prices are possible in early 2015. We discuss both the risks and benefits of low price growth.

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Sagging Global Economy May Affect California January 13, 2015

Over the past few months, some of our major international trading partners have seen their economic growth slow. We examine how the California economy may be affected.

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Effects of Lower Oil Prices on Economy January 13, 2015

In our Overview of the Governor's Budget, we note that lower oil prices should help the economy in the near term.

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New Governor's Budget Economic Forecast January 13, 2015

We compare key economic variables of the Brown Administration's new Governor's Budget plan forecast with those from recent LAO and administration projections.

Thumbnail for Administration Revenue Projection Higher than LAO Nov. Totals

Administration Revenue Projection Higher than LAO Nov. Totals January 9, 2015

On an "apples to apples" basis, a preliminary review of the Governor's January 2015 budget proposal shows that it assumes that the "Big Three" General Fund taxes for 2013-14 through 2015-16 will be $1.3 billion higher than the LAO projected in November 2014.