Unemployment Claims Update: August 2018 [EconTax Blog]

Sep 24, 2018 - August claims fell below the average of the past 12 months (181,000), as well as the five-year average (207,000). As shown on the left side of the graphic below, unemployment claims have trended downward over the past 12 months.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/308

Property tax assessment. [Ballot]

Sep 24, 2018 - Should schools gain property tax revenues under the measure, state funding for schools would decrease by a similar amount in most years. Conversely, should schools lose property tax revenues under the measure, state funding for schools would increase by a similar amount in most years.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2018-006

Felony sentencing. [Ballot]

Sep 24, 2018 - It also required that the savings that the measure created by diverting people from state prison be spent on trua ncy (unexcused school absences) prevention, programs intended to reduce crime, and victim services.
https://lao.ca.gov/BallotAnalysis/Initiative/2018-008

Home Sales Update: August 2018 [EconTax Blog]

Sep 20, 2018 - During the past year, the year-over-year growth rate in home sales has slowed. Sales growth generally has hovered around zero and has posted declines in some months. While somewhat notable, 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/306

August 2018 State Tax Collections [EconTax Blog]

Sep 12, 2018 - As noted throughout the year, withholding has been growing notably compared to 2017. From January to July, withholding has grown 9.4 percent compared to the same period in 2017. August 2018 was no exception.
https://lao.ca.gov/LAOEconTax/Article/Detail/305

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