State Fiscal Health Index: July 2018 [EconTax Blog]

Sep 4, 2018 - The index ranges from 0 (representing the lowest level in the last 25 years) to 100 (representing the highest level in the last 25 years). The higher the index, the better the conditions for state revenues.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/304

Building Permits Update: July 2018 [EconTax Blog]

Aug 31, 2018 - Single family homes (35,491) have made up about half of the statewide total so far this year, as they have in recent years. After dipping below 2017 levels in June, July single fam ily permits were up 27 percent compared to a year ago.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/303

The Salton Sea: A Status Update

Aug 29, 2018 - Figure 5 Estimated Salton Sea Playa Exposure and Management Goals Over the Next Decade F rom Salton Sea Management Program Phase I Ten ‑Year Plan Year Acres of Newly Exposed Playa Acres of Projects To Be Constructed 2018
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3879

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 9 (Professional Engineers)

Aug 28, 2018 - Currently, Unit 9 members must work 15  years to receive half of the state retiree health benefits and 25 years to receive the full benefit. Under the proposed agreement, beginning in 2019, this vesting schedule also would apply to retirement dental and vision benefits for new hires.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3880

MOU Fiscal Analysis: Bargaining Unit 10 (Professional Scientists)

Aug 28, 2018 - Currently, Unit 10 members must work 15 years to receive half of the state retiree health benefit and 25 years to receive the full benefit. Under the proposed agreement, beginning in 2019, this vesting schedule also would apply to retirement dental benefits for new hires.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3881

Need-Based Financial Aid Award Amounts [EdBudget]

Aug 27, 2018 - The size of the supplement each year depends on the level of tax credit funds. The UC Grant covers both tuition and nontuition expenses after applying a student self-help expectation and factoring all other financial aid.
https://lao.ca.gov/Education/EdBudget/Details/190

Unemployment Claims Update: July 2018 [EconTax Blog]

Aug 24, 2018 - July claims fell below the average of the past 12 months (182,000), as well as the five-year average (208,000). As shown o n the left side of the graphic below, unemployment claims had a slight downward trend over the past 12 months.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/302

Home Sales Update: July 2018 [EconTax Blog]

Aug 23, 2018 - During past the 12 months, year-over-year growth in home sales has slowed. Sales growth generally has hovered around zero and has posted declines in some months. While somewhat not able, this mild slowdown is far from the type of drop that is normally seen before an economic downturn.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/301

Why Are Home Sales a Useful Economic Indicator? [EconTax Blog]

Aug 23, 2018 - As we have discussed ( here , here , and here ), both home price growth and home sales are important drivers of growth in taxable property values and, in turn, property tax revenues for schools and local governments.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/299

Statewide Tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. [Ballot]

Aug 21, 2018 - For the four cities combined, these taxes currently raise an estimated $25  million per year. State Bans New Local Taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Drinks. A law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on June 28, 2018 prohibits other local governments from enacting new excise taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2018-004